From Maine To The Pentagon - 7. The Pentagon

Monday

I know the Major said we’d be up early, and I should have realized it after the early start south with Lieutenant Collins. But five-forty-five? Hell, the birds weren’t even awake yet. Okay, it’s December twenty-eighth, there aren’t that many birds around.

But by the time he made breakfast and we both showered, it was 6:30 before we were out the door. He suggested I bring my earbuds, so I could listen to music or watch videos if anything sensitive would be discussed at his staff meeting. So, a twelve to fifteen minute drive from South Monroe Street to the Pentagon, and another five minute walk from the parking lot, and still another ten minute walk to his office, we got there at 7:01. We also stopped at a reception desk where the Major picked up a visitor’s pass for me. He told me to keep it in plain sight at all times. I made sure I did. It would be quite embarrassing for him if his son were arrested. Hey, I can think positive thoughts about that.

“Good morning, Lieutenant Collins.”

“Good morning, Major Greiss. And good morning to you as well, Kurtis.”

I was about to grunt a good morning back, but then figured the Major would not appreciate that, “Good morning, Lieutenant.”

“Staff meeting all set for eight?”

“Yes, sir. Conference room 3D415, as usual.”

“Great. I’m going to see if Colonel Gulden is in yet. He’s first on the list of the staff to meet Kurtis.”

“I saw Grace, so I suspect he is in.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

We walked past Cyn into his office. It was fucking huge. I couldn’t imagine how large a Colonel or General’s office would be.

The Major pointed to a chair as he was sitting down and dialing the Colonel. I sat.

“Good morning, Lieutenant Alcott. Is he in?”

“Good morning, Major Greiss. Yes, I’ll let him know you’re coming.”

“Thanks, I’ll be there in a few. I have to show a guest where the latrine is.”

“Very good, sir.”

“Isn’t a latrine like an outdoor bathroom?”

“I think initially, but it stuck as an army term for any bathroom.”

“Oh, okay.”

We walked past the bathrooms then headed to the Colonel’s office.

“Good morning, Grace. This young man is very likely the son I never knew I had, Kurtis West.”

“Really? Wow. Well, hello Kurtis.”

“Good morning, Lieutenant Alcott.”

“The Colonel is expecting you, go right in.”

The Major saluted as he walked into the Colonel’s office. I was wrong about the size, it was probably the same size as the Major’s. I saluted, too.

The Colonel returned the salute and we dropped our hands after he did.

“You needn’t salute me, Kurtis, but I’m impressed that you did.”

“Thank you, s-, Colonel.”

“Sir will be sufficient, for now. How are you liking living with Major Greiss?”

“I’m loving it; compared to living with Bernie, it’s heaven.”

“Bernie is the man who kicked you out of your home?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What about your mother?”

“She had to go along with him if she wanted to avoid another beating or seven.”

The Colonel looked at the Major, raising his eyebrows. I detected a slight nod of his head in response.

“I see. If Bernie were out of the picture, would you want to live with your mother?”

“If Bernie wasn’t there, she’d probably struggle to make ends meet just for herself. At least, for a while, I’d like to stay with the Major if it turns out he is my father.”

“Very admirable, thinking of her first.” He looked at the Major, “Have you begun the process to determine paternity?”

“We’ll be heading to the medical center for blood tests this morning.”

“Excellent. Let me know afterwards and I’ll request expediting the results.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome. Would you mind staying here for a few minutes, Kurtis? I can have Lieutenant Alcott escort you back.”

I looked at the Major, who nodded. “No, I don’t mind. I’d be happy to stay for a bit, sir.”

“Excellent. Dismissed, Major Greiss.”

The Major saluted and left. I got nervous, wondering what was next. The Colonel waved at a chair and I sat.

“Let’s dispense with the formalities. You may call me Gray.”

I tried to stifle a laugh. But the Colonel assured me it was okay, “Between my last name and the attempt at humor by my parents, those two things contributed greatly to my nickname. I’m sure you can guess what it is.”

“I can, Gray.”

“Colonel Mustard is infinitely better than Grey Poupon, don’t you think?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, humor out of the way, it’s time to get serious.”

“O-okay.”

“No need to be worried. Are you familiar with what Major Greiss does for the army?”

“The Major said they’re all Military Police. They investigate questionable incidents by army personnel. Arrest them if necessary and testify at any trial or court-martial if need be.”

“Excellent description.”

“I remembered what he said, word-for-word.”

“You must have a good memory.”

“For some things.”

“One thing he left out is it can be dangerous at times.”

“What job in the army isn’t?”

“Ha. Well, there are some, but most are. The reason I’m telling you this is because there have been rumors of gun sales occurring out of Fort Huachuca, in Arizona. Nothing concrete yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if within the next few weeks we get credible reports. The Major and his team would be deployed if that occurs.”

“Okay. Does the Major know this?”

“Yes, of course. But I felt you’d need a heads up in advance. I’m sure he’ll tell you at some point, but considering your position, I felt you knowing sooner rather than later was prudent.”

“Thank you, Gray.”

“You’re welcome. Grace will walk you back to the Major’s office now. It was nice meeting you and I hope to see you again.”

“Thank you. It was nice meeting you as well.”

When I got back to the Major’s office, he was on the phone. He made a walking fingers motion then pointed to the door. I nodded and went back out to sit with Lieutenant Collins.

“Top secret call?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

He stepped out a minute later, “Come on in, Kurtis.”

I followed him back into his office.

“Sit down, please.”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“What? Oh, no. I just thought you wouldn’t want to hear this standing up. If we were to file charges against Bernie, would be willing to testify to his actions against both your mother and yourself?”

“Just tell me where and when. I’ll hop on the next plane if I have to.”

“Things aren’t going to move that quickly. I just wanted to be sure you were serious about following up on that.”

“I am.”

“Good. We have a couple minutes before we have to get to my staff meeting. What did you and Colonel Gulden talk about?”

“He asked if I knew what you did for the army. Then he told me about Fort Huachuca.”

“Hmmm. I see.”

“What will happen to me if you get deployed?”

“I’ve already spoken to Captain Perez. You’ll go there and Catalina will watch you. Did you get along with Rico after Christmas dinner?”

I tried to hide a smile, but I don’t think I succeeded, because the Major smiled at me. It felt like he was saying I know. But he couldn’t, could he?

“Yeah, he’s pretty cool. I found out he’s almost thirteen and a half, not 12.”

“That’s good. Only about a year’s difference.”

“Yeah. The Colonel said you may get deployed as soon as a couple of weeks.”

“Yes. Things are getting hot down there, and not just the temperature. I’m suspecting maybe the middle of next week.”

“So, we’ll have been together for about two weeks.”

“Right.”

The Major looked at his phone, “Okay, well, it’s time to head to the staff meeting. You have eight more people to meet.”

“Whatever you say.”

I glanced at my phone as well, it was still ten minutes to eight. I guessed the long walk to his office this morning was common getting anywhere in this maze of a building.

We arrived at conference room 3D415 at a minute to eight. It looked like his whole team was already there. They all stood and saluted.

“At ease. Most of you are probably wondering why I have this young man with me. We’ll be getting blood tests later to confirm this. He is Kurtis West, very likely the son I never knew I had until last week. The man Kurtis always thought was his father, wasn’t. Kurtis was exiled from his home by this man, who also beat his mother. Say hello, Kurtis.”

“Hi, everybody.”

“Major?”

“Yes, Private Blake?”

“Permission to find and shoot this man?”

Nearly everybody laughed, apparently knowing Private Blake was joking.

Smiling, the Major responded, “Denied. But I’ll keep that in mind. So, Kurtis, you now know who Private Blake is. Code name, Joker, if that wasn’t obvious. Now the rest in alphabetic order. Bailey,”

One man raised his hand, as did the rest when their names were called.

“Code name, Whistler, Clarke, aka Diva, Donovan, aka Brain, Gilmore, aka Happy, yeah, from the movie, Harding, President, Jensen, Gunner, she’s our best long range shooter, and Stevens, aka Stars.”

Clarke, Harding and Jensen were women.

“What about Sergeant Washington and the officers?”

The Major nodded at Lamar, “Duke.”

The Lieutenants were next, Collins was Candy, Temple was Shirley, and Captain Perez, was Stealth.

“And you, Major?”

“Nostra, short for Nostradamus.”

I zoned out and played on my phone during the rest of the meeting. Apparently nothing requiring a security clearance was discussed yet. I did hear ‘Next Wednesday,’ at one point, so I perked up.

Captain Perez queried, “Are you sure?”

“As sure as I usually am.”

I looked at the Major questioningly, he read my thoughts, “Plus or minus a day.” He pointed to his ear, so I put my earbuds in. It turned out that he was dead on with his guess of Wednesday. Literally.

Next up - "The Medical Center”