King and Maxwell (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 6)

Sean eyed him. “The men came into the mall from the direction that Dana did. We arrived first. No one followed us, that I guarantee. So that means these men followed Dana there, not us. They asked me to call her and get her back after I sent her to get the police from the mall substation. They knew she was important.”

“You sent her away to get the police?” said Brown, looking confused.

“Only she came back and helped us. In fact she ended up saving our lives. She’s a very brave woman who I know loves you very much.”

“And yet she betrayed me by telling you information that I gave to her.”

“She did it because I asked her to. In hindsight it was both selfish and stupid of me to involve her. But I did it because I was trying to help a young man find his father.”

Brown studied him. “Wingo?”

Sean nodded. “But how did those men know of Dana’s involvement? I had dinner with her out of the blue. She had no idea why. And yet men start following her after she speaks with you. Men who used to be in the military.”

Brown thought about this. “Are you suggesting that I might have a leak in my office? That’s impossible,” he added dismissively.

“Do you have another explanation?”

“I don’t have to explain anything to you,” Brown barked.

“No, you don’t. But your wife is lying in there because a man who was following her shot her. And the only reason I believe he was following her was because she knew things about Sam Wingo that you told her. Now, we killed those three men. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there.”

“This is a classified military matter.”

“Tell that to a sixteen-year-old kid who’s been told his dad is dead even though he really isn’t.”

Brown’s anger slowly faded. “I wasn’t aware of that. But I still don’t think I can help you.”

Sean watched him, trying to detect any wavering in his features. “Your wife is lying in a hospital bed because a man shot her. If I were you, I would want to make sure that all the people responsible were appropriately punished.”

Brown leaned against the wall and studied the patterned linoleum floor.

Sean moved closer. “The DoD is burying all of this. No surprise. But in doing so I hope they’re also not covering up the truth. Because if they are this stops being a national security issue and starts becoming a criminal act.”

Brown glanced up sharply. “I’m not hiding anything.”

“By allowing others to hide it I lump you with them. Guilt by inertia.”

“That’s your opinion and I could give a crap what you think.”

“It’s not really an opinion, just a basic concept. Telling the truth is the best policy.”

“That’s a very naïve approach,” Brown said in a sneering tone.

“I thought when you put on the uniform honor was a big part of it.”

“It is a big part of it,” Brown snapped.

“And if mistakes are made shouldn’t they be corrected? Even if a secret comes out? Especially if we’re talking about an innocent person’s life?”

“I’m just one person, King.”

“So you just put your head in the sand and look the other way? Is that what honor means to you?”

“What the hell do you want from me?”

“I want your help to set this right.”

“My help? Do you have any idea what you’re asking me to do?”