Solemn Duty (1997) Read online

  The woman motioned to the tall player. "Rod Perkins is up four to two in the first set."

  "Thank you," Ashley said, feeling angry at herself. Hearing herself speak had been like being hit with cold water. She hadn't come to watch a tennis match. She had a job to do, and that was find Rambo, give him the envelope, and tell him he'd been assigned to the resident position. As if he didn't know already, she thought. His good ol' boy brother and he would act surprised for her benefit, but they knew. The sound of the blond hitting his serve drew her attention involuntarily back to the court. The ball was just a blur, but the cheetah pounced on it with a blistering forehand that swished by the shocked blond before he could even get his racket back. An attractive middle age woman five chairs down and a row back rose up and shouted, "Yes!"

  The crowd applauded again, this time even more loudly.

  The onlookers began shifting toward the edge of their seats; the momentum of the match had changed. Ashley, too, felt the intangible air of excitement building, and despite her good intentions, found her eyes glued to the tall player as he hit another blinding serve to the cheetah's back hand. Cheetah chipped the ball back, barely clearing the net and the blond had to sprint to try to return it. In a dead run, he just got to the ball and popped it up, but the cheetah was waiting and smashed it in an overhead that hit the alley line.

  The blond shouted, "Out!"

  The crowd murmured and the attractive woman stood and hollered, "No way! It was on the line!"

  The court judge seated in the elevated chair leaned over his mike. "The ball was in, Mr. Perkins. The score is thirty, love."

  The crowd erupted in applause, and the blond tossed down his racket and shouted angrily, "That was out, damnit! Are you blind?"

  Again the judge leaned over the mike and spoke in a monotone. "Thirty love, continue play, please, Mr. Perkins."

  Ashley forced herself to look over her shoulder and begin to search the intense faces. She heard the sound of the serve, but didn't flinch; she had her control back, she told herself. A pinging sound told her the cheetah had returned the blast, but again she kept up the search. The crowd applauded and the voice of the attractive woman five chairs down called, "yes!"

  Where are you, Agent Tanner? Ashley asked herself. Come on, I know you're here somewhere sitting by that good ol' boy brother of yours. You're forty-seven-years old and Jerome is at least fifty. Where are you, damnit?

  "Forty, love," the court judge said.

  Unable to concentrate, Ashley spun around just as the blond served another bullet, but the cheetah attacked the yellow blur and smacked it back toward his opponent. Too surprised even to move, the ball hit the blond's right shin with a resounding smack.

  The crowd erupted in applause and the attractive woman rose again, her raised fist clenched. "That away, baby!"

  The elderly woman seated beside Ashley chuckled and leaned over. "Millie sure is enjoying this. I must say I am, too.

  Her brother-in-law is quite good, isn't he?"

  Ashley nodded and' glanced at the woman, who was still standing. "The way she was yelling, I thought she was his wife."

  "No, that's just Millie, she's a dear girl who doesn't particularly care for Rod. He's a northerner you know?"

  "No, I didn't realize, but I certainly should have guessed it"

  Ashley tried to contain a smile. I'm definitely in the Old South, she thought as she looked back toward the players, who were taking their break before changing sides. The cheetah, toweling off his racket grip, smiled at his sister-in-law. Ashley couldn't help but smile, too. It was an easy smile, as if he did it a lot. It was a good smile for a man, genuine and natural, like that of a small boy.

  A man rose up beside the woman and barked toward the cheetah, "You need another dry shirt?"

  The cheetah shook his head and grinned as he motioned toward his feet "I just need a pair of younger legs."

  Ashley smiled again. She liked the way the cheetah didn't take himself too seriously. His attitude was a stark contrast to Blondy on the other side of the court. He had on his game face and was staring at the cheetah as if he wanted to tear his throat out. Get a life, Blondy, Ashley thought. Cheetah may lose the match, but he's got you beat in the game of life. . .. Okay, that's it! I'm getting back to business now. It's time to find Agent Tanner and carry out my mission.

  Ashley was about to turn and begin her search again when the court judge spoke into the mike. "Score is Mr. Perkins, four, and Mr. Tanner, three. It is Mr. Tanner's serve."

  Ashley's face paled as she abruptly swung her head toward the court in disbelief. No, it can't be. I must have heard wrong.

  Twisting in her seat, she touched the elderly woman's arm.

  "Excuse me, but what did the judge say the older player's name was?"

  "Tanner, dear. Eli Tanner. Millie introduced me to him this morning before he and Jerome played doubles in the second round. Such a gentleman. He's in the FBI, just like Jerome was. The heat getting to you dear? Your face is so flushed."

  Not sure what he was supposed to do, the waiter stood at the side of the crowded table holding a tray of drinks. Millie saw his dilemma and quickly picked up the two first-place trophies to make room. Setting down the tray, the waiter motioned toward the bar. "Dr. Fielding sends his congratulations to all the victors."

  Jerome waved toward the balding man seated on a bar stool.

  "Thanks for the drinks, Harry. Pull up a chair and join us."

  The doctor smiled and slid off the stool. "I'm sure I'll hear all about how you single-handedly won the finals in doubles."

  A woman in an expensive warm-up seated beside Jerome rolled her eyes. "You're right, Harry. Jerome was just telling us for the fifth time how he carried Eli in that third set."

  Jerome stood and made an overhead smash motion. `degTell her, Harry, I do it all the time. I faked the miss to get John and Colin out of position."

  Harry shrugged as he brought up a chair. "If you faked that miss you ought to get an Academy Award." His gaze settled on Eli. "Young man, you played well despite your brother's valiant attempt to lose. However, I must tell you that I especially enjoyed your singles match with Rod. Coming back and winning the first set when you were four down was something to see. I'm afraid you took the heart out of Rod after that. I don't recall Rod's winning a single point in the second set."

  Eli dipped his chin. Thank you, sir, but I'm paying the price. I can't get up from this chair."

  "As your brother's physician, I offer you a bit of advice.

  Beer. Drink beer until you can't feel anything. Tonight I guarantee you'll be able to sleep, and when you wake up tomorrow, your head will hurt so bad you won't even notice the aches, pains, and soreness of the match."

  Directly behind their table, Ashley Sutton sat alone on a plaid couch facing a television. Hearing the outburst of raucous laughter from those around the table, she cringed. Pa-lease.

  Will they ever stop with the jokes and the gloating? She'd been waiting for her chance to deliver the envelope, but as yet had been unsuccessful. After the match, the Tanners and the other players had retired to the clubhouse for the awards presentation, dinner, and the retelling of war stories. The women doubles champions were especially loud, and one of them, a buxom redhead wearing a very short tennis skirt, was falling all over herself trying to get Special Agent Eli Tanner to notice her. It was sickening, Ashley thought as she nursed her second gin and tonic and pretended to watch the Braves game. She had by then gotten over her shock at her mental image of Agent Tanner being so far off base. Well, not that far off, she thought He might not look like Rambo, but she knew behind that impish smile there was still a conniving good ol' boy and macho man of the worst kind.

  At the victory table, the partner of the redheaded vixen stood and pointed at her gold Rolex. "Sorry, fellow winners, but I've got to get home to hubby; it's getting late. It's been fun."

  Others stood, saying they hadn't realized it was so late, and in less than a minute onl
y the Tanners and the determined redhead remained. Millie eyed the vixen with suspicion and leaned over to her. "Barb, why don't you and I go and freshen our faces."

  "Do you think I'm in need of repair?" the woman drawled as she wiggled her painted eyebrows at Eli.

  He smiled. "Miss Barbara, I fear I'm not qualified to comment on such matters. I believe, however, that Millie would like your company. My mother always said a lady should never walk alone."

  "And your mama was right," the redhead said, getting to her feet. "Now don't run off on me while we're gone. I want to talk to you about playing mixed doubles next time you come and visit We'll make a perfect team."

  Jerome waited until the two women were out of earshot before shaking his head. "Watch her Elly, she's got playing in mind, but it isn't tennis. She was divorced last year and is on the hunt."

  Eli sighed and picked up his mug of beer. "I couldn't play if I wanted to." He shifted his gaze to his brother and sank back in his chair. "We've been playin' tennis for two days straight and haven't had much time to talk about the move. I have to tell ya, Jer, it looks like I'm washed up--they're putting me out to pasture with this assignment."

  Jerome lowered his head. "You knew that when you wrote the report on Ruby Ridge. They can forgive a lot of things, but in their minds you broke the code. Disloyalty to the boo is the one thing they won't stand for. How long do you think you have?"

  "A year at the most. The Atlanta office posting is just window dressing to make it look good. They'll make it as miserable for me as they can The good news is, at least they gave me Atlanta for the torture. It'll make it easier having you and Millie just ninety miles away."

  Jerome put his arm over his brother's shoulder. "Screw 'em, Elly, retire now and come work for me. I've got offices opening in Marietta, Selma, and Macon. You'll oversee the whole kit and caboodle and give Millie and me a chance to finally do some traveling."

  Eli patted his brother's hand. "Thanks, Jer, but I'm going to stick it out so I can receive full retirement benefits. Keep the offer open, though. I'd like nothing better than to work with you. . . . We had fun today, didn't we? It really was like the old days."

  Jerome squeezed Eli's neck. "Yeah, it was a day to remember. I just wish Dad could have seen us. He would have been happy to see his hard work pay off."

  Jerome lowered his head a moment before looking up.

  "Elly, I'm gettin' old. It's damn hard to admit, but I am. I can't move like I used to. My mind thinks I can, but my body says, `Screw you.' It was good winning again. Thanks."

  Eli shut his eyes a moment, savoring the feel of his brother being close. It's been too many years, he thought. Opening his eyes, he patted Jerome's hand again. "Brother, they say things always happen for the best. After today I believe that saying. I was feeling pretty low when I got here, but now, being with you and Millie, I'm feelin' a whole lot better about the move.

  I'm not going to let the bastards get me down. They don't know it, but they just threw Br'er Rabbit into the briar patch."

  Millie walked up with her usual smile. "Who's Br'er Rabbit?"

  "Men-talk, hon. Where's Barb?" Jerome asked.

  Millie raised an eyebrow. "We had a little talk in the women's room. I explained to her Eli wasn't available."

  "You're kiddin', right?" Eli said. He sat up. "I really liked Barb. Well, at least parts of her looked interesting. She said we'd make a perfect team in mixed doubles."

  "Forget it, Bub, that's your hormones talking. She's not your type. It just so happens I have a friend who--"

  Jerome sighed. "Aw hell, hon, ya promised you wouldn't try and fix him up."

  "It's a woman's thing, okay? Now cool it. Cynthia is a sweet girl who--"

  "Has a great personality," Jerome finished, elbowing his brother in the ribs. "And she makes her own clothes and doesn't eat much and--"

  "That's enough, Jerome Tanner, or you'll be lookin' for a gal with a great personality who'll wash your dirty socks and put up with your snoring. Are you two ready to go?"

  Jerome raised his hand from the table. "Almost, but I think there's someone who wants to talk to me before we leave." He looked over his shoulder directly at Ashley Sutton. "Is that right, miss? You did want to speak to me, didn't you?"

  Shocked, Ashley stammered; "Well, uh, no, sir, actually I wanted to speak to your brother."

  Jerome stood and pulled his chair out farther. "Then come on over, Agent Sutton, and sit right here beside him."

  Caught off guard, Ashley put on a plastic smile, got up and walked toward the table.

  Jerome raised an eyebrow as she sat down. "Just so you know I'm not psychic, Linda at the reception desk told me who you were and that you had asked about me. She said you showed your boo ID and said it was business."

  Ashley winced. "I'm sorry about that but they weren't going to let me into the club without a member to sign me in. I didn't want to disturb you. It really is business. I have something to give Agent Tanner."

  Shifting in her chair, she faced Eli. "Agent Tanner, I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner, but with your victory and the party, I didn't think it a good time to hand you your assignment instructions."

  Reaching into her purse, she took out the envelope. "Agent Tanner, I'm Agent Ashley Sutton. The Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta office asked that I give you this. Congratulations, you will be replacing me as the resident agent heading up the office here in Columbus."

  Eli stared at the envelope. Jerome slapped his brother's back with one hand and took the envelope with the other. "You're in the briar patch, Elly ! Hot damn!"

  Ashley nodded to herself, seeing Eli's reaction. He's good, very good, she thought. A great performance. He really looks like he's surprised-yeah, right.

  Millie kissed Eli's cheek and gave him a hug. "Now, I'll have time to find you the right woman. This is wonderful, Eli!

  We've got to celebrate! Come on, let's go to the house and break open a bottle of champagne. Ashley, you must come and tell us all how this happened. My God, assigned right here in town. This is going to be great!"

  Ashley began to make an excuse and make a fast exit, but Millie already held her arm and was gently pulling her up from the chair. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Millie, the big guy's live-in housekeeper and, when he's nice, wife. I haven't seen you before, have IT'

  "I don't believe so, Mrs. Tanner, I just moved to Columbus a month ago and-"

  "Hold it, you two," Jerome said. He motioned to Eli, who was grimacing. "I think we've got a problem here."

  Eli spoke through clenched teeth. "I-I can't get up."

  "Cramps," Jerome said. "Take a couple of deep breaths and try to relax. Hon, go get the car and bring it up to the door.

  Ashley and I will help him to his feet and get him to the entrance."

  Millie looked worriedly at her brother-in-law, who was in obvious pain. "Anything I can do for you, Eli?"

  Jerome rolled his eyes. "Yeah, get Barb back; she'd probably love to work on his cramps. Go on, hon, get the car.

  Ashley, you get his right arm and I'll get his left. Good. On one, lift. One . . . "

  Millie poured Ashley a cup of coffee and glanced toward the room where Eli was sprawled on the couch. "I gave him some muscle relaxers, I hope it helps."

  "He was in a lot of pain. I'm surprised he didn't show it more," Ashley said.

  "He's a Tanner. Oh, just listen to me! That's bull. My Jerome is the biggest baby I know when he's sick or hurt. Eli is different. He knows pain a lot more than the rest of us. The Vietnam War did that to him. He came back different Not in a bad way, you understand, just different. He went through hell during his therapy, broke my heart seeing him like that, but he made it"

  "Does he have children?' Ashley asked.

  Millie gave her guest a questioning stare. "How did you know he'd been married?'

  "His file. The SAC gave me a copy to read so I would know about him."

  "It's just more pain that he had to endure
," Millie said, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Yes, he has a son, but he hasn't seen him in almost ten years. It's a long story you probably don't want to hear."