After the funeral service Friday morning the four surviving Navy SEALS, in full dress uniforms carried the flag draped casket of their fallen comrade from the church to his nearby resting place beneath a large shady tree. Mingling around ouside the church after the burial Amanda was talking to Steve, thanking him for the heartfelt eulogy he had given for Lee.
Steve sensed something much deeper was on her mind though and he took her hands in his, "Amanda, what is it?"
"Steve...I don't want you to think I'm crazy..." She struggled to compose herself.
"Don't be silly, I would never think that"
"Steve, I don't think this was an accident?"
He looked into her eyes noting the fear, "Okay...can you tell me why you think this?"
"On Tuesday, I thought someone had followed me home from the grocery store. They drove a black SUV and parked across from the house for a couple of hours. Shortly after Lee got home from work they left. I didn't say anything to him but yesterday morning when I went out to get the newspaper I noticed the same SUV parked down the block a bit. I told Lee and he called in sick to work. We ran several errands in the morning and when we came out of a restaurant after having lunch, I saw it again. I wanted Lee to follow it but he wouldn't with me in the car. Then this morning it was outside again. Lee drove off after it, and...he never made it home"
Steve caressed her soft hands and spoke tenderly, "Amanda did you get the license number of the SUV?"
She nodded her head, "Lee wrote it down after we left the restaurant, it's on a notepad on his desk. He was writing some other things down too. He had spent several hours on the computer that night"
"When we get back to the house I'll need to see the notepad. I'll look into this for you, I promise"
"Thank you Steve. You're a true friend and he loved and respected you very much"
"Lee was an amazing man and I loved him deeply. I'm here for you Amanda, we all are"
Their quiet conversation was interrupted by the sound of a rifle blast and as Steve instinctively threw himself in front of Amanda pulling her to the ground, he hollered for everyone to get down.
Lee's friends and relatives were screaming and sobbing as Tony and Jamar confirmed that everyone was alright.
Steve took Amanda's face in his hands, "Are you okay sweetheart?"
"Yes, I'm fine"
Steve then turned and saw Omar lying face down, the back of his head literally blown off.
Tony grabbed Steve's arm, helping the two to their feet, "We have to get out of here sir"
Steve moved quickly to Lee's father, "Martin, we need to leave and take Amanda with us. She may not be safe here. I'll contact you soon. Please..."
Steve's eyes turned to Omar and Martin placed a firm hand on Steve's shoulder interrupting him, "I'll take care of him son. Please watch over Amanda and my grandchild...go now!"
The three men raced, with Steve and Jamar practically carrying the petit pregnant woman between them. They reached the SUV and sped away from the church.
Tony was driving with Jamar in the passenger seat and Steve and Amanda in the back.
Tony turned, "Where to boss?"
"Get to Amanda's quickly" He told them of Lee and Amanda's suspicions, "We have to get that notepad and his computer. Did either of you leave anything at the hotel that you need to get?" Both men answered negative and Steve reached into his duffel bag in the back, pulling out three guns and checking their ammo.
Jamar grinned, "Shit boss, do you always travel packed to the hilt?"
Steve smirked, "I never leave home without 'em"
Amanda looked at him, "You took those on the plane?"
"I'm a government agent. I'm allowed to carry"
Jamar added, "Thank God for that. What do you figure's going on Steve?"
"I don't have a clue buddy, but it's obvious someone wants SEAL Team Three wiped out and we're not going to let that happen"
Steve then took out his cell phone and dialed Danny.
The sleepy detective rolled over and looked at the clock before grabbing his phone, "Babe, I know you miss me but it's five in the morning"
"Sorry to wake you Danno, I need your help partner"
Danny sat up sensing the seriousness in his friends' tone, "What's wrong Steve?"
"Lee's crash was not an accident Danny and they've killed another one of my team"
"Christ Steve. What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to call Governor Denning and get us a private plane. There are four of us and we need to get back to Hawaii and figure out what's going on. I'll give you more details later. There are numerous small airfields we can fly out of from Dallas..."
Danny interrupted him, "Steve calm down brother. Let's not involve Denning here. I've got a friend who runs a flight school in Dallas. I'll get back to you shortly"
"You got people?"
"Yes my friend, I too have 'people', you cover your six buddy"
"Danno, a little SEAL talk! I'm impressed"
"You're rubbing off on me I guess...kinda scary huh?"
"I kinda like it. Thanks buddy, call me back"
"Will do"
Steve looked to the others, "When we get to Amanda's, Tony you take her upstairs so she can pack a bag. Amanda, do you have any weapons in the house?"
"Yes, there's a gun cabinet in his office"
"Jamar, after we clear the house you and I will go to the office. Bag up all the guns and ammo and I'll get his computer and the papers. My partner is setting up a plane for us and we'll fly to my house until we can figure out what's going on"
Soon they were entering Amanda's home and as Tony cleared the upper level Steve did the same on the lower. They then split up to with Steve stressing the need to move quickly.
Steve stood next to the chair at Lee's desk and looked at the notes he had scribbled down. As his eyes were drawn instantly to two words in capital letters and circled 'STRAWBERRY FIELDS', a chill ran down the length of his spine. "Oh my God"
Jamar turned towards him, "What is it?"
Steve simply said the words' "Strawberry Fields"
Jamar looked at him with a steely look of determination, "Let's get the fuck out of here"
