Chapter 14

A call came through for Neville telling him he was needed for a mission. Porter was very upset and tried to convince him that shouldn't go. He smiled indulgently at her and told her that her fears were groundless. He needed to go, and she needed to have faith that he would come back to her. She kept insisting that there was something very wrong about this mission and that he shouldn't go.

In the past, whenever he was gone on missions, he would always contact them every three of four days to let them know he was all right. After two contacts saying that things were going well and he hoped to be home soon, there was no more word from him.

Porter began bothering his secretary every few days for information on Neville that she just didn't have. Porter insisted that she must know something, and wouldn't believe that the company didn't know where he was. Finally, frustrated beyond belief, she made a trip down to his office, personally. She was determined to find out what was going on. Still, they claimed no knowledge of where he was or when he would be home.

Two weeks later, after still no contact from him, and no word from the company, there came a knock at the door. Porter opened it to find the assistant director on her doorstep.

Her knees nearly gave way, and Agent Thomas put his arm under hers and asked if he could help her into the living room. "I'm sorry Mrs. Webb, to come to you with this information, but Neville will not be returning home. He was of great service to his country, and will be remembered in our hearts always."

"No, it can't possibly be true!" insisted Porter. "He'll be calling home any day now."

"No, I'm afraid this time, there won't be a call. If there's anything that I, or the company, can do for you or your family, please let us know."

"Thank you, for coming Agent Thomas, but there is nothing that anyone can do."

Agent Thomas took his leave, so that Mrs. Webb could tell her young son the news in private.

Knocking on the of her seventeen year old son's room she waited for Clayton's permission to enter.

"Come in," he answered.

She opened to door to find him sitting at his desk, Porter said, "Clayton, I just had a visit from Agent Thomas."

"Yeah, and what did he want?" asked Clay looking up at her.

Moving closer to him she put her hand upon his shoulder, "He was telling me that your father wouldn't be coming home from this mission."

Turning pale he asked, "Do you believe him mother?"

"No, I don't! I expect we'll be getting a call from Beni, any day now."

"Good, then I won't worry either," he smiled up at her.

"I just wanted to keep you in the loop."

Two weeks later, when still no call had come from Beni Bevew, Clayton was beginning to doubt that they would ever get the call. However, his mother was still insisting that they would.

When it had been a month since the visit from Agent Thomas, Clayton knew that his father was truly gone. He had been to CIA headquarters and saw that there was a new star on the wall with l979 written in their date book. Having just turned eighteen, he had to face the fact that his father was gone for good, and he would have to convince his mother to hold a memorial service.

He found her in the living room, "Mother, I have just come from CIA headquarters and its time we faced the fact that father is never coming home."

"Don't say that, Clayton."

"Mother, if he were alive he'd have already notified us."

"You don't know that!"

"He'd never leave us wondering this long…he's dead mother..."

"NO!"

"Yes, and you must accept it."

A single tear slid down her cheek as she turned her head away to stare out the window. "How will I go on without him?"

"You're a strong woman, and will find a way."

Turning, she gently smiled at him, "Well, at least I still have you, and always will, my wonderful son," and she held her arms open for a hug.

Hugging his mother, Clayton was glad she had finally accepted his father's death now they could go on with their lives.

In the summer of l985 Clay joined the CIA. Leaving for his first day at work, Porter watched him come down the stairs in his new suit. He looked so mature and confident even though he was only twenty-two. He looked ready to take on the responsibility to come. As Porter stood at the door watching her son walk to his car she could almost feel Neville's presence at her side. It was as if he was standing at her shoulder as their son followed in the family footsteps. Porter was so proud and she knew Neville would have been too.

THE END