A Secret Kept

By: AliasCWN

Chapter 5

"Your team works well together Sergeant," Jerry praised after Hitch dropped the two men off in front of the commander's office at the base. "I was impressed with their skills. Sergeant Moffitt was right, that trail wasn't for the faint of heart. And I liked the way they all worked together to solve the problems that came up. Very professional. After traveling that caravan route, I was fairly sure that the Germans weren't going to follow us."

Troy smiled. "Yeah, they're good. Hitch and Tully can make those jeeps do just about everything but fly."

Jerry chuckled. "After this trip, even that wouldn't surprise me."

"And Moffitt can usually find us a route the Germans don't know about, or at least one they can't use. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We just happen to have skills that work well together and we know each other well enough to know when to use which ones."

"I noticed that you are pretty close." Jerry hesitated as Troy nodded. "You do know that they are all worried about you, don't you?"

"I know," Troy sighed.

"You got me here on time and I am pretty sure that we weren't spotted. Your part in this is done, you can stop worrying now."

"Yeah."

Jerry studied Troy for a moment. "They were right, weren't they? It wasn't the mission that was bothering you."

Troy stopped walking and faced the officer. "No, not really. We've had tougher assignments."

"Ones where you had to keep secrets from your men?"

"Some," Troy answered. "They understand that there are times when I can't tell them everything."

"I'm not going to pry Sergeant, but I will give you some unsolicited advice. Talk to them, maybe they can help."

"How?" Troy asked gruffly.

"I don't know," Jerry answered, "I don't know what it is that is bothering you. I do know that they want to help. They're giving you the time you asked for, but they are worried about you."

"There is nothing they can do to solve my problem," the sergeant answered.

"I don't know about that, but I do know they would give you the support you need to get through it."

"They always support me," Troy answered, "but this time it wouldn't be much help."

"Do you want to talk about it? Sergeant Moffitt pointed out that sometimes the perspective of an outsider helps. I'm a good listener Sergeant."

"It's personal."

"I see," Jerry answered. "I am asking as Jerry and not as Captain Caine. But if you don't want to talk about it, I understand. I apologize, I didn't mean to pry."

"You didn't Captain." The sergeant hesitated. "Maybe you're right. Maybe it would help to talk about it."

Captain Caine smiled. "I'm listening."

"It's my brother," Troy began haltingly. "David's a pilot."

Captain Caine nodded encouragement as Troy paused.

"I got this letter." The sergeant pulled a letter from his shirt pocket. "I picked it up at mail call but I didn't have time to read it before we left the base. I read it while I was on guard while the engines were cooling."

"After our talk?"

"Yeah, after we talked. I know you got the blame for putting me in a bad mood, but it wasn't you. I tried not to let the others know that anything was wrong. I thought I could handle it."

"Apparently you weren't as successful as you hoped."

"No," Troy grunted. "We know each other too well."

"What happened to your brother?" The captain thought he already knew, but Troy obviously needed to talk to someone.

"The letter was from one of his friends. They went out on a mission." Troy paused and let his head drop. "David's plane was hit. His friend said David tried to make it back to their base, but he lost sight of him in the fog over the English Channel. He's MIA. They haven't had any news for three days so his friend decided to write and let me know."

"You were close?"

"He's the only brother I have," Troy answered.

"He may have been picked up. He could still make it back," Captain Caine suggested.

"After three days?" Troy asked in a hushed voice. "Any boat that picked him up would have returned to England by now."

"He may have made it to land."

Troy shook his head sadly. "You know the chance of that happening as well as I do."

"Yes, I do. But I know it happens. You don't seem like the kind of man who gives up easily. If your brother is anything like you, he'll find his way back."

"If he's alive."

"What does your gut say?"

"My gut?"

"Some people who are close seem to have a sixth sense where their loved ones are concerned. Do you think he's dead?"

"No."

"Then don't give up on him."

Troy nodded. "Thanks Captain, maybe you're right."

"Another bit of advice?"

Troy nodded.

"Share your concerns with your team. They may not be able to bring your brother back, but they can lend a sympathetic ear, or three. I lost a brother, and believe me, talking does help."

"You may be right again Captain. I'll think about it."

"Don't think too long Sergeant or you are liable to have a rebellion on your hands. I'm not sure how much longer they are going to be wiling to wait for you to confide in them." Captain Caine glanced toward the commander's door. "I have to go Sergeant. Your job is done but mine is just beginning. I have a meeting to attend. Good luck Sergeant Troy."

"You too Captain," Troy answered. "If you need any more help, we'll be around for a day or so. Feel free to call on us."

"Will do Sergeant," the officer replied.

The two men parted and Troy headed to the temporary quarters assigned to his team. The decision to tell the others about his brother was a tough one. There was nothing they could do and he didn't want them to be distracted while on patrol. It didn't occur to him that they were distracted as they worried about him. By the time he reached their quarters he had decided to keep his secret to himself.

Moffitt and both privates were waiting in the room that they were to share. As temporary quarters went, these were large and well ventilated. Despite the heat outside, the room was comfortable. A large fan kept the air moving and the gentle hum was soothing.

"There you are Troy. We waited for you." Moffitt said as Troy entered the room.

"Waited for what?" Troy asked.

"We thought we would grab a shower before everybody else gets the same idea. We thought you might want to go along."

"You go ahead," Troy answered. "I have to write up our report for the mission. "I'll grab a shower after I'm done. I can get that report done easier without any distractions."

"Oh, all right then. If you insist." Moffitt's expression closed off at the other sergeant's abrupt dismissal. "Come on lads, I need to feel clean again."

"The mission is over and he still thinks we're a distraction," Hitch mumbled as they walked down the stairs to the ground floor.

"Give him time Hitch," Moffitt urged, but he looked behind them as they left the building. The three of them showered and returned to find Troy ruffling through his gear looking for clean clothes.

"We're all done Troy. Are you going for your shower now?"

Troy looked up and nodded. "I finished the report and I can stand getting clean again."

"Do you want us to wait for you? We are going to the mess hall." Moffitt dumped his dirty clothes on the floor and sat on the bed as Troy found what he was looking for.

"No," Troy answered. "There's no sense waiting around for me. I'll join you when I'm done."

"Did Jerry find his unit all right?"

Troy paused to look at the other three. "Yeah, he did."

"He wasn't late, was he? He seemed awful anxious to get back."

Troy paused to look at the others again. "You can't tell anyone what I am about to tell you."

His three friends exchanged glances and nodded.

"Jerry is actually Captain Caine. He was traveling incognito to keep his mission a secret. That's why we had to get him here without anyone knowing about it. Captain Boggs said headquarters was worried that the Germans would hear he was coming here and find out about his mission."

"Is his mission complete now?" the British sergeant asked.

"Not yet. That's why we can't let anyone know about his presence here. Our part is done but his is just beginning," Troy explained.

"That's the secret you were worried about?" Hitch asked.

Troy shrugged. "Part of it. The rest is personal."

"Did we get him here without anyone knowing?" Tully asked.

Troy shrugged again. "Time will tell, but we did our best."

"Are we going to stick around then?" Moffitt inquired.

"We're scheduled to head back the first thing in the morning," Troy answered.

"Then I suggest an early night," the Brit replied. He looked pointedly at the privates.

"Why not?" Hitch shrugged. "From what I've seen of this base so far, there's nothing to do anyway."

"They don't even have a ballfield," Tully added.

"Then that's settled," Moffitt nodded in satisfaction. "After we have our supper we will head back here and turn in; unless you have something else in mind Troy?"

"No, we'll get some rest. We can head out real early and beat some of the heat. We won't have to hurry on the way back." Troy rolled his clean clothes and prepared to head for the showers.

"All right, we'll see you at supper?" Moffitt asked.

Troy nodded. "I'll grab a quick shower and meet you there."

"We'll save a seat for you," Hitch offered.

"Thanks," Troy answered.

Moffitt motioned for the privates to lead the way out the door.

"Do you think he told us everything?" Hitch asked as they walked to the mess hall.

"Not yet," the Brit replied, "but it's a start. He made a reference to something personal; I suspect that there is more there than he is willing to tell at this point. To use Troy's own words, time will tell."

"Sarge likes to do things his own way," Tully drawled. "He'll tell us the rest when he's ready."

"I agree," Moffitt responded. "Let's go eat, shall we?"