Lee was irritated and late when he finally found the conference room where the meeting was being held-there had been an accident while he was on the way, and it slowed him down. As he walked in the door, the meeting was already underway with about four of the justice department lawyers, two stiffs from the State Department, and three generals from the Pentagon. As he scanned the room he noticed that Joe King was one of the justice department lawyers. Lee made an inward groan that fortunately no one heard as he settled into his chair.
"Sorry, gentlemen and ladies, traffic," he apologized.
"Mr. Stetson, we're sorry for such short notice, but the President wanted to be briefed and we felt we needed a little more information. He likes to ask a lot of questions. I am Brett Stevens and my colleague is Andrea Carmichael. We're both from State. Do you know everyone else?"
"I know the ladies and gentlemen from the justice department but I haven't met the generals," answered Lee.
Brett Stevens introduced the generals and then asked Lee to go over his report, and as he did, the generals, Brett Stevens, and Andrea Carmichael interceded with detailed questions as to the area where the terrorists were apprehended and the type of weapons that were found. Lee's jaw started to twitch because all that info was in his report, and he was getting frustrated as to why he was having to repeat everything. Finally he had had enough.
"Gentlemen and Ladies, this is all in the report. With all due respect, don't you guys read? Everything we know is in there "
"We know that, Mr. Stetson, but we would also like your opinion on how some of these people got into the country." demanded one of the generals.
"Isn't that the job of Homeland Security to figure that one out? It was their Agency's job and the rest of the intelligence community's job is to find them here and capture them. Hell, we wouldn't have had to do this if they had been doing their job! The terrorists we all caught were on No Fly lists. Somehow, Homeland Security had a breech in their system. It's a no brainer to me that there must be a mole in their department for those terrorists to have been able to slip through! Or maybe even a mole in the airlines themselves that helped them get into the country. So you need to have a meeting with the Homeland Security people. You have wasted my time," the agent stated.
All the people in the room were silent and shocked, except for Joe, by the lack of self-restraint and bluntness of the federal agent. Finally Ms. Carmichael spoke.
"You're absolutely right, Mr. Stetson. We should have met with the Homeland Security Chief. I would like to thank you for your time. We won't need you anymore and I would like to suggest to the rest of us that we adjourn until we have the chief available."
The others agreed and everyone got up to leave. Lee headed straight for the door, trying to avoid any contact with Joe, but he was unsuccessful. Joe caught up with him just as he exited the room.
"Lee, can you stop for a minute?" Joe requested.
Lee sighed, knowing what was going to come next.
"Ok, Joe, what's up?" He asked.
"Can we go get some coffee at the Starbucks around the corner," Joe asked.
"Sure, I guess so," Lee responded.
They walked silently around the corner and ordered their drinks, not speaking until they had found a place to sit.
"Lee, I really need you to do something for me."
"What's that, Joe?"
"Uh, well, I would really appreciate it if you would give a message to Jamie and Philip for me!"
"Why, Joe? They have can call them."
"They won't speak to me-won't even answer my calls!" Joe's head hung down, not looking at Lee.
"What a surprise!" Lee sarcastically replied.
"I thought maybe Jamie would change his mind, now that he has kids."
"Why did you think that?" Lee's jaw began to twitch as old wounds of his stepsons were being dug up.
" He...he's a dad now of two children and he knows how it is. I thought he might not be as hard on his old man is all," Joe complained.
"Look, Joe, both Jamie and Philip are grown men. They have made it clear about their relationship with you. You made your choices when they were younger and now you have to live with it. I am not getting involved, and don't go calling Amanda and whining to her all about it. We're done."
"I'm their Dad!" Joe stated
"In name only, Joe! Damn it man, you just don't get it! Twenty-five years ago you left again for Africa after being home for a little over two years, and then you barely called or wrote over the next fifteen years and when you came home you were surprised that your sons didn't want anything to do with you!"
"I was just hoping you would try to help. Jamie even legally changed his last name to yours!" Joe said sadly.
"Listen, I was as surprised as you. It was his decision when he turned eighteen."
"I want a second chance. You took my boys away!" Joe argued.
"What! I did no such thing. You did that all yourself Joe, don't blame me! Yes, I became a father for them. Amanda and I were here to pick up the pieces after you left. Those boys deserved more from you and you were too self absorbed to see it…and you still are!" Lee stormed out of the building and left Joe sitting alone stunned.