Chapter 8: Standing Together
Murdock unpacked his bag, then called Hannibal, to warn him about what had happened that morning.
"Good morning Hannibal," Murdock said, when he came on the line, "I wanted to let you know . . ."
"Not necessary, Captain," Hannibal interrupted, "The General called already this morning."
"Oh," Murdock said quietly, "And what did he have to say?"
"He said lots of things, Murdock," Hannibal said, "And most of them weren't very complimentary. I am surprised that you disobeyed a direct order . . ."
"Not technically," Murdock disagreed, weakly.
"You should come over so we can discuss what happened," Hannibal said, his tone severe, "And Captain, next time you do something like this . . ."
"Yes Colonel," Murdock said miserably.
"Make sure I'm around – the General's expression had to be priceless!" Hannibal couldn't restrain his laughter any longer.
"Priceless isn't the word I'd choose," Murdock said uncertainly, "He was pretty calm at first, but that didn't last long."
"We can talk about that later," Hannibal said, still chuckling, "When can you be over?"
Murdock considered, the morning was pretty well booked, "Well, I could probably swing by after the ultrasound – around 2:30?"
"I'll be here at home, so just come on by," Hannibal said, "How's Nancy taking it?"
Murdock grunted, "She thinks it'll blow over, but I think she has a slightly warped view of life with Uncle. Did you see her yesterday?"
"Actually, I saw her last night at the Diner, but I didn't talk to her . . ." Hannibal let the sentence trail off.
"Musta been after her first practice with Jazz," Murdock said, "Was Carl with her?"
"Yea, Carl," Hannibal said haltingly, "and Katt."
"Brett Katt," Murdock could feel his blood pressure rising.
"They must have run into Katt there," Hannibal said hurriedly.
"Yea, I'm sure," Murdock said flatly, "Listen, Hannibal, I'll see ya later."
"Murdock," Hannibal said, "are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Colonel," Murdock said quietly, "I gotta get a shower and get ready to go . . . I'll be by around 2:30."
He put the phone down after saying goodbye and looked reflectively out the window. He didn't know what Nancy and Brett's history was, but he knew they had one. He couldn't put his finger on it, but every time Brett was around Nancy he felt defensive. He had never been anything but polite, but Murdock just didn't like his attitude. He straightened up, and stretched, his mind was wandering with fatigue. He decided that a shower should help stave off the worst of the weariness, and grabbed some clean clothes and headed down to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, after loading the dishwasher, Nancy headed back into her office to start work. She picked up where she'd left off the night before with the LaSalle files. She had discovered that LaSalle's assessment of the information had been fairly accurate, if a little overstated. There was a lot of innuendo, but nothing concrete. Certainly nothing that could be used against Caswell. She had developed a timeline of Caswell's career, and was now trying to match that up to the various documents related to shady deals and missions gone bad.
LaSalle had developed quite a database of information on various screw ups in the CIA, and seemed to be trying to tie all of them to Caswell. Some Nancy threw out without even adding them to her timeline - Caswell was in the wrong place at the wrong time to be involved, and they didn't seem to warrant any further consideration, at least at the moment. Others she noted on a timeline parallel to Caswell's career, thinking that they at least deserved some additional research.
One thing that Nancy noticed was that Caswell's career path appeared to parallel her Uncle's recent travels. He'd started out in the Houston area, moving to LA, with a brief stop in Denver, before being promoted from field operations to headquarters in DC. She had a sneaking suspicion that she and her Uncle were on the same basic trail. Angry as she was at him at the moment, she really wanted to find out where he was going with this, her curiosity was peaked. The timeline did suggest some connection between Caswell and an interesting array of CIA SNAFUs. It might be interesting to talk to someone at the field offices that could shed some light on Caswell's history.
She picked up the phone and dialed Herman Case, better known as Casey, at the CIA. She'd met him when she'd first moved to the Langley area. He had been one of her interviewers at CIA, when she was still considering her options in the federal spy business. They had hit it off, and though she hadn't gone to work at the Agency, she had maintained a distant friendship with Casey, that came in handy at times.
Casey answered on the first ring, "Case, Internal Affairs," he said tersely.
"Hey Casey," Nancy said lightly, "How's the old man doin'?"
Nancy could almost picture him leaning back in his chair in his little cube, "Well if it isn't that little tart of a PI - how the hell are ya, Nan?"
Nancy smiled, "Pregnant and cranky as all get out, how are you?"
"Pregnant," he said explosively, "I don't think I even realized you were married . . . you are married right? I know I'm not with the modern way of doin' things . . ."
"I'm married," she confirmed, "happily, for almost three years now. This is our first child."
"Well, congrats - who's the lucky guy?" Casey asked.
"My husband's name is HM Murdock - he works, um, worked for my Uncle," she provided, haltingly, "how is Fiona?"
"Oh, OK, I guess," he said, "she doesn't seem to have any trouble spending her alimony check, so I suppose she's alright."
Nancy winced, "Guess we haven't talked for awhile . . . when did you two split?"
Casey's voice was rueful, "Just last year - she just couldn't take the job anymore. You know, the usual. We parted on pretty good terms, all things considered."
Casey changed the subject, "I don't imagine you called just to catch up - what's on your mind, Nan?"
Nancy was vague, "I'm working on something for my Uncle," she said, "And I was wondering if you could point me to someone to talk to, possibly in the Denver, Houston or LA field offices . . ."
"Who're you interested in finding out about?" he asked curiously
"Tristan Caswell - he's division manager for InterAgency Cooperation."
Casey grunted, "Yea, I know who he is," he said disgustedly, "Guy's a schmoozer, hasn't taken him long to rise to the top. But then you know what they say, you rise to the level of your incompetence."
Nancy's brow furrowed, if Caswell was incompetent, then he shouldn't be too difficult to ferret out, "Not the brightest bulb in the box?"
"Oh, he's not stupid, just better at politicking than he is at any sort of actual work," Casey said, "I don't think he could find his way out of a shoebox without directions. He was a lousy field op, so he got promoted. You know the story. Most of our managers suck when it comes to actual field operations."
"Do you know anything about his early career, before he was promoted to headquarters?"
"Not really, but you could talk to Dave Wolstein at the Denver office," Casey offered, "He's been there forever, great field op, but a little rough around the edges, so you know, he'll never make it anywhere. Which seems to suit him just fine."
"He wouldn't mind talking to me?"
Casey laughed, "If it means talking dirt about one of the managers, Dave's your man. He's been around the block," he gave her Wolstein's contact information. They talked for a few more minutes about nothing in particular before saying their goodbyes, with a promise for lunch at some unspecified time in the future.
Nancy was just hanging up when Murdock came into the office to see what she was up to. She was sitting in her office chair Indian style, with a strip of perforated printer paper spread across the desk and the keyboard. Lying across her belly was a note pad with notes on it. She tore the top sheet off and folded it, sticking it in the pocket of her shorts. She then dropped the notebook on top of the mess on the desk.
She turned and looked at him warmly. He was still damp from his shower and looked somewhat more relaxed than he had earlier, "Hey," she said smiling, "Feel better?"
Murdock shrugged, "OK, I guess," he said moving into the room and sitting on a step stool next to her. He wasn't as agitated as he had been, but something appeared to be bothering him. Nancy waited, knowing he would spit it out when he was ready.
He looked at her uneasily, "I'm real sorry about your Uncle, Nan," he said regretfully. He was beginning to regret having raised Stockwell's ire quite so high. It hurt Nancy when they didn't get along. Not that they ever got along all that well, but now they really weren't getting along, "I know you care about your Uncle - I wasn't really thinking about the family peace. I just wanted to get home."
Nancy smiled at him affectionately, "Honey, I don't blame you for the lack of family peace," she said reaching out and squeezing his hand, "I know Uncle is difficult. Maybe this is for the best. If you don't work for him, then there'll be less chance for the two of you to butt heads."
Murdock looked doubtful, "We can hope . . .," he looked at the materials spread around the desk, "What's that you're working on?"
Nancy glanced back, "It's that case that Uncle threw my way," she said reflectively, "You know it's the first time he's ever asked for my help on anything."
He looked at her through narrowed eyes. She disparaged her Uncle's influence over her, but the truth was that Nancy had always tried to please him on some level. When she had discovered three years ago what Stockwell Enterprises business was, she had been hurt - hurt that her Uncle had never thought she was good enough to hire for his own company.
"How's it going?" he asked.
She shrugged, "It's not, really. Quite honestly, I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I suppose Uncle will shed some light on it when we talk."
"And the headphones . . ." he ask curiously.
She smiled, "Homework of sorts from Jazz . . .," she dropped her feet to the floor, "So, are you ready to head out to the air field?"
He nodded, "But I did want to ask you one more thing before we go," he said tentatively, pausing again.
"Go on . . ."
"Well . . . what do you think about taking some of our savings and buying into the airfield? Doc could show me the ropes, and then take that retirement he keeps talking about. And it would give me something constructive to do, seeing as how I'm now unemployed," he ended with a hopeful if tentative grin.
"And how much of this have you already talked to Doc about?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, like I said, I knew I'd never get to sleep last night," he admitted, "So I kinda kept Doc awake, too."
Nancy stood and put her arms around her husband, kissing his cheek, "It's what you've always dreamed about, HM. Did you really think I'd say 'no'?" she asked quietly.
He pulled her onto his lap, and kissed her soundly before saying, "Thanks, Short Cake." He set her on her feet as he stood up, suddenly a bundle of barely-contained energy, "Let's go tell Doc he's got a new partner!"
When they arrived at the airfield, Doc already had the partnership papers ready for review. Nancy looked at Murdock and Doc sternly, "Exactly how long have you two been cooking this up?" she asked accusingly, though her smile belied the severity of her tone.
Doc laughed, "I've been trying to convince this husband of yours to buy in for over a year," he said, "He kept sayin' he couldn't 'cause he already had one full time job."
"Not any more," Murdock said, grinning.
Doc pushed the papers over to Murdock, "Take 'em home and review 'em," he smiled knowingly at Nancy, "have that lawyer father-in-law of yours check 'em over good and make sure everything's in order. I've already signed, so whenever you're ready we can make this official."
Nancy chuckled, "Knowing you, Doc, every 'i' is dotted and every 't' is crossed," then she glanced at both of them, "Though after this little con I will be more cautious where the two of you are concerned."
Murdock and Doc started skimming through the contract together, and talking about plans for the airfield. Nancy decided to leave them to their discussion and walked out to where Aunt Bea was tied down, opening the hood. She began absently tinkering with the engine while her thoughts wandered. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her husband this excited about anything. Of course, ever since they'd known each other he'd worked for her Uncle. The Team worked for Stockwell, under a fairly restrictive contract that they had signed shortly after Nancy and Murdock had announced their engagement. The General had been less than happy about their relationship, and Nancy suspected that he had hoped he could drive them apart. He had certainly tried on more than one occasion over the past three years.
Maybe now, with Murdock out from under the General's control, they really could start living a more normal life. Nancy knew that life with her oddball husband was never going to be totally ordinary, and she would have been disappointed if it were. But it would be nice to have him home regularly.
After about 15 minutes, Murdock glanced around, noticing that his wife had disappeared, "Where did Nan go?"
Doc nodded towards the field behind the hangar, "She headed out to check on Aunt Bea," he said, "they've been spending an awful lot of time together the last month. Especially since you've been gone so much."
"So, this is where she's been hiding out, huh?" Murdock said thoughtfully, "Hannibal said that she had kinda dropped out of sight since I'd been on the road again."
"She's been here quite a bit," Doc said, then chuckled, "I'd bet Aunt Bea looks about brand new under that hood – Nan's spent enough time here in the last month to have rebuilt her twice!"
Murdock smiled reflectively, then folded the papers up and stuck them in his jacket pocket, "I'll take a look at these later, Doc – I'm gonna go find Nan."
"Wondered what you were doing spendin' time with an old fart like me . . ." Doc said with a smile.
When Murdock got out to the plane, Nancy was elbow deep under the hood and seemed oblivious to his approach. He looked at the engine and shook his head in wonder – Doc had been right, Aunt Bea's engine looked brand new, "You know, Short Cake, those engines don't work so good if they're too clean . . ."
Nancy looked up and grinned, "Nonsense, I've got her running like a top," she said happily, "We should take her up sometime soon . . . go on a picnic where no one can find us!"
"That sound like a really good idea," Murdock said.
Nancy straightened and dropped the hood back in place, wiping her hands absently on a shop rag. Murdock watched her, "Doc said you been spending a lot of time here."
She shrugged, "Guess so," she agreed, "Nothing better to do since you haven't been around."
"You know Hannibal and Maggie have been kinda worried about you," he continued, "Said you'd dropped out of sight since I've been gone. You know I don't have to be around for you to spend time with them – they care about you – they'd keep you company while I'm away."
Nancy smiled self-consciously, "I know . . it's just that . . .," she looked up at him and shrugged, "It's hard to be around them when you're not here – it makes me miss you even more. It seems silly, but when you're not home, I feel less lonely if I'm just . . . alone."
He brushed the hair out of her face, "I don't think I realized how hard this whole thing has been on you," he said, allowing his fingers to brush her cheek gently, "I miss being home, but honestly, I'm so busy when I'm gone that the time goes by fast . . ."
"I keep busy, too," she said, "I'm alright. It's just easier if I live like I did before you came along," she smiled self-deprecatingly, "and I spent a lot of time with Aunt Bea then, too."
His smile faded, "Just with Aunt Bea . . . ?" he asked tentatively.
Nancy looked at him quizzically, "Aunt Bea . . . and Dad," she said.
Murdock looked down at the ground, shoving his hands in his pockets and toeing invisible stones, thinking about what Hannibal had told him. He decided he had stewed about it enough, it was time to get it out in the open, "What about Brett?" he asked quietly.
She looked at him in surprise, "What about Brett?" she repeated in confusion.
He looked uncomfortable, but he pushed, "Brett Katt – Hannibal said he saw you having dinner with him last night . . ."
"As a matter of fact, we did have dinner with Brett last night – Dad and I, both," she said firmly, "He happened to be at Mabel's alone, and asked if he could join us."
"Wasn't that convenient . . ." Murdock said sarcastically.
"HM, what are you driving at?" Nancy asked, her blue eyes flashing, "Brett is a friend, and he was at the diner alone – he joined us. It was as simple, and as innocent, as that."
Murdock shook his head, "Nothing is innocent where that guy is concerned," he said irritably.
"Do you honestly think he'd give me a second look? For goodness sake, I'm married, and pregnant! Not exactly the most attractive combination . . ."
"Oh, I think he'd give you a second look . . . and a third, and a fourth – hell he hasn't stopped lookin' since I've been around," Murdock said certainly, "And for your information, even married and pregnant, you're a damned attractive woman – I know I think so, and I have a feeling Katt does, too!"
Nancy had put a hand up over her mouth during his outburst, trying very hard not to start laughing, "You're jealous . . . I can't believe you're jealous of Brett Katt!" she choked out.
"Why is that so unbelievable?" he asked irritably, not too sure what to make of her reaction, "He's around, and I'm gone – and all of a sudden he's having dinner with you? How am I supposed to feel?"
She got her laughter under control, "HM, it was one dinner, that's it. And even supposing that Brett was interested in me . . . which I really don't think he is . . . I'm not interested in him. At least not that way."
Murdock rocked back and forth uncertainly, and Nancy walked up to him, deciding to try another tactic, she crossed her arms, "What if I were to ask you about one of your old girl friends . . . say Kelly?" her eyebrows were raised, as she looked directly into his eyes.
"It's not the same thing . . .," he argued, "Kelly's not here . . . and that was a long time ago."
"But if she showed up on our doorstep, would you leave me and go with her?"
"Of course not," Murdock said impatiently.
"But you cared about her," Nancy pressed, "loved her once – don't you think that you would feel that way again?"
"I care about Kelly, but I love you, Short Cake," he said insistently, "nothing would make me abandon what we've built together. You're my life, now."
Nancy moved into his arms, and looked intently into his eyes, "That is exactly how I feel about you," she said, "I can't imagine my life without you. I thought that you understood that. What Brett feels, thinks, or doesn't think is totally irrelevant to that fact."
He put his arms around her, hugging her close, "I'm sorry, Short Cake," he murmured against her hair, "You know how my imagination is – I guess being away is making me a little crazy."
Nancy pulled pack, and put her hands on his cheeks, "You aren't crazy," she said, smiling, "And, it makes me feel kinda good that you're jealous. Even if it is totally ridiculous!" She kissed him, slipping her arms around his neck.
A few minutes later, they separated reluctantly. Nancy glanced at her watch, "We better get going, Dad said he'd meet us at the house at 11:30 and it's almost that now."
They walked back through the hangar, where Doc was finishing up with a customer, "You two taking off?" Doc asked.
"Yea," Murdock said, "We gotta get some lunch before we head to the hospital for the unltrasound."
"Well, good luck today," Doc said, "are you going to find out if it's a boy or girl?"
"No," Nancy and Murdock said in unison, then laughed. They had both agreed that finding out the sex was part of the anticipation, and they didn't want to spoil it.
"See ya later, Doc," Murdock said, and they waved as they headed out to the truck.
Nancy glanced at her husband, as they started down the road, "You seem really happy. . . ," she commented.
He grinned at her, "Of course I am - I'm home, got a beautiful wife that loves me . . ."
"I mean you seem really happy . . . about the airfield - why have you waited so long to buy in? I didn't realize Doc had been asking for a year."
He shrugged, "I didn't see how I could swing working for your Uncle and working the airfield full time. It would have been too much. I've had a hard enough time keeping your Uncle happy, and still making time to be home. Especially lately," he added quietly, looking broodingly out the window.
"The airfield's what you've always wanted," Nancy said, sounding discouraged, "Why didn't you tell Uncle to take a hike awhile ago? Follow your dream."
Murdock sighed, "You've read the contract, Nan," he sounded tired, "Not exactly wrought with loop holes. How was I supposed to get out of it?"
"It always comes back to that damn contract," she said irritably, "you and the guys only signed it because Uncle blackmailed you with the pardons. All because of me."
He shook his head, they'd had this conversation so many times he could predict the next line. Nancy had beat herself up over the Team's employment situation for the last three years, "Nancy, we'd have been in that situation regardless - what were we gonna do? Go back to being civilians? It never would have worked. Sometimes I think we were fated to be Stockwell's men from the beginning."
"No," she disagreed, predictably, "It wouldn't have been the same. If you'd fulfilled the original agreement, without the complication of Uncle's anger over our relationship, you would have had a much stronger negotiating position for the employment contract."
"Nancy, please stop this," he said beseechingly, "It doesn't matter, anymore. I've said it before, there's no point rehashing what happened three years ago - it's done. And last night your Uncle finally gave me an out. Not intentionally, mind you . . ." he shrugged, his tone turning reflective, "Unfortunately, as much as I want the airfield; and as much as I want to believe that your Uncle is just gonna let me walk away; after talking with Hannibal this morning, I know that the issues with him aren't resolved. He's ticked, but he's not willing to just let go. We're just gonna have to see what happens when he gets back from LA."
She turned so she could face him, "You're always so worried about making everyone else happy, Hannibal, the General . . . me," she said quietly, then added more forcefully, "You have to promise me one thing from now on - promise me you'll do what's right for you. You're far more important to me than anyone else, HM. It tears me apart to think that I'm the cause of a situation that is making you so miserable. You are not ever going to make Uncle happy, so why try? It's just not worth the grief it causes. Promise me you'll do what makes you happy!"
Murdock had pulled into their driveway, and put the truck in park. He turned and looked at her seriously, "It's not that easy, Nan . . ."
"Promise me," she pressed.
He looked at her face, seeing the stubborn set of her jaw, and the determination in her eyes, and relented, "OK. I promise . . . to try."