Chapter 7 - Time to Call a Friend for Help

When Lee and Roger emerged, Rachael was sitting alone on a pew away from everyone. She appeared rigid and vacant. Lee slid along one side of her and Roger went on the other side.

"I think we need to get her out of here," Roger whispered.

Lee knitted his eyebrows. How long would it take the police to take names and figure out a R.A.M. was present, positioned at an angle to have taken the shot, and had been standing near where the weapon was found? Hell, they must have been halfway there already. Anyone with knowledge of guns knew the snubbed-nose S&W was typically considered a woman's handbag or pocket gun.

Lee got up and approached an officer at the back of the room. "I need to call my superior officer to advise him I'll be delayed. May I do so?"

Lee, with police escort, was permitted to use a phone outside the ballroom. Privacy was a different matter. In hearing distance of the officer, he called Admiral Nelson. "Sir, I went off to a surprise wedding which has been interrupted by a surprise murder. I will not be able to report for duty tonight."

Nelson stroked his chin, recognizing Lee's implication that their conversation was not private. "Go on."

"I'm at the La Fortuna Hotel in San Diego at Roger Cresson's wedding. You remember my good friend Roger from that trip to D.C. and his cohorts too. They made an impression on you as I recall."

"You mean the crackerjack redhead in particular, don't you?"

"Yes, exactly. I know that Admiral Johnson needs the two of us for that urgent matter, but well, some arrangements would have to be made with the police for us to return to base just now, assurances given and the like."

"I'll, uh, I'll see what I can do, Lee. Anything else you need?"

"A room, a shower, an alibi - just kidding officer, that was for your benefit entirely."

"Time to go back in."

"Ah yes, my sense of humor can get me in trouble, can't it, admiral?"

"Try not to let it get you or your attractive friend in jail, Lee."

"Therein lies the challenge, sir. I look forward to hearing back from you soon."

Lee returned to the room chatting with the officer. "I was just kidding, honestly. To prove it, I promise to be first in line for the gunshot residue test."

"You were probably with them at the shooting range yesterday anyway."

"No, as a matter of fact, I stepped off my submarine for the first time in six weeks at 5:00 a.m. today."

"Crappy way to start leave."

"First there was the burst water hose in my condo."

"Sorry."

"Eh, feels pretty insignificant now."

"Bride sure was a looker."

"That she was," Lee sighed.