Chapter 39 - News Arrives

Two weeks later, Admiral Johnson publicly announced he would be retiring in two months. A week after the retirement date passed, Lee received a letter from Roger as well as a parcel posted from D.C. with no return address. Lee opened the parcel first. He found a note and an inner envelope.

"Curly, the cupboards have been emptied. No more worries."

The inner package contained a file of photos and negatives as well as assorted reports. There were things that Lee had never thought of as incriminating, but which out of context could be interpreted as such, including the negatives of the stills from that club. Lee knew that Roger would have received an even bigger package.

Lee's emotions were mixed. On the one hand, he was relieved. If Johnson had unleashed pictures of him appearing to snort cocaine, Lee might have lost his command. Nelson would have believed Lee's explanation, but the Navy ultimately had the power to remove him from the ship. Nelson's nuclear sub operated at the indulgence of and - face it - ultimately under the command of the Navy.

Lee also felt rage at Johnson for using Rachael as he had, to protect her friends, as he stockpiled weapons of blackmail and control. He was mad at Rachael too, for having sacrificed herself for him and Roger.

Lee decided not to dwell on it further. He burned the evidence and moved on to Roger's letter. A Washington Post newspaper photo clipping from four days earlier fell out as he unfolded the letter. The photo of was of Johnson and Rachael dressed in formal wear. The text: "Just married: Admiral Robert Johnson, USN (ret.), and Lt. Commander Rachael MacAdam, USN. Wed in a private ceremony, the newly retired admiral and his bride, now on reserve status, plan to travel extensively in the next several months." Lee sighed and inhaled deeply before he read Roger's note.

"Lee, by now you've heard from her as have I. You're probably as mad as I am at the two of them. That said, I wanted to let you know - for your own comfort in the days ahead - that things are not entirely what they seem. I trust her with my life and you should too."

Lee scratched his head at the crypticness of Roger's message. He was tempted to call him, but knew better. Roger had revealed all that he would for the time being.

Lee's life continued on its normal course, work and more work. Chip toiled desperately at finding fix ups for Lee, but even though Lee had expressed a desire for what Chip had, Lee didn't show much interest in seriously pursuing a relationship. Chip couldn't help but wonder what it meant. Had Lee been so hurt by what had happened that he was unwilling to risk it again? Or had he accepted that he wasn't willing to change his life for that particular want? Lee wasn't talking, however, so Chip let it drop.

Six months after Roger's wedding fiasco, during a layover in Peru, the command crew visited the American embassy. Inside, Lee observed Nelson roll up a newspaper and stuff it in his briefcase. Lee found it odd because Nelson glanced toward him as he did it, but said nothing. Lee dismissed the act by assuming Nelson read something interesting that he ultimately decided wouldn't appeal to Lee.

Back on the boat that evening, Harry invited Lee to meet him in the front porch for a drink. Harry poured Lee two fingers of scotch without asking.

"What's up, sir?"

"That transparent, am I?"

"We've served together for a long time."

Harry nodded. "I, uh, came across something in Stars and Stripes when we were at the embassy."

"Why not show it to me there?"

"I wanted you to feel free to react naturally to it. Page 23." Harry handed over the paper and waited for Lee to read. "He lost his entire family in a car crash years ago. Still, I'm surprised at this age he would start over with children."

Lee smiled thinly. "I guess he had her back after all."

"What do you mean?"

"Rachael wanted children, but after Kuwait, it wasn't a physical possibility. Given her mental health history since then, traditional adoption routes wouldn't be an option. Johnson could take that out of the equation, I suppose."

"Yes, he could. He is talented at both collecting and suppressing information."

Lee nodded knowing only too well. "I'm happy for her."

"Lee, there's something else. Look closely at that picture."

Lee studied it. "Rachael looks happy."

"No, look at Johnson."

"I've seen him look better. He's thinner than I've ever seen him."

"There are rumors that he isn't well. That's why he retired when he did."

"Sorry to hear that, I suppose."

"Kind of odd to adopt a child if that's the case, don't you think?"

"If you want the truth of it, sir, I suspect it was part of an arrangement between them. I'm just glad he kept his word. You never know with him."

"I suppose that I'm being a little too subtle, lad."

"I guess so. What am I missing?"

"You know I'm not one for spreading gossip or innuendo, Lee."

"Yes, sir, I know."

"Johnson's duplicitousness may run deeper than you know, kind of an ingrained way of life for him. I don't say this in a judgmental way, Lee."

"Understood. I'm all ears."

"There are those who've speculated through the years that Johnson was in the closet."

Lee's head snapped. "I - uh - I never thought it."

"He never remarried. Never dated again as far as anyone could tell."

"He wouldn't be the first guy accused of being married to his work. It doesn't mean anything about his sexual preferences."

"Lee, I guess I'd just better spit this out. I made some calls after I saw this. The rumor is that Johnson has AIDS, that he retired to avoid a scandal and minimize fallout."

"I don't see it. If that was the case, why would he marry Rachael?"

"I can't answer that. I can't speak to what their relationship entails. My only concern is for your welfare. If she put you at risk . . . ."

Lee knocked back a swig of scotch as he processed Admiral Nelson's concerns. Lee's mind swirled with confusion. He just shook his head at his thoughts, coming to no consensus. Then he remembered Roger's letter.

"I don't think so, sir. Rachael's more the kind to take the risk herself than to expose someone else."

"Something you two share in common," Harry smiled. "Still, there are tests now. You might consider that for peace of mind."

"For the safety of the crew too, yes, sir, I have no problem doing that."

"I didn't think you would."