Twilight was settling around Gull Cottage when the Captain reappeared on the widows walk. Frowning he began to pace quickly across the small space at the top of the house. He had assumed the recent gathering of the spectral fraternity would merely be the usual mix of blowhards, whiners and the odd useful tidbit of information or insight. He hadn't expected news that would rattle the very foundations of his 'family'.
It had never occurred to him that military channels could impact someone in the afterlife, yet the discussions about massive staffing changes in Alaska clearly indicated upcoming problems for Martha, if his understanding of her brother-in-law's status was any indication. Even though he had never found the right opportunity to make himself known to the Muir's housekeeper, he admired her acerbic humor, no-nonsense approach to life as well as her self-sufficient nature, and knew what a blow it would be to the lady of the house, as well as to the small children who also loved her dearly. He paused looking out over the ocean, trying to determine how to share this news with Carolyn Muir when he heard the phone below delivering that selfsame update.
"Blast," he muttered to himself, sensing the sadness emanating from the kitchen where the two weeping women stood holding each other, not sure who was comforting who at that moment. "No point in telling them I knew about this first," he said quietly resuming his pacing, "but perhaps it's time to set an alternative request through channels? Now where did John Paul Jones say he was heading after the meeting today?" With a gleam in his eye, and a nod the Captain disappeared with the sound of Martha's sobs following him as he departed.