February 6, 2004
United States Embassy – London, England
0653 Greenwich/ 0153 Eastern
Victor walked down the sidewalk in front of the Embassy, a faint smile on his face. Everything was right in his world, at the moment. The weather was pleasant enough for early February, which is why he'd elected to walk the perimeter of the compound first time as opposed to waiting until later. All of his Marines were where they were supposed to be and their uniforms met his own high standards. Even better, as far as he was concerned, the men and women under his command were fully alert, rather than simply going through the motions until they were relieved and could get back inside.
As he approached the gate, he nodded at the Metropolitan police officer who was walking a beat near the entrance. His Marines were responsible for the compound, everything outside was the jurisdiction of the Bobbies as he'd once heard a couple of Londoners call them. Turning through the gate, he returned the salute from the Corporal manning the post, only to be stopped by a call.
"First Sergeant, sorry but I almost forgot. Captain Hailey left orders for you to report to him when you came in," the Corporal said.
"Did he happen to mention what it was about?" Victor asked as he turned to the young woman.
"No, First Sergeant. Just that you were to report to his office ASAP."
"Thank you, Corporal. Resume your post."
"Yes, First Sergeant," the Corporal said before turning and examining the next couple of people approaching the gate. Victor was frankly curious, because while the Captain was nominally in command of the Marines on the guard force, he left the actually running of the detachment to Victor while he carried out his own duties for the Naval Attaché. Largely, he confined himself to running interference between the Embassy staff and the guard detail, something that occasionally needed the extra weight of an officer's rank to make people at least listen.
Victor took the stairs two at a time going down to the basement, where he stopped at his office only long enough to drop off his coat and cover before proceeding to his CO's office. There he was to be further surprised by finding not just Captain Hailey but also the Defense Attaché and the Naval Attaché in attendance. Victor did the only thing that he could under those circumstances, he snapped to attention.
"First Sergeant Galindez reporting as ordered, Sir," Victor snapped out.
"First Sergeant, a troubling report has been passed on to me via Brigadier General Horst," Captain Hailey said. "This meeting is to get to the bottom of the accusations made in that report."
"May I ask what the nature of the accusation is, Sir?"
"That on January 28, you were reportedly drunk while out on the town. During the course of the evening, you are alleged to have accosted a female and made several profane statements concerning her physical attributes. When your attempts turned physical, a gentleman was forced to intercede on the woman's behalf and you were last seen leaving the establishment in a drunken stager."
Victor was shocked by the accusations. Then his rational side kicked in as the date of the alleged incident started slamming against the inside of his head, demanding attention. That was the night that he and Emily had gone to the theater, he remembered, which did serve to give him an alibi but then raised a troubling question. Who had made the accusations against him and why?
"Let's start at the beginning, First Sergeant," Captain Hailey said. "Where were you on the evening of January 28?"
"I went to see a musical with my girlfriend, Sir," Victor answered.
"And where was this?"
"Sorry, Sir. I don't exactly know the theater name. She was the one who had the tickets, some event her family was involved with, Sir. All I know is the show was called 'The Phantom of the Opera'."
"Alright, First Sergeant. We'll need to talk with your girlfriend, then, to verify your story. What's her name and what does she do here?" Captain Hailey asked, wondering what member of the Embassy staff his senior staff non-commissioned officer was involved with.
"Oh, it's Emily Wallace, Sir. She's a Detective Chief Inspector with the London Metropolitan Police, Sir," Victor said, giving her cell phone number to the officer.
Captain Hailey's head jerked up from focusing on the notepad he was writing on at that. Of all the things he hadn't expected to hear, this was certainly at the top of the list. Could Galindez have forgotten about the regulations governing the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group and the Marines assigned to it, he wondered. This was something he was going to have to tread very carefully with, Hailey knew. Then the other part of the answer struck him as well and he looked over at the two senior officers in the room, seeing they had caught it as well.
Victor had been around long enough to know the signs. Something he'd said had obviously surprised his commanding officer, but what exactly it was he couldn't guess at. What he did believe, though, was that he was out of danger. All they would have to do is talk to Emily, who would vouch for him, and the whole matter could be put to rest.
"Very good, First Sergeant. Why don't you carry out the morning security check while I finish up here and then we'll go over the schedule for the next couple of weeks. Some VIPs are coming in from Washington, so there'll probably be a dog and pony show at some point," Captain Hailey told him.
"Aye, aye, Sir," Victor said as he braced at attention, waiting for the customary dismissal.
"Dismissed."
With that, Victor exited the office. As he went about his rounds, he was still left wondering what that had all been about exactly. Obviously, someone was trying to make trouble for him, but the who and why escaped him. Victor had to keep pushing that from his mind so that he could stay focused on his duties. If Victor had still been in Captain Hailey's office, he would have gotten plenty of answers.
"Well, I would suggest that you call the First Sergeant's girlfriend, just to confirm things," General Horst said. "But, I'm beginning to think this is some sort of family matter, Captain."
"I'm noticed that myself, Sir," Hailey said. "The girlfriend is Emily Wallace, the accuser is a Catherine Wallace and the man who interceded is a James Wallace. That's two too many people named Wallace for my liking, Sir."
"As well as mine, Captain," Captain Bell said from his position. As the Naval Attaché, he was technically responsible for the Marines even if they reported to the Embassy Security Group's regional headquarters in Frankfurt.
"Wonder if these are her parents and they're unhappy with their daughter dating a Marine?" General Horst asked rhetorically.
"Wouldn't exactly be the first time, Sir. Although most of the families just come out and say it, rather than coming up with some elaborate attempt to get the poor sucker in trouble."
"Sounds like you're speaking from experience, Hailey."
"Unfortunately, Sir," Hailey said in a tone that suggested nothing further would be coming.
"Then a question, Captain. Do we tell the First Sergeant who made the accusation? It could make things a little rough between himself and the girlfriend," General Horst said.
"If we don't, then he's left wondering who's out to get him, Sir. Not to mention he's smart and he's a trained investigator. So, while it might make things difficult, I think it would be worse if he were to find out on his own, Sir."
"Very well, when you've finished verifying his story with his girlfriend, talk to him."
"Aye, aye, Sir," Hailey said, adding it to the other thing he and the First Sergeant would have to talk about.
With that, the two senior officers left. They had handled the problem before it came to the attention of the Ambassador or any of the senior diplomatic staff and they could only hope that the matter would stay solved. In this, they were relying on the good sense of a senior non-commissioned officer to think about the good of both the Marine Corps as well as the whole United States military. The last thing that was needed was something negative that reached the press.
An hour later, Victor had completed his rounds and was satisfied that everything was up to standards. That accomplished, he returned to his office and got his copy of the schedule that Captain Hailey wanted to talk about before proceeding to the CO's office. Once there, he knocked.
"Enter," called Captain Hailey.
Once Victor entered the office, he braced at attention.
"At ease, First Sergeant. In fact, grab a seat, this might take a few."
"Aye, aye, Sir," Victor said before sitting down across the desk from the other man.
"Let's get the unpleasant stuff out of the way first. The complaint made against you," Captain Hailey said. "You mentioned your girlfriend, an Emily Wallace."
"Yes, Sir."
"I called her and she verified that you and she were indeed at a show that evening. She also gave me the name of the restaurant you both dined at afterwards, as well as what you both at."
"Yes, Sir," Victor said.
"She did tell me that you both had a couple of drinks, but that neither of you were impaired by the amount you had," Hailey told him.
"Yes, Sir."
"Given those facts, both General Horst and I believe there is nothing to these allegations and therefore no charges or disciplinary action will arise from them. However, you should be aware for a few things before we drop this matter. Firstly, the persons who made the allegations against you are also named Wallace, a Catherine Wallace and a James Wallace specifically."
"Damn," Victor said softly, unable to help himself.
"That's what I thought too, once you told us your girlfriend's name. Now, I have no intention of prying into your personal life, First Sergeant, but…."
"Sir, all I can say is that I will endeavor to insure that my personal life does not interfere with the performance of my duties."
"See that it doesn't, First Sergeant," Captain Hailey said. "Although, you relationship with Miss Wallace does bring me to my second point. You are of course aware that while assigned as a Marine Security Guard, you won't be able to marry her. Regulations require that a spouse be either a US citizen or a dual citizen, meaning in her case she'd have to be a citizen of both the US and UK."
"And I've got another sixteen months before my assignment here is over, then a further eighteen months stationed somewhere else," Victor said, as the gravity of the situation struck him.
"Look, I understand the situation, but as your commanding officer I have to keep the rules and regulations in mind too. Now, you've got what, twenty plus years in. I wouldn't want you to do something that would screw things up."
"Aye, aye, Sir," Victor said, getting the message loud and clear.
"Hey, if she's the one, maybe she'd be willing to wait. And I'll see what I can do about getting your next assignment somewhere close, maybe the consulate in Edinburgh. That's what, 4 hours on the train?" Hailey said optimistically.
With that, Victor got up from his seat. He was suddenly faced with a lot of thinking and the room suddenly felt too small to him.
"Permission to withdraw, Sir?"
"Granted, First Sergeant."
Victor left the office and headed down the hall, pausing briefly at his own office to retrieve his coat and cover. Reaching the stairs, he climbed to the ground floor and made his way out of the building, putting the cover on his head. Then he proceeded for a walk around the perimeter of the Embassy compound and through Grosvenor square, his mind churning through a whole variety of thoughts and feelings. The predominant one was the love he felt towards Emily against his love of the Marine Corps. How did he choose between the two? Or could he even choose?
Captain Hailey had been close, Victor reflected. He currently had twenty-two years in the Corps and would have twenty-five when his duty with the Embassy Security Group ended. That would be about enough, he reflected, to retire with. With his retirement and Emily making decent money, they would be comfortable. But Emily's job was here and Victor's home was New Mexico. Oh, he supposed she could start over in the US, but would it really be fair of him to ask her to do that when she was doing so well where she was at.
Finally, Victor completed his circuit but still no closer to answering any of the questions that kept popping up. So, he resolved to put them out of his mind for the next eight hours or so, until he was off duty and possibly at home with Emily. Then would be the time to resurrect them, not to mention talk with his girlfriend about them. With that thought, Victor headed back into the Embassy and got down to work.
Grove End Road – London, England
1722 Greenwich/ 1222 Eastern
Harm and Beth came through the door together, a grin on their faces as they saw Mattie sitting on the stairs waiting. The look of eager anticipation on her face was perfect, in Harm's mind. He wanted her to be excited about things, things that she likely never would have seen if she was still just Mattie Johnson of Blacksburg.
"All set, Boss," Harm asked with a look that seemed to scream 'Of course you are'.
"Damned straight," Mattie said, before catching a change in her dad's look, as well as a frown from Beth. "Oops, sorry."
"Alright. You've remembered everything you'll need for the weekend, right?"
"Yep. Clothes, comfortable walking shoes, hair drier and brush. Toothbrush and toothpaste. My little camera and my military ID card. You've got my passport, right?"
"In my bag, along with mine and Beth's. What else?" Harm asked.
"Oh, a book for the trip and that's it," Mattie said.
"Got your debit card?"
"In my pants pocket, next to my ID, Dad."
"Then, you're ready. The taxi is outside, if you want to grab your bag and head out," Harm said with a grin that was answered by a frown from Mattie. "Hey, you packed it, you carry it."
Beth waited until Mattie had left the house, struggling under the weight of the suitcase before laughing.
"That's so mean, Harm," Beth said.
"Hey, she packed all of that. Maybe this will teach her to pack a little less next time," Harm said as he went upstairs to collect the suitcase he and Beth were taking. In a moment, he was back downstairs and out the door. Beth took a last look around before locking up and getting in the taxi. It was their regular driver, Bob, who was transporting them today.
"Off on a holiday, then," Bob asked after hearing the destination.
"Well, we're here for the next couple of years, Bob. So, my husband and I figured we should at least see the country while we are," Beth said.
"There's quite a lot to see, but then I'm a little biased, mind. So, where are you off to?"
"Edinburgh for the weekend. Just a short trip and definitely not our last there," Harm said.
"Ah, mind those Scots, Sir. Or you'll come back wearing a dress and playing the pipes," Bob said with a laugh to suggested he was joking.
"A dress?" Mattie asked.
"One of those kilts, Miss. Now, I wouldn't say it to one of them face-to-face, but that's certainly what it looks like to me."
The Rabbs all laughed at that, which suited Bob just fine. He liked this family and had been glad to get Beth's call that morning, arranging for him to pick them up near the Embassy and take them to the train station today and then collect them upon their return on Sunday. It was a relatively short drive to the King's Cross train station, which is where their train was departing from. Bob stopped the taxi as close as he could manage to the entrance and then helped with the luggage, earning a smile from Mattie until she had to take over when they reached the door.
"Thanks, Bob," Beth said, as she paid him along with a tip.
"See you Sunday, Mrs. Rabb. I'll be out here waiting and you've got my cell phone number, too," Bob said before he walked away.
Inside the station, Harm went and collected their tickets, as well as the track information. Leading the way, he followed the various signs to their destination. The train was about ready to leave, he guessed as he approached on man in what looked like a conductor's uniform.
"Excuse me, Sir. Can you point me to the right car?" Harm asked, holding up their tickets.
"Of course, Sir," the man said as he took the tickets and briefly examined them. Then he pointed back the way they had come. "You're in the very last car, Sir. First class seating is there."
"Thank you."
Harm turned and the family went back down there. Reaching the proper car, they were greeted by the conductor there, who took their luggage and stowed it before showing them to their seats. When he had left them, Beth turned to Harm.
"First class, hmm?"
"I need the extra leg room," Harm said as he stretched out to show her. "No reason to be cramped for five hours if I don't need to be."
"Alright, I'll give you that," Beth said with a grin.
"Besides, we'll get a light dinner aboard, so we don't have to go looking for anything later on."
A few moments later, the conductor closed the doors and the train departed. Harm and Beth settled back into their seats, while Mattie opened her book and started reading. There were a few lights outside, but being that it was night, there was little scenery to be seen as the train made its way north. For Harm, the best part was that he could just to sit back and relax. Like the old Greyhound bus ads said, 'Leave the driving to us'.
Victor Galindez's Quarters – London, England
2002 Greenwich/ 1502 Eastern
Victor and Emily sat on the couch, looking at each other as Victor finished filling her in on his day. Emily had gone from red to white then back to red as she had listened to it all, anger, shock and despair warring within her. She was beyond furious at her mother and brother for what they had done and the damage it could have done to Victor's career if their story had been believed, not to mention the damage it could do to her relationship with the man she loved.
The shock was at the fact that they would go to this level to destroy perhaps her one chance at true happiness, seeming not to care about her thoughts or feelings at all but judging themselves best suited to determine what she truly needed. The despair was there because she thought this might well be the end of her romance, that Victor would want nothing more to do with her after this. She wouldn't fault him if he at least partially blamed her for this mess.
"I'm so sorry, Victor," Emily said softly. "I am so very sorry."
"Hey, this isn't your fault, unless you put them up to it as a way of getting away from me," Victor said, adding a grin at the end to show that he was teasing.
"I most certainly did not!"
"Easy, sweetheart. I knew you didn't just by watching your face when I told you."
"I want you in my life," Emily said, moving on the couch so that she was fully facing Victor while also getting closer to him.
"In that case, we have some decisions to make," Victor said.
"Well, the first one is easy, watch."
With that, Emily took her phone out of his handbag and opened it. Finding the number she wanted, she dialed it and waited, selecting the speakerphone function so that Victor could hear both sides of the conversation.
"Emily, darling," came Catherine Wallace's voice over the line. "This is an unexpected pleasure."
"Unexpected, maybe, but when I'm finished, I doubt it will have been a pleasure," Emily ground out.
"Is something the matter?"
"Yes, Mother. This is the last time you will ever interfere with my life again, so help me God. Because if you try anything as stupid and hurtful again, you will never hear from me again. Do I make myself clear?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, darling. Perhaps the stress of your job has overwhelmed you at last," Catherine said.
"Mother, you're a terrible liar, especially for a barrister. You know perfectly well what I am referring to, but I shall spell it out. You and James called the Embassy and placed a complaint against the man I intend to marry. I don't know what your intended goal was and I don't frankly care, suffice it to say that whatever it was failed. Victor didn't get into any trouble and if I have any say in it, we're still a happy couple. So, you have two options, as I see it. You can either learn to be happy for us or you can leave us quite alone. Is that understood?" Emily asked harshly.
"I don't know where you think you're entitled to start talking to your mother like that…."
"Simple, Mother. You crossed the line. I wasn't happy with the ill comments about my life and career, but those were relatively harmless and directed at me. This was neither harmless nor directed at me. Victor could have faced serious consequences from your stupid, childish tantrum and that is why I'm talking to you like you're the child. Goodbye."
With that Emily hung up the phone and dropped it back in her bag, before collapsing back against the pillows. The shrill ringing of the phone started almost immediately, but Emily made no move to retrieve the item, instead closing her eyes as tears fell onto her cheeks from them. Victor wrapped his arms around her and held her to him as she cried for what seemed like forever. He felt guilty at being the cause of this break between Emily and her family, yet deep inside he sensed that this had been coming for a while.
At last, Emily's tears stopped, yet Victor continued to hold her close.
"Promise me something, Victor," Emily said softly.
"Anything I can," Victor told her, wondering what she was going to ask.
"Promise you won't stop loving one of our children if they aren't like us."
"Oh, Emily. That would be easy, though aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself?"
"How's that," Emily said as she pushed back from him.
"Kids are supposed to come after marriage," Victor said with a smile, before instantly regretting it as he remembered the rest of his news from the day. He could see that Emily had remembered as her face fell.
"Does that mean you're not willing to wait until you're done as an Embassy guard?"
"No, that means I was doing something I try hard to avoid, speaking without thinking. And the joke was even worse because of that. I'm sorry, Emily."
"Then you do still want a future together?" Emily asked as she looked at him.
"I most certainly do. But are you willing to wait until then to get married?" Victor asked in return.
"Well, there's not really another option, is there? I mean, I can't become a US citizen overnight and we can't get married unless I am one or until you take up another position."
"That's the other thing I've been thinking about. By the time my assignment to the Embassy Security Group is done, I'll have twenty-five years in and I can retire because my last enlistment period will be up. And I think it would be wrong to ask you to leave your career here to follow me…"
"But what if I want to follow you?" Emily asked.
"Dear, even if I stayed in the Corps, it would only be a few more years before I'd be retired anyway. And this way, you don't have to try and find something new in the states," Victor said.
"And what would your family have to say to this? Because I don't want to get between you and them. Especially considering I seem to have lost one family already."
"Well, I don't know what you make as a Detective Chief Inspector, but I would hope that between us we could take a trip back every year. I know my family would love to meet you."
"And just how do you know that, huh?" Emily asked with a raised eyebrow.
"My mother always said she'd welcome the day when the right woman entered my life. When I asked her how I'd know the right one, she would smile a little smile and tell me I'd just know. And when I knew, then that woman would always be welcome in our home," Victor said.
"Even if she's an Englishwoman?"
"Even if she was a Martian, sweetheart. My mother was the one who told me about following ones dreams, rather than doing what other people wanted. All of us got that lesson when we were children, along with others too."
With that, Victor got up from the couch and went to get his own cell phone. A smile crossed his face as he dialed the familiar number, then waited.
"Hello, Victor," came an older woman's voice.
"Hi, Mama. How are you today?" Victor asked.
"I'm fine, son. Just watching the television, now that the cable repairman has it working again."
"What was wrong with it this time?"
"I didn't ask and he didn't say. Just fixed whatever it was and now the picture is better than ever," Mrs. Galindez said. "How about you? You doing alright?"
"I'm doing wonderfully," Victor told her.
"That's good. And you're enjoying yourself in London?"
"It's been very nice, Mama. And I've met some nice people, too."
"Ah, that's good. Are any of them single and female?" Mrs. Galindez asked.
"That's my mother. Still trying to find me a wife almost eight thousand miles away," Victor said with a laugh.
"Very funny, my son, but seriously. You're over 40 and still single, that's not good."
"And if I said I had found someone?"
"Then I'd go to church tonight and light a candle, thanking the blessed virgin for answering a mother's prayers," Mrs. Galindez said. "Have you found someone?"
"Yes, Mama, I have. Her name is Emily," Victor said.
"Oh, Victor. I'm so pleased for you. And I know your father is smiling down on you, too. Tell me all about her."
With that motherly command, Victor launched into the story of how he and Emily had met and began dating. He purposely left out the troubles with Emily's family, but did tell his mother about the problems they faced as far as getting married any time soon. Once he was finished, his mother smiled. She liked the sound of this young woman already and she could clearly hear the pride and love in her son's voice as he spoke of her.
"When you see her again, tell her that your sisters and I send our love and thanks to her," Mrs. Galindez said.
"You can tell her yourself, Mama. She's right here with me," Victor said.
"Please, let me talk to her."
Victor handed the phone over to a stunned Emily, who hesitantly took it. Despite the tone of Victor's side of the conversation, she was still very nervous as she spoke.
"Hello, Mrs. Galindez," Emily said.
"No, no, no. That won't do at all. If you're going to be marrying my Victor, then you'll call me Mama, just like he does," Mrs. Galindez said, not realizing the tears that started flowing from Emily at those simple words.
"Alright, Mama."
"Good, good. Now, I know my son loves you, but do you love him? He's a very independent person, who'll need a strong woman to stand beside him, my dear."
"Oh, Mama, I love him with my whole heart. And I can be very independent too, which is why I need a strong man like your son, to support and love me," Emily said, smiling at Victor.
"That's good. And you're alright with having to wait until you can be together as man and wife?" Mrs. Galindez asked, curious as to the young lady's answer.
"Not really, but nothing worth having comes easily, does it?"
"No, it doesn't, Emily. Oh, dear, I so look forward to meeting you."
"I want to meet you too. Victor and I will have to see if we can't arrange some time off to come and visit," Emily said, looking at Victor who nodded his agreement.
"I'm curious, though. I know Victor was just posted to London not more than a month or so ago. How long have you two been dating?" Mrs. Galindez asked.
"Only a couple of weeks, Mama."
"And you think you know my son well enough in that short of time to want to marry him? Or is there something neither of you is telling me?"
"Oh, no. I'm not pregnant. No, I just knew after a couple of dates that Victor was the man for me and I could only hope that he felt the same way about me," Emily said. "And when he told me he loved me, I wanted to dance with joy."
"You'll fit right in. I know his sisters will dance and laugh when I tell them later, though some of his sister Maria's friends will be heartbroken when they hear the news," Mrs. Galindez said with a chuckle. "And was his proposal romantic?"
"Honestly, he didn't propose to me in so many words. We were just talking and the next thing either of us knew we were talking about getting married."
"That will not do, Emily. Put my son on, now!"
Emily handed the telephone over with a slightly shocked look on her face.
"What did you say to her, Mama?" Victor asked.
"You need to propose to that lady, Victor. I mean a proper proposal, not just a mutual chat about getting married. I thought you knew better, son. Not to mention, if she's willing to wait for you, she at least deserves that much effort from you," Mrs. Galindez said.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"I mean it, Victor. I plan on getting to know this young lady and I will be asking her about it again. So make it romantic and show her how much you love her."
"Yes, Mama," Victor said with a laugh.
"Don't you laugh, or so help me…"
"Oh, I'm not laughing at you, Mama. It's just that tone of voice, you sound just like you used to when Dad would do something foolish. I've missed hearing that, is all."
That got Mrs. Galindez laughing as well, as she remembered too many of those times. Her husband had been a good man, a good provider for the family, but could he ever think up some really crazy things. And whenever he couldn't, one of his brothers usually could. And those dreams were the reason she'd loved him so.
"Oh, Victor. I love you my son," Mrs. Galindez said.
"I love you too, Mama," Victor replied.
"Now, go and propose to that young lady, then you can talk about coming out to visit us, so that we can meet her and welcome her into the family."
Before Victor could say another word, his mother had hung up the phone. He could only look at it and chuckle, before hanging up his end and putting the phone down.
"So, what did your mother have to say?" Emily asked.
"That I need to propose properly, because you deserve that from me. And that we need to work out a time to fly to New Mexico and introduce you to the family," Victor told her. "So, I guess tomorrow we need to go shopping for a ring, then I can do the whole proposal thing."
"Oh, how romantic. 'The whole proposal thing'."
The sarcasm in her voice was clear to Victor, who had the good grace to look a little guilty at how that had sounded. Then a grin appeared on her face and he could tell that she was just engaging in some more of her teasing. That got the both of them laughing at the slight absurdity of the situation. A proposal after they'd already decided to get married was sort of like putting the cart before the horse, though Emily was woman enough to admit that she wanted the fairytale: the romantic proposal, followed by the storybook wedding and then the perfect marriage with two children for them to love.