Unfinished Business, Unresolved Feelings chapter 13

Nellis Air Force Base, outer office of Colonel Robert Clayton

Colonel Robert Clayton strode purposefully up to the desk of his assistant, Lieutenant Regina Simmons, and waited for her to get off the phone. He glanced around the sparsely appointed room and then looked back at Lt. Simmons who was holding the phone receiver so tightly that her fingers were turning white. She always looks anxious but she seems more stressed out than usual. Wonder what's set her off now; I guess I'll find out soon enough. When she showed no sign that the call would conclude soon he continued into his own office but left the door open. The moment Lt. Simmons hung up the phone she rushed to the open office door and waited for Colonel Clayton to acknowledge her presence.

"Good morning, Simmons. Is there a problem?"

"Yes, sir. I believe that your personal security may have been breached. I've been receiving inquiries about your presence here since yesterday afternoon", Simmons answered while ringing her hands.

"Where did the inquiries come from?"

"I received calls from three different departments at the Pentagon. One caller said that he was calling about your nephew; the other callers said that someone claiming to be your nephew was asking questions about you. I knew right then-

What has he gotten himself into now? I hope he's alright.

"Sir, did I do the right thing?"

"Do the right thing. I'm sorry; I was distracted for a moment. What did you do", the colonel asked irritably, annoyed at himself for losing track of what she was saying.

"An MP called from the main gate a little while ago to say that there was a man at the gate claiming to be your nephew. I told the MP about the strange calls from the Pentagon and I let him know that you don't have any family", she responded proudly.

"Why did you tell him that", Colonel Clayton shouted.

"But, Colonel, when we met last month I asked you if you had any family with you or any relatives that might phone you so that I could expedite their calls .You said no."

A look of sadness crossed the colonel's face for a split second before his usual impassive expression returned.

"I said "no" meaning that I wasn't expecting any phone calls; not that I don't have any family. Were you speaking to the MP when I came in?"

Before Simmons had a chance to respond there was a loud knocking on the door to the outer office and shouting could be heard.

"Would you like me to handle this, sir", Simmons asked eager to get back in his good graces.

"No, you've handled more than enough already", Clayton barked as he rushed past Simmons, certain that he knew who was causing the commotion outside his office. He flung the door open and came face to face with Lee who was being restrained by two heavily armed guards; one of whom was aiming a gun directly at Lee's chest.

"Lower that weapon immediately", Clayton shouted at the MP.

"Sir, we caught him sneaking onto the base after we refused him entry. He's claiming to be your nephew-"

"I am his nephew", Lee snarled at the MP who still hadn't lowered his weapon.

"Sergeant, he IS my nephew. Lower your weapon and let go of him. That is an order not a request."

"Yes, sir, we're sorry sir. Your aide told us that you don't have any family so he was refused entry. Ten minutes later he was caught climbing over a fence; what were we to think", the MP concluded nervously as he looked at his very irate superior officer.

"Let's write this off as a misunderstanding", Clayton responded in a more conciliatory voice. "I have one question for you. If you thought he was a security threat; why did you bring him to my office?"

"After he was apprehended we searched him and found that he's carrying high level federal ID. Since your project is so highly classified we thought we should let you have some input into what we should do with him. Can we leave him in your custody?" the MP asked as he released his grip on Lee and handed him back his gun and gym bag which they had taken from him earlier.

"It wouldn't be the first time", Lee muttered grimly as he and his uncle exchanged glances.