Decker's Dilemma (18 page)

“I didn't notice anything.”

“You wouldn't,” Lee said. “Guys don't pay attention to that stuff, but girls notice these things. Plus, she's got a big butt and I know you like that.”

“I've never noticed that either.”

Lee reached up and squeezed Hack's jaw with her right hand. “I told you earlier, you're a terrible liar.”

Hack started to respond but Lee put her right index finger to his lips. “Shhh.” She stood and gently curled herself on the couch with her head in Hack's lap.

“Want to watch TV?” he asked, grabbing the remote from the end table.

“Okay,” she yawned. “I don't know what's on, but maybe there's a movie.”

Hack toyed with the remote and paused before turning on the television. “By the way, what did you decide about your orders?

“I was hoping you wouldn't ask.”

“I take it you told them ‘yes' to Pearl Harbor.”

“I did,” Lee said softly. “I have to go somewhere so I figured Hawaii was my best option. I've always wanted to visit there and now I'm going to live there. Can you believe it?”

“I don't want to believe it, but I'm sure you'll like it. I'll come visit as often as I can.”

Lee squeezed Hack's hand. “I hope so. But I don't know when I'm leaving Subic. I'll get my official orders in a couple weeks. And I hope you can get stationed in Hawaii when you're time's up on the
Harvey
.”

“I'll try,” he mumbled.

Hack's stomach growled as he flipped through the channels. Soon he detected the rhythmic rise and fall of Lee's breathing. He stared blankly at the television, running his fingers across his girlfriend's cheek. He had a beautiful woman asleep on his lap, but his thoughts wandered first to Pinto's letters, and then to Decker and Vega, and finally to Captain Navarro and his ominous warning:
Watch your step … people are watching … this is bigger than you can handle … don't get involved
.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

1645, Thursday, February 20

Decker read the card for the hundredth time. He stood in a phone booth at the end of the pier, staring out the glass door. After five minutes debating with himself, he found the courage to place the call.

“Hello,” a woman answered.

“Piper?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“It's me, Decker. Elliott.”

“Wow, I didn't expect you to call me, but I'm glad you did. Did you get my card?”

“I did. Thank you for sending it. Sorry it's taken me so long to tell you that. I hope you don't mind me calling.”

“Of course not,” Piper said. “Every time I drive around base I hope I run into you. Like I told you before, I get lonely up here sometimes. No one to talk to.”

“You mentioned that,” said Decker. “Well, anyway, I just wanted to say hi. I'd better get back to the ship.”

“Hang on,” Piper said. “Why don't you come by on Saturday? Bob told me he's going to have to work on the ship all day. I'll tell you about our trip to Hong Kong.”

“I don't think that's a good idea,” Decker said.

“Don't worry, he'll be gone all day. He works every Saturday. I'll show you all the stuff I bought.”

“I
know
that's not a good idea,” Decker said, suddenly regretting he'd called.

“And I still owe you a meal. I want you to stay long enough to eat the next time you visit me.”

Decker smiled. “I'll be sure to do that. But I've got ten minutes to go before I leave for the day. I'd better get back to the ship.”

“Okay, take care and think about Saturday.”

“I will. I definitely will,” Decker said, hanging up the phone. He opened the door, walked out of the booth, and rubbed his eyes with both hands. “What am I doing?” he said out loud. “I need to stop thinking about her and take things into my own hands.”

He turned back toward the ship, laughing at what he just said.

“Petty Officer Decker, don't tell me the
Harvey's
making you talk to yourself?”

Decker whirled around. The blood drained from his face as he saluted his boss. “No, sir. I was just thinking of something that made me laugh.”

Commander Doerr returned the salute. “Well, I'm glad it's not the ship,” he said, joining Decker. “So how are things in Supply Support? I know Kippen's death must have been hard for everyone. I know it shocked me.”

“We're getting along the best we can, sir.”

“Good to hear. I appreciate the work you've been doing. I was telling my wife about that the other night.”

Decker's heart pounded in his chest. “Thank you for that, sir.”

“And I mean it,” said the commander. “When are you up for promotion? Should be soon, right?”

Decker nodded. “This summer, sir. I take the test in June.”

The commander put his hand on Decker's shoulder. “I tell you what. Let's visit about that sometime. I can't today. I have some work I need to do at my desk. But stop by my cabin when you've got a minute and we'll talk about your future.”

“I appreciate that, sir. I'll make the time soon.”

“In fact, how about coming out to the house for dinner sometime?” said the commander. “Have you ever been out to navy housing? You've probably never had a reason to get out that way.”

Decker shook his head. “Uh, no, sir. Never have.”

“Well, it's not much, but we like it out there,” the commander said. “The neighborhood's surrounded by the jungle. I think you'd like it.”

“That sounds nice, sir,” Decker said, looking at his watch. “I'd better be going, sir. I'll stop by and visit sometime.”

The commander shook hands with Decker. “Please do, Decker. I want to talk about a career in the navy. I always hate to lose good people.”

Decker followed the commander up the gangway and then veered aft towards the supply berthing while Suppo walked forward towards the wardroom. Decker met Hack getting changed at his rack.

“What's that worried look for?” asked Hack.

“I think he's on to me.”

“Who's on to you?”

“Suppo. I went to the payphone on the pier to call Piper. And before you say anything, I know, it's stupid, but I wanted to say hi to her.”

“It
is
stupid. What'd you talk about?”

“She wanted me to visit her on Saturday.”

“Are you going to?”

“No, of course not. At least I don't think I will. But then as soon as I hung up, the supply officer walked by.”

“Did he hear you talking to her?”

“I don't think so,” Decker said. “But we walked together back to the ship. He said he wanted to talk with me sometime soon about my promotion. He even invited me to his house for dinner.”

“I didn't think officers were allowed to do that. Isn't that called frater-something?”

“Fraternization,” Decker said. “Anyway, it was the
way
he said it. He asked if I'd ever been to navy housing before. Made me think that he suspects something.”

“Probably just a coincidence,” Hack reasoned. “See, this is what happens when you get involved with a married woman.”

“Thanks for the advice, Dad,” Decker scowled. “Anyway, let's get out of here. Tonight's the night.” He checked his watch. “We can be at Agana's in a half hour if we hurry. I did a little recon work a couple days ago. From the edge of base next to the archery range, I could see across Shit River to the back of Agana's building.”

“What did you see?” asked Hack.

“There's a large fence around the place. I saw a forklift unloading stuff from a truck in an adjacent alley. I couldn't tell what was being unloaded, though. That's why we need to take a closer look.”

“You sure you were looking at the right building?”

“Positive. I visited the quartermaster shop and studied a map of Subic and Olongapo.”

The two sailors left the ship at 1715 and met Rusty at the trike stand on the corner of Magsaysay and Gordon. Ten minutes later they were on a sidewalk at the east end of Gordon Avenue. The address Rusty gave them turned out to be a storefront in a modern looking building on the south side of the street. A small, nondescript sign read “M. Agana & Co.” above the door.

The two sailors stood on the sidewalk and examined the neighborhood. A business half a block down the street from Agana's caught Decker's attention. “Hack, we're in the right spot. Look at that.”

“It's a Jollibee,” Hack said. “Don't tell me you're hungry?”

“I am, but that's not important now. Remember Chief's note? The mysterious ‘j-bee'? It was written next to the initials A. A.”

Hack's eyes widened. “Chief must've known it's close to a Jollibee.”

Decker smiled. “We're in the right place. We should…”

“This looks familiar to me,” Hack interrupted. “I think I've been here before.”

“When were you ever out here?”

“The night I jumped in a jeepney when Biff and Dave followed me.”

“And you ran into Limpert, right?”

“Yep, and we both got off here.”

Decker scrutinized the buildings on either side of the street. “Where was he headed? There's not much out here except businesses.”

“I don't know,” Hack said. “We got out by the Jollibee. He walked east, but I lost track of him after I went into the restaurant. I guess I was too freaked out about everything to make the connection with Chief's note.”

Decker thought for a moment. “Never mind that now. We've found the right place. Let's cross over and head west for two blocks. We'll cross back over to this side of the street at the intersection. We'll blend in the best we can with the foot traffic and walk back up the street and straight into Agana's.”

The two sailors headed west in the midst of school kids, business people, and men and women shopping, a scene that stood in stark contrast to the hucksters, street vendors, and drunk sailors on Magsaysay.

At the corner of Gordon and 14th, they crossed the street and turned east. Decker glanced at Hack. “Look at that.”

Several women, Decker counted twelve, began filing into Agana's. A few minutes later they exited the building and dispersed onto the sidewalk.

Decker stood silent watching the procession. “That's a lot of foot traffic. Someone must be in there. Let's walk in like we have a purpose. No hesitating at the door.”

“I didn't agree to this,” Hack protested.

“Just follow me,” Decker urged, leading his friend closer to Agana's doorstep.

They exchanged glances mid-stride and took two steps to the entrance. Decker opened the large metal door and walked in as if he had been there many times before. Hack followed one step behind, peeking over his shoulder to look behind him.

“I thought I saw someone following us,” Hack said.

“It's just your imagination. Don't let your nerves get to you. Act like we have legitimate business here. Which we do of course.”

“No we don't,” Hack mumbled.

Decker and Hack stood in a room the size of a small office. Except for an unoccupied service counter against the far wall and a security camera mounted to the ceiling, there were no furniture and decorations to be found. A door that led to the interior of the building was on the other side of the counter.

“It's empty,” Hack said. “This is just an entryway. Let's get out of here.”

Decker scanned the room. “Let's try the other door. I want to see what's going on back there. Maybe it's a warehouse full of navy parts. Or maybe it leads to the fenced in area.” He walked around the counter and jiggled the knob. “It's locked. Damn.”

“I don't think we should do that,” Hack said, pointing to the camera. “You've seen the place, now let's get out of here before we get caught.”

“I wish we could find out what's behind this door,” Decker said, continuing to play with the door knob. “Too bad Mo's not here. He can pick any lock.”

“Maybe you can ask someone for a key,” Hack said.

“Who am I going to ask?”

“These guys,” said Hack.

Decker spun around and saw two Filipinos standing in the doorway. A tall man with long, stringy hair tied in a ponytail blocked the exit. A bald, short man stood to his left.

Baldy turned to Ponytail.
“
Kaibigan ba sila ni Pinto
?”

Ponytail shrugged. “
Hindi ko alam
.”

Decker looked at Hack and mouthed the word “Pinto.” He smiled at Ponytail and Baldy. “Is this the medical center? My friend here is in desperate need of help.” He put his hand next to his mouth to shield Hack's view. “The clap,” he whispered.

Ponytail grimaced. “No doctor here. Get out now,” he grunted.

Decker smiled. “No? Oh well, we must have the wrong address. Our mistake.” He pointed to his watch. “Hack, my boy, we should get going.” He walked over and grabbed Hack by the shoulder and tried to squeeze past Ponytail and Baldy. “Have a nice day, gentlemen.”

Ponytail stepped in front of the two sailors and grabbed Decker by the arm. “Not so fast. Who are you guys?”

“Gentlemen, there must be a misunderstanding,” Decker said. “We're looking for a medical office. I can prove it if you let go of my arm. I have papers in my pocket.”

Ponytail loosened his grip as Decker reached into his back pocket.

“I must've dropped them,” Decker said, unable to produce any paperwork. “They're probably behind the counter.”

“Stay here. I will look,” Baldy said, glaring at Decker as he walked over to the counter. “Nothing is back here.”

Ponytail extended his arm to grab Decker, but the sailor was too quick. He shoved Ponytail as hard as he could, sending him stumbling backwards until he tripped over his feet.

Decker and Hack hustled out the door before Pontytail could recover. They glanced to their left towards the Jollibee, then turned and walked to their right amidst Filipinos strolling along the sidewalk.

“That was a close call,” said Decker. “We'll be safe on the street with people around.” “The clap?” asked Hack.

“Gonorrhea's the first thing that came to mind.”

“And why me? You're the one that should see a doctor.” Hack peered over his shoulder at Agana's. “I think Ponytail liked you.”

“No, he had his eye on you.”

Hack glanced behind him again. “Do you have any idea where we're going?”