He just needed some rest first.
CHAPTER FOUR
Kellan still wasn’t used to meeting with Senators without first being heavily screened by staffers. That had all changed with his involvement in the prosecution of the private contractors who had supplied enemy forces in Iraq with munitions in order to perpetuate the conflict. He’d proven himself as an expert in national security and brought himself to the attention of some important people in government with his Senate testimony.
Senator Gilchrist’s Chief of Staff showed Kellan into the meeting room where an assistant offered him coffee or water. Kellan accepted a bottle of water. He shook hands with Senators Gilchrist, Lopes and Billings before taking the seat they offered.
Gilchrist was a veteran of the Korean conflict. He still carried himself like a military man and sported a distinguished looking head of silver hair. “That was an interesting report Keystone Consulting published this week,” the Senator said. “Well researched, succinctly stated, and extremely compelling.”
“Thank you, Senator,” Kellan replied, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Why did you publish this information in this manner?” asked Senator Billings. She was a handsome woman, serving her fifth term in the Senate. “Why not address your concerns to the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Joint Chiefs, or the Department of Defense?”
“Please don’t be cagey, Senator Billings, it insults us both,” said Kellan. “You know I know that you sat on the committee that held hearings in two-thousand-eight to address the egregious lack of medals awarded for our two current conflicts. The military establishment is well aware of this issue. Given that your hearings went nowhere in oh-eight, that leads me to believe that they aren’t concerned. Certainly not enough to address the issue.”
Billings smiled indulgently. “They warned me not to underestimate you, Mr. Reynolds,” she said. “So, you’re attempting to generate public sentiment for your cause.”
“It’s not my cause, Senator,” replied Kellan. “It’s a set of facts taken within a certain context. It does seem to indicate an imbalance at best, an injustice at worst.”
“If we decided to make this a cause,” Senator Lopes interjected smoothly, “would you be willing to work with us in an investigative and advisory capacity?” Lopes was a youthful man of obvious Hispanic heritage. He was already establishing a reputation for reason and moderation, while still fighting diligently for the rights of all ethnic groups.
“As much as the Marine captain in me would like to pick a side in this issue,” Kellan answered carefully, “my role as CEO of Keystone Consulting demands impartiality.”
“I believe that’s what we’re asking, Mr. Reynolds,” Gilchrist said. “Are you willing and able to step outside of your role as CEO of your consulting firm with regard to this issue?”
“You mean act as a private consultant?” Kellan asked incredulously.
“More as a public consultant,” replied Gilchrist. “On the payroll of the United States Senate, taking guidance from and providing guidance to ourselves, and the President.”
“The President?” Kellan was wary now. Access was coveted and often dangled as incentive.
Gilchrist splayed his hands, palms up. “He’s the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and has a vested interest in their welfare and morale.”
Kellan’s mind raced. He had come here prepared to defend his position or to provide additional information. He hadn’t anticipated a job offer. He pressed his fingertips to his lips thoughtfully.
“We don’t expect your answer right now,” Senator Billings said, interrupting Kellan’s thoughts. “You need time to consider it, discuss it with family and staff.”
“Speaking of staff,” said Kellan abruptly, “it would be unethical to utilize Keystone staff for any of this work.”
“We don’t expect you to work alone, Mr. Reynolds.” Gilchrist seemed surprised. “The offer includes a team that you would select and assemble. You’ll need at least an assistant and a few investigators.”
“Most likely a military liaison, as well,” remarked Lopes.
“Jonah Carver is a First Sergeant now, isn’t he?” Billings asked. “His transfer to MCCMOS at Quantico could be delayed for the duration of this project.”
Kellan struggled to suppress his smile. He wasn’t worried that these Senators seemed to know something; they were all pushing for the repeal of DADT.
“If I can have a week to see if I’m able to line up the team members I’d need,” Kellan proposed. “Discuss this with key people at Keystone and a few of my own personal advisors.”
“Absolutely, Mr. Reynolds,” Gilchrist said with gracious enthusiasm. “And please, advise us of any concerns or requests you have. There is much we can do to accommodate you in order to get you on board.”
Kellan stood and shook their hands once again. “Thank you, Senators. I’ll be in touch.”
§ § §
“I was joking when I told you it was okay to obsess about this once I was back in California,” Jonah said, completely devoid of humor.
“I didn’t obsess,” Kellan countered. “I followed up on information that is a matter of public record. This type of thing is actually my
job
.”
“Yes, and obviously you’re doing it quite well. No surprise there. So, initial thoughts?”
“I think this is a real problem and I’d like to see something done about it,” Kellan replied, giving his personal, emotional answer. “The challenge and opportunity get me excited, but I don’t want to damage or destroy what I’ve already achieved.”
“In other words; you’re interested, but under the right conditions.”
“That’s it exactly.” Kellan sighed, relieved by the ease with which Jonah understood and accepted.
“Fall back on your training, sir. Use S-M-E-A-C to clarify the complex.”
Kellan took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his mind racing and already extracting and aligning the relevant information. SMEAC was the mnemonic for the five paragraph written order, utilized by officers to clearly issue complex orders; situation, mission, execution, administration and logistics, and command and signal.
“The situation is that there is a questionable policy or policy implementation that needs investigation or possible intervention,” Kellan said. “The mission is to determine the full extent of the problem, causes, parties responsible, and to provide potential solutions.”
“That was the easy part,”
Jonah said, sounding as though he was shuffling paperwork as they talked.
“Now you have to determine just what your course of action would be, what you’d need, and if you think you can actually accomplish anything.”
Kellan consulted the legal pad in front of him. He’d already done this work. What Jonah was doing now was giving Kellan the opportunity to say it all out loud, to face his fears and worries. In doing so, he’d establish whether or not this was a fool’s errand.
“Execution is going to involve submitting requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act. Obtaining other documents through Senate requests and demands. Interviews will need to be conducted, reports written and filed. Ruffled feathers will have to be smoothed, military policy and ROE established and analyzed.” Kellan paused. “That can all be done by staff. In the end, I’ll have to be the one to put the disparate parts together, formulate logical conclusions, write summaries and reports and report the findings to the Senate, the President, and other government officials of varying levels of hostility.”
“That leads you to administration and logistics,” Jonah said.
“If I could have my dream team, I’d bring Maddy and Nick with me from Keystone to handle filings, interviews, document and report, review and compilation, and also analysis.” Kellan checked their names off of the list on his legal pad. “I’d like to have a JAG lawyer or someone from JAS to both advise and interpret U.S., military and international law.”
“How about a paralegal or a legal secretary, then?” Jonah asked.
“Definitely. That might be pushing things, though. I’ve already been told I can have you as my military liaison to smooth the way with the uniforms. My former rank might not get me as far as I’d like to think.”
Jonah’s chuckle warmed Kellan’s chest and he smiled in response, even though Jonah couldn’t see. “You assume I’d be willing to assist you in your bureaucratic tail-chasing, sir.”
“It would provide us with a legitimate reason for why we were constantly in one another’s company,” Kellan teased.
“Point, sir. Anyone else?”
“A strong and self-motivated civilian executive assistant to answer phones, e-mail, handle paperwork and just generally keep me organized and on time.”
“A nearly impossible task,” Jonah said dryly. “This person already has my pity. Who else do you think you need?”
“I’d like to have one or two additional investigators who
don’t
have ties to Keystone. Possibly an MP, NCIS or FBI agent.”
“You already know a couple of Feebs with expertise in national security as well as the military conditions in Iraq,” Jonah said pointedly.
“Yes, I do, don’t I? We would need to work out of either D.C. or So Cal, quite possibly both. And we would all need access to basic office equipment and software.”
“That touches on command and signal.”
“Again, in a perfect world, I’d like to rent offices in both D.C. and Oceanside and have access to the obvious equipment. Everyone would report directly to me until such time as I delegated projects or tasks.”
“Please don’t make me your second in command,” Jonah complained.
Kellan laughed. “As a first shirt, you’d function as my exec. If I could get an attorney, I’d designate that person as next in the chain of command, otherwise one of the investigative agents.”
Jonah sighed heavily, the sound carrying easily over the connection. “You and I both agree that the under-awarding of Medals of Honor is a serious issue that needs addressing and changing. At the very least, someone needs to have the balls to stand up and admit why the awards are being intentionally blocked.”
“Agreed.”
“What are the benefits to our lives and our careers if we do this?” asked Jonah. “And what damage could it do, if any?”
Kellan took a deep breath. They’d reached the heart of his conflict. This was what he needed to talk out with someone. This was what he desperately needed Jonah’s input on. If Kellan was alone, he’d have already accepted the job and jumped in with both feet.
He
was now a
we,
and he needed Jonah’s agreement and moral support, even if he couldn’t give his professional help.
Before Kellan could answer, Jonah spoke again, “Just tell me this, Kel, is your gut telling you we need to do this?”
“Yes.” Kellan didn’t hesitate. “Yes, it is.”
“Then I guess someone is going to have to delay my transfer to MCCMOS. I guess I can move to the barracks at 8th and I, unless you know of someone with a room to rent?”
Kellan’s heart sank when he realized Jonah had no desire to move in with him when he transferred to Virginia. He swallowed hard, determined to keep his voice steady and not give any hint as to how disappointed he was.
Jonah made a quiet sound that sounded almost like a muffled laugh. Kellan’s mouth dropped open when he realized he’d been had. He couldn’t believe he’d fallen for it, however briefly.
“No, you go ahead and move into a fucking Marine Corps barracks.” Kellan coated each word heavily in sarcasm. “You stretch out that six-foot-three-inch body on one of those cots they call beds. I’ll be here, in my big, comfortable house with my soft, king sized bed. Have I mentioned I sleep naked?”
“Okay, okay,” Jonah burst out laughing. “I deserved that.” There was a long pause. Kellan could feel the mood grow serious, even over the cell phone connection. “Are you sure you have room for me and my stuff, Kel?”
“Jonah,” Kellan answered softly, “I always have room for you. Always.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Kellan sipped at his cup of coffee, listening with half an ear to the conversation around the small conference table. His staff of investigators, working on behalf of the Senate committee looking into the questionable policies on the awarding of the Medal of Honor, was gathering to discuss the controversial denial of a medal to a Marine. Captain Mirai Hirata, the lawyer with the Marine Corps’ Judge Advocate Services, and NCIS Special Agent Chris Hoffman had flown in from Camp Pendleton the night before and were expected to arrive from their hotel any moment.
Beside him, Jonah warmed his own coffee from the carafe in the center of the table. He had to give his assistant credit, she was good at setting up for meetings. Her work in other areas was mediocre, but Kellan wasn’t in a position to complain. She’d been provided by the FBI because they had needed someone quickly, who had the requisite security clearances. If he were honest, she wasn’t a bad assistant; she just wasn’t as good as his assistant at Keystone.
“They took a cab so they can’t be lost,” Nick said, looking at his watch with a frown.
“It’s more likely jet lag and the change in time zones,” Jonah remarked.
Kellan tugged his sleeve up to look at his watch. It was only 0805, he wasn’t concerned. It was probably traffic. Nick was notoriously impatient. Kellan smiled as Maddy yawned noisily. She proclaimed herself to not be a morning person, yet still managed to always be the first one into the office each day.
FBI Special Agent Marco Giammona picked up his cell phone when it vibrated. “Traffic,” he announced, “Chris says they’re getting out of the cab downstairs now.”
Just as he’d suspected. “Thanks, Marco.” Kellan had been pleased when Marco had agreed to come work for him. He’d been impressed with the agent’s work and his testimony in the wake of the events in Diyala.
A ruckus in the outer offices announced the arrival of Hirata and Hoffman. They were greeted warmly by the rest of the staff. For all they had done the majority of their work on the west coast, they had proven to be very, very good at their jobs. It was their work that had everyone gathered today to discuss what appeared to be a very ugly problem.
“All rights, gents,” Kellan called the meeting to order. “And lady,” he said, smiling at Maddy, “let’s get started. Chris? Mirai? Who wants to start?”