Cajun Justice(102)

“Do you have any suggestions?” Bonnie asked.

Cain shook his head.

“I might have an idea,” Chief Alvarez suggested.

Bonnie and Cain turned to face him.

“It’s a wild, crazy idea, and it’s a long shot, but it might work.”

“Well,” Cain said. “We ain’t got any other ideas. And beggars can’t be choosers.”

“The USS George Washington departs Yokosuka tomorrow for exercise Valiant Shield. What if I were able to smuggle y’all on board? There’s over five thousand sailors. What’s another two?”

“What’s Valiant Shield?” Bonnie asked. “And how is being smuggled on board another ship gonna help us get back to America?”

“Valiant Shield is the largest military exercise in the Pacific. There’ll be tons of ships, submarines, and other countries participating. We’ll have a rest and relaxation port call in Guam.”

Cain started nodding in agreement. “That might just work. Guam is American territory.”

“And United Airlines has a hub there,” Bonnie said. “If we can get to their counter, we can deadhead to America.”

“Well then,” Chief Alvarez began, “I just need to make a call and get two flight suits ready for you guys.”

Cain felt a sense of relief as El Viento rounded Monkey Island and headed toward the dock at the Yokosuka American Navy base. At that moment, nothing symbolized the United States more than the McDonald’s right next to the boat launch. Its golden arches illuminated the night sky and served as a lighthouse calling the Lemaires home—or at least one step closer to being back in Louisiana.

But then it hit him. There was one big problem with Chief Alvarez’s plan, Cain realized. It meant he’d be leaving behind what he had come to love most about Japan.

Umiko.

He stood up and walked toward the front of the sailboat for privacy. He pulled out his phone. He wanted to call her, but he couldn’t. The police would be tracing his calls. He looked down at the phone. If they’re searching for me by this device, then they can look for me here. He tossed his phone into the water and watched it get swallowed up by the ocean.





Chapter 81



“Can I borrow some yen from you?” Cain asked Alvarez. “I need to make a call before we board the Washington.”

“Just use my phone,” the chief offered, and patted his pockets in search of it.

“Thanks, but I don’t want any of this being tied back to you. And I’m worried the police may be tracing my phone, so I’m gonna use the pay phone outside the Mickey D’s.”

“Okay, but make it fast. I have a petty officer bringing me the flight suits now.” Alvarez gave him a handful of coins.

Cain went to the phone booth and lifted the handset, dropped in a few coins, and dialed Umiko’s number from memory.

The phone rang a few times before her voicemail answered.

“Umi, this is Cain. I was hoping to talk to you one last time before I left. I’m not even really sure what to say, though.” He paused for a moment. “I just wish things could have turned out differently for us.”

Chief Alvarez and Bonnie were tying El Viento to the dock when three Japanese police cars lined up at the nearby gate. Their signature red emergency lights were on and rotating as the police officers talked to the military guards about gaining access.

Cain knew that he and Bonnie had to get on the USS Washington quickly. Even though this was an American base, the Japanese had concurrent jurisdiction. They’d be allowed on the base to look for him and arrest him. Besides the embassy, the ship was the only true American sovereignty in Japan.

Cain saw one of the police cars rolling through the gate. He made eye contact with Alvarez and nodded to his friend, acknowledging the urgency. He turned back to the phone and lowered his voice as he spoke into the handset.

“I’ve gotta run, Umi. Thank you for everything. I’m sorry it ended like this, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come back to Japan.” Before he hung up, he said one last thing to her. It was what she had told him at their Zen retreat. “Au wa wakare no hajimari. I guess all good things come to an end, and you are a good thing, Umi.”





Chapter 82



The military police officer standing watch on the deck next to a wooden podium looked intimidating. The athletically built policeman had a Beretta 9mm handgun strapped to his hip and an M4 assault rifle slung across the body armor that hugged his torso. He inspected every sailor who requested to come aboard the USS George Washington.

“That military cop looks really serious,” Bonnie said nervously. “We’re going to get caught and arrested!”

“Relax, Lieutenant,” Chief Alvarez said, trying to calm her. “You’ve already come this far. Plus, that watch stander is looking for terrorists, not two Cajuns in flight suits.”

Cain and Bonnie headed to the gangway.

“Jesus, this boat is way bigger than I would have ever imagined,” Bonnie said.

Alvarez put his arm around Bonnie. “This is not a boat. It’s a ship, and not just any ship. It’s a nuclear-powered super aircraft carrier. It’s the might of the American military and what keeps us free.”

Cain smiled with pride. He felt as though he was reliving his navy days. He and Bonnie were just two military pilots out of hundreds of aviators on board. And as pilots, they were commissioned officers, with a set of parallel silver bars displayed on each shoulder of their flight suits. The chief really delivered. Bravo, Zulu, Cain thought as they approached the gruff military police officer.