Cajun Justice(22)

It didn’t take long for Cain to spot Jill’s blond hair in the distance. She was stretching. Flexibility came naturally to her. She had gone to college on a soccer scholarship and had been hired by the Secret Service right after graduate school.

“It’s great to see you, Cain,” she said, and gave him a big hug. She held the embrace a few seconds longer than Cain thought was usual. “It’s just not the same running without you.”

Cain caught a whiff of her freshly shampooed hair. “You, too! You must be staying busy. I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Me? You’re the busy one!”

“Well, you know how it is. It never seems to slow down.”

She nodded in agreement.

“Shall we?” he suggested.

“Let’s do it,” she said. “You think you’ll be able to keep up with me this time?”

Cain laughed. “I can keep up! When I’m running behind you, it’s because I’ve chosen to.” He smiled.

She smiled at his remark, and the two began running along the path. They passed art galleries, memorials, and his favorite: several Smithsonian museums. Recent events weighed heavily on Cain’s mind, but he didn’t want to bring them up. He placated Jill with mostly small talk during the run, and after about thirty minutes, they turned onto the road toward Arlington National Cemetery. Their small talk had come to an end.

“How much longer will you be on admin leave while they finish up their silly investigation?” Jill asked.

“I thought you were enjoying running with me. Now you’re ready to send me back to work?” Cain teased.

“Everyone knows this has Tomcat written all over it.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah, it is. At least for us smart ones, and anyone who has ever met Tomcat.”

They continued running for a beat before Jill went on. “I trust you, Cain. You know that. I’ve told you things I’ve never told anyone else. That’s why I’m telling you this.”

“Okay,” Cain said, pacing his breathing. He knew Jill could outrun him by several more miles—even though he’d never admit it.

“I’m leaving the Secret Service.”

Cain stopped running and began a slow walk. “You’re leaving? No. No. No. Please don’t tell me that. We need good people like you.”

“I’m sick and tired of the macho, sexist culture. I can’t take it any longer.”

“If this is about how some of the guys are treating you, I’ll talk to them. I’ll set ’em straight.”

“No, Cain. It’s deeper than just one or two agents. Tomcat is a dime a dozen in the Service. Until they get a female director, nothing is going to change.”

“Where are you going to go?”

“I’m transferring to NCIS. You know, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. I’ll lose a little pay in the beginning, but it’ll be worth it in the end. There are a lot more women in that agency.”

Cain shook his head in disbelief. “I’m sad to hear you’re leaving us.”

“You make it sound like I’m leaving law enforcement. I’ll still be an agent.” And then, pleading: “Come with me, Cain. It’s a more stable life at NCIS.”

“No. I’m not leaving the Service. And I wish you wouldn’t, either.”

He turned left and started walking toward the gates at Arlington National Cemetery. Jill followed a step behind him. Cain waved at the security guard, who waved back at them. The three knew one another. The president and vice president, along with their Secret Service details, often visited the cemetery for official functions throughout the year. Cain and Jill had coordinated security logistics many times with the security guards.

The sky was still overcast—hiding the sun. The roar of jet engines departing Ronald Reagan airport could be heard overhead. The dew glistened off the sea of white crosses, and the magnolia trees were in full blossom. Birds chirped to one another as they dashed from tree to tree. Cain found the sacred grounds especially peaceful that morning—even majestic.

He started to cool down, just as they arrived at JFK’s grave site. His thoughts were lost in the eternal flame dancing in the wind. Loss is the one constant in life, he thought. He felt deep sadness. He hadn’t even been born when Kennedy visited Dallas that fateful November day in 1963, but he felt a bond with the charismatic president. Cain had spent weeks at the academy studying the assassination and watching the video repeatedly. Unlike investigations in which you knew you were successful when you arrested the suspect and he confessed to the allegation, you never knew what disaster you may have prevented in protection. Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy, and Reagan served as stark reminders of what had not been prevented. Their stories serve as a reminder for me to always be ready. And they also remind me why the Service needs sharp agents like Jill.

Jill spoke up. “Just because I’m transferring to NCIS, it won’t change anything between us.”

Cain locked eyes with hers. Before he could respond, his phone rang. He looked down and saw that his supervisor was calling. He had been expecting this call.

“You’re up early, boss,” Cain said quietly, out of respect for the cemetery’s rules.

“Why are you whispering?” LeRoy asked.