Chapter 140: My responsibility

"How's the military investigation into Lieutenant Oakley going?" I asked, giving in and opening my desk drawer to pull out my lighter and a pack of Djarums.

"He's been doing very bad things to the people of Iraq and getting away with it, but not sure for how long that'll stay buried. I think the senator can only be relieved his son is off getting into trouble in Iraq as opposed to anywhere close to his election campaign."

I grunted in agreement and sucked back my first, sweet inhale. The cloves gave quite a kick, but I was used to it. Now I just let the nicotine do its work and felt guilty for what I was putting into my body. "So he's career military, you think?" I exhaled away from Neil.

Neil shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Why not?"

Neil had the keenest instincts of anyone I knew. He wasn't just an employee, not by a long shot. Neil was much, much more. We'd been boys together, gone off to war, survived that hell to return to England, managing to grow up in the process and start a successful business. I trusted him with my life. Which meant I could trust him with Brynne's as well. I was glad she liked him, because I had the feeling she would have to be guarded eventually whenever she went out. Brynne would so hate that. But even as much as she loathed the security de- tail, she'd not take it out on Neil. My girl was far too kind for that sort of thing.

I wasn't kidding myself either friend or no, I was really glad Neil already had a woman, and if he'd been single he wouldn't have been my first choice. He was a good-looking guy. "Well this is the interesting part. Lieutenant Lance Oakley was stop-lossed just a few weeks after the plane went down. From what I could find out, the US pretty much ceased with stop-loss over a year ago, and only just a mere handful are served now."

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, mate?"

Neil nodded again. "As soon as the senator found out he was the next vice presidential hopeful, he got his only son stop-lossed for another tour in Iraq." I clucked my tongue. "Sounds like the senator knows his son very well and figures the further his boy can keep away from the campaign, the better the senator's chances of being elected." I leaned back in my chair and puffed on my clove. "Who better to get a stop-loss order than somebody who has political connections. I'm starting to think Senator Oakley rather hopes his son never comes back from Iraq. War hero and all that...looks smashing for patriotism." I waved my hand for emphasis.

"Precisely where I was going." Neil eyeballed the ciggie in my fingers. "I thought you were cutting back on those?" "I am... at home." I stubbed it out into the ashtray. "I won't smoke around her." And I am pretty sure Neil was savvy enough to figure out why I wouldn't. But that was the thing about friends... you understood each other, didn't have to explain ad nauseam about painful shit you wished you could forget but pretty much knew was a part of you down to the marrow in your bones.

Brynne's mobile lit up and roused me out of my work. I checked the caller ID.

One word-Mom.

Well, this ought to be fun. I thought as I pressed send. "Hello." There was a beat of silence, and then a haughty voice. "I'm trying to reach

my daughter, and as I know this is her number, to whom am I speaking?" "Ethan Blackstone, ma'am."

"Why are you answering my daughter's phone, Mr. Blackstone?"

"I'm surveilling her old number, Mrs. I'm sorry, I don't know your name." I wasn't going to give it to her on a silver platter. Brynne's mum would have to ask me. Nicely. So far, I wasn't impressed.

"Exley." She waited for me to say something, but I didn't. I play poker and I know how to wait it out. "Why are you surveilling her phone?"

I couldn't help smiling. We both knew who had won this round. "Yes, well I deal in security, Mrs. Exley. It's my job. Brynne's dad hired me to see to her safety once Senator Oakley was being vetted. I'm not going to be coy with you either, ma'am. I know why her safety's at risk and so do you. I know every- thing." Now I paused for effect. "She's told me what happened to her at the hand of Oakley's son."

I heard a sharp inhale and would have paid money to see her face, but alas, I had to use my imagination. "You're the one who bought her portrait, aren't you? She told me about you buying her nude photograph and taking her home after. Something you should know about Brynne. Mr. Blackstone, is that she loves to shock me."

"Is that so? I wouldn't know about that, Mrs. Exley. Brynne's never mentioned you to me before last night. I have nothing to compare you against."

She seemed to ignore my veiled insult and went for the kill. "So you're in a relationship with my daughter. Mr. Blackstone? I can read between the lines and make assumptions as well as the next person. And Brynne is my only child, and contrary to what she's told you, I do love my daughter and only want what's best for her."

"Ethan, please and yes, I can unequivocally say that I am in a relationship with Brynne." I reached for a fresh Djarum and flicked my lighter open. Really? This woman didn't know who she was playing with. We could go on like this all day and I would still win. "And I do too."

She was silent a moment and then asked. "You do too what, Mr. Blackstone?" "Love your daughter and only want what's best for her. I'll keep her safe from any danger. She's my responsibility now."

Again I could only imagine her rolling her eyes at what I'd just said, and I wondered how my girl put up with all the disapproval from this woman. I caught that she didn't take me up on the offer of my first name either. It made me sad for Brynne. Especially since I'd longed for my mum my whole life and here was Brynne with a mum censuring her every decision. I would rather have the loving memory of a mother I'd never had than have to put up with this dragon lady for a lifetime.