Dale Mayer [Mayer - Nelson

SEALs of Honor, Book 21

Dale Mayer

Nothing is what it seems ever

Nelsons early morning meeting at the docks with Elizabeth Etchings offers only bad news. Her brotherand Nelsons old friendhas gone missing on his days off while his ship was docked in Ensenada. A trip to where hed last been seen shows the local color and reveals Nelsons friend has gotten into bigger trouble than anyone could imagine.

Elizabeth might have had a hand in now sending two men to Baja to look for her brother, but she will not stay behind. Her brother is in danger and hes the only family she has left.

It doesnt take long for Nelson to realize that Elizabeth has caught the eye of someone who rules that corner of the world. Shes now in jeopardy toopossibly more than her brother. Keeping her safe moves up Nelsons priority list.

Until both issues merge, and everything goes south

Sign up to be notified of all Dales releases here!

DOWNLOAD a complimentary copy of TUESDAYS CHILD? Just tell me where to send it!

N elson Brown sat on Laysas living room couch the next morning. He folded up the blanket and set the pillow on top. He and Taylor were leaving the UK and heading back to the States today. Kanen was taking a few days and staying behind with her. Nelson wasnt exactly sure what Kanen and Laysa planned to do long-term, but they were committed to each other, and she was happy to leave behind her apartment in England with the good and bad memories she had there.

Everything in the storage locker shed owned with her late husband was lost in the fire. However, their apartment was still full of stuff and had to be dealt with. Whether she and Kanen rented it out, which wasnt a bad idea, or sold it, it would still take some time to decide what to leave behind, like for a furnished apartment to rent, what to give away and what she wanted to take with her. Nelson figured in another few days that Kanen and Laysa would arrange for her remaining belongings to be shipped over stateside as they flew back to California together.

Taylor was making coffee. Theyd already booked flights for eleven oclock this morning, heading back to their regular jobs.

Then Nelson and Taylor were scheduled for trainingtraining they were anxious to get to, into an area where torpedoes were made. It was more of an information session, but it fascinated Nelson. He wanted to see how the bombs themselves were made. There was a lot of science and engineering that went into them.

Taylor came toward him, holding up his phone. Hey, apparently weve got some officer training at the same time.

Nelson wrinkled up his face. Great. That may not be fun.

A couple engineers are coming as well. Theyll be on staff, working on the deployment of these new torpedoes. Theyre integrating a new chute system into the battleships.

Nelson nodded. Well, that part at least makes sense.

Yeah. Remember that woman who gave the lecture we went to? She was talking about how maintenance was so important on these chutes, and you got mad at her because you felt she was implying the navy wasnt doing its job?

Nelson frowned. He shook his head. Sort of. She was being kind of arrogant, right?

Taylor nodded. She was, indeed. But shell also be part of this torpedo operations tour thats happening in Coronado Bay.

Wheres the tour?

On the USS Independence. It would be good to go to the manufacturing plant, but thats not happening. At least well see these new torpedoes on the ship. Shell be there to show us how they are different.

Nelson shrugged. What difference does it make? Theyll still have a certain payload. Theyll still have an automatic delivery system. I doubt anythings changed that wed have to retrofit the battleships.

Apparently, something is different about these. Taylor smiled. As one of the engineers working on the project, shes a keynote speaker.

It doesnt matter to me, Nelson said. I barely know the woman.

Thats good, but apparently she knows you.

Nelson looked up and frowned. What are you talking about?

I just got a text from Mason. Let me read it to you. He flicked through the texts on his phone, stopped and said, Make sure Nelson comes back with you. The engineer wants to speak with him specifically before the tour starts. Taylor looked up at him. Does that mean anything to you?

Nelson shook his head. No. I dont know the woman. What the hell does she want with me? Just then his own phone buzzed with a text from Mason.

Meeting one hour in advance of tour tomorrow morning, 0800 on shore. At the dock.

Nelson texted back. Whats this all about?

Engineer wants to talk to you.

About what? he asked.

Mason wrote No clue. But she mentioned you specifically.

I dont even know the woman.

Maybe but she knows you. Be there, 0800 sharp.

Nelson tossed the phone on the coffee table and snorted. Who the hell is this woman? And why the hell does she give a damn about me?

Taylor brought over two cups of coffee. I guess youll find out tomorrow morning, wont you?

Nelson just stared at him, disgruntled. Maybe. Thats if I show up.

But that was only Nelsons bravado speaking. When the navy called, he stepped up each and every time. But it sure didnt stop him from wondering who the hell this woman was and what she wanted with him.

N elson arrived at the docks the next morning in good spirits. He hadnt given much thought to the appointment before his training until breakfast, when he realized he really had no clue what was going on. He wasnt sure who else would be at this mornings meeting, but he hoped it was somebody he might know. For all he knew, this was a case of mistaken identity. He barely knew the woman who had requested this meeting.

As he walked down the long pier, a small group of people waited for him. Nelson recognized Masons aide but not the other seaman. Only one woman was with them. That must be the engineer. He checked his watch and frowned. As he approached Mason, he smiled and said, Im not late.

Masons stern face nodded. No, youre not. Youre fine.

As Mason spoke, Nelson checked out the woman who supposedly knew him. He had met her at a lecture, as Taylor had reminded him. But that was a while back. He reached out a hand to shake hers, smiling. Nelson Brown, at your service, maam.

One eyebrow raised at the maam part.

He might have done it just to piss her off. He didnt know. Hed been in an off mood all morning. Nothing like having something like this coming down with no one giving him any heads-up as to what was going on. From the stiff demeaner of those around him, it was obviously serious.

Im Elizabeth Etchings. She eyed him coolly. I believe you know my brother.

It was his turn to raise an eyebrow. Im not sure I do. Whats his name?

Chris, she said. Chris Etchings.

He frowned as he thought about it, then shook his head. Im not sure. That name doesnt ring a bell.

She sighed. You probably know him as Skunk.

Nelsons face broke into a wide grin. Absolutely. I know Skunk. He chuckled. Im not sure I ever knew his real name though.