The Bin Laden Plot

It had been a truthful answer. He loved Angie and wasn’t about to leave her. Christine had let her opportunity slip by — they had dated for over a decade when he had finally given up and moved on to Angie. A month after he proposed to Angie, Christine had called, letting him know she was ready to settle down. She hadn’t heard the news.

However, he wondered what his decision would have been if Christine had called before he’d proposed. He would never admit it to Angie, but he shared a bond with Christine, one that would probably never be broken.

“I thought you might be here early,” Harrison said. “Do you stop by often?”

“Not as often as I should.”

“Your parents would have been proud of you. It’s a shame neither one lived to see what you’ve accomplished.”

“I wonder sometimes. Professionally, yes. I’m sure they’d be proud. But my personal life leaves a lot to be desired. I’m in my forties, unmarried, no kids — ”

Harrison cut her off. “You could have almost any man you want. You’re beautiful, intelligent, accomplished. If you made yourself available, there’d be men lining up to date you.”

“You know how it is, Jake. I never seem to make time in my life for men. There’s always something more important. I kept you waiting too long, and then my marriage to Dave didn’t last, which was primarily my fault. Marriage takes work, and my heart wasn’t in it.”

“It’s a different time in your life now, Chris. Make it a priority.”

“That’s what Joan keeps telling me. You remember Joan, from college?”

Harrison nodded. Joan was on Christine’s gymnastics team and a political science major as well.

She continued, “Joan ended up in D.C. too. Only she’s married with kids.”

“It’s not too late,” Harrison said. “You just need to decide what you want.”

“I know what I want,” Christine said tersely. “The problem is, I can’t have it.”

An awkward silence followed. This was the most direct Christine had been concerning her feelings toward him since they had reconnected a few years ago. Assuming, of course, he was interpreting things correctly.

Christine seemed to regret her words. She looked down quickly, then checked her watch. “We should probably get going.”

Harrison accompanied Christine to the road, where she said, “Thanks for stopping by,” before heading toward her SUV.

Harrison returned to Khalila’s car, and they were soon at McNeil and Nagle’s burial site. After parking beside the curb, they made their way to the grave site, where Harrison greeted several active duty and retired SEALs who had gathered for the funeral. Christine arrived shortly thereafter, taking a seat in the family and dignitary section, covered by a canopy protecting them from the rain. As the ceremony time drew near, Harrison stood beside Khalila, beneath her umbrella, along one side of the graves.

While they waited for the funeral to begin, Christine’s gaze eventually settled on Harrison for a few seconds before flitting to Khalila. He felt Khalila move closer, pressing her body against his as her umbrella shielded them from the rain. He caught a flicker of jealousy in Christine’s eyes before she turned away.

He wondered about the timing of Khalila’s movement. He turned to his partner, who was looking at him. Then she smirked.

“Stop it,” Harrison whispered.

“So touchy,” Khalila replied softly. “I just wanted to get a bead on this thing between you and the director. Now I know.” She pressed her body more firmly against him. “But don’t confuse my curiosity for affection. As you’ve noted, I don’t get attached to my partners.”

She eased up, returning to a normal stance beside him.

A movement in the distance caught Harrison’s attention. A horse-drawn limber and caisson carrying two flag-draped caskets was working its way toward the grave site. Following closely behind was a procession of cars carrying McNeil’s and Nagle’s families.

The limber and caisson pulled to a halt beside a twelve-member honor guard serving as the casket teams, and McNeil’s and Nagle’s families emerged from their sedans and stood alongside the road as the caskets were removed from the caisson. The chaplain led the procession to the grave site, where the caskets were placed atop metal supports above the graves while the family members took their seats beneath the canopy alongside the grave site.

The casket teams lifted the American flags from both coffins and held them stretched taut above each casket as the chaplain began the committal service. After the chaplain read the scripture, the Officer-in-Charge of the ceremony signaled the firing detail, and military personnel saluted as a seven-member rifle team fired three volleys. After the last round, a bugler sounded taps.

As the final note faded, the chaplain offered the benediction, then the casket team folded the American flags they had held over each casket, which were presented to the widows. Gretchen McNeil accepted the flag with tears streaming down her cheeks, as did Nagle’s widow.