Desert Blooms (Roger Hammond Book 4) by Hunter Goforth

Author:Hunter Goforth [Goforth, Hunter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-02-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

The Aftermath

Naples, Italy

Jeffers walked down to the restaurant and ordered his breakfast. Although some of his crew were there eating, he sat alone. The small table was out on the patio near the street and he sat back to enjoy the early morning bustle around him. Scooters flashed past and scurried around some of the small cars moving along the street. The meal was simple fare, café latte and a strudel di mele, a sort of apple strudel. It took his mind off all that had happened the day before. Although Jeffers had been through the last world war, death like he had seen yesterday was more personal. You could see the faces of the victims. You could almost feel their last moments, and it left Jeffers with a cold feeling.

One other aspect was that the ship he was to command was now dead as well. Jeffers had longed for a command at sea and when it was within his reach, it was snatched away by someone. He looked out onto the bay and saw the ship at anchor. No one could go aboard to use her again, but that all seemed inconsequential to what had happened yesterday back home. He was glad he had not found out until he woke up this morning and turned on the television. He was sitting there looking across the bay when a young officer in uniform came up to him.

“Commander Jeffers?” the young officer asked.

“Yes?”

The young man saluted. “Sir, I have two messages from Admiral Scott. The first is to get you and the remainder of your crew up to Gaeta, ASAP. The second is this,” he said handing over a sheet with multiple copies.

Jeffers quickly scanned the document. It was revised orders to take command of USS Cochrane currently in Gaeta. A look of surprise came over Jeffers’ face. “This was quick,” he said.

The young man grinned. “Yes, sir. The CO of the Cochrane had a stroke the other day. Admiral Scott called the CNO. It seems Admiral Hustvedt likes you,” he said.

Jeffers smiled and shook his head. “We go back a ways,” he said. “Do you know when the train is scheduled to depart?”

“About 10:30. The next one leaves at 3 this afternoon. The tickets are with the stationmaster.”

“Then we need to get started,” Jeffers said. He extended his hand. “Thanks for bringing this,” he said.

“My pleasure, Commander. I’ll let the staff know you and the others are on the way.”

After a quick salute, Jeffers glanced around the restaurant. He saw Senior Chief Gowan. He walked up to his table. “Good morning, Senior Chief. Get any sleep?”

“Good morning, Commander. Not bad. I could get used to sleeping in hotels. Any word come down yet?” Gowan asked.

Jeffers held up the papers. “Just in. We need to get everyone up and over to the train station. The Admiral wants us up in Gaeta as quick as we can get there.”

“Figures. I was just getting to like this place,” moaned Gowan with a sly look.

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