Goldplay

Love.

Chapter One

MOUNTAIN INTERROGATION CAMP

AFGHANISTAN - 2007

A wrist watch alarm goes off. The body in a sleeping bag atop a mat begins to stir. An arm emerges from the bag and immediately reaches out to an M-16 rifle lying on the floor next to the soldier. Slowly Sergeant Reyes crawls out of the bag and hurriedly prepares for another day of interrogations. A new group of detainees was processed into the facility the night before and interrogation protocol must be implemented while they are still disoriented. Sgt. Reyes dresses and attempts to get as clean and professional looking as the circumstances allow.

The Colonel in charge of the facility approaches Sgt. Reyes as she is just about to enter the interrogation building, and says, You’re not going to like this Sergeant, but a chopper will land in 50 minutes to airlift you to Kabul. You’re going back to Iraq. You’ve been assigned to the police training facility in Baghdad.

Sgt. Reyes responds, You’re damn straight I don’t like those orders, Sir! We just took in a new group of detainees and security needs to be beefed up to counter possible insurgent activity.

The Colonel responds, You’ve established a fine security team here, I’m confident they can muddle through in your absence. Orders have been signed, good luck Sergeant Reyes.

Sgt. Reyes finishes loading the large duffle bag, and then walks with full backpack and weapons toward the waiting chopper. As the chopper lifts off Reyes looks down on the secure forward camp and watches as the modern facility shrinks in size until it is simply another scar on the desert landscape.

After six weeks in the Green Zone training new police officers in security techniques, Sgt. Reyes is itching to return to action. The longed for assignment review meeting with the Commanding Officer has finally arrived. Sgt. Reyes knocks and then enters the CO’s office. She stiffens to attention and salutes the CO.

The CO motions for Sgt. Reyes to take a seat and says, I know you would prefer to serve in the field with your Rangers, but without good police and security forces this hell hole has no chance after we leave. The work you’re doing will help preserve what you achieved in battle. Your assignment at the academy has been extended. You are dismissed Sergeant.

Sgt. Reyes, stands, salutes, and responds, Yes Sir.

Sergeant Reyes walks across the parade grounds and toward the training building. She passes a group of trainees marching, and takes a moment to watch them. The men stop marching and are given a break. A cadet looks toward Sgt. Reyes and nods. She smiles and nods back. The Iraqi officer drilling the group approaches the trainee who made eye contact with the female and, in a stern voice, snaps him to attention. Sgt. Reyes shakes her head slightly as she walks away.

GREEN ZONE TRAINING FACILITY

IRAQ - 2008

The common area clock shows it is only 11:00 a.m., and yet in Baghdad the temperature is closing in on 102 degrees. Sgt. Reyes is walking from her quarters to the assembly building. Although the sergeant is wearing dress fatigues, she still has her Beretta 9mm sidearm holstered at her side. As she walks along the fenced grounds she turns a corner and proceeds toward the door to the assembly building.

At that moment Captain Hassim of the Iraqi Guard approaches, Sergeant Reyes, a moment please, shouts Capt. Hassim.

Sgt. Reyes stops, turns to face Capt. Hassim and salutes.

Capt. Hassim closes to within inches of Sgt. Reyes’ face and glares at her. He is breathing heavily which blows stale tobacco breath directly into her face.

There is rage in his eyes as he yells, I orders woman wear scarf when addressing my Guard! You dishonor my people!

Sgt. Reyes stands firm, looks Capt. Hassim in the eye and then in a measured but firm voice says, My soldiers fought and died to give your people freedom. And now we are preparing your forces to preserve that freedom. I would hope you might consider the gift we have given your people. For now Sir this is an American facility, and Sir, I will wear my issue fatigues. I respectfully request you follow me into the police graduation ceremony without further delay.

Captain Hassim begins to angrily yell in his native tongue. He then turns and briskly walks away from Sgt. Reyes.

American and Iraqi soldiers are filing into the assembly building. Newly trained Iraqi police are called up to the front to be issued commendations and medals by both American and Iraqi officers. After speeches by the American and Iraqi Officers the newly commissioned are sworn to safeguard their country’s freedom.

Following the ceremony the new police officers gather on the parade grounds for a reception. The new police officers, their instructors, and Iraqi officers are mingling, drinking iced tea while they celebrate their achievement. There is a sense of joy and pride among those gathered.

Sgt. Reyes is in the back of the group walking toward her Commanding Officer. As is her habit, even though she is in a secure zone, she is on alert. Although she seems to be engaged in the celebration, her eyes continue to scan the group looking for something unusual or out of place. Just as she nears her Commanding Officer, and the group of soldiers he is speaking with, she sees Capt. Hassim, out of the corner of her eye, walking quickly but awkwardly toward them. Without turning her head she moves her eyes toward Hassim. She notes that he is walking very stiffly with his right arm positioned close to his body. Then she catches a glimpse of an M-16 barrel.

In that split second she yells, Take cover!

Sgt. Reyes quick draws her Beretta and twirls toward Hassim just as he lifts the M-16 from his side and begins to fire in full automatic mode into the crowd. Sgt. Reyes fires four shots at Hassim striking him in the chest, shoulder, neck and forehead. Hassim drops to the ground, but the volley he got off leaves four injured Americans and two dead Iraqi graduates. With her pistol still pointed at Hassim, Sgt. Reyes limps over to him, and with her gun barrel placed firmly against his forehead she uses her left hand to check his neck for a pulse.

There is pandemonium as soldiers continue taking cover and as armed security forces storm into the event. Sgt. Reyes stands with her pistol lowered and surveys the crowd for any other shooters. Shortly the area is secured and cleared.

Sgt. Reyes is speaking with a security soldier when her Commanding Officer approaches saying, At ease Sergeant Reyes. Your actions averted a blood bath, and likely saved my life. Outstanding!

The Commander extends his hand and Sgt. Reyes begins to take a step forward to shake it. She has an odd look on her face as she realizes her leg refuses to move. Without warning Reyes begins to fall forward toward the outstretched hand. As she falls her Commanding Officer leaps forward to break her fall.

Sgt. Reyes, in the arms of her CO, pulls her bloody hand away from her lower backside, stares at it for a second, and as her face goes white mumbles, Sorry Sir. I, ah, didn’t know.

Two months later, after surgery, physical therapy and desk work, Sgt. Reyes is called to the Commanding Officers office. She knocks, enters the office, and salutes.

At ease Sergeant Reyes, please take a seat, orders the CO.

He looks at her personnel folder, and then to Reyes, Amber, your work here has been exemplary. I only wish we could have commissioned you as a Ranger. Your skill and dedication is, without question, that of a Ranger.

The CO pulls a piece of paper from the folder and pushes it toward Sgt. Reyes, and says, It’s time to re-up or return home knowing your service to your country will always be honored.

Amber looks at the paper, and then looks around the room, burning the setting into her memory.

Finally she says, Thank you Sir. It has been my honor to serve with your Rangers. I know the importance of the training mission. But I’m just not the teacher type. Sir, the time is right for me to leave.

The CO nods his head, pulls the re-enlistment form back and responds, We’re damn well going to miss your skills, but if that’s your final decision, report to my assistant to process your papers. Good luck and God bless you Sergeant.

Chapter Two

LOS ANGELES

4:15 P.M.

Late afternoon thunder clouds are starting to build along the top of the Santa Monica Mountains signaling the end to a beautiful Los Angeles summer day. The traffic on the 405 North through Culver City has slowed from its normal rush hour crawl to a complete stop. As far as the eye can see the freeway is a six lane parking lot jammed with cars and trucks. A black Ducati 1098s motorcycle is the only movement on the 405 as it slips between lanes of stopped cars. The Ducati weaves through the traffic with ease and finally arrives at the cause of the traffic jam. Resting between the parking lot freeway and open road is an overturned fruit truck blocking the number 3 and 4 lanes. Worse, flowing from the box of the overturned truck is a sea of oranges flowing out onto, and blocking, the remaining lanes. The black Ducati gracefully maneuvers around the fruit truck and then weaves its way through the sea of fresh picked oranges. Once clear of the accident the Ducati breaks out onto six empty lanes of traffic.

Clear of the traffic jam the black Ducati revs through 4 gears as it races up the wide open overpass which merges the 405 North onto the 10 West. As the Ducati enters the traffic flow on the 10 West the driver slows to merge in, and then immediately increases speed as it darts through the cars traveling toward Santa Monica. As the Ducati nears the tunnel transition from the 10 to Pacific Coast Highway it slows and merges into the congested traffic moving north toward Malibu.

After a few minutes of weaving in between cars the Ducati veers sharply left across two lanes of approaching traffic and into the parking lot of Gladstone’s restaurant where it abruptly comes to a stop at the Valet stand.

A high heel designer boot pushes the kickstand into place. Next a long slender leg wrapped in skin tight black leather swings over the bike frame as the driver dismounts. The driver removes a black helmet revealing tied back auburn hair. The late 20’s beautiful driver, Amber Reyes, removes a hair band and shakes her head to free her hair of its helmet shape. Amber removes her tight black leather jacket revealing a designer T-shirt. The small compartment on the bike is opened and a colorful scarf removed. After the jacket is stowed in the compartment, Amber drapes the scarf around her shoulders and turns to the parking attendant.

Without smiling she abruptly instructs the attendant, If you can handle this much bike, ride it under the overhang. Otherwise push it.

Amber snatches the valet ticket from his hand as she walks past the attendant. She then hurriedly walks toward the entrance to the restaurant. Amber’s forceful stride is accentuated by the sound of her metal spike heels striking the asphalt. The young parking attendant stares at Amber’s tightly leather wrapped figure as she walks away toward the restaurant.

Sensing a lack of movement behind her Amber abruptly stops and turns back to the attendant, yelling You need help pushing my ride or what?

Amber gives the attendant a cold look, spins around and hurries off toward the door.

The parking attendant diverts his eyes from her shapely hips as he carefully begins to push the Ducati.

Under his breath, Christ I’d like a piece of that.

He shakes his head to clear away her sexy image as he carefully positions the Ducati under the overhang at the front of the restaurant.

Amber enters the restaurant and looks around. Not a tourist or customer in sight. The setting is perfect for a quick business meeting.

Amber mumbles, Where the hell’s the hostess?

Just then the hostess walks out from a side room.

Amber smiles and says, I’ll be joined by a man. You’ll know he’s the one because he’ll say he’s meeting a red head, and ah, he would almost be cute if he weren’t wearing a tank top and Dodgers cap.

The Hostess rolls her eyes. I know that guy. He should be easy to pick out.

The Hostess picks up two menus and motions for Amber to follow.

As they walk the Hostess looks back to Amber,