Concealed

5

5

Judy Kerr was astonished. She had never heard her late husband talking about the army. Now she was sitting here, at her own kitchen table, facing three former army men who claimed to be army buddies from her murdered spouse, Matthew Kerr. They claimed they had served with Matthew in Panama. Unofficially. “Were you there illegal?” she asked the three men.

Rick Bravia sat up straight. “Depends on what you call illegal.”

“What kind of an answer is that? It’s either legal or it’s not. Simple as that,” said Judy agitated.

“Well, you see,” said Rick. “If the Pentagon agrees upon something, I would say it’s legal.”

“So? Did they? Did the Pentagon agree to your mission in Panama?”

“Officially, and you’ve got to know this has been an official statement, the Pentagon has founded the creation of secret military bases capable of hosting US forces in several countries. And as far as I know several police bases too.”

“Including Panama?”

Michael Visione looked at Rick. “He knows best. He’s the only one of us still involved with the army. Albeit a civilian task.”

Rick continued: “It may be a civilian task, but nevertheless I have to keep my secrets Michael. Besides, I don’t think this has anything to do with the murder on Matthew.”

Judy Kerr could feel her heart beating in her throat. Yesterday she had buried the love of her life; today she was quarreling with three of his friends. Men she had never, ever met before. Men Matthew never had been talking about. Yet, they knew things Judy didn’t know about her late husband. “Why are you so certain about that?” she asked Rick. “You haven’t seen Matt’s body. He has been slaughtered, you hear me? Slaughtered! What kind of animal rips off someone’s head?” Then she started to cry.

“Jesus Rick, mind your words will you?” said Casey Deyoung. He laid his hand upon Judy’s shoulder. “Sorry for that Judy. We shouldn’t be bothering you.”

“Then why are you here?” she sniveled. “I invited you because I thought you might know why he was murdered.”

“We haven’t got a clue,” Michael lied to her. “We heard about his death. And the way he died. We thought we at least owed him a final salute. And maybe we could help you in some way.”

“I still don’t understand why Matt never told me anything about his time in the army. I mean, as you have come all the way to attend his funeral, even after all these years, there must have been a special bond between all of you. Something worth talking about.”

The three men stared at each other. What were they going to say?

“There, umm… We certainly had a special bond,” said Casey. “But not something to talk about in public.”

“Now I am the public? I was his wife. Still am,” Judy reacted upset.

“I think we shouldn’t have come so early, Judy. Looks like it’s too soon for you. Maybe it’s better if we leave and come back later. Within a few months or so. Whenever you are ready. Okay?”

“But he didn’t do anything illegal, right?” she persisted to know.

“Promise you Judy,” said Casey. “Matthew Kerr was a fine soldier. You would have been proud of him.”

“Thank you,” she cried.

“Give us a call when you feel you’re ready to talk Judy. Or if there’s anything we can do for you. Alright?” said Casey.

“Will do,” she said through her tears.

“Let’s go guys,” Casey said to Michael and Rick.

Back outside they passed Matthew’s car again; packed with fishing gear for a special weekend. How was he to know his weekend would end before it even began?

“Remember that crazy fishing trip at Golfito?” Rick laughed.

“Yeah,” said Michael. “We didn’t know anything then.”

“And now we do?” Casey asked.

“You know what I mean Casey,” said Michael. He stepped into his car, waiting for his old friends to be seated. “We know what we know Casey. And I guess someone out there thinks that’s too much.”

“Guess you’re right,” said Casey.

“I don’t guess he’s right,” said Rick. “I’m afraid he’s got it right.”