The Paths of Destiny
Interlude - Letters

Dateline: June, 2001 – August, 2001 Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Robert,

After a year out here I shall be eligible for a long leave home. I have already put in for it — sometime in late September or early October; I think. It depends on my next posting, and when my replacement will be ready to take over.

I’ll have to spend some time with family of course, but...

I should like to see you again, Robert.

We had a good time in Uxbridge that one night. You didn’t judge me or condemn me. You didn’t defer to me. Or try to suck up to me. You let me be who I needed to be, and I liked that, and trusted you. And you didn’t let me down.

Am I reading too much into a simple dinner and walk, Robert? I hope not. Because... after the last year, I really need some time as ‘just Corey’ again.

Did you get my postcards? I hope so. I hope this letter doesn’t come as a complete bolt out of the wild blue yonder. I had fun choosing them and imagining your reaction to them. Or did you just crumple them up and throw them away?

I’m rambling, aren’t I? I’m sorry, Robert. It has been one hell of a month, and it’s not over yet. Maybe I will be able to tell you about it someday, but not now. Intel habits die really hard. Perhaps when I can get back, we can take a day to walk, and talk, and just get to know each other. Although I feel I already know you — well enough to trust you. But time will tell.

I have arranged with a friend of mine to forward letters to me. Put them in a plain envelope, please, with my name penciled on the outside, and send the envelope to:

Linda Whittaker

The Larches

Ashdown, Kent

and she will take care of forwarding them on to me.

As I said, Intel habits die really hard.

Corey

Corey,

Remind me to tell you about how my great-grandmother met my great-grandfather. And the row it caused when they announced their engagement. They met under a similar situation while she was working on a case with my great-great-grandparents. Except the roles were reversed and it was Great-grandpa that needed the friend. I just took my cue from their example and did what I thought was right.

This doesn’t mean of course that I don’t want to see you again. When I’m not busy with other things I think back on that night at Uxbridge as well. I’m hoping to continue where we left off if it is at all possible. But being your friend seems more prudent if that is all you need.

And yes I did get your postcards. Thank you for those.

I’m glad I finally have a way to return replies to you now.

And as you see I’m following your request to the letter. And yes I do understand how Intel life can be.

Robert

Robert,

You follow orders well. Keep that up and you’ll have a great career in the military.

Forgive me if I sound a little cynical, my dear. I’m — heavily involved with some people who did not follow orders, and are now reaping the consequences. You should hear the names they call me — Bitch Queen and Arresting Officer being among the milder ones!

You have prior military experience, don’t you? Before your current assignment, I mean? Somehow, I could sense that. That we are kindred spirits.

Friends? Yes. Of course.

More than friends? I hope so, Robert, I do hope so.

If not now, then — in the future?

yours,

Corey

Corey,

I’ve had a few of those times myself, so I can sympathize. I’ve also been on the receiving end of disobeying orders as well. So please forgive me if I sympathize with your offenders as well.

Yes, I was in the US Navy prior to my current assignment. But that was years ago. I joined up after graduating High School. My last few years in, I was a commissioned officer. Post-military I was a police officer with the Miami-Dade PD. I was a detective, a captain in fact, when I signed on with UNO-SPJ. So I’ve gotten used to being in command so to speak.

As for going beyond friends that I leave for you to decide. I find that it is preferable and more rewarding when the lady decides when a couple is more than friends.

Robert

Dear Robert,

I do sympathize with them that’s the problem. But I’m not allowed to — I’m here to clean up a major mess.

And I’ve probably already said too much.

How do you feel about fraternization?

I believe that a man and a woman can be friends, without it going any further — unless both parties are fully aware and consenting.

I also think we have already gone beyond friends, Robert. At least — I know I have. I think of you warmly, and with affection — I hope you don’t mind.

I am looking forward to seeing you again when I come home on long leave.

Seeing you — spending time with you — am I being too forward? I hope not. It has been a long time since I have had someone I can relax with, be myself with, and enjoy myself with, without worrying. Am I using you? I don’t think so. I think we come to each other as equals, partners, and will be able to relate to each other on that footing.

Oh, I am really looking forward to seeing you again!

regards,

Corey

Corey,

In regards to your plight with the disciplinary action. One thing I would suggest, do a full investigation of the circumstances. If, in your investigation, you find proof that they disobeyed orders because it was the right thing to do and the end result would have happened anyway, even if they had obeyed orders, then do all you can to exonerate them. Please take this as friendly advice from one who has had to do some investigating before to ensure the guilt or innocence of another.

As for the fraternization question. I’ve made it a rule in the past not to fraternize with a co-worker. However, technically you and I are not co-workers so that rule wouldn’t apply. If, however, we are co-workers, I’ve been known to break the rules more often than not. So consider the fraternization rule being broken where you are concerned.

Which leads me to replying to the rest of your letter. I, too, cannot wait to see you again. I’m relieved to see that you and I have mutual feelings for each other. And as far as I can tell you are not being too forward at all.

So, unless I miss my guess, you and I are officially more than just friends.

Yours,

Robert

My dear Robert,

I did. Clear-cut, willful disobedience, no two ways about it.

Also, criminal activity of the worst kind — against civilians.

It is highly unlikely that we will ever be part of the same service — I have no intention of changing jobs any time soon, and I am sure you feel the same — so we will be able to get together all we want with clear consciences.

I’ve been checking — as long as we’re not both serving the same ultimate command, it isn’t considered fraternization. (Did I tell you we are overrun with lawyers?) So, US Army + US Navy = Fraternization, US Army + British Army doesn’t.

‘Officially more than just friends’

I never thought that ‘officially’ could be used in a good way. We are positively overrun with ‘officially’ as well — along the lines of ‘if it moves, salute it — if it doesn’t outrank you today, it will tomorrow’.

Yours,

Corey

Corey,

In regards to your offenders. I sympathize with your situation. You already did your homework and obviously have irrefutable proof of their guilt. Do what you have to do and when you see me next, if it isn’t classified, you can tell me about it and have a good cry on my shoulder if you need it. Shoulder is still there for you, regardless.

Officially can be used in a lot of good ways. Your definition of officially is similar to the US version. Must be a universal thing.

Yours,

Robert

My dear Robert,

Yes, I think I will take you up on that shoulder.

The situation may not be classified, but it does touch on the image of the service, so I might not choose to discuss specifics with you. I’m glad you understand, though.

In other news, I have been approved for long leave before my next posting! I will have a whole two months off before going on to — where? The time has not been determined yet, it depends on who I will be handing over to. And where I will be going after that. I have put in for London and the Home Counties first, UK second, but it depends on a lot of things, including what is available and when.

When I come back, I usually spend some time with Uncle Marc and Aunt Melanie and the children before going out on my own. They have five children and live in the West of England. A good thing — I’m my father’s only chick and child. They would be very disappointed if I don’t spend this time with them, so I am planning to go there for the first two weeks — I hope you don’t mind.

That will give us six weeks together — will you be able to get any leave time; do you know yet? You will have been there for — what, a year then?

We accumulate leave on an on-going basis but it can only be taken at certain times, I should imagine it is much the same in your profession.

‘officially yours’,

Corey

Corey,

To start, family is really a lot more important than many would believe. Most military groups, which I know of including my own time with the US Navy, encourage their service people to spend any free time they can with family. There was one of my men who very rarely sent any letters home and I nearly had to threaten him with disciplinary action when I kept receiving requests from his mother for him to send even a postcard to let her know he was alive. I knew he was receiving an unusual amount of communication from home at every mail call and thought how lucky he was to be so loved. He even cheerfully shared all the goodies sent by his mother with everyone, including me. It just didn’t click that he never returned the correspondence until I was getting letters from his mother. Spend all the time you need with your family. Perhaps, someday I’ll get the chance to meet them.

As for leave arrangements. I’m currently in a position where I’m sure I can get the time requested with no problems. For some reason or other, my superiors like me.

As for leave accumulation and when it’s used. With the Navy, I never really paid attention. I always seemed to have enough built up to use it when I wanted it. Since being with the SPJ, I’m not sure how that works yet as the structure is slightly different from my experiences. But as I mentioned previously, I should have no problems obtaining the requested time.

Yours officially,

Robert

My dear Robert,

I should like you to meet Uncle Marc and Aunt Melanie. They are doubly my aunt and uncle — Marc and Father married sisters. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to believe they are that closely related. Mother is very delicate, and Father is—let’s just say ‘difficult’, and leave it at that.

As I said, I’m promised to them for the first two weeks of my leave, then I shall be able to come up to London. I shall sound them out on bringing you back with me after we have had some time to ourselves — I’m sure they will be ecstatic. But not clinging. In many ways, Uncle Marc and Aunt Melanie have been better parents to me than Mother and Father.

The situation here goes on. And on. And on. The Air Vice-Marshal has been here three times — I don’t know if you know who he is, Robert? He is the second in command of the whole RAF — and the other day he actually said I was doing a good job. So, it would appear as though my superiors like what I am doing, at least.

I am tired, Robert. Very tired. Tired of sun, tired of heat, tired of responsibility. I want to come back to England, I want to wear blue jeans and a tee shirt, and not worry about who I have to salute and who has to salute me. I want... No. I need.

I need to be

just

Corey

Corey,

No need to rush in getting me to meet your family. All good things like that will happen when the time is right.

Do what you have to do to get through your duties until your leave comes around. You are a strong person who has a lot to look forward to when you go on leave. I was thinking we could go visit my friend, Antonello, at that restaurant where we had dinner that first night in Uxbridge.

I’ll tell you how he and I met when you and I meet up.

Robert

Dear Robert,

I’m being forward again, aren’t I? I’m sorry.

I didn’t mean anything by it — just that I wanted to get together some people whom I like and who I feel will like each other.

I’m glad you’re there for me, Robert. I’m feeling very insecure right now, and I’m not allowed to show it — anywhere, with anyone.

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