Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

SEA OF SHADOWS 189
forties. His crisply starched khakis were impeccably tailored, and his
brush-cut hair was a shade of black so improbably deep that it was almost
certainly colored. His movements were quick and adroit. He smiled,
showing a mouth full of very white teeth, and extended a hand. “Welcome
aboard, Commander.”
Commander Bowie gripped the offered hand and shook it. “Thank you,
Captain. You’ve got yourself a fine-looking ship here.”
Captain Whiley nodded and released the commander’s hand. “Kind
words coming from the man who drives the most advanced ship the Navy
has to offer.”
He made introductions around the table. “This is my XO, Commander
Don Palmer.” A tall, blond man stood up and offered his hand. “And this
is Commander Rachel Vargas, CO of the Benfold.” A trim woman with
copper skin and deeply chiseled cheekbones stood up and shook
Commander Bowie’s hand. She smiled. “Commander Bowie and I are
old steaming buddies. I’ve been keeping him out of trouble for years.”
She looked him in the eye. “Good to see you, Jim.”
The last person at the table was a stocky redheaded man. He stood up
and stretched out his hand. “This is the CO of Ingraham, Commander
Mike Culkins.”
Commander Bowie shook his hand. “Mike and I know each other too.
We did our first Divo tours together on the Bunker Hill. I coached Mike
on ship handling, and he taught me how to drink too much without falling
down.”
Commander Culkins grinned. “A skill that remains useful through the
years.”
“Well,” Captain Whiley said, “looks like this is old-home week for you
three.” His smile was theatrical, and it didn’t fool anyone.
His eyes lit on the chief, as though noticing her for the first time. He
paused for a second. “Perhaps your chief will be more comfortable down
in the CPO Mess.”
Commander Bowie looked at his chief. “Will we be starting
immediately?”
The captain nodded. “We’re ready to begin now, unless you’d rather
change out of your flight suit first.”
Commander Bowie shook his head. “I’m fine, sir. Ready to start when
you are.”
“Good,” Captain Whiley said. He motioned to the table, which was
laid out with trays of deli-style sandwiches. “I thought we’d have
sandwiches and coffee while we work.” He smiled again. “Sort of a
power lunch.”