Reserve Affairs
by
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“If we could get in there we could give CID proof of what is going on. It’s dangerous shit. It affects us at home and abroad.”
“Most of the guys have civilian jobs and families...they’re regular people. What you’re implying takes more power than one reserve battalion can have.”
“You’re smart. But it becomes clear when you think about who gives us our assignments.”
The light bulb went on. “Washington--the Pentagon.”
“That’s right. But before I could get the information to Marks he had to be neutralized.”
“Why don’t you give it to them yourself?”
“I’m watched like a hawk and I haven’t found a way into the basement. That’s where the computer is.”
“This building has a basement?”
Montoya nodded. “There’s a lot more here than--”
“Stop right there. I appreciate you telling me, but frankly I don’t want to hear anymore. You’ve told me too much already. You assume I’m going to cooperate. I could go to Geiger.”
Kevin saw rings of sweat absorbed by Montoya’s olive green shirt. He knew something was going on. But even after all he suspected, heard from Bradley, Marks, and Montoya he wasn’t totally convinced.
Montoya muttered, “I see you don’t understand.”
“No. It’s you who don’t understand.” Kevin held onto his composure. “Things in my life are so good. I figure I’ll let this sleeping dog lie. I won’t repeat what you’ve said to me but...I warn you...I want you and your cronies to leave me alone. The next time I won’t make any promises. The secretary of defense had his own daughter in the battalion for three years and came up with nothing. You haven’t done anything but get Marks killed. I have my own life to live and this reserve thing is just a stepping stone. I want to stay out of debt, save money, and move on.”
“That’s noble, captain, but it isn’t that simple. The longer you stay, the deeper you’ll get in. Your stepping stone will step on you.”
“Then it will be my problem, won’t it?” Kevin shot back.
“I honestly thought you were smarter than that.”
Kevin’s eyes narrowed. “Well, maybe I’m not so smart, but I’m sick and tired of doing things right all the blasted time and getting nothing. Maybe I need to break the rules to get ahead. I’m a black man in America, in case you hadn’t noticed. I have to work twice as hard and twice as long as any white guy just to come up short. I’m not complaining...just stating a fact. This country wasn’t built on integrity, good morals, excellent virtues, or even fucking honesty. The Native Americans were screwed out of the land and black people were brought over to cultivate it. They have to have laws like affirmative action just to keep things even. Well, you know what? I’m going to get mine. You got yours and want to get out, or your conscience is bothering you at night. I don’t care. What happens at the battalion is none of my business. They’ve treated me decent and I’m not about to fuck it up. So, you guys go get someone else to run your bust.”
Montoya stood and walked outside of the dampening area, chewing his cigar. “Thank you for your help on that Somalia issue, captain. I’ve got all I need.” Montoya took Kevin’s hand and pulled him close. “Your little speech was touching. But what about Marie? Think about her.”
Kevin walked out of the office rubbing the hairs on the nape of his neck.
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About the Book
Army Reserve Captain Kevin Shroud is assigned to an extraordinary Reserve Unit in Los Angeles, California. He thinks he and his beautiful four year old daughter, Marie are on their way to fulfilling the American dream. Unknown to Kevin he was specifically selected to join the 666th Support Battalion.
Kevin should have listened to his brother, Charles an ex-LA gang’s member, who warned him that the Army was just one big gang. A Criminal Investigation Division Officer, Major Christine Bradley, daughter of the Secretary of Defense, approaches Kevin. After their conversation Kevin finds himself reeling; not only from what she says, but from how she looks. Christine looks exactly like his deceased wife. Stryker a CIA agent working for the battalion relentlessly pursues Kevin, suspecting he has become an informant for the CID. Kevin is forced to try and outwit the battalion, their powerful cohorts and save the life of his daughter and himself.
The Pentagon, covert government operations, love, greed, murder and particularly the political details that occur behind a conspiracy being played out in America and her Armed Forces are chief elements of Reserve Affairs.
About the Author
R. Torry is currently a Field Grade Officer in the United States Army. Throughout his career he has served as an editorial consultant for countless military and civilian articles. Reserve Affairs is his first novel. He resides in Southern California where he is focusing on writing about citizen–soldiers with ordinary lives and the danger they face while serving and protecting our country. R. Torry has an MBA, and BA’s in Journalism, and Mass Communications. He has received countless military awards and honors, has published a several poems, is an exceptional illustrator/artist and has written several screenplays. He is near completion of his second and third novels: The action-suspense thriller The Recruiting Hypocrisy and the love story One Annual Training.