[IC] Chapter Three
Mewes nods to Sébastien. "At least to start, Mister Durand, I'm afraid you'll be operating in grey areas again. Our contacts in the Office of Naval Intelligence can't give you official standing to investigate a series of deaths that already have been ruled natural, not can they insert you into the homicide investigations that the local constabulary are conducting." His eyes flick to the camera again, as close as he can come to making eye contact with the agents across the Atlantic. "They have arranged basing facilities at Cape Canaveral and there are alternate sites on standby at Maysport and Pensacola, should you need to shift your operations centre. Ah - Miss Omdahl, they've also arranged the loan of a Knighthawk and support crew.
"That being said, the Amber Cell package will include full briefing materials and," he winces slightly, "Charlie Sheen. Captain Kowalska, you're authorized to fully read in local authorities at your discretion. Our ONI liaison has suggested that involving the local FBI offices may provide official support even if a federal investigation isn't opened, but I recommend you consult with Mister Choi on that point.
"As far as VO-54 - that's Observation Squadron Fifty-Four - I'm afraid they're a cipher. The only mention of their existence we've found is in the Veterans' Administration medical records."
While Mewes speaks, Bannon has been hammering his keyboard. With a final flurry of keystrokes, he inserts a scrolling text file into the videoconference. "Here we go. This is sorted by date of death."
Ormond, Christopher K. (retired O-5; naval aviator)
Date of Death: 07 Apr 2015
Location of Death: Sims State Veterans' Nursing Home, Panama City, FL
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Next of Kin: Daughter
Jardine, Bertram D. (former E-6; Aviation Electrician's Mate rating)
Date of Death: 11 Apr 2015
Location of Death: Westminster Village Retirement Home, Pensacola, FL
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Next of Kin: None on record
Paredes, Simon W. (retired O-5; aviation maintenance officer)
Date of Death: 18 Apr 2015
Location of Death: Lake City VA Medical Center, Lake City, FL
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Next of Kin: Twin sister
Beck, Conrad E. (retired E-8; Aviation Electronics Technician rating)
Date of Death: 24 Apr 2015
Location of Death: Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL
Cause of Death: Stroke
Next of Kin: Wife
Buki, Felix M. (retired E-8; Aerographer's Mate rating)
Date of Death: 30 Apr 2015
Location of Death: Highway A1A, St. Augustine, FL
Cause of Death: Hit-and-run driver (under investigation by St. Augustine Police Department)
Next of Kin: Wife
Waters, Floyd K. (retired O-6; naval aviator)
Date of Death: 08 May 2015
Location of Death: Bennett State Veterans' Nursing Home, Daytona Beach, FL
Cause of Death: Stroke
Next of Kin: Grandson
Gardner, Quentin L. (retired CWO3; Aviation Maintenance Technician specialty)
Date of Death: 12 May 2015
Location of Death: Private residence, Tampa, FL
Cause of Death: Stroke
Next of Kin: Partner
Frye, George C. (retired O-8, naval aviator)
Date of Death: 21 May 2015
Location of Death: Coel, Young, and Abbey Law Office, Miami, FL
Cause of Death: Homicide (under investigation by Miami Police Department)
Next of Kin: Daughter
Stephanidis, Paul T. (retired E-7; Intelligence Specialist rating)
Date of Death: 01 Jun 2015
Location of Death: BM Liquors, Boca Raton, FL
Cause of Death: Gunshot (bystander in liquor store robbery) (under investigation by Boca Raton Police Department)
Next of Kin: Son
Bannon looks up. "To answer your question, Captain, VO-54 is the only place these guys' service history appears to overlap. I haven't found any other direct connections after that period between fifty-six and fifty-nine. Some were in the same units afterward, but not at the same times. And gimme just a second on the survivors... there ya go."
Albinson, Dana L. (retired O-6; naval flight officer)
Current Residence: Nininger State Veterans' Nursing Home, Pembroke Pines, FL
Ceelen, John W. (former O-4; aviation maintenance officer)
Current Residence: Freeport, Grand Bahama
Hawkins, Darnell D. (retired E-8; Cryptologic Technician rating)
Current Residence: Homestead, FL
Herrera, Alfredo E. (retired E-9; Naval Aircrewman rating)
Current Residence: Jacobson State Veterans' Nursing Home, Port Charlotte, FL
Paddon, Robert E. (retired E-8; Machinist's Mate [Nuclear] rating)
Current Residence: Key West, FL
He shifts his gaze to the camera to answer Dacovetti. "The guy in the video was Rear Admiral George Frye. That was the security camera from the building where his attorney's office was located. The lip reader is a good idea; I'll get someone on that. Um... According to Miami PD, Admiral Frye had a Florida concealed weapon permit. The report says he was carrying," he raises his eyebrows, "a Smith & Wesson M&P Compact in .357 SIG. Not your typical old guy gun.
"As far as your twidget shit, your hypereducated surf bum is packing the field array right now. Getting that up and running will be his number one job once he's on the ground at Canveral."