Faith had hoped that the DCO’s position with regard to CPT James might have changed overnight and after speaking with Rollins and Delano, but he found instead that the DCO was now adamantly in James’ favor.
“Hey, Scott, thanks for coming by today,” the DCO began. “I considered everything you told me and talked to everyone involved, and I just don’t think there is any ‘there’ there.”
Faith was flabbergasted. Before he could say anything, the DCO continued.
“I spoke with Scott this morning. He said that computer was his from when he was in the teams, he showed me a hand receipt where he originally signed for it. He admitted to dating LT Delano, but he’s separated from his wife, and he says the relationship stopped before he became commander of the GSC. He said that those pictures were on his laptop because MAJ Ripley asked him to look into the issue, because he thought you weren’t moving fast enough on it. He also admitted that he’s been acting a bit unusual lately, but that he has been under a lot of stress. He says he has worked through it all, and has it under control.”
Faith didn’t know what to say. He felt enormously disappointed, almost betrayed. What was coming out of the DCO’s mouth sounded more like rationalization on James’ behalf than objective reason.
“I talked with Delano and Rollins right before you. Delano said that she didn’t know Al was married, but that’s kind of moot because he and his wife are separated. She also confirms that there is no longer a relationship, and Rollins had to admit that those photos could have come from anyone. James denies having had a relationship of any type with SGT Small’s wife, and I haven’t seen anything that contradicts that.”
“Sir…” Faith said, his words failing. Then, Faith got angry. “Sir, this is bullshit. Al James kept that laptop after reporting it destroyed in Iraq. So he stole it. Then he gave it to his son, and we only found out about it because his wife found those pictures and that video on it, both of which occurred BEFORE James was separated from his wife. MAJ Ripley didn’t ask James to do the investigation of SGT Small’s wife; in fact he SUSPECTED James of being involved, which is why Ripley asked me, not James, to do the investigation in the first place. Delano may not have known that James was married, but James did. James and his wife didn’t have their separation until a couple of weeks ago, and the Delano/James relationship pre-dates that by a good bit.”
Faith paused for a breath, then continued: “On top of all that, James has been acting completely bizarrely ever since he got here. He does, and says, things that are completely inappropriate or just downright wrong. Like at the range, when he basically stole a gas mask from another Soldier, or like how he called my house last night and didn’t say anything. Sir, he has GOT to go.”
After that outburst, Faith expected to receive an ass rending of biblical proportions from the DCO. Instead, the DCO said nothing, which Faith felt was almost worse.
After a short period, the DCO said, “I think I see what the problem is here. You want Al James out of the way so you can take over as the commander of the GSC.”
“What!!” exclaimed Faith in disbelief.
“You’re angry at him for being picked for the job over you, and you want him gone so you can take over. That’s the only reason I can see that you’re being so persistent about this, you want the GSC.”
Faith sat back in his chair, stunned. “Sir, I don’t know what to say to that. Everything I’ve done is for the good of the Group. I have already commanded two companies, which is twice as many as most of my intel peers. I don’t want to be the GSC commander, I want to be the Group S2, which you have already set up for me.”
“The problem here is not me,” he continued, “it’s Al James. And if you,” he said making a gesture to encompass the Group headquarters “would open your eyes and quit making excuses for him, you’d see it! Look sir, this guy is a danger to himself and others. I know you and he have history, but try to see past that for what he really is. A complete and utter dirtbag.” His anger spent, for now, Faith stopped speaking and looked for a reaction from the DCO.
Once again, the DCO said nothing, but rubbed the stump of his right index finger pensively.
“Al James is the only reason that more of me wasn’t spread all over the desert of Afghanistan,” he said in a low voice, as if to himself. “Look, Scott, I appreciate your concern and I understand where you’re coming from. I just don’t see things the way you do. I’ll talk with Al and get him to straighten up, if there are any more incidents… well, we’ll deal with it when and if it comes up.”
Knowing it was useless to press the issue further, Faith stood up, snapped to attention, and saluted. As he turned to leave, the DCO called his name. “Scott,” he said, “I know your heart is in the right place. This thing is going to sort itself out.”
“Roger, sir,” Faith said, unconvinced.
As he exited the DCO’s office, Faith was surprised to hear the sound of loud arguing coming from the secretary’s waiting room. His surprise was compounded when he saw Al James and Chief Rollins engaged in a very heated discussion. But that was nothing compared to the surprise he felt when he saw what happened next. Almost as if it were in slow motion, Faith saw Al James draw back his fist and punch Chief Rollins square in the face.
/////
And with that, I bid you all good night.
We'll wrap this up tomorrow, only six or so posts left.
