Decker's Dilemma Read Free Page B

Bogen said.
    â€œSorry, I thought you meant the ship. Cream and a little sugar. The real stuff, if it’s there. I’ve never been a fan of artificial sweeteners.”
    â€œI’m with you,” Bogen said. He filled two mugs and walked over to Decker. “Here you go.”
    â€œThank you, sir, I mean Mr. Bogen.”
    â€œDon’t call me that, either. Mr. Bogen’s my father. Call me Scott.” He sat down and took a sip of his coffee. “Okay, back to the ship. You go to sea, and the work life isn’t the greatest, but how are things on board the Harvey ? Everybody get along?”
    â€œFor the most part,” Decker nodded. “We all live as amicably as can be expected with five hundred guys crammed into the small living quarters of a Belknap -class cruiser.”
    â€œWhere were you stationed before reporting on board the Harvey ?”
    â€œThis is my first duty station. I spent two months in boot camp in Orlando, and two months in supply school in Meridian, Mississippi.”
    â€œWhen did you arrive in the Philippines?”
    â€œA year ago this past Monday. I went straight from Clark Air Base to the ship.”
    Bogen browsed his notes. “Okay, let’s see. You’ve been on board a year. How well do you know everybody in your department?”
    â€œI know them all well. But, except for Hack Wilson, I don’t hang out with any of them.
    â€œWhy do you call him Hack?”
    â€œHis choice. I don’t think he likes Lewis as his first name. He’s named after a baseball player, a former Cub great, if there’s such a thing.”
    Bogen laughed and scribbled something in his notebook. “How well did you know Petty Officer Kippen?”
    â€œDid? I hope he’s still treading water and they find him.”
    â€œYou’re quite right,” said Bogen. “Thank you for correcting me. Now, how well do you know Kippen?”
    â€œI’ve known him my entire time on board the Harvey .”
    â€œHow is he as a coworker? Does he seem to enjoy his work, and being on the ship?”
    â€œAs far as I can tell, he likes it as well as anybody. I’ve never heard him complain about anything other than the usual stuff.”
    â€œWhat usual stuff?”
    â€œYou know, going to sea a lot. Long workdays under-way. The usual gripes sailors have.”
    Bogen sat back in his chair and crossed his legs. “Has he ever mentioned anything that was bothering him? Maybe something with work, or in his personal life?”
    Decker paused. “No, not that I can remember.”
    Agent Bogen shifted positions in his seat. “You hesitated. Don’t hide anything.”
    Decker focused on a welded seam in the bulkhead to his left. He had promised Kippen that he wouldn’t tell anyone about their late night conversation. But with Kippen missing, Decker knew the deal was off. “Monday night. He came looking for me topside.”
    â€œWhat time was that?”
    â€œAround 2230.”
    â€œHow long did you talk with him?”
    Decker shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe 15 or 20 minutes. Then I went inside.”
    â€œWhat did you talk about?”
    â€œHe was worried about some missing parts. And his girlfriend had broken up with him Sunday. He was tossing her letters overboard.”
    Bogen rested his hands behind his head and stretched his legs. “What was his mood like?”
    â€œSomewhat dejected. Must’ve been because of Claire.”
    â€œThe girlfriend?”
    Decker nodded. “She’s transferring to CONUS and ended it.”
    â€œDo you know her last name?”
    â€œShelley or Shelby. Something like that. I never had the chance to meet her. She’s in the air force stationed at Clark.”
    Bogen took a slip a paper wrapped in a Mylar sleeve out of his notebook and handed it to Decker. “Someone found this topside along the starboard passageway forward of the fantail. We