Chapter 9: Private Jensen

As four months passed, Matt's shoulder got better, and he was happy for that, it means he will be able to go back to work soon.

Driving in his car with the air condition blowing lightly cold air, he clenched the steering wheel tight as he was impatient to finally get to his destination.

The General Alvarez's phone talk was brief and not too helpful.

He did praise Tim and was fond of him the same as Matt recalled Tim talking respectfully of the General.

He couldn't tell him a lot of things as Tim's missions were top secret ones and Matt understood but still, that didn't help him with feeling annoyed by it.

Little after he meets as he was heading for his appointment for his shoulder, he meets with a soldier that was in Tim's unit.

That’s when he found out about a certain private that he is now on his way to meet with.

Private Jansen served with Tim. He got back home 2 months ago and Matt took this chance to meet with him.

The town was like any other. Busy streets, lots of people, even for a small town.

As he passed through the main street, he stopped on the red light and waited for the light to change.

A young mother was crossing over the road with a little blond boy and a baby toddler in her hand supported by her hip. They were adorable as mother was patiently listening to her sons blabbering about something and it for a minute reminded him of Noel and Vivian.

He smiled thinking back of their time at the ZOO and later as he took them to the carnival.

Vivian was as a mother hen back at the carnival, saying to Noel be careful here and there, don't go there it is dangerous, get down from there you will fall….shaking his head to the memory he smiled.

Noel was super hyper and excited about the place. They played some games and Matt couldn't help himself when little Noel wanted a big fluffy teddy bear, well Matt had to do his best and win it for him.

He even got him a little goldfish.

Noel named the fish Nemo after his favorite cartoon. And then the serious look he gave to his mother when he said after he named the fish, now we just need Dory, he remembered how she eyed grew wide as she gave Matt I'll kill you for this look.

They spend the whole day there, eating cotton candy, going on rides, playing games, he even took them to eat again, and he hasn’t felt so much content as he did then.

Vivian was more at first as on edge, then finally she relaxed. The moment Noel got tired, Matt didn't take a second but scooped little one up in his arms and Noel was out asleep in a second after that.

He scooted close as he could and slept like a log. His day was full out with lots of fun activities and Matt was happy about that.

As they got to Matt's car, he placed Noel in the back seat and secured him, he turned around and found Vivian looking at him intently.

When she noticed that he saw her looking at him, she blushed and turned her head away.

Matt liked seeing her blush, and before maybe he would have teased her but he decided against it now.

“Today reminded me of the time you took me here for the first time.” She said as she was looking away at the carnival lights.

“I hope you had fun this time as well then.” He was looking at her trying to figure her thoughts out.

“It was fun. Thank you ….I mean ….I am glad because Noel had so much fun today, it was a good idea, you know because Luke is so busy lately so he misses him.” Her eyes were on the floor as she was taking a peek at him as she said that. She couldn’t help the blush that was apparent on her cheeks.

"I know Luke is busy and less spending time with Noel, but am sure he will make it up for those times until then am more than happy to bring a smile to his face. He is an amazing kid Vivian and this today I did it for him the most. Yes, that time it was a great day in its own way, but those were different times and things were different, and I have enjoyed both times."

She was looking then at his eyes intently, if things were different, if they could go back in time on that day in the past, he would have kissed her as he did then.

Shaking his head as a car behind him honked its horn, he continued on with his drive towards the street.

Finally, after he found the street, he entered it and drove slowly trying to find the number.

“111a…….113a……115a…..118a, that’s the house.”

Slowly entering the house he parked his car and went outside.

Approaching the front door he took a quick glance around as he felt as if someone is looking at him but he saw no one.

Knocking at the front door he waited as the owner to come and open the door.

“Who is it?”

“Private Jensen, we spoke over the phone. I am Captain Matthew O’Donnell.” He introduced himself.

The door opened, and a young man with brown, dark hair and brown eyes stood there.

“Come in.”

Walking inside the house, he followed after a young man inside his living room.

“Would you like something to drink Captain O’Donnell? I have some scotch if you would like to have some with me?”

“Thank you.”

The young private took two glasses and placed them on the table, he took a bottle and filled the liquid in the glasses and then handed one to Matt.

“So when we spoke over the phone, you said you that you found something about Lieutenant that bothered you?”

"Yes." He took a drink from his glass as he sits up straight and looked at private.

“I wonder if you could tell me about what was your last time you saw my brother like.”

The private was squirming in his chair as he leaned back. “What do you mean Captain?”

“Well, I found some things of my brother and there were lists of his meetings and times and places and one mentioned you in with the name that was underlined, care to shear with me?”

“You know Lieutenant was my supervisor, and we were on a secret mission and unfortunately I can’t shear any details about the mission.”

Matt surveyed the young man and saw and felt his nervousness filling the room. He knew he can't get the mission details but if that mission was a reason his brother died he needed for his own sake of his mind; he needed to know why then.

“What can you tell me of Kingsport?”

The private’s eyes grew wide. He looked around and outside the house windows then looked at Matt.

Clearing his throat, he said, "How do you know of that name?"

"How I know is not important, but what you can tell me about it is," Matt said as he leaned on, putting his elbows on his knees and looking at the young man.

“I… I… it is not a place… I can tell you that much.” He swallowed nervously.

“If it is not a place, I assume it is not also a mission name?”

“No… our mission led us to that clue and I can tell you that Lieutenant looked shocked with something he saw and mad about it. He asked me to follow someone and take pictures.”

"Are they part of the pictures of your mission or divided from it?"

"Not included. The Lieutenant was doing this separately from it. He told me if I wouldn't like to help him, he would understand and wouldn't force me to. He was a good man, Captain, and I admired him a lot so yes I gladly helped. I was asked to be quiet about it and well now you know."

“Is there anything more you can tell me?”

“I would be careful if you take a walk on the east side of the town, especially from 20:00 hour’s sir.”

"Eastside…. hmm… thank you private. If anything else happens to come to your mind, you have my number and don't hesitate to call me at any hour. It is fine."

Standing up from his chair, he shook the private’s hand and headed to the front door.

“Sir, I am sorry for your loss. Lieutenant spoke of you with such pride and I do hope whatever it is you are looking for that you will find it.”

"Thank you, Private. My brother was the lucky one to have such a loyal and good soldier as you are in his unit."

Young Private stood to his full height at those words as his chest puffed out and cheeks lightly tinted.

“Be careful, Captain.”

Nodding his head at him, Matt got in his car and drove back to his hometown.

Eastside…. it repeated in his head…. 8 pm the time…. that must be a connection.

He needs to get home fast.

Pressing at accelerator he speeded up and left the town.

The black windows tinted trucked followed a little behind.