Secure heart, p.1
Secure Heart, page 1
Secure Heart
Chase Security Series #3
R. L. Dunn
Copyright © 2020 R.L. Dunn.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. This book explores adult themes and triggers. Reader discretion is advised.
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Deposit photos are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
* * *
Certain stock imagery © Deposit photos
RL Dunn Publishing Services rev. date: 06/22/2020
Edited by: Krista Venero/Mountains Wanted Publishing & Indie Author Services
Cover by: Mountains Wanted Publishing & Indie Author Services
Created with Vellum
To all the pediatric survivors out there
to their parents,
and to their caregivers
working together to make life possible.
To my pediatric survivor who taught me about strength, perseverance, love and heroism.
Contents
Secure Heart Cast List
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
About the Author
Untitled
Books by RL Dunn
Secure Heart Cast List
Chase Group
Ian “Hornet” Chase-President/CEO
Cassie Chase, wife
Sarah and Joshua Chase, children
Kieran “Genius” Chase-Vice President/COO/Head of Alpha Team, MBA
Monique Lillie Chase, wife
Colin Chase, son
Rear Admiral Declan Chase, JD, Ian and Kieran’s father
Lillian Chase, Ian and Kieran’s mother, CCRN
* * *
Chase Security International
Directors of Chase Security International
Martin “Farmer” Bailey, Chief Executive Officer
Elizabeth Reed, FACS, Martin’s wife
Lola Bailey, daughter
Karen Rhodes, secretary
Mike “Raptor” Johnson, Chief of Operations
* * *
Julian “Ice” Dupart, Executive Director San Diego
Taggart Dupart, Special Operations Lieutenant San Diego PD, Julian’s brother
Rex Dupart, San Diego Sheriff’s Department ASTREA, Julian’s brother
Candace Dupart, attorney, Rex’s wife
Rex Jr., son
Phillip Dupart, San Diego PD Sex Crimes Unit, Julian’s brother
Noelle Dupart, Coronado Police Department, Phillip’s wife
Philly, son
Jack, son
Shaun Dupart, San Diego FD Fireman/Paramedic, Julian’s brother
Patricia “Pattycake” Dupart, Paramedic/Nurse, Julian’s sister
Ben Kilbourne, husband
Giselle, daughter
Timothy, son
Aaron, son
Jonas Dupart, Julian’s father
Arlene Dupart, Julian’s mother
Delphine Passebon, Julian’s wife—deceased
Marcel Passebon, Delphine’s father
Genevieve Passebon, Delphine’s mother
Christie Reynolds, Julian’s secretary
* * *
Tate “Dictionary” Webster, Executive Director DC
Ford “Fury” Cox, Assistant Executive Director DC
Kyle “Coop” Cooper, Executive Director Licensing
Wesley “Alamo” Crockett, Executive Director Training
Lincoln “Bear” Collier, Assistant Executive Director Denver
Bruce “Bean” Steele, Co-Executive Director Infrastructure
Kip “Acrobat” Brennen, Co-Executive Director Infrastructure
Zach “Ice” Wentworth, Executive Director Domestic Law Enforcement Training.
Tighe “Tiger” Cummings, New York Assistant Executive Director
Troy “Greece” Bremen, San Diego Assistant Executive Director
Matteo “Macho Man” Martinez, Executive Director Motor Pool/Insurance
Richard “Tiny Tim” Parry, Executive Director of Communications
* * *
Mark Chapman, Executive Director London
Anthony Olivetti, Executive Director San Diego
Lena, Tony’s secretary
Miriam Olivetti, wife
Dante Olivetti, son
Rachel Olivetti, daughter
Scott, fiancé
Gil Marist, Dupart Home Security
Brick Ferguson, Dupart Home Security
Blake Minor, Julian’s assistant
Marni Minor, Blake’s wife
* * *
Chase Medical
Pete “Boston” Walter, RPA-C, Executive Director of Facility Management
Tucker “Friar” Hanlon, RPA-C, Director of Facility Management DC
Jamie “Irish” O’Reilly, RPA-C, Director of Facility Management New York
Eric “Savior” Seton, RPA-C, Director of Facility Management San Diego
Seth “Needles” Brady, RPA-C, Director of Facility Management Denver
Ethan Miller, MD, FACS, San Diego Branch Medical Director
Russ Sommerfeld, MD, Family Medicine San Diego Branch Medical Director
Patrick Hedges, MD FACS, Denver Branch Medical Director
Meryl Dunham, MD, Medical Director
Nate Bruges, MD, Medical Director
Imogen Bruges, Nate’s wife
Gus Lucas, PA
Ann Bellingham, Gus’s secretary
Delores, BSN
Sage Kennedy, RPA-C
* * *
Additional Medical Personnel
Liam Murray, San Diego Firefighter/Paramedic
Dr. Lloyd, MD, Rady Children’s Pediatric ER Physician
Bobby Michaels, MD, Sadie’s Pulmonologist
Tara Gould, MD, Sadie’s Pulmonologist
Leif Fraley, MD, PhD, Psychiatrist
* * *
Bravo Team
Josh “Hoist” Stone, Executive Officer/Team Leader
Trask “Headcap” Winslow, Medic, First Deputy San Diego
Janice “Clara” Fitz, First Deputy San Diego
Ken “Jockey” Clarke, Medic
Sam “Birdman” Robison, Medic
Len “Buck” Rodgers
Joseph “Red” Canel
Archie “Wolf” Stevenson
Emerson “Coach” Davis
Kelly “Batgirl” Ramirez
Kevin “Boomer” Harper
Israel “Fox” DeCastro
TJ “Cuda” Poole
Caleb “Accountant” Paulsen, First Deputy San Diego
Noah “Rainman” Paulsen, Replacement
Adina “Sabra” Ganz, Replacement
* * *
Avery Taylor, Technical Analyst
* * *
Zulu Team - Tobey O’Mara, Team Leader
Mike Team - Corey Halliwell, Team Leader
* * *
Dallas Gibson, Level-Three Supervisor San Diego
Steve, Level-One Operator
Dylan Monroe, assistant to Tony
King Phelps, assistant to Tony
Curtis Higgins, Level-Three Operator
Pricilla, receptionist
Eileen Marchese, Operator
Verna McNair, Blake Minor’s secretary
* * *
Chase Legal
Mr. Brock Carpenter, JD
* * *
Chase Ventures
Mr. Vaughn Hanna, MBA, CPA, FCA
* * *
Sierra-3 Team
Matt Ciminelli, Team Leader
Jude Montana, Executive Officer
Gardner Bennett, Alpha squad
Logan Shepard, RPA-C
Terry, RPA-C
Deacon
Jeremy Sands
Heather Church
Jimmy White
John Collins
Nick Lopez
Melody Burgess
T heo Reyes
Lee Campbell
Dusty
Sky Kolb
Jonah
* * *
In San Diego
* * *
Holly Dupree Morrison, singer
Sadie Morrison, Holly’s four-year-old daughter
Marcus Dupree, Holly’s father
Lila Smythe Dupree, Holly’s stepmother
Colton Behrens Dupree Holly’s stepbrother
Abbey Behrens, Holly’s stepsister
Dexter Behrens, father to Colton, Abbey, Lila’s husband
Greg Morrison, Holly’s deceased husband
Randy Morrison, Holly’s brother-in-law
Lawrence Glenn, Holly’s attorney
Walter, Dupree butler
Racine Fitzpatrick, Dupree maid
Daphne Ringwald, Holly’s governess
Jared Franklin, Holly’s manager
Tommy, roadie
Morgan, Holly’s assistant
Case McKenna, Holly’s manager
Paula Coleman, pediatric nurse, Holly’s best friend
Eugenie Wetherhill, Pastor, MSW, Owner of Eugenie’s Place, Holly’s friend
Jerome, Eugenie’s husband
* * *
San Diego Police Department
Detective Nora Kennelly, Taggart Dupart’s partner
Sergeant Adam Montoya
Detective Taylor Sheehan
Detective Gene Kydell
Detective Lawrence Barber
Detective Maritza Salazar, Sex Crimes
Captain Hartsdale, Head of Sex Crimes
* * *
Neptune Security
Donald Kane, CEO
Travis Loudon, Operator
* * *
In Vietnam
Dr. Bành Huy BH Keating, pharmaceutical company owner
Le Thi Hua, his assistant, undercover for CSI London Office, Zach’s former lover
* * *
Additional Characters
Owen Errol, designer
Marcy Gray, realtor
Eleanor Broussard, realtor
Operator Barrera
Operator Rhodes
Portia, Woman in bar, Watchtower club owner
Preacher, Navy SEAL
Panther, Navy SEAL
Derrick, Navy SEAL
Amanda Gardner, kidnapped child
Denise Gardner, Amanda’s mother, victim
Marina Santiago, mother of Eliana
Eliana Santiago, Marina’s daughter, kidnap victim
Josephine Santiago, Marina’s mother
Pietro Delmonico, Marina’s father
Judge Jennifer Hand
Charla Thornton, victim
Neil Lowe, singer
Ulysses Sheldon, bass guitarist
Max, guitarist
Gavin, drummer
Kolvin Hart, singer
Iris Sanchez, singer
Tristin Gregory, singer
Thien Phan Hung, shooter
Manny Lontoc, motorcyclist
Berthold Harris, deserter
Chief Petty Officer Leo Cobb, Navy SEAL
Henry SanMartin, zookeeper
Frank Curtis, Holly’s attorney
Giovanni, engineer
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Case, parents of victim
Karen Case, dead victim
Lucy Case, kidnap victim
Lila Case, newborn
Chapter One
Thursday, May 11th
“I’m an emotional recluse,” Julian Dupart remembered telling Ian Chase. His heart had remained in the stunning ivory casket.
Resurrection vines crawled along the sprawling oak branches, forming a canopy above the Passebon family crypt. Julian approached, each step feeling heavier than the last. Carrying a large bouquet of white magnolias, he made his way to a stone bench.
“Bonjour, Chérie. Happy Birthday. I brought your favorites.” The fragrant flowers rested beneath the name Delphine Passebon Dupart. Julian's hand moved in the sign of the cross, and he bowed his head in prayer. Inhaling, he said, “I have a new duty station. Ian is sending me to San Diego.”
A memory of a conversation from 1994 floated in on the Louisiana mist.
“Chérie, we’re going to San Diego.” He picked Delphine up and swung her around.
“I’m so proud of you, Julian. A SEAL.” Delphine peppered his face with kisses. “Just know, I’m going to exterminate those toad women.” She brandished her protective claws in reference to the women who chased Navy SEALs.
“Toad women? Chérie, they’re frog hogs. And you, Mrs. Dupart, will be my only one.” Giggles fell from her lips as he tossed her over his shoulder and headed toward their bedroom.
At the gravesite, the humid Louisiana air weighed him down. “Chérie, this is a big move. I’ll be the second-in-command of the entire San Diego branch. Del, I don’t know if I can do this without you,” his Cajun-accented voice cracked.
“Jul-i-an?” a familiar voice called his name. A man and woman Julian had avoided for the last five years joined him.
“Mère Genevieve and Père Marcel, bonjour,” Julian said, his body stiff as his in-laws enveloped him in a hug.
Genevieve Passebon stepped back and took Julian’s face between her hands. “We’ve missed you. You look well.”
“Genevieve, let him be. Julian, we brought a picnic; eat with us.” Marcel pointed to the bench Julian vacated. “It’s good to see you.”
He nodded and sat. Julian stammered, “I’m sorry, I…”
“There is nothing to apologize for. You are a very good man who loved our daughter in health and sickness. You never left her side. Pain runs through the heart like no other sense, but, Julian, the heart is one of our body’s miracles that can grow fresh circulation.” Doctor Marcel Passebon rubbed his own chest.
“Delphine, shake some life back into this man.” Genevieve knelt before her daughter’s grave. “Now we eat.”
Julian chuckled at his mother-in-law’s familiar refrain. She said it to him every time he returned home from a deployment. Control over his strained emotions was fraying. “There are three sandwiches inside the picnic basket. Were you expecting someone else?”
“No, we knew you would be here. You have not missed a birthday. We watched and let you be.” Genevieve’s lips turned up. “Delphine wants you to know it is time.” Genevieve Passebon was a medical doctor, but she grew up in the deep backwaters of Louisiana, where she was raised as a faith healer or traiteuse. Delphine had also embraced those beliefs.
The heaviness that had rested for five years beneath his breastbone lightened a bit. “My mom keeps me updated on everyone. Are you two going to slow down?” Julian sipped from a bottle of water.
“Marcel retired from the hospital, and now he works with me at the community wellness center too.”
Julian’s father-in-law’s hair had whitened, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. “What is new in your life?”
The afternoon went fast. Delphine’s parents and he included Delphine in their conversation as if she were present, and as the sun began to set, they packed up their picnic. Julian was the last to walk away from the grave. “Je t’aime, ma Chérie.”
As they reached the parking lot, Genevieve turned and placed her weathered hands over Julian’s heart. “Jul-i-an, open your heart. There is room to love again.”
Julian hugged his in-laws and promised to stay in touch. Maybe he would succeed this time.
Thursday, May 26th - Washington DC
Julian’s doorbell rang. “Come in.” He zipped his suitcase closed.
“You do realize I could be a mass murderer?” Martin “Farmer” Bailey teased his friend.
