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and Hack and kissed Vega on the cheek. “You look lovely as ever. Merry belated Christmas.”
    â€œThanks,” Vega said, “And sorry about Kippen. Mo told me what happened.”
    Decker sighed and put his elbows on the table. “I need a beer. Or three. It’s been a long week.”
    â€œTell me about it,” Mo said. “It still bums me out. It’s been four days and still no sign of him. He was an okay guy for a supply type. The idiot should’ve been more careful. It’s a damn shame.”
    Mo noticed Decker and Hack exchange glances. “I saw that look. What’d I say?”

CHAPTER SIX
    1745, Friday, December 27

    Decker gave an abbreviated version of what he had told Agent Bogen and what he had overheard after his interview. “The navy investigator ruled it an accident or suicide,” he added. “I stopped and chatted with Pitchford on the quarterdeck before we left the ship. He saw the message traffic about it. With no other apparent motive, the official theory is that he either lost his footing and fell overboard or jumped on his own because of Claire. The navy’s going to keep searching for several more days, but, unless they find a body, the case is closed.”
    â€œI can’t believe it’s suicide,” Mo said. “Hell, no woman’s worth that.” He caught Vega’s eyes and turned red. “You know what I mean.”
    â€œI do,” Vega said, reassuringly. “But do you guys know anything else about the missing parts?”
    â€œI’m surprised you’re interested in navy talk,” said Decker. “You never seem to want to hear about our heroic efforts at sea and keeping the world safe for democracy.”
    â€œI usually don’t,” Vega said, taking a swig of beer. “I have to put up with sailors every day on the job.” She straightened in her chair, her face turning serious. “It’s just something I’m working on. The black market’s a big deal in Olongapo. People are always stealing stuff from base and selling it in town. It’s mostly small stuff like soap and cigarettes. Things that aren’t worth the time to investigate, for us or the navy.”
    â€œAll he mentioned was some missing parts,” Decker said. “We don’t stock soap and stuff. Another department does that.”
    Vega leaned in and spoke in a hushed voice. “I’m not worried about those things. The black market’s been relatively quiet for a few years. Until recently, that is. Over the past few months there’s been a flurry of activity. Military parts. Expensive items. We received a report a few days ago about material from the base making its way to town. You made me think of it when you mentioned the missing inventory on the ship.”
    Decker perked up. “That rings a bell. Kippen mentioned they were expensive items. I’d completely forgotten about that.”
    â€œYou think someone on the Harvey is involved?” Hack asked, one eyebrow raised.
    Vega took another drink of beer and leaned back in her chair. “I don’t know if it’s a sailor on the Harvey , but someone is working from the inside. Someone on base. I’m not even supposed to know about it, though. My boss doesn’t think a woman should be a cop. He treats me like I’m an idiot, or his personal secretary or something. But all his paperwork comes across my desk, so, naturally, I read it. We all know who’s the real idiot. And he hardly ever let’s me out of the office unless I’m with him.”
    â€œThat sucks,” Mo said.
    â€œSucks big time,” Vega agreed. “But at least I get to read everything that crosses his desk.” Her eyes twinkled and a broad smile spread across her face. “If I can solve a case like this, it’d prove a woman can be a damned good cop.”
    â€œWhy not talk to the navy police?” Mo said.
    â€œI