by Jennifer Haynie @JenniferHaynie1

Blogger’s Note: Now you’ll hear from Victor Chavez, the leader of the former Shadow Box team and godfather to Morgan Walton, daughter of his former best friend, Gary Walton. He takes this duty very seriously.

When Morgan was born in 1999, Gary Walton, my former best friend, asked me if I’d be her godfather. Now neither of us were Catholic or even churchgoing. But what he wanted me to do was to look after her, to be a part of her life.

For years, that was possible. We were both in the Army together at Fort Bragg. Then, in 2005, we both migrated to Northern Virginia when we got out of the Army. Gary was in the FBI, and I served with the Secret Service.

And then Gary betrayed me in one of the worst ways possible. You can read all about it in Operation Shadow Box. Long story short, Gary died, and there was no way I’d ever tell Mary about the depth of his treachery, even if I’d been legally able to do so.

After he died, his widow, Mary, moved the family to Nashville, TN, to be closer to both her parents and his parents. It ripped, Morgan, who was 15 at the time, and David, who was 13, away from their friends in Arlington. From what I understand, David adapted well.

But Morgan? Nope. Not at all. She’s fallen in with the wrong crowd, and now, according to my latest visit with Mary, she’s vanished. Mary is beside herself. I understand. Even if they haven’t had the best of relationships lately, Morgan’s still her daughter, and she loves her.

She’s pleaded with me to find Morgan for her. How can I say no to that? When I told Gary I’d be her godfather, that meant that I’d look after her, act on her father’s behalf if he couldn’t. Well, he’s gone now, passed on to the grave. And yes, I do take my duty seriously.

I’ll search for Morgan, but something tells me, based on the police report Mary filed, that it’s not going to be an easy task. I’ve called my team. Hopefully, they’ll be able to provide the investigative firepower I so desperately need for this situation.

Question: What are the responsibilities of a friend related to another friend’s children?