Chapter 13

"Okay, team." Jep clapped his hands to get their attention. "The information we have suggests an attack of some kind. However, we can't rule out the possibility that our foe has left that information for us to find. They could be waiting for us."

"Does that mean we don't make a move?" one of the agents said.

"No, it means we're going to be cautious and invisible. We can't ignore what we found. There are too many lives at stake. But if they left it for us to find, and we know that ahead of time, that means, for the first time, we're ahead of the game. We know something they don't. That's where the invisible part comes in. We're all going into the park in plain clothes. If they're expecting a team of agents, we don't want them to know that's what they've got. Pearce. You'll lead the second team into the park five minutes after the first."

"I thought I'd be in the tactical van."

"No, you're too experienced to stay behind on this. I need you on the ground. You've had the most experience with our enemy as well as what they might be expecting from us, so I'm counting on you to be on top of this. "

"Yes, sir."

"If they're looking for us, we need to find them first and anything they've set up that's going to cause casualties or other damage. We all have to be thinking outside the box here. Middle Eastern terrorist groups have taken responsibility for the past events, but we haven't confirmed their involvement. That means no one is ruled out. Do you understand?" He waited for the group to acknowledge before he continued. "Because we don't know what type of environment we're walking into here, I expect anyone who sees suspicious activity to touch base with me first. Do not engage until I give the go ahead. You contact me over the radio, and we'll assess the threat. Unless, of course, the situation is critical."

Another agent spoke. "What is the best-case scenario here?"

"Best case is that we identify and extract at least one player without the others finding out. I realize that's a big ask, but if we can bring someone in without the others knowing, that will put us on a whole new playing field, which is exactly what we need."

"And if we can't?" Pearce said.

"If we can't, I'd settle for bringing in a suspect whatever way we can. I know the last time you had that opportunity, you weren't able to bring anyone back alive. I'm hoping things won't end so bloody this time around. We need this." Comments of agreement filled the spaces around the room. "If everyone's ready, we'll move out."

Em followed Jep to his vehicle. "You look nice in jeans," he said, his gaze lingering.

"I learned my lesson. Don't worry," Em said, looking at the other two agents who were joining them as part of the initial team entering the park. "I want it noted by everyone in attendance here that, the last time we went out, Jep did not inform me I'd be approaching a prostitute."

The agents looked at each other and got in the car. Jep caught their dismay. They were right. He and Em were flirting, and it wasn't appropriate.

"Agent Bailey, Cramer, you two good?" he said to the men as he turned over the engine.

They buckled their seatbelts. "Ready when you are," Cramer said.

Jep drove past the park, then pulled over several blocks away to give them space to enter on foot. The tactical van was in place closer to the park.

"It's quieter than I expected," Cramer said as he got out of the car. "I thought they would have picked somewhere with more people."

"If the park was busy, it would be harder for them to spot us, right?" Em said. "This way, we'll be obvious. Even in plain clothes."

"That's a good point," Jep said. "It's easier to be invisible in a large crowd. We'll have to break up the groups further. I'll take Em in first to get a look around. It will be easy for us to blend in as a couple. Cramer. Bailey. I want you to approach separately." He spotted a food truck across the road. "Bailey, get some lunch and have it in the park. Cramer, make a phone call as you get close." He radioed to Pearce next.

"We're in position," Pearce said.

"Good, but there's been a slight change of plan. I need you guys to strengthen your cover. The park's too empty. We'll need to spread out our approach."

"Copy that."

"Make sure each of your guys has a good reason for being there."

"We do. Catching bad guys."

"Funny. We can't have anyone blowing our cover on this."

"Copy that. We'll give ourselves more backstory."

"Good. Emery and I are heading in first. Give us ten to fifteen minutes, then approach unless you hear from me. And only talk into the earpiece if absolutely necessary." He looked at Bailey and Cramer to make sure they were listening.

"We got it," Cramer said.

Jep put his radio away. "Actually, Cramer, hang on. I've got an idea." He went to the trunk of the car and pulled out a pair of binoculars. "Take these."

"You want me to hang back? Observe from a secluded location?"

"Nope. You've been promoted to a bird watcher. I want someone covering the wooded area toward the back of the park in case we get a runner."

"Bird watcher it is," Cramer said. "I bet there's an app for that." He pulled out his phone.

"All right," Jep said. "Let's do this."

He took Em's hand and drew her down the sidewalk.

"You think they're waiting for us?" Em whispered.

He looked at her with a grin. "We're not in earshot yet. You don't have to whisper."

"Oh, yeah? What about that guy?" She nodded behind her to the jogger that had run past.

"You think they have scouts? Did he do something to rouse your suspicion?"

"Not him. I was making a point. They could have eyes everywhere."

"Then we better sell it." He swung their hands. "That's better."

"We're going to be that kind of couple?"

"The cornier the better."

"Even acting like this, is hard to settle my nerves, and we're not even in the danger zone yet. Do you think they're waiting for us?"

"Not you. You're the only one of us that won't stand out."

"What do you mean? You've never looked like an agent." She shook her head and laughed.

"What?"

"When I first met you, I was so unimpressed with the way you dressed. I had no idea how much sense it all made."

"It comes with experience. You scared?"

"Not scared, but it's difficult to think clearly through the haze of tension."

"You say the word, and you can go back to the car."

"No. I want to do this. But how do you compartmentalize?"

"The nerves?"

"Any of it. How do you keep your emotions in check?"

He looked at her. He had emotions connected to her being on this job that he hadn't yet pushed behind a wall. He took a breath, making it happen now.

"Training," he said. "That's why Lawson didn't want you out in the field. You don't have the training to prepare you for what could happen. That's why I'm keeping you on the sidelines."

"Then why am I the first to go in?"

"That's when there's the least risk. You go in first and have a look around, then the rest of us come in when you're at a safe distance. Hopefully it won't matter. It could be that their plan isn't to attack yet. They had one big one recently. They may be doing this to gather more intel on our responses like they have in the past. Another good reason to go unnoticed. We don't want them getting what they're after."

"Either way, they won't be unprepared for us."

"And that's why you're going to stay at the edge of the park. Don't go near anyone, no matter how harmless they appear."

"It won't be easy watching you guys put yourselves in harm's way while I sit safe and secure."

"If anything dangerous happens, I don't expect you to watch. I expect you to run. Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I saw a bench on the west side as we drove past. No one was near it. If anyone does approach you, you get up and get out of there."

"And if they don't?"

"Sit and scan. If you see anything suspicious, you tell me. I'll check it out."

"What if it's a mom with a baby?"

"That's suspicious?"

"No, I mean, what if a mom with a baby comes over to sit on the bench?"

"Then you politely excuse yourself as quickly as you can without drawing attention. I don't care who it is. I'm not taking any more chances with you."

"I should be grateful."

"Aren't you?"

"I guess I wish I could do more."

"You're already doing a lot, trust me. I forgot to ask you how that gun feels."

"I've had weapons training," she said.

"That's not what I asked."

"It feels odd because I'm not used to it, but it's also nice to know I can protect myself if I need to."

They continued down the sidewalk as they entered the area of the park, and Jep pulled her closer, putting an arm around her. He felt her arm curl around his waist, but it was tentative.

"You going to be okay?" he said. "Remember what I said. You can return to the car at any time."

"I don't want to let you guys down."

"You wouldn't. You want to go back?"

"No. Not yet." She looked around. "And now that we're here, my anxiety is easing a bit."

"Good. Anything stand out?"

"Nothing yet."

"That's the bench over there." He steered her down a path. "We'll sit down for minute together, then I'll go have a look around— Hang on." He bent down to pick up a candy wrapper that was wedged into the edge of the sidewalk.

"What's that for?"

"I need a reason to look in the garbage can."

"What about the other bins?" she said as he threw the wrapper away and peered inside at the collection of garbage. It appeared undisturbed.

"It's a clean park," he said. "But there's always trash. I'm sure I'll find enough if I look. Cigarette butts are always in abundance."

When they reached the bench, they both sat, and Jep reached his arm around behind Em, who leaned into his shoulder. "I can't see much from here," she said.

"You won't be the only one looking. Our bird watcher is on his way in now, and Bailey won't be far behind with his lunch."

"Still, I could see better from that rise over there."

"That's too deep into the park. There's not a clear exit from that position except for the wooded area, and I don't want you going that way."

"But Cramer will be covering it."

"I said no."

She huffed. "What if you escort me over? I'll have a look around for a few minutes, get a good look, then I'll head back here."

"Too risky. And I need you to cover this area."

She was quiet for a minute as she continued to scan the area. "I thought you chose me because I could see things others couldn't."

"I did."

"Then why aren't you using me to my full potential?"

"I am."

"No you're not. If I can't get a better view, there's no point in me being here. I only have part of the picture. I need more. I know you're a little gun shy after what happened last time, but it will be okay. I won't stay long. I just want to get a view of everything."

"I don't like it."

"I know. Tuck your emotions behind your training, and you'll be fine." She gave him a patronizing pat on the chest and stood. "Coming?"

"This has nothing to do with emotions." At least he would never admit that it did.

"One look."

"One short look, and you'll leave it alone? You'll come back here and sit for the duration without any more requests."

"Unless things get ugly, and then I will run as fast as I can away from here."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

He caught sight of Bailey biting into a hotdog as he walked into the park. Cramer was already past the rise, and Pearce's team would be entering soon from the other side of the park. More eyes would be good, but he was beginning to regret bringing Em. She was a good asset to have on the team, but her presence made him jumpy.

He stood and took her hand but made her drag him for the first several steps. "You're a lot more work than I expected."

She grinned, pulling him forward. "I'll take that as a compliment."

He continued to resist, forcing her to slow down. "If we're doing this," he said. "Then we're going to make it count. Pay attention to everything."

"I am, but I was also thinking."

"About what?"

"You're leaving me at the bench when we get back, right?"

"Yes."

"What's your motivation? You wouldn't leave your girlfriend on her own at the park when we're on a date. Maybe I should slap you. Give you a reason for your actions."

"You need a slap to sell it?"

"Oh, absolutely."

He laughed freely as they reached the top of the rise, telling himself it was all for show. Then he put an arm over her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. "Whatever you think is necessary."

"It will have to be a hard one."

"Why?"

"It won't work if there's no red handprint."

"You're enjoying this too much. What happened to your nerves?"

"I'm hiding them behind amusement."

"Well, you had better be paying attention too. I won't bring you up here a second time."

"I haven't stopped my inspection. But we have to maintain our cover. I wonder what we're talking about right now that makes me angry enough to drive you away." Her eyes swept across the grounds as they bantered.

Jep kept a steady lookout. He wouldn't make the same mistake he made with the homeless guy. In here, everyone was a possible threat.

"Maybe I've told you I want to see other people," he said.

"No, that's no good. Anyone looking at us knows you're lucky to have me."

"Is that so?"

"It would make more sense that you're smothering me. I think I need space."

"I don't know. Your arm's holding me pretty tight."

He hadn't seen Pearce enter the park yet, but when his look passed Bailey, the other agent was looking at him.

"Slow down," Jep whispered as he watched the agent give him a barely perceptible nod before looking north.

Jep slowly turned his head and saw a man and a woman in bulky overcoats. It was cool outside, but not cold.

"Em, can you do me a favor?"

"What's that?"

"I want you to go back to the car. Forget the bench. Forget the slap. Move like you forgot something and wait for me there."

"What have you seen?"

"Stay calm. We're still in character."

"Where?" She tensed when she spotted the two figures.

Jep pulled at her. "Stop looking that way." He tugged her around so they were walking back the way they'd come. "Go to the car. Now."

"Wait—" She craned to look again, but he yanked her around and pulled her into him, brushing his mouth close to her ear.

"You can't look at them," he whispered. '"We can't alert them to anything."

"I know, but?—"

"No. I don't have time to argue. And whatever you do, don't turn that way again. Walk to the exit as casually as you can and wait at the car. Nod if you understand."

She nodded, and he kissed her cheek to keep up the ruse. He couldn't let them get wind of anything before Em was clear.

His hand dropped slowly from hers, as though he was reluctant to let her go. "I'll see you soon."

He turned, tucking his hands into his pockets as he made his way toward Bailey until he was out of the suspects' line of sight. Then he contacted his team.

"Pearce, are you in the park yet?"

"Almost there," Pearce said.

"We have a code orange, but don't rush. I think we're still incognito. Emery is on her way out of the park. We won't make a move till she's clear, so hold—" He cast a glance over his shoulder to check her progress but saw she was hurrying toward the two suspects. "What is she doing— Be advised we now have a code red. I repeat, code red. We have a friendly in imminent danger. Emery is twenty yards from the suspects and closing. I'm going in."

He darted sideways to remain out of the vision of the suspects. He signaled toward Bailey and Cramer, who moved into position until Jep spotted a couple who'd been having a picnic on a blanket. They'd jumped to their feet.

"Bailey, Cramer," Jep said into his earpiece. "You've got hostiles on your six. Pearce, we need backup now!"

Pearce came running with his team as Bailey and Cramer turned to face their attackers. Everyone was armed.

Jep sprinted toward the overcoats, focusing on Emery, who had the full attention of the two she was approaching at a jog.

The female suspect had her hand out as if to stop Emery from coming closer, while her other hand held her coat closed.

He could hear the shouts of "FBI" from his team, then shots were fired, and Em dropped to the ground.