CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

"That's it up there," said Sebastian, pointing to the apartment. "It's got frilly curtains."

"Maybe he likes it that way," said Major.

"It says here the apartment is registered to Anele Keyaf. Sounds like a woman," said Garr.

"Uh, sirs, this is Spencer. Anele Keyaf is Elena Fayek spelled backwards. He's using his daughter's name."

"Holy shit," smirked Forrest. "He's right."

"Of course I'm right, sir."

"Of course. My apologies, Spencer. Why are you up so early?"

" It's 0530, sir. I knew you'd need some support. Besides, I don't sleep much. My head is constantly thinking of things I need to do." Major smirked at the others.

"We appreciate the help, Spencer, but Fitz and Zoe are going to be worried about you," said Major.

"I'm here, brother. He at least did me the courtesy of waking me up to tell me where he was going. I'll be on time for morning PT. Are we good here?"

"Yes, sir," laughed the little boy. "Good luck, sirs."

"Thank you, Spencer. You did good," said Major. "Let's go."

"Are we sure this maniac doesn't have weapons? He used dynamite in the tunnels. No telling what he might do in that apartment," said Garr.

"Shit," muttered Major. "Disrupt the cameras and then we'll trip the fire alarms. We'll wait until everyone exits and wait for him to exit or go up to him."

"Let's do it," said Forrest.

To ensure the message was sent loud and clear, each man triggered an alarm on a different floor. Within moments, single people, families, children, even pets were running down the steps and out onto the grass. It was a comfortable evening, although a bit cool. When it appeared the last of the residents were out, the men walked back inside.

"Cameras are disrupted," said Garr.

"Anyone see him come out?" asked Major.

"Nope."

"Fuck. I really don't want to kill my father-in-law unless I have to."

They walked slowly, carefully up the lone stairwell, checking the corners and hallway as they rose. When they reached the fourth floor, Major pointed to the apartment door.

With every man in place, they counted down and breached the apartment. With guns raised, they stared at the man in the chair, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.

"Is that real?" whispered Sebastian.

"I'm not sure. His mouth is open like he's screaming," said Garr. He moved closer to the chair and then reached out, gently touching the figure. A single grain stuck to his finger. Bringing it to his nostrils he sniffed, then touched his tongue to it.

"Salt. It's salt."

They all stepped back, shaking their heads.

"It's like Lott's wife. She looked back to see the destruction of Sodam and Gomorrah and turned into a pillar of salt," said Forrest. "Is this possible? Is it real?"

"It's real," said Sebastian. "His shirt collar is sticking out, and his shoes are on his feet. Someone wanted us to know that this was for real."

Major was breathing heavily, completely out of his element. He looked around the apartment, trying to see if there was a computer or stack of files or books. But there was nothing other than furniture.

"Fire department is here," said Garr. "We have to go."

"But. But where are the crates? Where is he?" asked Major.

"Brother, I think that's him, and we've found exactly what we were supposed to find. We need to go. Now."

The men made their way to the roof, then down onto the fire escape below at the back of the building. They moved as calmly as they could to the front of the apartment building, then leaned against their car to watch.

Police cars, investigators, and eventually the military showed up. Hours later, they watched as they carried a seated sculpture of a man covered in salt. When one of the men tripped, the sculpture hit the sidewalk, and the salt shattered. Beneath it was the terrified, frozen expression of Aasad Fayek.

"How? Who did this?" asked Major.

"I don't know. But maybe we're not supposed to know," said Sebastian. "Maybe it's time for us to go home."

For five hours, the men said nothing on the plane. They tried to sleep, tried to read, tried to distract their minds. When Luke and Hex called for an update, Major said he'd explain when they landed. Except he couldn't explain it. There was nothing to explain.

As they stepped onto Belle Fleur land, their hearts and minds seemed less heavy. Seeing their families, seeing those they fought for and loved, was what they truly needed.

Claudette and Mama Irene smiled at their boys.

"Come on now," said Claudette, "we have a feast of all your favorite things. It's time we celebrate."

"What are we celebrating?" asked Sebastian.

"What else," smirked Claudette. "Love."

The men just laughed, Sebastian finding Em, Major happy to see his pregnant wife, and Forrest holding Maddie close.

"I didn't know you were coming home," he smiled at Maddie.

"Something said I needed to. And if I'm being honest, I needed to touch you, Forrest. I just needed to be near you." He kissed her sweetly, smiling down at her.

"Same, baby. Same."

"How is Daphne?" Major asked Elena.

"She's pretty beat up, but she'll heal. I think she's glad she's here. Her parents have called non-stop, demanding that she come home. Of course, she refuses, and Brix won't hear of it. Secretly, I'm happy he's standing up for her. She needed that."

"Well, I need you," he whispered in her ear.

"Me too," she smiled up at him. "Can we skip the meal?"

"Oh, hell no," he said with a strict face. "I am eating, and so are you. Besides, we have some things to discuss."

As the teams moved toward the cafeteria. Claudette kissed her mother's cheek, patting her arm.

"I've got ‘em, Mama."

"I know, honey." Matthew walked toward her, and her heart lightened. "There you are. I was starting to worry for you, and I never worry for you. Did you have a good trip? Is everything okay?"

"Here I am, and yes, everything is okay. It's better than okay, and you knew it would be," he said, kissing his wife.

"Is it secured?" she asked.

"It's in the most secure place possible, my love. All is well."

"I knew it would be, Matthew. I knew it would be."