Chapter One

“You have thirty-two Enhanced Special Agents and thirty support agents with proven above average job performances. With the new building and all the specialized training, there should be no problems. The Enhanced Resident Office of Providence should show results right from the start. You have two weeks before the Field Office closes. The ES Agents are on day three of the six-day survival training in the Berkshires. All reports are positive so far. SAC Fernandez has your support staff running. She’s waiting for you inside. Rafael, this is the most skilled, diverse and expensive trial we’ve ever approved. If this works the way it’s supposed to, we will be closing offices in every territory. Washington will be watching every operation-cycle that you run. Don’t let me down, son.”

Nothing like a little pressure to start me off. “I’ll do my best, sir.” I shake his hand watching his eyes. Getting a final nod, he walks away. It’s taken some time to get used to not saluting, but I keep my hands at my side.

“Good luck, Special Agent Saber,” he mumbles opening the door.

“Safe flight, sir,” I respond to his back.

Deputy Director Brice was against the idea from the beginning. Why the hell did the Director put him in charge of this program?

Turning in a full circle, I take in the room. This isn’t a welcoming room. A basic wooden table with a monitor sitting on top of it is close to the door. Ten chairs and two small tables line three bare white walls. The last wall has the FBI seal. No pictures, TV or plants. My first impression is that we don’t expect guests and if they show, we don’t expect them to stay very long. The building is jammed so no outside electronics will work in here. No civilian and very few military will sit long without the use of their electronics .

Since there’s not much to see here, I look at the camera above the door and place my hand against the small glass panel beside it. Facial and print recognition is the only way to get in.

I’m surprised by the activity I hear up ahead. My team is in the Berkshires and the old field office hasn’t closed yet. The short hall opens to a huge room with three sections apparent. To the right is Criminal, the center is Cyber and to the left Terrorism. Everyone stops as I step into the room. Since I’m on the center screen, I keep the smile off my face and wait for what’s planned, standing at attention.

Great, SAC Fernandez is walking toward me. “At ease, soldier. Your support staff is in place. They will be ready to roll when your team shows.”

When she turns at my side, I scan her body. She’s a bitch at the best of times, but today she’s wearing it like armor. Her movements are rigid, pretty little face is pinched with tension and hair is in a severe knot at the back of her head. “I didn’t ask for the assignment here. I’m no longer a soldier and you are not my commanding officer. Cut the shit and tell me why you’re here. A report would have told me what I need to know for today.”

“Brice needed to make a point and ordered me here until your team shows. I’m closing down my obsolete office from here.” Her words come out like an accusation.

Fuck, this is not good. “What’s the point he’s making?”

She gives me a scathing look. “Look, I know you didn’t ask for this, but they’ve tied my hands for years then hold me accountable for not working my agents. We have intelligence, counterterrorist and hostage rescue with very little work because they let the MC run the show. I get the budget cuts, but they shut me down every time I tried to step in. Now we close on my watch and I’m held at fault. Penance is me doing the shit work for you before retraining at Quantico for my antiquated and ineffective leadership ability .” Her voice shakes as she’s talking. She’s just barely holding on here.

“Sorry, Fernandez. I was briefed on the MC-Baxter Ops. They’ve done some good work and saved the government time and money. My orders are to follow orders where they’re concerned. This unit is geared toward Ops. On the ground investigations are left to Lowell and the other Field Offices. We’re just a tool for the New England territory to use. It’s unfortunate that you got caught up in the MC workings, but I didn’t put you or me here. I can handle my unit, get your office closed, I’ll worry about my team.”

Her body freezes and I can feel the tension roll off of her. “They did good work? It’s unfortunate? Unit?” With her voice rising I know I said it wrong. She takes a breath letting me know she’ll keep going.

My hand goes up stopping her. This is not what I want out of my first day, but whining is unacceptable. “They do what the government can’t and it never shows on public radar. You investigating them when you were told to stand down is insubordination and you’re lucky to not lose a pay grade like some of your men did. Retraining sounds lenient to me. Unit is military and shouldn’t be a point of contention. How I refer to my team is not a point to argue. As a matter of fact, nothing that happens here, as we’re setting up, should be argued. You are here for transitional purposes only. I have no intention of spending that time listening to your view of what went wrong.”

She spins so fast I’m on alert. “My view. To anyone in the free world they are terrorists!” She doesn’t get it. They stopped an international act of terrorism the last time I was here. We were ready for deployment when the ship turned and ran. Personally, I think the Director was right to let them handle it.

The whole room stops and turns. Fucking great. If this were the military, she’d be in the stockade. “Stop. Your inability to take orders and accept responsibility is showing. I saw the man-hours logged. You wasted time and energy when your unit could have been assisting the other agencies. Instead, you left them short on a killing spree, a bombing and a high-ranking official daughter’s kidnapping that the MC resolved with local agencies. Go close your office and stay away from my unit.”

Her whole body is shaking. I wonder if she’ll spit on me. “This is not the military! ”

I’ve had enough. “More than seventy percent of my unit is military. You are relieved of duty. Get out, or I’ll have you escorted out.”

Two women come toward me alert and ready. I’m happy to see they’re watching Fernandez.

“Brice ordered me here. You can’t throw me out.” Bitch has no boundaries.

“I’ll send him the video and he’ll understand. Get out.” My eyes meet the woman on the right. “Escort SAC Fernandez out.”

“Yes, sir, Commander Saber.” They move to take Fernandez’s arms and she swings around.

“I’m going! If I were a man I wouldn’t be treated like this!” she yells as if that makes her look more competent.

The woman that took the order smiles. “If you were a man he’d have punched you out. Let’s get your whiney ass out of here. We’ve all had enough of it.”

The other agent laughs and guides Fernandez with a hand to her back. I watch until the door closes. Fernandez complained the whole way out making me wonder if she’s been like this for the whole week. What I wouldn’t give for some structure of command here. The room explodes in clapping when the two agents step back in.

“Thank you, Special Agents...” I don’t know their names, so I give them the prompt.

The agent that took my order answers first. “I’m Sergeant Susan Sprague from Marine Intelligence. Now Enhanced Special Agent in Language Analysis. I don’t mind Sprague. The handles keep getting longer, sir.”

I smile and look at the other Agent. “Enhance d Special Agent Willow Springer. I am your numbers woman from the old Providence Field Office. The only Agent that was transferred over.”

Shit. “You had no problem escorting your old Commander out? ”

She laughs causing the room to laugh. I’m surprised but watch her carefully. “Nope. She’s a lousy SAC and blames everyone but me for her bad decisions.” Her candor surprises me, again.

“Why not you?”

Her hand goes up with the smile still in place. “I just run the numbers. They don’t lie and neither do I.”

“Glad to hear it.” I scan the room again. “I know some of you come from other government agencies, but I’m military. I was transferred straight from Delta to command this new unit of mixed government agents and military elite. If you are here, you are the best of the best. Every agent is now called Enhanced Special Agent of whatever you specialize in. My new title is ESAC Saber. That is Enhanced Special Agent in Charge of the Enhanced Resident Office Providence. Call me Commander Saber. We are an agency that provides operational assistance to the New England territory. My superiors are the Deputy Director and the Director of the FBI. All missions are based on the needs of the other field offices. Basically, we are the muscle for those agencies and the federal government. Overseas and domestic missions are the job just like Delta or SEALs. We will just have more of them and be assisting with intelligence gathering, investigating and counterintelligence. Enhanced SWAT and Hostage Rescue Teams will deploy regularly. I am not referring to anyone as Enhanced Special Agent whatever, so start a list of what you would like to be called. Whoever is my Personnel Agent, make sure every name is marked on the files and put them on my desk for review.”

A solid geeky looking man steps forward. “Agent Perez, Commander. They’re on your desk with the names marked.”

I don’t remember smiling so much first thing in the morning. “Well done, Agent Perez. Are there any questions?”

An agent that looks like a young Lou Ferrigno stands up. “Detective Marks from Boston PD, Commander. Fernandez had us answering other agency inquiries and building a new intelligence file on the MC. She thought we could catch them with RICO or domestic terrorism. Most of us know of the MC and had orders to steer clear. It’s not a job I’m comfortable with, especially after she was removed for doing the same thing with other agents.”

The bitch is still jeopardizing men for her personal agenda? These are my men! Wiping my hand over my head, I get control of my temper. “To be clear, all MC related information is filed on the server just as it is. Do NOT continue investigating without orders. Four agents lost their job or pay grade following those orders. The best of the best means you have above average intelligence. Use it, men. I will not jeopardize our missions or this unit over a fanatical need to serve justice to men serving that justice better than the government can. When my orders change, yours will. Until then, all MC-Baxter and Princes investigations and information gathering stop. If you have downtime, you are in training. I expect a minimum of two hours a day from support staff. That is an order.”

“Yes, sir!” they yell as one and I want to smile.

What the fuck is up with the smiling? They start clapping and hitting each other’s hands. This will take some getting used to. I turn to find my office, but Special Agent Springer stops me. “I can train too?”

“Everyone trains, Springer. Enhanced Special Agents means everyone is in training daily.”

I like her ready smile. It makes her look younger but happy. “Training was on our own time. I’m already loving this job! Thanks, Commander.” She spins and starts talking to another agent excitedly.

Shaking my head, I look for my office. This is definitely not the military. Fernandez arguing, the men happy about training, talking whenever they want and even to me. The smiling confuses me. I went through training to prepare me for this, but seeing it and feeling happy over such stupid shit is odd. Camaraderie is normal, but this is a multifaceted, large unit coming from different backgrounds. Analyzing it as I find my name on the door, I realize this is what we want. I need these people invested in each other. With that settled, I open the door and whistle.

“Nothing is spared, Commander. I’ll show you how the new technology works. The files I told you about are actually on the computer. We generate very little paper here,” Perez says from behind me.

The Special Forces seal is behind my desk in a frame. That feels good. Delta and FBI are both up there too. I wasn’t always Delta, but I’ve always been somewhere in Special Forces. I’m glad Brice is showing that respect. Maybe he’s not completely against the new program after all. I turn my attention to the rest of the room. I’ve never had an office like this one. Clean dark wooden desk and cabinets, blue half-walls with gray under white chair rail. It’s nice. “This reminds me of the Directors office.”

Perez moves to the side. “He sent the plans down himself. This is better. We have the technology used in the situation room. Over here are a fridge and small kitchenette. Bathroom through that door. Closet with your suits and gear is in there too. Your room is the only one connected to your office. The rest of us are upstairs in the dorms. They’re all really nice too. The Agents love them.”

That’s different, I’ll take their enthusiasm where I can get it. “We’ve always had the newest technology. What’s different here?”

He hits a glass panel on my desk. “You need to sign in. It’s a hand scanner.”

I sit in my chair and put my hand on the glass. A hologram pops up and I swipe to personnel. The wall across pops on like it’s a monitor with the main room, hallways, training and a schedule of who is in and where they are.

“Good, if you’re familiar with it, the rest is easy.” He pulls a couple of names up. “All preferred names are here.” Swiping it off he moves to investigations, then intelligence.

“Thank you, Agent Perez. I’ve been in the situation room and use this technology daily. ”

He smiles nodding like he’s humoring me. “That’s good. This is what’s new. Where’s your phone?”

Handing my phone to him, I watch. A scene from the mountains pops up as a hologram. “You can follow your Ops team wherever they are. They all have watches that recognize team members and will show based on sightings by the other members. While they are in Ops cycles, you can see everything they do. This includes support.” He swipes and pulls his name and I see him in my office.

One of the pictures behind me has a camera. I don’t look back, but I’m not happy with this new development. “Who has the clearance to see all this?”

He’s surprised. “You and whoever you give it to. Your Cyber guy, Ralph Waite, went over the code to make sure Fernandez wasn’t able to fu—mess with it. He said its straight coded to your handprint. The building is jammed. He checked that too and cleared all excess code off it. He says we’re all clear now.”

Cameras in my office don’t work for me, but I nod. If Waite cleared code for me, I know I’m good. “Thank you, Agent Perez. I’m not in the habit of watching my staff work, but on a mission it will be useful.”

He nods with a smile. “You can just call me Perez and that’s what Waite said. He said he’d be surprised if you didn’t check the code yourself and remove the cameras from your office.”

I smile back. “He’s right. Is there anything else I need to know?” I need to get into the records of my men. I was handed a short brief about each person but have yet to see their files.

With a serious look, he holds my eyes. “We’re all excited to be here and work under you, sir. We were given the same briefing and training to integrate us. We believe in the job and you. The only complaint I’ve heard was about Fernandez and the possibility of getting court-martialed for following orders. Since they aren’t in the military anymore, it can’t happen and you got rid of Fernandez, so it’s a non-issue. ”

I nod hoping he doesn’t plan on being the unit rat. “Thank you, Perez.” He walks out and I almost call him back before it hits me that he’s not supposed to salute.

Reading through the files I’m glad to see they pulled the best for every position. I have some excellent people on support staff and learn their names and backgrounds before lunch. Pulling up the building plan I find the stairs to the dining hall and make my way down to lower level one. The layout is dorms on the second floor and offices on the first. The dining, game room and living room on lower level one; then training, munition storage and virtual Ops on lower level two.

The unit is already here taking seats when I walk in. Second Lieutenant McKay stands at attention making Detective Marks laugh. “Relax, McKay.”

He does making me smile. “I almost called Perez back into my office when he didn’t salute me. It will take some adjustment on our part,” I tell him as he sits.

Marks just watches then hits McKay on the back. “We’re all equal here. That has to be hard to wrap your head around. The rest of us can help.”

The group sitting and standing around the table agrees letting me know they don’t miss anything, are stepping up for their team member and reinforcing that we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto. Making a plate, I sit at the end of the table and eat listening to the men talk about what they’re working on. I’ll tackle that after training. They all offer and accept help from different specialty areas. I’m glad to see the men treat the women as equals. I haven’t commanded many women but it isn’t because I think they aren’t equal. I have a breacher, forensic specialist and surveillance specialist on the team in the mountains. I’ve worked with Harper Lecompte, the forensic specialist. She’s also a medical examiner and probably the best I’ve ever seen.

“Commander, you’re awful quiet. Do you have questions for us?” Agent Springer asks .

“Not at the moment, Agent Springer. I was just going over the unit personnel. I’m glad to see women are valued here too. It’s not a fight I want to be in during Ops.”

Agent Karpowitz, who is sitting across from me, sighs. “We’re glad to hear that. Military isn’t exactly gender accommodating.”

I can’t help but smile. “Neither am I.” That surprises her. “I call all personnel men, as in the men of my unit . I expect everyone to do the job given and do not accept excuses. I don’t care if you are a man or woman, the job is the job. There are seventeen women in this unit that are the top candidates in their field. If you couldn’t do the job, you wouldn’t be here. No other unit has this ratio and I’m proud to be the first. So, if you don’t mind being called the men of my unit and do the job you were hired for, we’ll get along well.”

Money flies across the table toward Perez. “You called it, dude,” Detective Marks says crumpling up a bill and throwing it toward him.

Agent Springer laughs. “No gender bias was the bet.”

What the hell am I supposed to say? They didn’t tell me anything about this in training. “I would hope that was apparent. I need to get to training, then see what you’ve all been working on.”

Half the group stands and follows me out. I didn’t mean for them to train now but keep my mouth shut. My hand opens the training door. “Everyone logs in.” They’re all bright men, so I’m not saying in case of nuclear attack or the building collapses.

“Yes, sir.” Follows me down the hall.

After I change, I hit the range firing a hundred and twenty-five times, then the virtual equivalent to Hogan’s Alley. At least that’s what the FBI calls the simulated crime scene training area. Ours is virtual. Emptying my clips, I use the laser to run the Alley. Twenty minutes later I’m pulling the glasses and sweating my ass off. I ran it fast .

“Nice job, Commander. Only Enhanced SWAT and Snipers run like that,” the Cyber Intelligence Agent from Homeland, Benavides, says.

“Thanks, Benavides. This program is how Delta trains. With some practice, we’ll all be using it proficiently. Regular training will start tomorrow. I have an agent from Oregon coming in later tonight.”

“No shit? The sharpshooter from their Enhanced SWAT? I heard she may sign on here. She’s fucking good.”

So, Perez isn’t sharing information with the team. I don’t know this woman, but I’ve heard about her and just finished reading her file. I’m glad she took the training job. She’s a hostage negotiator, Sniper and top trainer on the west coast. “Top trainer plus other specialties that we could use.”

“It’s a raise and more action than we’re used to. Add to that the chance to work with some real-life legends and anyone would be a fool to walk away from it.”

“Not everyone was willing, but we’ve got some good men to work with. I need to finish and get back to work. Later, Benavides.” Walking away I’m thinking of Miguel. I wish he would have signed on.

He sets the simulator and I start my run thinking about the men.Everyone gets paid the same here. A hundred grand a year is good pay for some and better for others. The younger members should be treated as equals for their skill set. Only me and my On-Site Commanders are paid the next grade level as equals. Since that’s Ford and Wheeler, I agree with it. Ford’s a couple of years younger than me and a SEAL. I consider him my equal and I’m relieved he took the job. Wheeler is Green Beret, and military all the way. He reminds me of a fanatical general but he follows orders exactly as they’re given and he’s respected for his skill and dedication.

Finishing with the rope climb and rappel, I shower and get back to work. At six I close down the computer and jog to the dining hall. I’m glad McKay stays seated. Taking the same seat, I see a waiter moving around. He’s regular Army like the rest of the kitchen staff. When he gets to me, he stands at attention. “Relax, Canon. I’ll have a beer and more rolls.”

“Yes, sir.” He moves away fast.

“He’s not FBI,” Perez says smiling. “You know his name, so you already knew that.”

I nod. “With the team on the mountain, we can relax rules for the next two days. Six to twelve is R&R time. If you’re late getting back, you lose R&R tomorrow.”

Everyone starts talking. Some leave without looking back. I don’t know what to think. They didn’t thank me or salute.

Perez laughs. “You made their week, Commander. Marks and Sprague were craving a pizza.”

I nod hoping they’re not like Ford and thank Canon for the beer and rolls. The men talk about cases that I read about from their stations today. I can see their progress from my office but pulling information from other departments directly gives them better insight. This is going to work to our benefit. Without departmental restrictions, they’ll do more in less time.

As soon as I stand Canon moves toward me to clear my plate. “I can clear it just like everyone else, Canon.”

He steps back. “Yes, sir.”

I nod at the men, clear my plate and walk out missing the salute again. For some reason, I see it as closure to situations. At thirty-seven I don’t see that changing anytime soon. ROTC in high school then signing before I graduated, the salute has been part of my whole adult life. Change is difficult to an old dog like me. I think about Deputy Director Brice having a problem with me being young. I smile at that and walk out pulling my phone. “You home?” My first day here I stopped at the restaurant surprised that Michelle still worked there. I’ve been with her every night since then.

“Not yet, soldier boy, but I will be in ten.” Her words are clipped and I wonder what she’s doing.

“I’ll meet you there.” Hitting the fob, I start the car .

“Who said I want you there?” She didn’t answer this morning when I told her I’d see her tonight.

Slowing my steps, I look around the lot noticing the men have some nice cars. “Are you busy?”

“You show up after two years, spend three nights fucking me and now you ask if I’m busy? How long are you here for?” She’s pissed at me.

I know I have a cocky smile on my face but don’t miss a beat answering. “A while.” This is not how I wanted tonight playing out. I’m not lying to her.

“What do you want from me besides a fuck buddy?” Her voice is hard as if the words offend her.

Playing games isn’t my thing, but honest loses me my chance here. I hit the fob and lean against the car. “I’m not looking for more than a ‘fuck buddy’ as you say.”

“Lose my number, soldier boy. I’m looking for a husband.” I’m not even going to try to convince her. She had no problem jumping on me at the restaurant. I guess we’re done. Looking at my screen, I see she ended the call.

I put my phone in my pocket and turn back toward the building. A 69 Camaro barrels into the lot stopping right in front of me. “This the new Enhanced Special Agent Resident Office?” my west coast trainer asks from the passenger seat.

“Yeah.”

The driver gets out and opens the trunk. He looks like a cop but is dressed in jeans and a T. “I got shit to do. Call me when you need a ride out of this joint.” He throws her luggage on the walkway and climbs back in.

The whole time he’s moving, she watches me. When he gets in, she leans over and kisses his cheek. “Thanks, Cam.” Climbing out she’s smiling. Since Cam doesn’t want to be here, I wonder what she’s smiling about. “He’s late.” That seems to make her happy.

“Do you want help?” I ask knowing I have that smirk that women hate on. She has no idea who I am .

She grabs the handle and starts pulling her bag as she walks away. “I got it, thanks. I need to get in there and see what’s in store for me.” She turns back. “Are you Perez?”

I laugh. “No.”

“Didn’t think so. You’re Sniper or Special Forces, maybe bomb but definitely military. You are a player that never talks about his looks but uses them to lure women to bed. The clichéd Latin lover. Confidence rolls off you and you’re very good at your job. Since they only took top of the field I know that’s a cheap throw in. I need to get in there, we can play more tomorrow during training. Later Enhanced Special Agent Military Latin Lover guy.” She continues walking and talking as the Camaro squeals out of the lot.

I hit the fob and drive to an old hangout on the hill. For some reason, the whole trainer incident bothers me. It’s the salute thing. I’m not in uniform, so how the hell would she know who I am to salute? And what the hell with the whole rundown of who I am? She’s pretty good with observations but never said her name or asked for mine. Again, military structure has dictated my whole life. I’m at a loss when it’s not followed at work. The clichéd Latin lover? Cliché is predictable, ordinary. That feels like shit, especially with Michelle’s ‘fuck buddy’ accusation. I close my eyes looking down. It’s true and I know it. I have women at just about every place I’ve been stationed. What the hell changed? The salute, not knowing how to deal with everyone talking whenever they feel like it and I’m happy with a ‘fuck buddy.' Who talks like that anyway?

“Awful serious for a bar.”

I look to the side and I’m stunned. The brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen are smiling at me. Pitch black hair with those eyes on a pretty face has me trying to remember what she said. Not a typical reaction for me. “I’m trying to work through old habits.”

Her head tilts and her eyes flash amusement. “Drug habits or leaving the seat up habits?”

It feels good to laugh. “Neither. I just transferred from a military job to another agency. Not getting saluted or dismissing my men leaves me confused about ending interactions.” Why the fuck am I telling her this? “I’m Rafael Saber.” I put my hand out and she shakes it like a pro. She deals with men regularly.

Her eyes show recognition at my name. “Commander Saber, what a small world. My sister works for your new program, but she didn’t tell me how young and handsome her new boss is. She’s surviving mountain lions or something. I’m Cassidy Warner, Assistant DA here in Providence.”

I shake her outstretched hand again. She’s beautiful and takes care of herself with her nails polished an off-white at the tips. “Your sister?” There are no Warner’s in my unit.

Her whole face smiles. “Is morbid, scary and a tom-boy dating back to birth. If it’s gory, she loves it.”

“Harper Lecompte is a fine Agent and would appreciate the description.” I smile at her surprise. Lecompte is platinum blond with green eyes.

Her hand holds my arm. “She would. We’re actually half-sisters but have been together since she was born. I hope she’s having fun. She was excited about the new agency or whatever you call it.”

We talk for hours over two drinks then a glass of water. She’s funny, relaxed and very smart. When she stands, I do too, handing her my phone. “Give me your number so I can see you again.”

She doesn’t move to take it. “Tomorrow. Meet me here at six-thirty.” She’s cautious. Definitely not a ‘fuck buddy.'

“I will. Let me walk you to your car. It’s late.” Federal Hill isn’t the safest neighborhood and I’m not really ready to be done with Cassidy.

She laughs making me smile. “I live upstairs.”

“Right. Well, until tomorrow, Cassidy.” Bending to kiss her cheek I’m surprised when she turns her face and kisses my lips.

“Tomorrow, Rafael. Don’t be late,” she says in a husky voice that’s got my dick stirring .

“No, ma’am.”

“Call me ma’am again and it will be the last time.” She walks with a swing in her hips through the bar opening and right into the back.

I follow holding the door open. “Old habits!”

I can’t see her, but I hear that husky laugh.

Assistant District Attorney Cassidy Warner. I think I’m going to like Providence long term. My last stint here was for two weeks. That reminds me of Michelle. My trainer was right. I dropped in and talked her right into bed both then and now. Tonight I didn’t throw my usual lines at Cassidy. I’m not a cliché.