Chapter Six

Two days

Rafael

I’m in the situation room with Marks, Sprague, Benavides and Waite. The team is in transport from an active shooter call at a mall in Waltham. I let the SAC from their office know we’re clear and they can process the bodies.

“Commander, you have an ME that can help with that process.” He’s a pain in the ass wanting everything done for him.

“We do, he’s part of a team that would have to wait on him to get to the missing businessmen in New Hampshire. The job we were called in for is done. We’re running out of daylight and need the team elsewhere.” Since Marks is nodding, I guess I said it okay.

“What good is this team if they spend less than an hour helping?”

I take a minute to count to ten. “Special Agent Santos, you asked us to stop an active shooter. While the team was boarding to head to New Hampshire, we re-routed them to you. They stopped your shooter and are back on course for their original job. If you are requesting assistance to process bodies, I have an ME that is off-cycle. I need the formal request and I’ll get her on the road headed your way.”

He’s controlling his anger. What the fuck is his problem? A simple thanks would be nice. “On the road?”

“If you need her there faster, send a chopper. My pilot is headed to New Hampshire.” I’m done with this asshole.

Marks steps to my side. “SAC Santos, we are able to send you the ME assistance, but don’t have a pilot at the ready. We have a tactical driver, or she can drive herself. It’s an hour drive. ”

“With twelve bodies we need help to get this finished quickly.” His voice is accusatory.

“Those bodies were before the team landed. He was stopped within minutes once boots were on the ground. No one was shot but the gunman while bootswereon the ground. I’m sorry for the loss, but that was not on my team, Santos. I’ll send the ME. She’ll be there in just over an hour.”

He waves his hand. “You’re right, Commander. I don’t mean to be short with you. We’re running thin and I have everyone on this defense contractor case. I don’t have the physical bodies to man the office with everything hitting at once.”

I look at Marks. “What defense contractor?” I ask softly.

“Cyber-attack,” he says under his breath.

He doesn’t need an ME for cyber. I offer help thinking maybe I shouldn’t, but we have the team for it. “We have a team of Investigators if you want help with computer work. Cyber-terrorism is part of that team.”

“Really? I thought you were just Ops.” He didn’t answer. I have shit to do and a team to ready.

“I have a team to ready and a case playing out with the Investigators. You should have gotten a run-down of the assistance we can provide. I know it was sent to every office. If you want help with the Cyber team, send the request to Perez with the information. They’re good about getting quick turnarounds.” I look over to see where Ford is now. I need to get on the horn with the rescue team in New Hampshire.

“Sorry, Commander. I’ll send the request to Perez with the file links. Thanks for your help and I’ll put up your ME. Is it Harper?” Something in the way he says it hits my ears as wrong.

My head swings back. “Yeah, Agent Lecompte.”He smiles and I’m on alert. “She’s accompanied by Agent Davies, who is able to assist her.”

His smile falls. “I’ll make the arrangements. Santos out.”

I look at Marks. “Let Davies know Lecompte isn’t alone with Santos unless she wants to be. He’s a supervisor while she’s there, but she doesn’t owe him anything.”

He nods and walks away. “Benavides, get what I just said to Wheeler before they leave.”

“Roger, Commander. That’s some shit. Harper better be careful.”He pulls his phone sitting at his station.

“Waite, I need the status from Rescue in New Hampshire. I’m in with the Investigators for no more than ten. Sprague, I’ll need the report for the active shooter then get lunch before Rescue Ops begin.” I start walking toward the door.

“Yes, sir, Commander,” Sprague says surprising me.

At the Intvestigators, I step to Perez’s side and watch Cassidy in court. How the hell did they get the courthouse wired? I’m not asking.

“She’s a damn good prosecutor. Nothing gets by her.”Coming from Perez, that’s a high compliment.

Ford looked up his older records and said we’re lucky to have him. He’s the kind of lawyer that can pick and choose his cases, but family money keeps him working for his country. I respect the fuck out of that.

The Agents are talking around the table and at the workstations. Springer, Hank and Perez are the only ones watching the courthouse. “Anything on the threat?”

“They’re working on it now. She’s got him.” His eyes never leave the screen.

I pay attention to Cassidy. That she’s beautiful is the only thing I’ve registered and think it’s a good thing he’s running this side. I have a limited amount of legal knowledge. I’m struck by the way she holds her body until she starts asking questions in a rapid-fire way. She turns with that little smile and I know she’s happy with the answers. When the CEO stammers, Springer and Hank cheer. I guess she got him .

I look at him when Cassidy sits down. “Santos from Waltham is sending a request and files for the defense contractor case over.”

He nods. “He’s more than a month in. He should have requested help from Langley when he started. We’ll be done here and send it up to Lowell this week. We have the Agents and time to help. Waite will be helpful when he’s not in Ops. It’s a cyber case.” He knows his team and the case.

I nod. “Anything I need right now?”

He looks at the side screen. “They’re doing the report for the white supremacy group right now. All identities are confirmed. We may pick up running identities for Boston, but we don’t have a request yet.”

“Thanks, Perez. I need to get back to Ops.”

He’s beside me when I get to the door. “Commander, Ms. Warner will close today. The threat isn’t identified. The Bureau will wait until tomorrow to slap charges, but without the threat, she’s still the DA in the crosshairs.”

My feet stop. “She won’t stop to let this play out. Without a DA, the assistants will be left with the workload. We have a team off-cycle and she qualifies for FBI protection.”

He smiles. “I thought the same thing. I’ll make a schedule.”

I take a step and stop. “Lecompte and Davies are in Waltham.”

“I’m glad Davies is with her.”

I don’t even look back. I know he won’t be there, but wonder how he knows all this shit.

* * *

I pick Cassidy up and take her to dinner. Something is bothering her. When we’re seated, I watch her stare off into space. “Do I guess? ”

The little demure smile shows. “I’m in my head. The office is going to be crazy until we get a DA. Perez said they don’t have the threat. That means I’m not out of danger. The worry is an assassin, isn’t it?”

Fuck, she’s too smart to try and gloss this over. “With the texts, I’d say no, but it can’t be ruled out. If your boss were being taken out as an example, the texts would fit. If it was to be publicized, they definitely fit. The bank and whoever is siphoning money certainly can afford to go that route, but the texts are too simple. The wording doesn’t fit an assassin profile.”

She nods. “I agree, but there has to be more than what showed on Evan’s phone. He was covering before the three texts.” She’s right.

“Stay with me until this is figured out.” I want her moving in, but I know she’ll throw that out.

“Harper is at my house. I’ll be safe there.”

“She’s in Waltham processing bodies. I can stay at your house.”I want her with me even if it’s at her house.

That doesn’t look like it makes her happy. I slow my breathing and wait for why. “I don’t want to ruin us. Me needing protection will get old and you’ll resent me.”

Closing my eyes, I take a breath. When I open them, she’s watching me nervously. “I want you to move in with me, but I’m afraid you’ll throw it out and it will become a problem. I’m crazy about you, Cassidy. I meant what I said, you own my heart.”

She laughs. “And dick.” The waiter hits the table with a water glass and spills half of it on my arm. Cassidy is trying not to laugh.

I look at him as he’s apologizing and feel bad for the kid. “It’s true, she owns that too.”

He nods. “You’re better off, man. Women can be dangerous if they don’t own everything you got. Is she the jealous type?” Now we’re best friends? I look at her.

“No,” she answers with a big smile.

“You’re probably safe then. I’ll get you more water and a new napkin.” He walks away and I start laughing.

“Smooth, Cassidy. Can we keep the dick owning between us?”

She looks so happy I lean over and kiss the side of her lips. “No can do, GI Joe. The whole restaurant already knows. Donna and Harper too. And my mother and Stella which means her whole family. Parker will tell the office.”

“Jesus. You told your mother?” I’m never living this one down.

She’s laughing and I have to wait. “Donna told Stella and she told my mother.”

I’m not saying another word when I fuck her. “Will you move in?”

She gets serious quick. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”

I lean close to her ear, so the restaurant doesn’t hear any more of my life. “I wouldn’t have asked. I thought you would think it was. Now I want you moved in yesterday. Wake up with me, cari?o, tomorrow and every day after that.” I watch her shiver then squirm in her chair and know I’m in.

“Yes.”

“My heart and dick will like their owner close.” I sit back and watch her.

She coughs trying to cover her body shivering again. “How much?”

“We can leave now and I’ll show you.”

“Okay.” She’s up and I laugh following her out.

“I think I own some of your parts too, cari?o.” I kiss her before she can answer then sit her in the car. She’s too dazed to remember what I said.

At her house, she walks right through to the back door. “I’ll get a box from downstairs.”

I’m happy to follow and make sure she gets a couple, so she has more reason to stay with me. Possession is nine-tenths of the law, I think smiling as we walk down the stairs. I do know some law. At the bottom, an explosion rocks the building. I cover her while shit is falling from everywhere. Bottles are breaking and stacks of boxes are falling over. Seeing the cooler, I open the door and push her in. People are screaming in the bar. “Stay here, Cassidy.”

“Wait!” A huge piece of wood falls in between me and the cooler. “Go! Just get them out!” she yells. Another explosion has me running to the front dodging and ducking the falling beams and boxes.

Mario is helping some of my men move people out the side door. I grab the fire extinguisher and aim it at the front by the door. Holbrook is on the side of me with another extinguisher. “It’s going to explode when the fire hits the bar.”

I hear the fire truck and move back. “We aren’t going to stop it, I need to get Cassidy out.” With my men here, I know she’ll be safe outside.

He follows me back. Thank God, the fire hasn’t spread, but the liquor is going to go up fast when it hits back here. Holbrook helps move the wood and Cassidy pushes the door as we’re pulling to move the shit blocking it. Jesus. She falls forward and I pull her out throwing her over my shoulder.

“I’m so glad GI Joe came out. Hurry there’s hard liquor on the floor.”She’s coughing to get the words out.

My heart is racing, my eyes are burning, Cassidy is in the middle of this potential molotov cocktail and I’m smiling over GI Joe. There’s no way we’re going out the back. It looks like the majority of her apartment landed there. Running through to the bar door Holbrook pulls me to the left. The whole right side is engulfed in flames and it’s making its way toward the bar counter fast. “Run, Commander!” Holbrook yells like I need encouragement.

My eyes are watering and burning, but I see Mingo running toward us. “This way! Straight line, Brothers.” Small explosions sound and I know the fire hit the end of the bar. When the air feels like it’s sucked out of the room I know the back is gone and run listening to Mingo’s voice.

Firemen pull Cassidy off me when we make it out the door. Mingo yells that he’s got her and a fireman pulls me away from the building.

“I’m good. I need to follow Cassidy.” The fireman’snot listening and I’m coughing like crazy. “Get me with my team.” Someone’s wiping my face and puts a mask on me. It makes me cough more so I take it off and clean my eyes. Mingo is by the rescue truck. Pushing the fireman off me, I walk that way. Cassidy is on a stretcher with a mask on.

“She’s okay, Commander.” I look and it’s one of the Carlsons.

“Call Perez. Let him know what happened.” I start coughing all over again.

“You can’t be over here.” Someone yells behind me.

“FBI. You’re lucky we let you near her.” I turn and Rioux is pushing a mask on my face. “We got it, Commander.”

I just shake my head, glad that they got here so fast. Ford puts a hand out to help me up and Cassidy sits up then starts coughing. “Breathe slow,” Ford tells her.

I pull her onto my lap. She’s safe. I need her close.“Holbrook?” I ask.

He points and I follow his arm seeing Holbrook being guided toward us by Wheeler. “Mingo called it in when the first explosion hit. He thought you were in the apartment. He said you were three minutes in.”

I nod. “We were on the back stairs going down to the bar. I pushed her into the cooler. I couldn’t chance her out in the open with people running everywhere. I didn’t know the team was here until I ran through the doors.” I start coughing again and he puts his hand up.

“Perez needs to hear it. I’m just glad you got her out when you did. This is some fucked up shit.” His eyes lock on mine. Ford isn’t one to worry, but I see it in his eyes.

“Yeah. ”

Perez shows and starts throwing out orders. He has Rioux check us all out, then we get transported to my house with two from SWAT inside and two on the roof. Since it’s an old firehouse made of granite, there’s not much that will burn in it. The thought has me relieved as I carry her up.

Cassidy has me laughing then coughing. “The good in tonight is I’m done moving.” Her voice is hoarse and she’s breathing hard.

I just finish washing her when the bell shrieks. It scares her and she starts coughing. I carry her to the bed thinking I need to change that bell out tomorrow. I’m pulling a T-shirt out of the drawer for her when the door opens and Myrna and Donna walk right in. “I’m in a fucking towel.” These women are fucking nuts. Cassidy starts laughing then coughing.

“It’s a nice towel. I wouldn’t mind if it falls a little lower,” Myrna says and Cassidy coughs more.

Fuck. I cover her with the T then the blanket. “Donna, can you get the tank from the kitchen?” I ask hoping Myrna goes with her. She’s fawning all over Cassidy, so I’m not holding my breath. When Donna comes back in, I get the mask on Cassidy and wait until she’s slow breathing in it.

“Go shower, Rafael. You still have soot all over your face,” Donna says, but she’s watching Cassidy.

Her concern for Cassidy has me moving. I grab clothes and lock the bathroom door. They’re crazy and I wouldn’t put it past them to walk in while I’m in the fucking shower.

When I come out of the bathroom, Cassidy is sitting up with shorts and my T on. “Agent Springer brought me some clothes and just sent Agents to get a few things.” She’s smiling.

I bend and kiss the edge of her mouth. “I’ll be sure to thank them. How do you feel?”

“My mom brought a pump for me. Agent Rioux is sending a nebulizer and albuterol. ”

“You have asthma?” Jesus, she could have died. I’m on my knees in front of her when Myrna knocks and walks in without an answer. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

“Ma, give us a minute. Rafael will carry me out if I’m too weak to make it.” Her eyes are shining at me and that little smile is on her face. She’s okay and safe. I feel the need to keep telling myself that.

“They’re worried and won’t let a door stop them from seeing that I’m okay with their own eyes. I did ask that they knock from now on.” She’s smiling like it’s a joke but I know it’s the truth. I nod. Locking the door from now on works for me.

“I have bronchial asthma. It’s a little different than full-blown asthma and what I have is considered mild. Sometimes in extreme weather conditions or with a trigger like smoke, smog and certain allergens, I have to use a pump. Honestly, it’s like twice a year. Well, maybe three times this year.” She smiles.

“So, you’re really okay? You don’t need to go to the hospital?”

Her hands hold the sides of my face. “I’ve never been to the hospital for my kind of asthma. I’m fine, a nebulizer is a machine that will push medicine into my lungs and make sure I can sleep tonight without coughing. My GI Joe needs his rest. There’s a nut on the loose and I need him to be caught. Thank you for keeping me safe. I didn’t think about the danger of being out in the open.” She kisses my lips and someone’s knocking on the door.

My head drops to her lap. A minute to convince me she’s fine would be good. “If I shoot once they won’t do it again.”

She laughs and starts coughing. Shit. I carry her out looking for her nebulizer machine. “I have it set up over here, Rafael. She needs to be sitting up straight,” Myrna pulls a kitchen chair out and I sit Cassidy in it.

“As much as I want you against my heart, I need you to breathe in the medicine to make sure that happens for those tomorrows I promised you, cari?o. I’ll check on the men while your mom and Donna sit with you.” I’m not sure about leaving her with the flexi pipe sticking out of her mouth.

She pushes my shoulder and puts her head against mine.

“We’ll take care of her. Your Rioux doctor said she needs to cough some shit up and she’ll be fine.” That doesn’t sound bad. Donna turns and starts talking to Myrna, pretty much dismissing me. I coughed shit up in the shower, so I know that worked for me.

Cassidy pushes my shoulder again and rolls her eyes. I kiss her cheek and stand. “I’ll be in the office.”

She’s smiling, so I make my feet move before I start hovering like a nanny. She won’t stay with me if I do everything but breathe for her. Marks, Waite and Benavides, are in here. My mind shifts from concern to rage in a split second. “Where’s Perez?”

They all stop and look back at me. “On his way here, Commander,” Benavides answers then goes back to typing.

“Waite, I need the Director.” I’m done being a spectator.

He swings around facing the monitor. “I’ll find him. Brice is due in tomorrow.”That’s all I need. If I can talk to the Director, maybe I can avoid Brice. “He’s at home, sir.”

Pulling my phone, I stop before turning. “What’s with the sir from everyone lately?” I ask Waite. He’s closer to me than the other men and doesn’t pull punches.

He laughs and I see Benavides’ head lower. “The obstacle course. You ran it perfect in the fastest time. The unit is impressed, sir.”

Shaking my head, I turn. “Because everyone else was laughing.”

“Excuses, Commander, just excuses for getting beat by the old guy,” he yells.

On the balcony, I make the call. He compliments the work we’ve been doing and my hand is signaling to move faster. I take a breath and relax showing him the respect he deserves then laying out the reason I called. He agrees that now the trial is over my team would be more effective working together under my command. He doesn’t see a problem with me having a relationship with Cassidy and protecting her but wants everything backed by video like we’ve been doing. As soon as he starts going on about the merits of the video back up for the cases we’ve closed, I know I’m golden. I ask about Brice and he’s canceling the meeting tomorrow. I’m so fucking glad I called.

Checking on Cassidy has me feeling relieved. She’s done breathing through the machine and is laughing without the cough. Agents are coming in with bags and I leave them to it.

Walking back into the office I’m glad to see Perez and update him. “The trial is over. The Bureau doesn’t have a problem with me running as long as we keep the video going. Make sure all reports have the supporting video. Waite, get the first-floor video up and running on my security feed with the perimeter.”

Waite spins and starts typing. Perez nods looking relieved. “I’ll get everything with the supporting video, Commander. Do you have cameras offline upstairs?”

“No, and I’m not putting them in up here. We can use a laptop or phone outside of the office.” Jesus, she’d never stay here with cameras running nonstop.

The rage that was eating me up earlier hits me again. “What have we got?”

Wheeler comes in and Ford is on the center screen from the office. We plan, splitting the off-cycle team and the Investigators to actually step out of the office and investigate. This will be new for me. I’ve been in meetings and had training with constitutional law and the procedures of collecting and storing evidence, but I’m not a lawyer or even close to one. I look at my men thinking my unit is set up perfect for what we need. Ops teams showed thinking we were in the explosion and Perez was right there to make sure procedure was followed for forensics at the scene. I don’t need to know it all, I just need to trust my men.