CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

The first warehouse was not in a prime industrial space. It was located on the outskirts of Baltimore in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the area. It felt as if it could be the place, but then again, why would an evidence warehouse be in this location?

“We picked the short fucking straw,” frowned Brix.

“There’s a cop car outside the place and lights on inside. It looks like an evidence warehouse, but damn. Baltimore needs to fund their shit a bit better,” said Garr. “Or the DEA.”

“I can’t imagine that this is it, but let’s watch and be sure,” said Alistair.

“Hey, Alistair, we meant what we said back there. We wish we would have known about you and Brittany,” said Brix.

“I know, brother. I was embarrassed, to be honest with you,” he said in a low voice so as not to be heard. “I admit that I was enjoying the sex and companionship. It bugged me that she never wanted to cook or stay in, but I just thought it was her wanting to be out when I was home. I should have picked up on the signs. Her place was always a mess. She wasn’t. She damn sure spent the time and money on herself, but not her place.”

“Lessons learned, man,” said Major. “But what about Clark? She’s fucking hot. Don’t tell Elena I said that.”

The others all chuckled, nodding at Alistair and Major. He had a strange look on his face and then turned to them.

“I think you’ll know what I’m saying but hear me out. I’ve never had trouble getting a woman’s attention before. I mean, I try to give all the signals to Clark, but nothing is happening.”

“What kind of signals?” asked Major.

“I don’t know. The signals. You know, like giving a head nod when she walks in the door of the cafeteria or a smile in the morning meeting.”

“Brother, those aren’t signals. Those are just gestures. Try being more direct with her,” smirked Brix. “She’s obviously fucking smart as shit, or she wouldn’t be flying for us. I mean, I watched her, and she’s every bit as good as Savannah, Evie, Doug, or Chipper.”

“I know that,” he nodded. “I can’t explain it. I’m not explaining it very well anyway. There’s something about her that I really like.”

“Try to explain,” asked Major.

“She’s put together. Always. Her clothes are neat, clean, pressed, fashionable without being ridiculous for an operative. I don’t know where she buys those fucking t-shirts, but damn, they hug every curve of her body in all the right ways. And her pants? It’s like they’re stretch pants, like tights or some shit, but they have these cute pockets strategically placed everywhere.

“And her hair? Her fucking hair is perfect. It’s like this perfect shade of blonde with these natural waves, but it never looks messy. It’s always pulled together just right. She has the greenest eyes. They remind me of the moss hanging from the cypress trees back home. Like a soft green, not deep.

“Her ass? Brother, don’t get me started on that damn ass,” he said, shaking his head.

“Okay, okay, we get it. She’s perfect. So why the fuck won’t you ask her to dinner?” said Garr.

“We work together.” The others tried to control their laughter, but it was difficult.

“We all fucking work together,” laughed Brix. “All of us. That never stopped anyone, damn sure not any of us. It won’t matter if she’s the one, brother.”

“I guess. I just don’t want to fuck it up. I’ve never felt like that before. You know what I mean? I don’t want this to be a fuck around and leave her situation. I don’t want it to be a one-night stand. I don’t know anything about her other than what I just told you because I get so fucking tongue-tied I can’t speak to her.”

“Alistair, relax, brother. She already likes you. We see the way she smiles back at you and waves when she walks by. She’s sending you signals as well. You’re just missing them,” smirked Major.

“What? When the fuck did that happen?”

“Shhh,” said Brix, nodding toward the door.

Another police car pulled up, and two officers got out, opening their trunks. They were laughing and grabbed two large plastic bins and then closed the trunk, knocking on the door.

“If I were a criminal, now would be when I jump their asses,” said Alistair.

The door opened, and the cop inside smiled, waving them inside. They waited patiently, watching for any signs of activity. Twenty minutes later, the two cops came out, got in their vehicle, and drove off.

“I don’t think this is our location,” said Brix.

“I don’t either, but we need to give it a little longer,” said Major. “The best we can hope for is that the others see something, and we can get there in time to help.”

“And what do we do with the seniors when we find them?” asked Garr. “I’m so conflicted by all of this. I’m struggling with what we’re going to do with them.”

“They have to be arrested, brother,” said Major. “The law is the law. We all agree that they were trying to do the right thing. It’s all so fucking shitty, and I can’t believe we haven’t changed the system. But it is the system, and until we can make it change, this is what we have. I’ll do my fucking job, as awful as that will make me feel, and we’ll try to help them in another way.”

“What about The Silencers?” asked Garr.

“They’re fair game. Those bastards have been doing all the wrong shit for decades now. Killing, trafficking, dealing in drugs, weapons, anything that would make them money. If they fire, do not hesitate to fire back.” Garr nodded.

“Roger that.”