by Carolina Mac
“Uh huh,” said Blaine. He gave Jesse a glance and saw the slight nod of his partner’s head. “You look like a good fit to me, Mr. Forget.” To Farrell: “Take him to Lil’s office and get started on his paperwork while Jesse and I talk to the next customer.”
“Yes, sir, boss.” Farrell loped across the room and shook Lane Forget’s hand. “Guess that means y’all got hired.”
“Couldn’t be happier. Read everything about this team and it’s my first choice in the whole state of Texas.” He grinned. “Dream job.”
The third dude was a young Hispanic named Pablo Acosta. About five feet ten, stocky and strongly built with a military haircut, he was twenty-eight years old and Lil had chosen him because he’d just completed seven years in the army—the last three as an army Ranger.
Blaine reached across the desk and shook Pablo’s hand after Lil had done the introductions. “Army Ranger,” said Blaine. “Great training.”
He had a brilliant smile. Dark complexion like Blaine. “Happy I made the cut. Been home for three weeks and I’m about done with the down time.”
Blaine had his phone on mute, but it vibrated on the desk next to him and he checked the screen.
Perry Leighton.
“Sorry. I’ve got to take this.” He held up a finger and walked over to the wall of windows on the far side of the room. “Mr. Leighton?”
“You were right about Thompson, Blaine, and that is one twisted customer. I’m thinking of availing myself of your services again. Could Major Bristol provide security for me starting Monday morning?”
“Of course, sir. I’ll arrange it and have him call you over the weekend to see how you want to set it up.”
Leighton blew out a breath. “I feel better already, and I know my wife will be pleased. She worries.”
Blaine ended the call and jogged across the room to his desk. “Sorry about that, Mr. Acosta.” He glanced at Jesse who’d been unusually silent, and Jesse moved over and perched on the edge of Blaine’s desk.
“I don’t think we can afford to pass on Mr. Acosta. We were only looking for one man right now, but we’ve had injuries from time to time that left us short and it won’t hurt to have a strong team member like this fellow to fall back on.”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” said Blaine. He reached across the desk and shook Pablo’s hand. “Let’s get you started with Lil and then you can meet the rest of the team.”
Pablo smiled. “Didn’t know what my chances were with me being Latino and all.”
“Hey,” said Blaine, “three of us now.” He pointed, “You, me and Carm.” Blaine escorted Pablo down the narrow hallway to Lil’s office and opened the door.
She looked up and smiled. “Almost finished with Lane. Got another customer for me?”
“I do,” said Blaine. “A Seal and a Ranger. I think we lucked out.”
“We’re the lucky ones,” said Lane. “Coming on board with y’all.”
Pablo nodded and obediently sat in the chair Lil was pointing her Sharpie at.
Blaine’s cell jangled. “Chief, what’s up?” Both new guys turned their heads.
“Write down this address,” said Chief Calhoun.
“Lil, write this down,” said Blaine, then repeated the address the Chief gave him. “Say the apartment number again?”
“Twenty-four twelve. Sienna and Bartley Churchill.”
Blaine repeated it and Lil nodded as she got it down.
“Which one’s dead?” asked Blaine.
“Her,” said the Chief.
“Leaving now, is Mort on the way?”
“Already gone with Sue and her team.” Blaine waved his arm at the two new recruits. “Finish that later. We’re up.”
“Do you want Travis and Fletch to meet you there?” asked Lil.
“Where are they?”
“At the range.”
“No, Fletch needs time there. He’s skittish since he got shot. Jesse can come with and we’ll get a read on the scene first, then see who we need.”
“Where’s Jesse going?” he asked as he stepped out of the office.
“High profile shooting downtown.”
“Happened in the middle of the day?” asked Jesse.
Blaine shrugged and waved to Farrell in the kitchen. “Chief said it wasn’t an hour old.”
Farrell trudged out of the kitchen, cowboy hat on and reflector shades. “Am I going to this party?”
“We all are.”
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