“Thanks a lot, asshole.” Anubis mumbled. The room erupted with laughter. Lycos sat when Gabriel took his seat.
“There have been some changes to the organization recently, the majority of which pertain only to that portion which remains visible. However, as we evolve and our missions change, the Shadows are going to take on more and more responsibility. I plan on integrating some of the Shadows with teams. We have psychological reports which indicate what Shadows should be able to perform with a team and those who would not.” Gabriel shifted a folder from the middle of the table and pulled it toward him.
Lycos stared at Fury as Gabriel spoke. He couldn’t quite figure out why both he and Fury were here, but he’d let the situation play out.
“Additionally, Demos has tapped out. He is no longer available to recruit our Shadows.” Gabriel flipped open the folder and lifted a sheet of paper. Lycos leaned forward at that bit of information. Demos had rescued him—been his Guardian angel.
“We have built a complex in Arizona, the majority of which is destined to be similar to this ranch complex. It contains a small clinic that will remain relatively small, unlike the facility here. It also has enhanced training facilities and limited billeting. It will grow as needed. Fury has agreed to take on the responsibility of managing that complex. His wife, Dr. Ember King, has agreed to head up the medical facility.” Gabriel laid the paper in his hand down and pushed it to the side. He picked up another sheet of paper from the file.
Lycos spun in his chair and eyed his former colleague. “You’re confident there is no connection between your past and your present?”
Fury nodded. “The operative I was has long since been forgotten. Gabriel has kept close tabs on any loose ends who may have wanted Fury terminated. Life has a way of taking care of the refuse who may have known me. I’m confident enough to take my wife and child to Arizona.”
Lycos absorbed that information as he returned his attention to Gabriel. The man waited until all eyes were upon him again before he continued.
“At the Arizona complex, Fury will continue to ensure our Shadow architects are trained so our deep covers are ironclad. Facilities are now complete to ensure all official documentation can be duplicated in-house, without compromise.” He looked at Anubis. “The holographic machine was acquired?”
Anubis nodded. “Yes, sir. The Department of State will never know.”
Gabriel put the piece of paper he was holding on top of the other paper he had moved to the side. “That leaves the replacement for Demos.” Gabriel caught Lycos in a direct gaze.
Realization of what was being asked of him slowly slithered down his spine. “I’m not qualified.”
“Actually, you are exceptionally qualified.” Gabriel lifted a piece of paper from that damn folder. “The construct of this position requires massive research. All information required on each candidate will be gathered and provided to you by our intelligence section. However, each candidate requires an individual assessment. You have the time, the intelligence, schooling, and experience, to know what kind of person would make a good Shadow. Psychiatric evaluations happen after a candidate has been vetted by you. If, at any time, the evaluations of the candidate and your determination of suitability are in conflict, your determination will win out and the candidate will not proceed.”
Lycos leaned forward. “And by not proceed, you mean they are eliminated.”
Gabriel set the piece of paper down. He steepled his fingers and stared at all of them as he spoke. “Each one of you were vetted through this process. Each one of you committed crimes against this nation and its people. Each one of you had redeeming qualities. None of you—” Gabriel held each man in a steady gaze for several seconds before he spoke again “—would have survived. Your only hope to remain alive was incarceration in the criminal justice system. It’s more likely you would have died on the streets. Guardian saved each one of you from yourselves, and look at what you have now. You were once lost. Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind that becoming a Shadow saved your lives?”
Fury leaned forward. “I murdered the man who killed my father. The new sheriff, who took over from my dad’s old deputy, was tracking me down. He had uncovered evidence that my dad’s replacement suppressed. I would have been convicted of murder. Mississippi has the death penalty. No doubt. Demos and Guardian were my salvation.”
“Demos and Guardian took me from the streets moments before the FBI raided my home. My revenge against my father’s enemies had put me on their scope.” Anubis shrugged. “I was destined for death row for poisoning the Isadore crime family’s elite.”
Bengal looked at Lycos. “You know my story. You know what Gabriel said is true. Up on that mountain, you can sift through the volumes of information Guardian can push to you. You can narrow down the acceptable and eliminate the unacceptable. If you want, and if Gabriel will allow it, I will help you make the final call on the candidates. You don’t need me. We both know you are a fucking genius. You need to consider this, Lycos. Be Guardian’s contact with the people you evaluate as worthy. They will have a choice. Accept, or deal with the consequences of their crimes. All of us know that Demos saw us, truly saw us, for who and what we were. You have that capacity, Ryan. You can see the light in the darkness. We all recognize that ability in you. You were recommended for this position by me.”
“And me.” Anubis confirmed.
“You were my first choice.” Fury added.
“The position is yours to accept or reject. Of course, on occasion, the job will take you off your mountain.” Gabriel put all the papers back into the folder and shut the cover. “I’m sure you would like time to consider the ramifications and consequences of accepting a position of this nature.”
Lycos leaned back in his chair. “Was Demos ever detected? Did he have a family?”
Gabriel chuckled. “His fifth grandchild is entering high school this year. He’s decided his wife needs him at home full-time. She’s not quite as sure he needs to be home as he is.”
Anubis turned in his chair. “We have been monitoring your ripples. If there was any indication this assignment would place either you or Bethanie in danger, you would not have been approached.” He looked to Gabriel for confirmation.
“I will not lie to you. At this point, recruitment for the Shadows is low risk. However, the people you will recruit are volatile, scared, and some are backed into a corner. Defending yourself may be a very real possibility. Your skills would need to remain sharp and current, and that means training and quarterly evaluations. As we normally only recruit one to three Shadows a year, the majority of your efforts would be going through the list of possible recruits.”
Lycos leaned forward on his forearms and laced his fingers together as he stared at his wedding ring. “I appreciate the offer. I’ll think about it and talk to Bethanie. Not about specifics, of course, but about the possible travel.” He looked directly at Gabriel. “I’m not going to lie. If she agrees, I’m still going to hesitate to take this job. Demos was a lifesaver for many of us. I don’t know that I could fill his shoes.”
“I’m not asking you to fill his shoes, Lycos. I’m asking you to walk your own path. Demos selected carefully. I am certain your selections will be different. I expect the candidates you choose to have different attributes than those Demos looked for in the people he recruited. You have an advantage. You have walked as a Shadow, and you know what it takes to live in the darkness. Demos did not. He used his gut to make determinations on each of you. I’ll need to know your decision by the New Year. I hope you’ll take the assignment.” Gabriel took the folder and stood up. “But whatever the decision, I thank you for what you have done not only for Guardian but for our nation.” Gabriel extended his hand again.
Lycos stood and clasped the founder of Guardian Security’s hand. He looked into Gabriel’s eyes and knew in that moment he was going to accept. Yes, he’d talk to Bethanie, but if he could save one person from the ruinous trajectory his life had b
een on, then damn it, the safety concerns and travel off the mountain would be worth it.
Gabriel smiled and winked at Lycos before he spun and exited the room.
Lycos glanced at Fury. “Good luck in Arizona. I hope you didn’t bite off more than you can chew.”
“Well, if shit works out, I’ll see you around, regularly.” Fury rose and headed for the door. He tapped the door frame on his way out of the room. “And that, my friend, would be a good thing.”
Anubis and Bengal stood, motioning toward the door. Lycos strolled out in front of them and looked down the hall. “So, what’s the likelihood of Dixon and Drake showing me the plans for this facility?”
Anubis laughed and Bengal clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Dude, sign on to this job, and I’ll guarantee Dixon and Drake will bore you to tears with the details of this facility.”
He strolled toward the exit with two of the very few people who'd walked a mile in his shoes. The enticement of the building plans wasn’t necessary, but he’d make sure Anubis remembered that comment. He never imagined he’d go back to work for Guardian. His life, previously filled with death and desolation, had been saved by his wife and son. Maybe, just maybe, he could impact another man or woman in a positive way so they had a chance at a life that mattered, and perhaps, a life that could be filled with love.
Epilogue
Frank Marshall sat on his front porch swing, a tumbler of his best scotch in his hand. The radiant heaters blasted away the still cold of the South Dakota evening and cloaked the porch in warmth. He pushed the swing back and let it creak to and fro. The peace of the evening was a shattering difference to earlier in the day. He'd watched as his King family boarded aircraft and left for the east coast. He'd been up at zero dark thirty to say goodbye to Ethan, Ryan and Bethanie. That boy was a miniature Dixon or Drake, and sharper than a wet-stone honed switchblade. His mom was a sweet woman, and from all accounts, his new father was a man who was up to raising a boy that intelligent.
The front door opened. He nodded a greeting and motioned to the other swing.
Gabriel leaned back heavily into the cushions. "It was good to see everyone again. It’s been awhile."
"Glad you and Anna could drop by after having Christmas with your kids in New York. Sorry they couldn't make it this year. The crowd seemed smaller." Frank chuckled along with his friend. The crowd grew every year and he loved it.
"Gabbie had one day off before she had to travel for business. Time wouldn't allow us to get her to make her meeting if we came out here. Plus, the boys had to report back this morning. They were heading back to Tyndall Air Force Base. The little one? She's heading to Paris to study fashion design. This from a girl who wouldn't wear anything but jeans and t-shirts. Maybe next year." Gabriel paused and looked at the drink he carried. "I can't believe they are adults with careers. Seems like yesterday they were in diapers."
Frank grunted. "Had enough of those around here this year."
"Damn, see I know I should have brought Anna out sooner. She can't wait for grandchildren. I can." Gabriel chuckled and pushed the swing making it sway. "So, everyone made it home this year?"
“Yup.” He sipped his whiskey. "They made an effort because of my health. I was happy to give ‘em good news." He pointed at Gabriel. "I owe what's left of my life to you and your contacts."
Gabriel scowled and shook his head. "You'd have done the same thing for me."
"In a fucking heartbeat, my friend," he confirmed.
"You don't owe me shit. Besides, how many hours have we sat in these swings and discussed Guardian? Who else can I trust to share my frustrations, aspirations, and hopes with?"
"Anna." Frank watched his friend almost choke on his drink.
After he caught his breath, he muttered, "Besides her, idiot."
“From what you’ve told me, you're going to have your hands full. Guardian will be growing and changing. It is a rite of passage for those who survive."
"Just like eating an elephant." Gabriel conceded.
"One bite at a time." Frank pushed his swing again. "How are you going to do it?"
"Small, precision strikes. Death by a thousand cuts. Compact, quicker teams that get in and get out. Faster, more streamlined, and easier to move and position. My prayer is the blood doesn't spill past those who need to be eliminated."
Frank nodded. He watched Gabriel stare into his tumbler. Unease radiated off him in waves.
"I'm taking Joseph to Arizona." Gabriel met his concerned stare. "He's clean. No one is tracking him. Those who know his identity as anything other than Joseph King know he'd skin them alive if they talked. I feel confident I can set him and his family up in Arizona and take care of them."
Frank grunted. He had no doubt Gabriel could take care of Joseph, but that was a moot point, because Joseph could and would take care of his family and himself. "What do you have him doing there?"
"He'll be heading up the facility. What he's learned here will be invaluable as we work on our deep cover profiles. Ember will be in charge of the hospital. We have the operations center for our people connected to the one here. Necessity dictates we separate the training facilities. People in Joseph's old profession will be run through his facility. Keeping everything segmented is safer for all people concerned."
"So, what happens to the huge facility you just buried in my back pasture?"
Gabriel chuckled. "Oh, believe me, we are going to use it. Arizona will be for the newer Shadows, the ones still learning the ropes. This facility is for our key operators, for developing missions and working the logistics with the key players instead of just inserting our assets into agendas we force on them."
"Trust but verify. Checks and balances." Frank nodded. He got it. Gabriel was playing his cards the way he would if it were up to him. If an enemy were to find a way into Guardian's ranks, a centralized location for all assets would make that complex a target.
"Indeed." Gabriel leaned forward. "Challenges await us. With the King family at the helm of Guardian, I'm free to concentrate on those burdens. I could use a confidential assistant. A man with experience, common sense, and who will call a pile of bullshit exactly what it is. Officially."
Frank cocked his head at Gabriel. "Officially, as in working for you?"
"No. Never. You'd work with me."
"What about your sons and daughters?"
"The boys aren't quite ready to assume that type of responsibility. The girls have no interest in Guardian."
"Huh." Interesting. This time, Gabriel didn't deny that those twin boys of his would play a role in the company. Usually, he said they were happy serving their country in the military.
"I assume that grunt meant yes."
“I won't leave my ranch." He was born on this soil. He'd die here.
"I wouldn't ask you to. I want Chief to outfit your office with the latest in tech. I want to be able to call you and use you as a filter and a sanity check. Jason, Jacob, Jared, and Jewell are spun up and running their divisions. Nic and Jade are doing remarkably well with the PSO division. Joseph has Arizona. Chief has the ranch. I have Kent Armstrong in Human Resources and damned if the man isn't a recruiting machine. The twins and Jillian are my foundational engineers, but I need someone who knows the direction I want my organization to go. Yeah, I have the wills and estate planning done, but Guardian is my baby. If I were to die tomorrow, nobody would know what my plans are or why I’m heading that direction. Mind you, I have no intention of dying. I have a clean bill of health, but for my mental health, I want a person I have absolute trust in to talk to, work things through with, and who will be a voice of reason. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and I am not immune. Besides, I need my friend, and you, my friend, fucking scared the shit out of me this year."
He nodded. He'd scared the shit out of everyone, including himself. "I'll do it, but not as a paid position. Keelee and Smith run the ranch. We have hands who do the heavy lifting. I'll be available for you; let you know when I won't be. I c
an't put Amanda at risk, or any of the grandchildren. My kids are well aware of the risks of their professions, so I'm not worried about them."
"That will work for me. Now, let's go inside before Anna and Amanda have us booked on some cruise around the world." Gabriel stood up and stretched.
"I wouldn't mind that too much. Except for the water."
"Sharks." Gabriel nodded.
"Hurricanes." Frank added.
"Pirates."
He stood and finished his drink. "Icebergs."
"We sound like the boys." Gabriel chuckled.
"Hell, man, I'm still a kid inside this old man's body. Walking by the mirror still shocks the hell out of me.”
"Ain't that the truth." Gabriel chuckled and elbowed him before he headed into the house. "Too bad we can't show those young ones what we were like in our prime."
He grunted. No one would believe them. He headed toward the switch to kill the heaters. The light glow from the machines faded into darkness. He looked up at the multitude of stars in the heavens and smiled. He'd been granted a longer stay on this Earth. He remembered praying hard, bargaining with the Big Guy above, begging for more time. A fresh, healthy start was far better than he could have hoped for. He could make an impact, so he'd work hard at making this country and the world a better place for his children and their kids. After all, he was a Guardian. Again.
Also by Kris Michaels
Kings of the Guardian Series
Jacob: Kings of the Guardian Book 1
Joseph: Kings of the Guardian Book 2
Adam: Kings of the Guardian Book 3
Jason: Kings of the Guardian Book 4
Passages (The Kings of Guardian Book 13) Page 11