He was born to play in the minds of madmen.
“Yes, I am. When we were in Salem, we had some rough spots. I have some anger issues but with Doctor Gaines’s help, I’m working through them. I appreciate you sending her to FBI West.”
“For my family, I don’t mind.”
Ethan decided to tell Gabe the news, since Elizabeth didn't drop the bomb yet. “We’re expecting again.”
Gabe grinned as he jumped out of his seat. He was around the desk and hugging his friend.
It caught Ethan off guard. This was new. The ‘Dragon Slayer’ wasn’t one to hug it out.
Maybe he had lost his mind.
“You tell Lyzee that I’m so damn happy for her. You have to be thrilled. Is the baby yours or Callen’s?”
“This one is mine, and I’m over the moon. We just found out that we’re having a girl but keep it quiet, or she’ll kick your ass.”
He laughed before returning to his seat. “Yeah, I’m well aware. It looks like you’re keeping your promise of giving me a run for my money. Although, you had help so that’s cheating.”
Ethan laughed. “I’m only two behind now. I’ll catch up.” Or so he hoped. His wife seemed pretty adamant that this was the end of the baby making. Now, if he could change her mind, he would. As far as he was concerned, there was more room in his tribe. Who knew he’d love kids? Now, he only wished that he’d met his wife years earlier. They could have a brood by now.
“I’m so happy for you! I can’t believe that Livy doesn’t know!”
“Elizabeth wanted you to tell her. It’s not something you do over the phone, and my wife figured she’d toss you a bone for being so protective the last few months.”
He didn't mind in the least. “I’m proud of you, Ethan. You came back against something which the strongest don’t survive.”
There was no doubt in his mind why he made it. His wife and brother were the only reasons. Not once did they ever give up on him. Even in his darkest moments, when he had given up, they stood for him.
Without them, he’d be dead.
Ethan’s phone chimed, but he opted to ignore it. He could tell it was Callen. If it was an emergency, he’d call.
“Your report from the doctor said you’re all in therapy together. How’s that working?”
Blackhawk laughed. “It’s weird. I don’t like talking about my sex life, but it’s helping us heal. I trust Doctor Gaines. She’s genuinely a nice woman.”
He agreed. “Yeah, please tell me she blushes when you three start up. I’ve known Callista for a while, and she’s hard to rattle.”
Ethan grinned wickedly. “She doesn’t, but there are moments when Elizabeth gets her going. They’ve become close, so she considers her fair game. You know Lyzee only busts those she loves the most.”
Gabe knew that for a fact.
“I want to talk about your anger issues.”
Ethan tensed. This was something he was working very hard on. He knew he was prone to outbursts of rage, and it wasn’t easy to keep them locked away.
But he was trying.
“What can I do to help you? I have to be honest. I got a report from the tech you shit-canned. She complained that you were unfair and playing favorites in the field.”
He went dead serious. “When have I ever done that, Gabe? That woman wasn’t doing the job. She was over her head and flailing around like a fish out of water. When she told me she couldn’t do it, she was done. If I didn't drop the ax, you think Lyzee would have been kinder? In fact, she’s the tech who ignored Elizabeth’s warning and fell into the underwater sinkhole. My wife had to save her ass.”
Gabe knew his friend. This part of the conversation was just a test to see if he’d explode. He was satisfied. “I trust your judgment. Now, once more, what can I do to help with the anger?”
Blackhawk thought about it. “There’s nothing anyone can do. Right now, it’s about me staying focused on work and doing my job. I’ve found that the more normal the day, the better I am in rough situations. Elizabeth and Callen help me though the rest.”
For the longest time, Gabe honestly believed that Ethan would be lost to the emotions. Doctor Gaines was just about ready to pull the plug on his career, but Gabe wanted to give Ethan the benefit of the doubt.
He deserved it.
After all, he gave the FBI his life as a profiler and was a good man. Elizabeth wouldn’t have fallen for anyone who wasn’t sterling in her book.
“I noticed that Callen has been sticking close,” Gabe offered.
“Yeah, he has, but as you can see, he’s out in the field right now. We’re back and as strong as ever, Gabe. I wish I could give you more to reassure you, but it’s all I have right now.”
It would do. Not once did he sense a lie or falsehood. Ethan Blackhawk was playing straight with him, and that meant everything to Gabe.
“What else did you call me here for?” Ethan asked, hoping to change the subject. As much as he was proud of his recovery, the idea of talking about it still went against his nature. Ethan cherished his privacy.
Especially when it came to his personal life.
“I guess we can get down to business. I think that the old Ethan is back and in control again.”
Just then, Blackhawk’s phone rang. Glancing down, he knew he needed to take it. A text and a call from Callen within so short a time frame was likely an emergency.
“Go ahead,” Gabe offered, leaning back. It would allow him the opportunity to watch his director in action. After all, he was responsible for the man.
“Cal, what’s up? It better be important. I’m in a meeting,” he said.
“Ethan, we have a big problem. The Natives dug up some unmarked graves on their land, and we have four bodies.”
Blackhawk glanced up at his boss and knew he needed to let him in on it. After all, he was the head honcho. Putting it on speaker, he placed it on the desk.
“Cal, Gabe is here with me. How about you start at the beginning? What’s going on there?”
There wasn’t any hesitation. Callen began sharing all the details. He began with the bodies, telling them about the smell and concluding with the way they were buried outside the church cemetery wall. When he finished, Callen waited for some insight into what to do.
“That’s really bizarre,” Gabe admitted.
“Yeah, but what’s worse is that they’re wrapped up like mummies. There are little strips of fabric tied around the bodies and knotted in place.”
“Can you send a picture?” Ethan asked, hoping he was still there.
Callen pulled his tablet out of his messenger bag and took some shots of the first hole. Then, he transmitted it, hoping Ethan and Gabe would give him a jumping off point. He’d never seen mummies in the field before.
It was freaking him out.
“Check your email. It should be arriving,” he suggested.
Before long, Gabe’s beeped. Ethan moved around the desk to examine the pictures. When they opened, neither man could believe it. They indeed did have mummies.
“I didn't get any closer,” stated Callen. “I didn't want to ruin any more evidence.”
The two men studied the hastily taken pictures. “You have a killer,” Gabe finally admitted. “Are you going to be able to handle that, Callen?” he asked. While he had the utmost assurance in Elizabeth and Ethan, their partner was a little of a wild card yet. He was damn good at being a liaison, but his field skills had yet to be tested alone.
“Well, I can lie and say yes, but I’ve already got four bodies, and they’ve been compromised by the men who dug them up. I may need some help on this one.”
Ethan agreed. “This is a huge show to run. I don’t think he should do it by himself. Who knows how many more bodies are scattered all over that place?” In his gut, he knew what that meant. While he didn't like the idea of Elizabeth in the field, he was more wary about her being at home alone. After all, Patrick Parrish had stalked them to their sanctuary. Who was to say that so
meone else wasn’t doing the same thing? While he was trapped at Quantico for the next couple of days, he wanted to make sure his wife was protected. His father was an okay watchdog, but Callen would be an even better choice. Like him, the man would throw himself in front of a train for their woman.
Gabe thought about it.
As his boss pondered it, Ethan began saying a silent prayer. Callen had proved his ability to watch over their wife. If anything, he’d earned his trust.
“Are you both okay with Elizabeth going in to help?” Gabe asked. “She’s pregnant and just finished a case less than a month ago. I don’t want to force her into the field if you both think she’s too stressed.”
That omission alone from Gabe was startling. He wasn’t the ‘Dragon Slayer’ for nothing. The man took no prisoners and didn't really give a rat’s ass if you were worried. His motto was, ‘Do your job or find another one’.
No excuses were tolerated.
Callen thought about it. “I’m scared shitless whenever she’s in the field, but that’s the element of the beast with her.”
Ethan agreed. His wife was a wild card at any given moment. “I’d rather her be with one of us than home alone. I trust Wyler, but he’s a sixty year old man. What exactly can he do to keep her safe? He’s busy running roughshod over our kids.”
Gabe thought about it. “Since your office is above production, your paperwork is all in, and you’re making me look good, I say bring her in. I happen to have an anthropologist who specializes in bodies being dug up. She did a stint in Egypt and will get a kick out of this one.”
Both men paused. It wasn’t like Gabe to be this easy going. There had to be a catch. This was like the calm right before the storm capsized your boat, killing everyone onboard.
“Why don’t we use our own anthro?” asked Callen.
Ethan already knew the answer to that. “Tony is on vacation starting tomorrow. He’s been working non-stop for the last nine months. This is the first vacation he’s requested, and we can’t ask him to cancel his trip. Let me rephrase that. I won’t ask him to.”
Gabe grinned. “See, you can borrow my new one.” Yeah, and train her to be efficient. It wasn’t like he couldn’t use some ‘in the field training’ for the woman. She was good, but as green as the grass.
“Thanks, Gabe,” Ethan offered. “Can you send her to Callen ASAP? If we have four bodies, then we need to get them out of the ground and into a facility.”
That was easy. “I’ll send her now. She’ll beat Elizabeth and her team there.”
Callen cleared his throat. “Shouldn’t we ask Elizabeth if she wants to do this assignment before we assume that she’s up for it? I mean, she’s pregnant and that’s a hit or miss.”
Ethan agreed. “You can ask her. I’ll help Maggie get the files together for you on our borrowed anthropologist and the Black Mountain Reservation.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Callen answered.
“I’ll be heading there as soon as I’m done in Quantico, Cal. Just hang in there and run it. You’re doing a good job,” he reassured.
Gabe laughed. “Umm, three directors? I don’t recall clearing all of you to be there.”
Ethan fixed the knot in his tie and said nothing at first. He knew this was a delicate dance he had to do. “I personally think that I should be there to supervise. Let’s look at the last few assignments. They took all three of us, and when we closed them, you looked really good, right? I wouldn’t want your shiny reputation to be marred by a slip up.”
He stared at his director. “Well played, Ethan. I’m going to take that total bullshit as a promise from you that it’s going to be closed, and fast.”
Blackhawk took his seat before brushing a piece of lint from his tailored suit. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Callen is excellent with handling the Native issues, Elizabeth is amazing with putting it all together, and I have been known to toss out a good profile now and again.”
“That’s great, Ethan, because if you don’t keep delivering in the field, you won’t be going out again as a threesome. That little adventure will need to remain in your bedroom.”
Callen stared at his phone in shock. He didn't have a lot of experience with Gabriel Rothschild, but he didn't think the man would be that blunt.
Great.
No pressure on his shoulders now.
Ethan understood. If they couldn’t do the job, they wouldn’t be allowed the leeway. “I hear what you’re saying, but I would like to point one thing out.”
Gabe waited for it.
“We have a relatively new ME, our head lab tech-number five is brand new too, and you’re giving us your anthro. That’s three newbies in the field. It’s going to take each of us to make sure this is coordinated perfectly. I’ll take the head tech, Lyzee will likely ride the ME, and that leaves the new bone doctor for Callen. If we were working with our old team, it could be pulled off with only two of us.”
“Excellent maneuvering, Director,” Gabe said with pride. Yeah, the reports were right. Ethan Blackhawk was on his game once more. “Your wife’s trickiness is wearing off on you. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you. Now, someone needs to notify the team and get them in the air. A drive would take too long, especially if there are bodies in the ground. We need to get the scene contained now.”
“I’ll clear the jet. Have at it, team.”
Callen was glad his brother could pull this one off. “On it, bosses,” he said, disconnecting the call. He needed to make sure it was run perfectly until his partner could get out there. Then, he would gratefully pass it off.
When the call was disconnected, Ethan stared at his boss. “Are we done with your test now?”
He laughed uproariously. “Am I that transparent?”
Blackhawk merely lifted a dark brow. “Well, how did I do?”
Gabe leaned back in his chair to grin at his friend. “Apparently, you’re back and ready to pick up where you were before Patrick Parrish.”
At the mention of his abductor’s name, he didn't even flinch.
Kudos for him.
“I guess I am.”
“Good, let’s get back to what I wanted to discuss with you.”
Ethan pulled out his tablet to make notes. “I’m ready.”
“I hope you are, because something big is coming. We’re going to take a leap of faith on this one.”
That intrigued Ethan. Generally, the FBI was all numbers, charts, and rules. They didn't really do leaps of anything. “What is it?”
Gabe got up, locked his door, and pulled the blinds.
Immediately, Ethan went on alert. “What’s with the secrecy?”
Taking his seat, Gabe stared into the man’s eyes. What he planned on dropping on him was going to be the FBI’s biggest endeavor yet. “I have one word for you, Ethan.”
He waited for it.
“Oracle.”
Blackhawk wasn’t quite sure why that single word sounded so ominous, but it did. Something big was definitely on the horizon, and he had a feeling he wasn’t going to escape it.
Not this time.
* * *
FBI West
Working for the FBI had moments of excitement, fear, and boredom all rolled into one. When Elizabeth was out in the field, there were times she longed to be back in-house where it was safe. Now, she wished that she was anywhere but there in her office.
Paperwork was the bane of her existence.
Doing it all alone simply sucked.
As she arrived that morning, she’d already said goodbye to Ethan and Callen. One was heading to Quantico and the other off to a mediation case. She’d been left alone with the three kids, her father-in-law, and their housekeeper.
Normally, she loved being at Fort Blackhawk/Whitefox, but as of the last couple days, there was tension in their home. It was so damn thick that she could cut it with a knife.
Wyler was on edge.
Bly was cranky.
Even the dogs were off the
ir game.
Generally, Wyler was a private person, keeping his feelings to himself. Yet today, he looked like he wanted to say something.
Only, he didn't.
That put her on edge.
Now, she was sitting behind her desk, running the first meeting of the day. The people in her office were a nervous wreck. Yeah, she had a reputation for being difficult, only because she expected the best. If she had to give one hundred and ten percent, then they should too. It wasn’t like she expected anything more than what she was willing to give of herself.
Before her sat the new ME, Doctor Zane Legend, and he was a bit of an enigma. While her buddy, Doctor Chris Leonard, was off on his honeymoon getting his lovin’ on, Zane was in charge of the chaos.
So far, he was doing a good job, but Elizabeth wasn’t ashamed to say that she missed Christopher. After working with him in the field for years, and now in the office, she was accustomed to his idiosyncrasies. He liked to joke, make light of a morbid situation, and cheer up everyone around him. Doctor Legend was a watcher, much like her husband. He was quiet, introverted, and also very Native.
Unfortunately for him, she saw right through his façade. There were moments when he’d slip and the team would see the real him. On occasion, while working, he would crack a joke, realize what he’d done, and then clam up.
She didn't get why. It wasn’t like she didn't let the team have free reign of their space. As long as the work was spot on, the Blackhawks let them have at it. Yet with Doctor Legend, it was like he was studying them, unsure what to think.
Yeah, Elizabeth needed to crack that nut.
The quiet was getting old. She wanted to be able to have a good working relationship with her team. When you dug through the bowels of death all day long, you needed some humor, maybe a prank, or at least some fake vomit.
Anything would be relished at this point.
Elizabeth wasn’t worried. She’d crack him yet. It was just a matter of time.
Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9) Page 3