All the King's Henchmen

by Morgan Kelley

  “Well, we start there. We have to dig into this. When I talk to the Senator this morning, if she’s married or dating, I’ll investigate him too.”

  “I want to talk to him—not if the senator has a significant other. I meant Scott,” she stated. “I know him, and I’ll be able to tell if he’s lying. We dated a whole year before it happened. We were close.”

  She could do that.

  Elizabeth would give that to her.

  When someone cleared their throat, they all glanced over. Noah was smiling.

  “Yes?”

  “I found the reporter who originally released the story,” Noah stated.

  “Wow! Someone is working ahead before I even went there. Way to be on the ball.”

  He owned it.

  “Well, boss, the bigger boss, the double D, asked me to do it.”

  She lifted a brow.

  “The double D?”

  “There are a lot of directors in the room. There’s Callen, the director, and you, the director, and Alex, the wannabe porn director.”

  She laughed.

  Alex flipped his partner off.

  “Asshole.”

  Noah winked at him.

  “Very well. You’ve made your point. We can call him double D, but you’re obligated to make him blush with some bullshit story about why you’re calling him that. That’s half the fun,” she stated.

  “It is, Miss Kitty,” Chris said from the autopsy table.

  She snorted.

  “Touché.”

  “Anyway, boss lady, he asked me to do it for you. He said something about wanting to handle that one personally when I found it. So I wasn’t really telling you but giving you a heads-up that I have to pass that off to him.”

  Callen was amused.

  “Callen James, is something tickling your fancy? It had better tickle mine, too, or I’m going to hurt you.”

  He opened his mouth.

  “Don’t do it, Callen James.”

  He understood.

  “I was just thinking about revenge. We were talking about someone committing mass murder, well, it’s going to be a bloodshed when Ethan gets his hands on that reporter.”

  Oh, she was aware.

  “God help that reporter.”

  At least Elizabeth didn’t have to be the one to do the tormenting this time. She had a million other things, and quite a few people to make miserable.

  “Go for it,” she stated.

  “MATE, call the Deputy Director,” Noah stated, using the tech in the room.

  His face came on the big screen.

  “You rang?”

  She took over.

  “Two questions, Ethan.”

  “Shoot,” he said.

  “You wanted the reporter’s name, correct?” she asked, knowing him.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you going to kill the person? I have too much on my plate to investigate you for murder.”

  He laughed.

  “Then it looks like I’m going to be getting off scot-free. Aren’t I the lucky one? Unless this was a way of trapping me beforehand with witnesses.”

  Yeah, she knew better.

  “I lied.”

  He lifted a black brow.

  “Oh, well, this whole conversation took an ugly turn of events.”

  She snorted.

  “I meant I lied that there were only two questions. I actually have one more.”

  Ethan was good with that.

  “Yes?”

  “It’s an informal poll. If we were dating, I was raped, and you found out about the rape, would you go after the man?”

  He laughed.

  “Is this a test to see how homicidal I could possibly become if someone touched my woman?”

  That answered her question.

  “Part B. Would you do it six years later if it destroyed our relationship?”

  He thought about it.

  “I would. If you were the best thing that ever happened to me, and I was madly in love, yes. I would go after the person, destroy them, and make them pay. I don’t believe there is a statute of limitations on hate.”

  Harmony sighed, and that had his full attention. His wife was going somewhere with that.

  “Care to share?”

  She told him about her angle. She brought up the possibility that there might have been someone in the senator’s life, and that Harmony’s ex might have a vendetta.

  The whole time, it fit for him.

  “In my updated profile, that would work. The killer is going to have that avenging angel mentality. We’re talking justice for the one who couldn’t fight for themselves. That would totally fit.”

  Yeah, she’d read it last night while they were eating cold Chinese.

  “I’m just giving you a heads-up that I’m taking the case in that direction.”

  He wasn’t surprised that his wife had landed on her feet and was ready to go with another angle.

  “It’s a good direction, baby. Revenge is best served cold, and if you really think about it, it’s perfect. If it were me, I would have time to plot, plan, and then look like the least possible suspect. Who would possibly take it back six years to that crime?”

  “I would.”

  “Which is why this person leaked it. No one wants you riding ass, baby. You’re tenacious. I have no doubt that whoever spilled it to the media wanted you out of the way and knew Gabe would lose it.”

  Chris and Callen raised their hands at the same time when he said, ‘no one wants you riding ass’.

  “I like when she…,” Callen began.

  She pointed at him.

  “I will hurt you both.”

  They both shut up but were smiling like lunatics. It made it hard for her to keep a straight face.

  “Can we talk about this reporter?” Elizabeth stated. “What are you planning to do?”

  “Who is it, Noah?” he asked.

  “Don’t tell him…”

  Before she could stop him from saying the person’s name, Noah gave it up.

  “It’s Suri Collins. She works for Channel Fifty-Three News, and she dropped the story.”

  She sighed.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Now he’s going to sashay his sexy ass over there, scare a reporter, and somehow make this a mess. He’ll look heroic, and I’m going to look like a nut bag in the end.”

  He laughed.

  “Your faith in me is astounding.”

  “You know they will be all over you the second you leave the office.”

  Oh, he was aware.

  Only, he didn’t care.

  “Gabe and I have a road trip, so I’ll bring him with me. That should make you feel better.”

  She stared at him.

  “Are you shitting me? That makes me feel a million times worse! The two of you are going to…”

  He cut her off.

  “I love you, wife. I’m a lucky man to have you. You are the reason I live, and you look sexy with that pissed off grimace on your face. Be safe.”

  Her heart skipped.

  The whole team giggled at how she flushed from the heated look he gave her. Christina fanned herself.

  “Jesus! GO rule the FBI kingdom! You’re a sexy menace, and you know it!”

  “Be safe today,” he said, winking at her. “I have your back,” he reminded her.

  Then he was gone.

  “That’s so hot,” Christina muttered. “I love me some Native sexiness. He melts every woman’s brain when he gives that look.”

  She snorted.

  “And like I said, he knows it. I didn’t marry him in four days because I liked his choice in clothing. Can the man wear anything but black?”

  Callen snorted.

  “Uh, no.”

  Elizabeth gave up.

  “What are our marching orders?” Alex asked. “What do you want us to do today?”

  She thought about it.

  “Well, Ethan will be hunting down a reporter, so I’m going
to talk to the senator and track down a stripper. If Ginger Snap, or Sugar Baby—as she liked to also be called, was killed because of this mess, it’s imperative we find the president’s other plaything. There’s a good chance that she’s in danger. We know her first name and that she likes to work the pole.”

  Oh, Callen was getting that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He knew where this was heading.

  Déjà vu.

  “Pray tell what is going on in your mind? How are we going to track down a stripper?” Callen asked.

  “We’re going to visit a few strip clubs and ask around. Someone will know her name.”

  “Oh, Christ,” he muttered.

  Ivan too.

  That made her laugh.

  “Oh, suck it up, buttercups. You can handle some tits and ass. It’s not like I’m going to tell your significant others,” she teased.

  Callen laughed. It looked like he was off the hook when it came to this one.

  Ivan…

  Up to that moment, Ivan had blended in. Now, he was not blending so much.

  “Seriously? Do you want to derail my wedding?” he asked. “Blue is NOT going to be amused.”

  And that was NOT her issue.

  “What happened two days ago? Oh, I know. I was abducted. If you think it’s advisable to sit outside those strip clubs…”

  He stopped her.

  “Listen up, Sheriff of Notingclue, I’m riding with you on this mess. You’ll have to explain to my fiancée why I have glitter on my lap.”

  She snorted.

  “Oh, well, that sounds like my job, Friar Fu…”

  “Elizabeth!” Callen stated, stopping her before she crossed that line.

  She snorted.

  “You got lucky, or you will in the strip clubs.”

  He growled at her.

  Elizabeth looked at her team.

  “We have a few more people to interview, so, Alex, hit up Tiegan Blackett. Make sure you find out what she knew, and what’s going down. I don’t buy that her Secret Service fingers aren’t all over this.”

  “I’ll handle it,” he stated, grabbing his things.

  “Noah, since we’re backlogged, handle Alfie. I can’t even look at her. I’ll punch her in the face so hers matches mine,” she stated, pointing at her healing lip and makeup covered black eye.

  “On it, boss lady. I’ll punch her for you.”

  She laughed.

  “You are my favorite. Never doubt that, Noah.”

  He grinned when Alex scowled at him and muttered teacher’s pet under his breath.

  “Harmony and Max, handle Scott Rogers. I need you to be objective, Harmony. If he’s involved, that’s on him—not you.”

  She understood.

  “I know where to find him. I know the area he works. He’ll be on patrol. From what I’ve heard from mutual friends, he’s still a beat cop.”

  Elizabeth marked that off her mental list.

  There were only three people left.

  “Chrissy, I know you worked late and then came back in early for this morning’s meeting, but how’s the trace?”

  She smiled.

  “Good?” Elizabeth asked.

  “No, but I once read if you delivered shit news with a smile, people didn’t get angry.”

  Great.

  That just added to the day.

  “What did you find?”

  “Nothing yet, boss lady. Wow! You look radiant today. No one works a busted lip like you.”

  She snorted.

  “Nice try. Get processing.”

  Christina didn’t hesitate for a single second. She dove in, trying to find something. She only hoped that at some point, something would turn up.

  For Elizabeth’s sanity sake.

  “Christopher, I need you and Doctor Duncan to find me something while you do this autopsy. I need to know if our killer left anything behind.”

  “We’ll have something for you, sweetness. Be careful out there, okay?”

  She smiled at him.

  “You know me.”

  He laughed.

  “Oh, I am well aware. Remember the Tunnel of Love killer?” he asked.

  She snorted.

  “Oh, how could I forget?”

  “So, again, Elizabeth, be careful.”

  They headed out, but before she did, she placed a bite-sized candy bar by his coffee cup and then leaned into him to whisper in his ear.

  “For my sweetness.”

  He winked at her.

  “I love you both,” he whispered back.

  Callen and Ivan escorted her out, leaving one doctor with a problem, and one confused.

  “What does she expect us to find?” Dalia asked. “We can only do so much.”

  Chris disagreed. They’d been down this road a few times, and during most of those cases, there had definitely been something for him to find.

  It would be there.

  They had a meat puzzle, and they would compare them. In those differences, that’s where he found most of the answers.

  And he would do his part.

  Now, for his bigger problem.

  There was no one to unwrap his candy bar. He was covered in dead hooker.

  Crap.

  Chapter Eleven

  News Station

  Wednesday

  Seven Forty-Five

  W hen they got there, it was sheer pandemonium going on all over the place. There were reporters scattered about, trying to get confirmation on the story. Since they were also going to be heading to the White House for a colossal ass chewing, next, they would get this handled for Elizabeth.

  Allowing her anywhere near a reporter now would be a huge mistake with likely very bad consequences. While she was worried about him doing something bad, they all knew who the real menace was.

  HER.

  “Thank you for joining me for our trip to the White House,” Gabe stated.

  “Uh huh,” Ethan said, refusing to look over at him. If he did, he might lose his cool.

  Gabe’s earlier stunt still had him seeing red.

  “Are you still pissed?” he asked him as they stayed in the limo until security handled the situation outside their ride.

  “Yes.”

  “I was frustrated.”

  “We all are.”

  Gabe laughed.

  “I’m going to be fifty-eight this year, and I can’t imagine how this country keeps running. The president is having sex with hookers, his wife is banging the head of the US Marshals, and someone is beating people to death to cover it all up.”

  Ethan let him talk.

  “I hate what this country has become.”

  “We’re working on it,” he stated. “Elizabeth will handle it. I have faith in her. I know what she can do.”

  “When the vice president called me, it caught me off guard. I’m sorry I rode your wife’s ass.”

  Ethan cut him a break.

  They were all on edge.

  Besides, there was no doubt that they were going to get their asses chewed at some point by the vice president. They might as well have a unified front.

  “I forgive you.”

  Gabe relaxed.

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you want to stay here while I head in?” Ethan asked, pointing at the news station.

  Was he kidding?

  Seriously?

  “Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Gabe stated. “I want to see you kill someone. Homicide by proxy sounds like a good pre-cursor to the clusterfuck right after at the White House.”

  He laughed.

  “I plan on staying calm. She doesn’t need me stressing her out even more with my meddling.”

  “Yeah, well, a man has to dream.”

  From their perspective sides, they headed out of the limo when Wilcox and Raphael gave them the okay. Together, side by side, they headed into the news station.

  Their presence stopped everything.

  In fact, there was an unholy silence
that surrounded them. To Ethan, it was like the calm before the feeding frenzy. There was no doubt it was coming.

  The news director headed their way, a smile on his face, and that look in his eyes.

  Yep.

  Here it came.

  “Directors…”

  Ethan shut him down. If he allowed him to give his spiel, he’d never reel it back in.

  “We need to see the person who is responsible for this jackassery,” he said, not bothering to tell them anything else. Why should he? They’d know what he meant.

  There weren’t many reasons why Gabe AND Ethan would be out of the Hoover Building—together. Since it wasn’t the apocalypse, yet, that ruled that out.

  “Suri is busy…”

  Again, he shut him down.

  “Well, then I guess I’ll head to another news station,” he offered, trying to make it sound like he had something pertinent to tell the woman.

  No reporter could turn that offer down.

  As predicted, that had the man scrambling. The mere idea of them leaving was the last thing he wanted.

  “Get Suri! Get her now!” he ordered.

  They both took a seat on a set of couches that faced the reporters. There were a few who took pictures, and there were a few who peeked over their cubicles to check them both out. They felt like animals in the zoo.

  A secretary came over carrying two cups of coffee for them.

  “Thank you,” Gabe said.

  The creepiest part of it was that she got how they liked it right. These people had too much time on their hands. Stalking had become a paid profession.

  When she left, Ethan couldn’t help but be amused.

  “You look freaked-out.”

  “I like french vanilla in my coffee. It’s french vanilla,” he whispered.

  “Jesus.”

  “I know, right?” Gabe asked.

  “Yeah, I know that you’re a pussy for putting that shit in your coffee.”

  He nearly choked on his drink, but he, too, found that amusing as hell. His wife told him that all of the time.

  “Shut up.”

  As they sat there, a woman headed their way. She parked her ass in the chair in front of them and smiled ferally as she crossed her legs.

  “Well, well, well. To what do I owe this little adventure?” Suri asked.

  Ethan handled it.

  “We need to know where you received your information from,” he stated. “Who leaked you the intel you received?” he asked.

  “What information?” she asked, playing dumb.