Operation: Beach Angel

by Margaret Kay

  Remington Ipsen was another researcher at the Anchor Point Research Station where Annaka worked. Her family had been kidnapped and held for the purpose of forcing Dr. Ipsen to submit a false report to allow for the expanded drilling in the Cook Inlet, the same purpose behind Annaka’s kidnapping a month earlier.

  “Why try to kill Annaka?” Mother asked.

  “She was the only other person who knew exactly what the contents of that report should have been. She was the only one who could have disputed it,” Shepherd replied.

  “So, those assholes were planning to kill Ipsen’s family all along?” Sherman asked.

  “Devlin would not confirm that,” Shepherd said. “But I think we all know that was the plan. He also gave up Wally Dalton, the Platform Manager for rig C-Three. Devlin confirmed that Dalton falsified the status reports while he was on. Devlin said someone at the Midland office took care of wiping the status report emails from their server when the other platform manager sent them.”

  “Assholes,” Mother cursed. “It’s just a leak, probably won’t spark and cause a major explosion killing what was it, twenty men?”

  “Nineteen, but one is still in critical condition. They’re not sure he’s going to make it,” Sloan, Delta Team’s medic, replied.

  “Assholes,” Mother repeated.

  In the kitchenette down the hall from Shepherd’s office, Annaka sat with Angel.

  “Thank you for the tea and conversation,” Annaka said. “But I know you are in to get work done. I don’t want you to feel you have to keep me company.” She took another sip from the blue mug she cupped her hands around to warm her fingers.

  “I’m forcing myself to take a break, which I don’t do often enough. I’ll get the reports done, but right now, I’m enjoying getting to know you better. We have to support each other. It’s not easy dealing with the danger our men are in when they are at work. And no one who isn’t with one of the Shepherd Security Operators can possibly understand.”

  Annaka gave her a small smile. “That is so true.”

  “But I get the feeling that there is more going on that you could use a friend to talk to.” Angel paused. “I’m sorry. I have to confess to you that I see all the mission reports, so I know what’s been going on with you. You’ve been targeted. You’ve gone through some scary stuff.”

  Annaka frowned. “Thank you for asking and for your confession that you already know. I’ve been talking with Joe Lassiter. He’s helped. It really rocked me. I’ve always known that there are bad people out there who do not care about other people and their lives. I guess I’ve just never met any that I know of. It’s hard to accept that someone had no problem sending someone to kill me.”

  “There are a lot of really bad people out there. Five years ago, I had no clue either. I got caught in the middle of something really bad and learned it the hard way. Jackson and the team helped me. That was when I met them. Joe helped me a lot too. He’s a good guy. Keep talking with him and you’ll be fine.”

  “Several of the other ladies said something similar. Sienna and Brielle both have been pretty open about being in trouble and the team helping them.”

  Angel nodded. “We’re all here for you. Please feel free to call me anytime. We are all very close. We spend a lot of time together when the guys are away working. We’ll do impromptu potluck dinners, usually at my house or Elizabeth’s to make it easier with the kids. I hope you will come to the next one. I know both Alpha and Delta Teams are heading back out tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll have a dinner sometime this week.”

  Annaka was disappointed to hear that Danny would be leaving already the next day. She wondered if he’d known it before they flew home that morning or if he was finding out right now too. Annaka’s thoughts were interrupted by another woman coming into the room. She could only be described as beautiful. She had smooth, long dark hair, a perfect mocha complexion over very feminine bone structure. And she had a warm smile.

  “Hey, you are in.” She smiled at Angel and then her gaze shifted to Annaka. “We haven’t met yet. I’m Michaela.” She walked up to Annaka and presented her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Annaka stood. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you too. I’ve heard your name mentioned.”

  Michaela chuckled. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”

  “What are you doing in today?” Angel asked her.

  “I had a few things to catch up on and I’ll be in late tomorrow. I have an appointment at my dentist for a cleaning.”

  “If you like your dentist, I’d like their name. I have to find all new doctors and dentists now that I’m living here,” Annaka said. “I’m passed due for a cleaning.”

  “I’ll send you a list of the great doctors and dentists most of us use that are all in-network for our insurance plan,” Angel said.

  “That would be great, thank you,” Annaka replied. “It’s almost overwhelming, everything I have to do and buy to get my life back to normal.” Her gaze went to Michaela. “My house blew up about a week ago. I’ve only gone shopping once to replace a few things, necessities really.”

  “That really sucks. I am so sorry. I can’t even imagine how that would feel, to lose everything you have.”

  “Have you gotten your insurance check yet?” Angel asked.

  “No, but I spoke to my agent yesterday and both checks are being cut the end of this week. My car was also damaged in the explosion. I guess one of the first things I need to do is go buy a new car.”

  “I heard you got a position downtown at the Shedd Aquarium. That’s great!” Angel said. “You’ll probably just want to take the train down. Driving into the city can be a nightmare.”

  “Yes, that’s what Danny said too. But I need to get to the train station and be able to go to the store and run errands, so I will need a car.” She paused when she heard male voices. They got louder as they approached. She smiled at Danny as he, Lambchop, and Jackson came into the room.

  Lambchop was happily surprised to see Michaela in the kitchen with Angel and Annaka. He didn’t know she was in the office. “Hello ladies,” he greeted all three, but his eyes gazed over Michaela’s beautiful face and he couldn’t help the smile that spread over his. “What are you doing in today?”

  Michaela smiled back at him and his heart melted. She had that effect on him, always. “I had a few things I had to finish up.”

  “Annaka, I hate to tell you this, but my team is heading back out tomorrow,” he heard Mother tell her. His eyes were glued to Michaela.

  “I know,” Annaka replied. “Angel told me.”

  Lambchop heard the disappointment in her voice. “We have a debrief with Shepherd in a few minutes regarding Alaska that you’re invited to. He just had to make a phone call first.”

  “Does that mean that there is an update?” Annaka asked, hopeful.

  “Yes,” Mother replied. He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  Lambchop’s gaze shifted back to Michaela. “Will you be here for a little while?”

  Michaela smiled that gorgeous smile at him again. “Yes. I should be. Come on up to my lab when you’re through with Shepherd.” Her eyes went to Annaka. “I better get back to work. It was nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” Annaka said.

  Lambchop watched Michaela leave the kitchen. He was glad she was in. It was always more casual to ask her about spending time together when he was doing so in person. For some reason, calling her and asking her seemed more intrusive. She had drawn a clear line, one he was conscious of, one he didn’t want to cross.

  His phone chimed a text message. “Shepherd is ready for us.”

  He followed behind Mother and Annaka as they headed back to Shepherd’s office. The door swung open as they reached it. Cooper motioned them in. Jackson followed, closing the door behind himself. They all settled back in around the conference table. Sloan, Sherman, and Brielle had left after their previous briefing.

  “I just got off the phone with my FBI contact
,” Shepherd said. “Charles Devlin has asked for full immunity in exchange for giving up who he says was really behind all the illegal acts that were perpetrated.”

  Annaka was visibly shocked, and then her face took on an angry scowl. “Peter Keeling said it was Devlin who was behind it.”

  “That may have been all he knew. We would not give this the due diligence it deserves if we don’t follow all leads. If it went no further up than Devlin, we’ll determine it and he will be held accountable,” Shepherd said.

  “Did he admit to having someone try to kill me by blowing my house up?” Annaka demanded.

  “He stopped short of admitting that he gave the order, but I think we all know he was behind it,” Shepherd said.

  “The FBI cannot seriously consider giving him full immunity!” Annaka was outraged and Lambchop couldn’t blame her.

  “If his intel is actionable and provable, wouldn’t you want who was really behind it to be held accountable?” Shepherd asked. “Devlin was to blame, no doubt. But if he did it on someone else’s orders, higher up in the Carstairs Management chain, we need to know that. There cannot ever be another Cook Inlet. The safety of their rig workers and the protection of the environment cannot be subject to profit margins.”

  “Annaka, if someone else in their organization is responsible, we have to make sure they are removed from their positions and be prosecuted for it or this will happen again someplace else and to other people. I know you don’t want anyone else to ever go through what you and Remington Ipsen’s family did,” Lambchop added.

  Lambchop watched her roll that around in her head. She sighed out loud. “I don’t. You know that. But this is really hard to swallow, the fact he could get full immunity.”

  “The team is heading out on its next mission tomorrow, but I will keep you updated on what is discovered regarding Devlin. It could take some time, though. We believe that you are safe now, but I would remind you to not take any risks,” Shepherd said. “While Mother is away, Doc will be your point of contact at the agency. He will expect your call if anything happens. He lives ten minutes away from Mother’s place. Don’t hesitate to call him and the local police if you have any concerns for your safety, but as I said, we do not believe that anyone would come after you, not that anyone would even know where to find you.”

  Lambchop felt pride wash through him. This was one of the many reasons why he worked for Shepherd. His leadership skills were enhanced by seeing Shepherd’s example of how to provide for his team’s wellbeing. Mother needed to be assured that Annaka was safe and taken care of for him to operate in the field. Annaka, as a victim, needed the continued support. Shepherd realized these things and was sure to have a plan in place before sending Mother out on the next mission.

  “Okay, that’s it,” Shepherd said. “Cooper and Jackson, please stay.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Shepherd,” Annaka said.

  Lambchop closed the door behind himself once he, Annaka, and Mother were in the hallway. “Take care, Annaka.” He gave Mother a head nod and then mounted the stairs.

  “So, are Lambchop and Michaela together?” Annaka asked, after he had disappeared up the stairwell.

  “Why do you think that?” Mother asked.

  Annaka snorted out a sarcastic sound. “Anyone with eyes would think that. Her voice took on a different cadence when she spoke to him. And Lambchop, the way he looked at her was telling.”

  “Yeah, there’s something there that I don’t think either one of them want to admit,” Mother said.

  Echo

  Lambchop entered the code and pushed through the door into Michaela’s lab. They didn’t call her the Tech-Goddess for nothing. Her lab had the most impressive pieces of equipment in it. It was immaculately clean and organized with precision. He scanned the room and saw her in the far corner, hunched over an anchored vise that held a pistol. She was adjusting the custom sights she’d created and installed on the weapon.

  “That was fast,” Michaela said, flashing him a smile.

  “Yes.” He didn’t elaborate. “Delta Team is heading back out tomorrow,” Lambchop said.

  “That’s fast too,” she remarked.

  “Do you have any plans for dinner tonight?”

  “Landon,” she began.

  “Friends only, Michaela. I have no food in the house, don’t want to go to the store since we’re heading right back out tomorrow morning, and I just didn’t want to eat alone tonight.”

  He watched a smile spread over her face. “I get that.” She nodded. “Sure. I have a roast in the crockpot. Why don’t you come to my place around six?”

  “I’d take you out,” Lambchop said.

  “I put the roast in the crockpot before I came in. I have potatoes and the vegetables to make a salad.”

  “Were you planning on having someone over?” Lambchop asked cautiously. Had she had other plans that fell through?

  Michaela laughed. “No. I often make a roast and then slice it up and eat it for several days.”

  “What can I bring?”

  “How about a bottle of red?” Michaela asked with a smile.

  “I’ll see you at six.”

  Lambchop pulled into the guest parking space in front of Michaela’s condo. His car had parked here more than a few times over the course of the past few years. Prior to Angel and Jackson’s wedding, Michaela was a standoffish and aloof tomboy who hid her femininity and didn’t fraternize with any of the men.

  Michaela was Angel’s maid of honor. When he’d seen her walk down the makeshift aisle that they created in the lounge for Angel and Jackson’s wedding, he was instantly enamored. She wore a form-fitting dark green dress that was feminine. Her face wore more makeup than she’d ever worn in the office and her long hair was styled, instead of her usual ponytail. Angel spent a lot of time with the men, and Michaela spent time with Angel. That meant Michaela spent more time with the group which naturally gave way to her letting down her guard.

  Michaela let both him and Alpha Team’s Garcia in. They grew close, and he considered Michaela a good friend. He’d always known that she was a very intelligent woman, but he discovered that she had an incredible sense of humor and a strong moral compass. Her heart was big, and she would do anything for those she cared about. But she had also made it very clear on several occasions that their relationship would always be ‘just friends’. And even though he was attracted to her, he accepted that. He would never want to jeopardize the friendship they had.

  He grabbed the bottle of wine from the passenger seat and pulled himself from his older model, black Ford Expedition. He went into her building and made his way to the door to her unit. She opened it seconds after he knocked. The incredible smell of something cooking wafted out. “Hi, wow, that smells incredible.”

  “Hi,” she greeted with a smile. She swung the door wide and motioned for him to enter. “It does. This is why I love cooking in my crockpot. I love coming home from work to a meal almost done and the place smelling so good.”

  He took his coat off and hung it on the hook on the wall beside the door. He handed her the bottle of wine. He’d picked up a bottle of her favorite cabernet sauvignon. Then he stepped further into her living room. Her small galley-style kitchen was on the right. He noticed the round dining table was set for two. It was at the far end of the living room, up against the large window.

  “Let me just go open this,” she said, holding up the bottle. She slipped into the kitchen through the saloon style doors that cordoned off the kitchen from the living room.

  He pressed through the swinging doors and followed her into the small space, filling it. “Here, let me.” She handed him the bottle opener and he got to work. She motioned to the two wine glasses on the counter. He poured the wine and then glanced at the prep work taking place on the counter. “What can I help you with?”

  Michaela took a sip of the wine before answering. “Nothing. I was just finishing chopping a few vegetables for the salad. How about you go start the
fireplace and I’ll finish the salad and bring it out?”

  “Sure,” he said. He brought his wine with him, setting it in front of the plate at the spot where he usually sat, with his back to the wall.

  He turned on the gas fireplace and then studied for the umpteenth time the pictures she had on her mantle. His favorite was of her as a child, twelve years old. She was centered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with her brother, who was two years older than she was, and with her mother and father. Lincoln’s towering image was right behind them.

  “Me, during my ugly phase,” she said, coming into the room, salad bowl in hand. “That was our last family vacation though, so the memories from it I hold dear.”

  Lambchop chuckled and replaced the framed picture to its spot. “Not at all. You were a cute kid. Your brother looked just like your dad, but you are clearly a perfect blending of your parent’s physical characteristics.”