“Thanks, man.”
The cop nodded to his partner. “This is my new partner McMillian. McMillian, this is Trey and Shorty, bounty hunters with the Brownstone Agency.”
McMillian’s eyes widened, and he barked a laugh. “Those idiots picked a fight with the Brownstone Agency?”
Davidson grinned. “I told you it’d be epic.” Sirens sounded in the distance, and he nodded to Trey. “You two better get going unless you want to get caught up in paperwork shit.”
The two bounty hunters waved and jogged away. They’d gotten about twenty yards when Trey frowned down at his shirt.
“Fuck.”
Shorty glanced his way. “What’s wrong?”
“I got their motherfucking blood all over my shirt. Now I’m gonna have to get it dry-cleaned.”
8
Senator Johnston shook his head as he looked around at the gathered officials. “Suffice it to say, there’s a lot of cover-up going on right now. The media has more than a few questions about why the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is dead. We poked the bear, and it decided to tear someone’s head off. Maybe not surprising, but this also highlights how dangerous this Council is.”
Senator Silvers sighed and shook her head. “Maybe they are too dangerous. If these Council people can just kill whoever they want with impunity, they might take us out one by one.”
The Deputy National Security Advisor frowned. “There’s something to be said for backing off until we have better information.” He held up a hand. “I’m not saying we let them run free, just that we should consider the total risks as we formulate strategies.”
Senator Johnston snorted. “The hell with that. Where I come from, if some bastard pokes you in the eye, you don’t go crying to Mommy. All that teaches him is that he can get away with poking you in the eye. No, this shit means the Council is desperate, and we’ve now fully confirmed that they’ve suffered casualties and can be injured without the use of strategic-scale weapons.” He slammed his fist on the table. “I’m tired of pussy-footing around so a bunch of people can look good. If you’ve got a nest of snakes to worry about, you send a mongoose after it. Now, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re—”
A light breeze blew through the room, and a swirling gate appeared a few yards from the table.
The Deputy National Security Advisor shot out of his seat, along with several other officials. “Oh, my God. It’s the Council!”
People backed away, their eyes wide with terror.
Senator Johnston stood and shook his head. “Stop embarrassing yourselves.” He turned to face the portal. A Light Elf stepped out with a smile on his face.
The senator extended his hand. “Thanks for agreeing to come, Correk.” He glanced over his shoulder. “If you’ve been reading any of the reports, you should understand that Correk has been critical to our efforts against the Council. He’s far from a threat. He’s the ultimate asset.”
The elf shook the senator’s hand. “It’s my pleasure. Whatever I can do to help resolve this situation.”
The panicking officials all sat.
General Black frowned from his seat. He was one of the few who hadn’t stood when the portal appeared. “My understanding is that Correk’s area of concern is global, not country-specific.”
The elf nodded. “That is accurate, General.”
“Then how do we know you’re doing everything you can to help the United States?”
Correk shrugged. “You don’t, but my reputation doesn’t suggest I like to play pointless games. This Council is a threat, and I’m doing everything I can to help you deal with it.”
The general grunted but kept his mouth shut.
The Deputy National Security Advisor cleared his throat. “Setting aside the issues of security clearances and having this man just come into our meeting without announcing him beforehand, why is he here?” He glared at Senator Johnston.
Correk smiled. “I just wanted to give you a little more insight, based on what we’ve seen of the Council so far. I know that some of you might be frightened by what happened to General Francis.” He stepped around Senator Johnston and tapped the table twice. “But that only proves they’re worried about your operations. Keep in mind that despite your awful losses, you’ve killed several of them and many of their trained followers.” He walked behind the officials, several turning in their seats to follow him. “It’s not like they can just go to the local unemployment office and grab dark wizards. I’m not trying to dismiss your losses, only remind you that this is a fight that can be won. They strike from the shadows because they have no choice.”
The Deputy National Security Advisor frowned. “Are you aware of what happened during our last operation?”
“The Council ripped a dimensional hole and flooded your men with some sort of awful monsters from another dimension? Yes, I’m aware of that. I’ve already passed some information on to the Paranormal Defense Agency that was helpful to them stopping direct Council portals, and I’ll be sending them additional information that might help cut down on similar incidents, at least in the near future. Magic isn’t as precise as technology, so there are always ways around things.”
General Black looked his way. “I’m wondering how secretive we should be going forward after what happened. We still don’t know a lot about the Council, but if they decide to attack a major population center the casualties could run in the thousands.”
Correk continued walking around the table and shook his head. “The information I’ve shared with your government suggests they have an interest in collecting artifacts, but not so much in mass destruction. I know you keep thinking of them as a terrorist group, but I don’t believe that’s accurate.” He stopped behind the general’s chair for a few seconds before moving on. “They’ve had plenty of opportunities for acts of terror. Whatever their motivation, I don’t think that simply killing people is part of it, and causing a panic won’t help them in their plans. My information suggests that many of the final artifacts they ended up with, although they are dangerous weapons, can be used to manipulate populations directly or indirectly. I suspect their goals are subtler than you might appreciate.”
He stopped behind Senator Silvers’ chair and tapped the table twice.
She frowned at him. “Why are you doing that?”
The elf shrugged. “Nervous habit. I don’t like public speaking.” He continued walking. “The other thing you might want to focus on in terms of investigation is magical signatures. Many spells and magical beings have a certain flavor that others can follow and detect. This might help you in your investigations and further tracking of the Council. For now, though, that’s all I have to offer you.”
Senator Johnston nodded slowly. “Thank you for that information.”
Correk sighed and made his way to the door with a smile. “I’ll make your group aware of anything else of note that I learn.” He opened the door and stepped outside.
The Deputy National Security Advisor snorted after the elf departed. “That was hardly useful. He didn’t tell us much we already didn’t know. I appreciate his aid in these operations, but I don’t want him randomly popping into our meetings.”
General Black shook his head. “I disagree. I think he had a good point about their tactics, and I’m less annoyed with him than I am concerned about stopping the Council. Based on what he said, we still have some options that don’t involve blowing up half a state. I wasn’t all that thrilled about launching cruise missiles against targets on American soil to begin with, and I think General Francis had some more extreme ideas in mind.”
There was a light knock on the door, and a moment later a couple of Secret Service agents entered, stun rods in hand. They looked up and down the table, and Senator Johnston nodded to them and then to Senator Silvers.
The agents marched behind Senator Silvers’ chair. “You’ll need to come with us, ma’am.”
Murmurs rippled across the table.
“Excuse me?�
� she asked.
Senator Johnston chuckled. “Didn’t you listen to the nice little briefing Correk provided?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You know the part where he talked about being able to follow magical signatures? We know you’re working with the Council, and those agents are going to arrest you for…well, a shit-ton of things, but first of all, aiding and abetting a group that is attempting to undermine the United States of America.”
Senator Silvers shot out her seat and started rubbing the gold ring on her hand. A light green glow surrounded her.
The agents jammed the stun rods into her, and they discharged with a loud buzz. The woman fell to the ground, the glow fading. She hissed and started rubbing the ring again, but the agents shocked her several more times. She convulsed.
“Take her ring off,” Senator Johnston suggested. “I don’t know all that much about magic, but that might be what she needs to do it.”
An agent flipped the twitching woman onto her stomach, yanked her ring off, and pocketed it.
Senator Johnston walked over and squatted by Senator Silvers. “You see, the difference between you and me is age. I’ve been in politics since I was twenty-one.” He ran a hand through his graying hair. “Long before all this magic and Oriceran shit made things complicated policy-wise, but you know what having all that experience has taught me? That magic doesn’t change much when it comes to smelling bad people. If you’re going to last as long as I have, you have to be able to smell a snake.”
The Secret Service agents hauled Senator Silvers to her feet. Drool ran from her mouth.
Senator Johnston pulled out a handkerchief to dry her mouth. “Let me clean you up just a bit. Cameras don’t like spit too much.”
“You’ll…pay…for…this,” Senator Silvers murmured.
He grinned. “Sure. Someday I might, but that won’t change the fact that you’ll be locked up.” He leaned forward to whisper, “And, come on—you really think the Council’s going to help someone who got caught so easily? If I were you, I’d sing for the government and ask to be hidden in the darkest, most remote hole possible. Unless you think your bosses are going to show you mercy?”
Senator Silvers’ eyes widened.
Senator Johnston nodded. “Thought so.”
James frowned as he scanned the obstacle course, Royce behind him. “Just wondering what we can do to improve training. Make it more realistic. Unless you think it’s a bad idea?”
The DI chuckled. “I’m never going to tell you that guys can’t be trained more, but I will tell you that you risk hurting guys if you make it too realistic. Combat readiness is an issue.” He shrugged. “But I’ll implement whatever training plan you want me to.”
James grunted. “I know. Have to think about this shit more. Just want to…”
Trey barreled out of the back of the building. “Yo, big man, we need you up front. We’ve got trouble. Fucking government’s here, and the boys are ready to step up.”
James nodded to Royce and jogged toward the open door. Trey led him to the front, where Charlyce was holding her hand up to a suited man with gray hair.
Fuck. That’s Senator Johnston. Seen him on the news a few times, but what the fuck does he want with us?
“I’m afraid you can’t go any farther, sir,” Charlyce announced with a frown. “This is private property, and I’ve got no appointment listed for you.”
Two men in suits and dark glasses who had obvious gun bulges in their jackets stood behind the senator.
Shorty, Manuel, and T.J. flanked Charlyce, glaring at the new arrivals. Several other bounty hunters filed in and looked around, frowns on their faces.
“You bitches better not be here to try and start shit over Alison,” Shorty yelled. “She isn’t just James’ daughter anymore. She’s one of us now. You fuck with Alison Brownstone, you’re fucking with the entire Brownstone Agency.”
The assembled men shouted their approval.
James grunted and stepped in front of his men, holding his arm out. “If they were going to do something that stupid, I doubt they’d walk in the front door.” He said the words, but that didn’t stop his growl. “But, tell me why the fuck you are here, Senator?”
9
James glared at the senator. The bounty hunter believed what he’d told his men, but that didn’t mean he might not be wrong. The presence of the two armed men didn’t speak to the new arrival’s peaceful intentions.
On the other hand, anyone who knows anything about me knows they’re not gonna be able to take me down with only two fucking men even if they’re wizards, and I don’t see any wands or artifacts.
Senator Johnston offered him a smile. “You and your men don’t have to worry. I’m not here to cause you any trouble, son. If anything, it’s the opposite. I’ve come to ask for your help.”
James grunted. “Huh? What’s with the muscle then?” He nodded to the men in sunglasses.
If this asshole wanted my help, he could have picked up a phone instead of barging into my place like he owns it. Fucking politicians.
The senator shrugged. “You’re a man who hears things, so I’m sure you’ve heard that we’ve been trying to capture the people behind the recent museum trouble here in your neck of the woods. Well, they’ve pushed back a little, so these two are just here for my protection.” He adjusted his tie. “With that out of the way, I’d like to talk to you about that matter—the people behind the museum heist. No offense to your fine employees, but I’d like it to be in private.”
The anger left the faces of the agency men surrounding them, replaced by confusion and irritation. James understood their problem. Once a man got pumped up and ready to fight, it was hard to let that anger go.
Maybe that’s why it seems to charge up Whispy Doom. Maybe I’m from a planet of perpetually pissed-off men. PMS world, except for dudes. Probably just don’t have enough barbeque there.
James nodded slowly. “Follow me, but your men stay here.”
Senator Johnston laughed. “Fine by me. If anyone was stupid enough to attack me while I’m having a meeting with you, I’m pretty sure that would end very badly for them.”
James grunted. The man had a point.
The bounty hunter led the senator down the hallway to his little-used office and motioned him inside. Once the senator was seated, James sat down behind his desk. There was no reason to waste time with bullshit posturing.
“So, yeah,” he began. “I heard you were recruiting bounty hunter teams to go after the Council. You didn’t come asking for me, so I didn’t go asking to join up, even though I’ve tangled with them before and fucking wasted their people.”
Senator Johnston nodded. “Fair enough, but we’re asking now. For that matter, I’m asking now, son. To be honest, I wanted you from the start because of your aforementioned...wasting experience. I know you’re not the only level six out there, but everything I’ve seen suggests you’re the best in the country, if not the world. Plus, so far, you’re the only man to tangle with this group and win outright. Our previous efforts haven’t been the best. Good people have died. More than a few.”
James frowned. “Before I even think about agreeing to help you, I need to know what you’ve been doing. I’m not stepping into mystery shit. That’s not how I work.”
“Fair enough.” The senator shrugged. “We’ve been working closely with the Paranormal Defense Agency, along with all our own people and allied intelligence agencies. Damn, in many cases, not even allied intelligence agencies. There isn’t a single damned country on Earth that wants some magical criminal cabal running around causing trouble. We even got a useful tip from the damned North Koreans about a possible Council site.” He chuckled. “From what we’ve learned, they’ve been around for about twenty years. They formed just after all the magic started flowing back in a big way to Earth. They’ve got both Earth and Oriceran members. There’s still a lot we don’t know. We don’t know what their overall goals ar
e, but we know they’ve got their fingers in a lot of very shady pies, and now, thanks to their museum heist, they have several dangerous artifacts in addition to what they already had.”
“So?” James shrugged. “Lots of assholes out there. Just because these guys have magic doesn’t make them special. Their people die easy enough if you take off their heads.”
The senator furrowed his brow and shook his head. “Trust me, son. They’ve got something up their sleeve, and the fact that they already have so many little safehouses and bases set up isn’t a good sign. They’ve been playing a long game, and we got lucky. FBI and PDA managed to capture a few mid-level agents. We made it look like they were killed. These guys play hard. Even their low-level punks don’t like to be taken alive.”
The bounty hunter grunted. “Yeah, I noticed that after the museum robbery.”
Senator Johnston chuckled darkly. “Exactly. I’ll be honest—we’ve done some shady shit ourselves to dig out the information we need. Deep, nasty mindreading magic, for one. Ripped information on some of their hideouts from their minds.” He shrugged. “A lot of the law isn’t settled on magical evidence and the Constitution, so we’ve taken advantage of the gray areas.”
James narrowed his eyes. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you strike me as a man who doesn’t respect bullshit, and I want to impress on you how hard it’s been to get information about these people through the usual channels.” The senator frowned. “The joint task force looking into this has already attempted a few extermination operations. The first you might have already heard of through your own channels. We sent in Army Special Forces backed by Paranormal Defense agents. We knew the leadership of the Council—six magicals, some from Earth, some from Oriceran—would be there. We surprised them, and our guys did a good job taking out these monsters the bastards summoned, but they had some sort of self-destruct magic. Entire team dead, and the entire site destroyed.”
Fatal Mistake: An Urban Fantasy Action Adventure (The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone Book 11) Page 7