“In my part of the world, they’re gonna have to be forced to treat us equal. They won’t do it on their own,” Cody said, stepping through the door Mitch held for him and smiling as he passed him by. Mitch had kept that routine for the entire weekend. Now that Cody knew how much Mitch tried to please him, those little acts made him feel special.
“Check-in’s over here.” Mitch pointed toward a row of ticket counters. It took a second for Cody’s eyes to adjust to the interior lighting. He followed along behind Mitch as they approached the desk. As Cody went through the procedures of getting his boarding pass, Mitch stayed close by, kind of anchored against the counter, just watching everything that happened, but not saying much.
When he finished, Mitch guided him down to TSA security, the line was long and Mitch waited with him. “I wish you would stay,” Mitch said, the familiar refrain that started earlier today. Mitch wanted him to stay the week. Finish his vacation out with him in DC.
“I want to too, but I can’t. Thank you for flying me out.” Cody hoped to change the subject. He’d considered staying. Truth was that he didn’t have anything really going on, but in his mind, staying only showed that he was needy somehow. He’d declined Mitch’s offer even though Mitch was hell bent on trying to keep him there.
“You’re changing the subject,” Mitch said.
“And you don’t take no for an answer very well,” he replied.
“True, but if I had, you wouldn’t be standing here,” Mitch shot back. “We’re getting to the front of the line. If you get on the other side and decide you can’t live without me this week, I’ll be here, waiting.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m a big boy.”
“Yes, you are.” Mitch grinned broadly and winked at him.
“You know what I mean. I’ll be okay.” Cody laughed him off, trying to mentally distance himself. He wanted so badly to tell Mitch he’d changed his mind, that he wanted to spend the rest of his vacation right here with Mitch. But the few extra days would only make saying goodbye so much harder. Mitch was right, the line went quickly, and they were at the front as he moved to the security desk.
“But I might not be,” Mitch said quietly. Cody looked over his shoulder, surprised at the words. The man was so open with his feelings. He didn’t hide anything. He was just completely comfortable with who he was and what he wanted. After a second of Cody just staring, Mitch pushed his sunglasses up on his head and smiled that dimpled smile. God, he had it bad for this guy.
“Sir, we’re waiting. If you aren’t ready, please step aside,” the security guard said to Cody.
“I’m ready,” Cody said and showed his identification along with his boarding pass. A second later, he was nodded through.
“Hey, Mitch,” the TSA agent said. Cody watched as Mitch handed over his badge. He’d taken a couple of steps away, but he could still hear Mitch talking quietly with the guy, and they both looked in his direction at the same time. Mitch made his way over to Cody, he’d apparently gotten access to pass through the security checkpoint and began pulling the bins and placing his stuff on the conveyors.
“I thought this was goodbye,” Cody said, watching Mitch work.
“Shhhh, he’s doing me a favor. I’m going with you through security,” Mitch whispered, urging Cody to get moving. They were backing up the line. Cody complied, sliding off his boots as Mitch placed his carry-on on the belt.
“Step through the box, place your hands above you head.” Cody went through the motions of airport security. Mitch did too, and they came out the other side. Mitch hadn’t lied; he was a pro at the whole thing, never faltering where Cody, with his lack of travel skills, had to be guided through the processes.
“Over here.” Mitch motioned, Cody’s duffel hanging over his shoulder.
“Your gate’s all the way down there.” Mitch pointed to the right, again taking his hand, walking him in a different direction than he’d indicated. “I have to go out this way.”
Just to the right of security was a small hall with a door at the end. It wasn’t a crowded area like the rest of the airport, but they weren’t alone either. Mitch took several steps toward the door before stopping and turning, drawing Cody against him by a tug of the hips.
“Thank you for coming,” Mitch said, dropping Cody’s bag to the floor.
“You’ve already said that, and I had a good time. Thank you,” Cody replied.
“I’m gonna kiss you, cowboy.” Mitch’s amber eyes bore into his soul.
“But we did that in the car. There’re so many people.” Cody couldn’t look away.
“I can’t help it. I’m not sure when I’ll see you again.” Mitch moved in so close their chests touched.
“It’ll make people uncomfortable.” Cody pretended to protest, but Mitch was already moving forward.
“Just a small kiss,” Mitch whispered and leaned in, pressing his lips against Cody’s with a teasing swipe of his tongue. Cody couldn’t resist and opened slightly. When the tip of his tongue met the tip of Mitch’s, something happened. The entire busy airport faded away, and Cody opened fully for Mitch’s kiss. The kiss was intensely passionate and filled with promise. It took his breath away and reached out to capture Cody’s heart, right there in the airport terminal. This might have been the best goodbye kiss ever on the planet.
Desperation, more than the need to breathe, had Cody pulling away. He bit his bottom lip and just stared at Mitch.
“Hold my spot for me,” Mitch said, and again those dang eyes pinned Cody where he stood.
“I will,” he promised. Mitch leaned in again and kissed him with a soft brush of lips before he stepped away from the wall.
“You’re probably gonna have to jog to your gate. It’s a little bit of a hike. Remember, if you change your mind and wanna stay, I’m just a phone call away.” Mitch kissed his lips again.
“All right,” Cody nodded and scrubbed a hand over his face before picking up his duffel bag at Mitch’s feet. “All right.” He turned on his heel and took off to the left.
“Wrong way,” Mitch called out. Dammit! He had gone the wrong way. He turned around to see Mitch standing there, a huge smile on his handsome face. Cody waved and headed in the other direction. He had fifteen minutes to figure out where he was and get on that plane.
~~~
Mitch sat directly outside the airport arrival doors where he’d dropped Cody off. He found a park bench and kicked back, letting the heat of the sun warm his skin. He stayed like that for about thirty minutes. He kept his phone in his hand and waited just in case Cody changed his mind. Damn, he really hoped Cody changed his mind.
He’d be working long hours from now until they solved this case, and he got that Cody would be completely alone while he worked, but he had grown fond of the idea of coming home and having Cody waiting for him. And yes, he also got how silly that sounded, but he couldn’t care less.
When he figured enough time had passed and Cody hadn’t bailed on the flight, he let the disappointment settle in as hope faded away. He looked at his phone to assess the time. It was noon, and Kreed arrived at one fifteen. The two of them were to meet at the office with the rest of the team by two thirty. Mitch thought over his options. It was time for lunch. He loved food, but eating with all the stupid feelings of loss he had flipping through his stomach didn’t seem like a good idea.
Instead he picked up his phone and sent Cody a text he’d get once he landed. “You should have stayed. I miss you already. Text me and let me know you got home okay. This weekend was the best weekend that I’ve had in a very long time, thank you.”
Then he did something he never did, he voluntarily called his mom just to chat. On the third ring, he got a winded, “Is everything okay, Son?”
He winced. He supposed he deserved that kind of greeting, but he hated that when his mom saw his name, she worried.
“Of course everything’s fine. Can’t I just call and talk to the best mom ever?” There was a pause on his mother’s part,
a long one, and Mitch laughed. “Mom, I’m fine. I realized that I haven’t talked to you since Jace and Colt’s wedding. How are you doing?” Mitch asked. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, facing the sun.
“You’ve met someone special, haven’t you, Son?” That had him sitting forward, looking around. How did she know that?
“Nah, not really… I mean, maybe. I don’t know. How do you know? Am I that transparent?” Mitch stumbled on his words as he danced around the subject.
“I know my children. You all are all the same. Flying the nest, being free, and then settling right back here when it’s family time,” she said. “Besides, I always said you got your investigative skills from my side of the family.”
His mom laughed as he absorbed her words. He weighed how much he should say. He loved his family, his mom was the best, but regardless of how he’d acted with Cody, he was an incredibly private person.
“Mitch, did you hang up on me?” she asked.
“No, I’m here,” he answered.
“Well, then, stop overthinking this. I’ve warmed my tea from a little bit ago, and I’m sitting down. I’m alone until your sister comes over in about an hour. Tell me about him.”
“Mom. I don’t know what you’re…” Mitch stopped himself and rested his elbows on his knees. Was he going to tell her? He sighed and hung his head a moment. Apparently so. “His name’s Cody Turner. He’s younger than me. Not that much younger, but enough to say he’s younger—he’s twenty-six. He lives in Texas. He works for Texas DPS, he’s a State Trooper.”
“Oh good, is he friends with Jace and Colt?” she asked.
“No, but I met him the last time I was in Dallas. He lives in Austin, but he was in town for some business,” Mitch said, staring a hole in the small patch of grass at his feet.
“And you’ve spent time with him?” she asked. These were all questions designed to keep him talking. He knew the tactic, had perfected the skill, but it worked like a charm on him nevertheless.
“This weekend, he flew up here. I’m in DC, and we spent the weekend together,” Mitch confessed.
“Was it a nice weekend?” she asked.
“Very nice,” he said, smiling at the grass. “He’s good-looking and funny,” Mitch added and then he trailed off. “He gets my job. That’s a big one right there.”
“Have you told him how you feel?” she asked.
“Not really. I don’t really know how I feel. You kind of took me off guard with all this. I was really just calling to say hi. He’s got a big family like ours. His parents are still married. He’s got pain-in-the-butt brothers and sisters and lots of nephews and nieces. We have a lot of similarities like that in common.”
“That’s important, I think, to have similar backgrounds,” she said. “What does he look like?”
“He’s tall, a little taller than me. He works out pretty heavily, I think. He’s got blond hair…”
“When are you going to bring him home to meet the family?” she asked.
“Not for a long time, Mom. I’m trying to keep him, not send him away screaming,” he laughed. “Now, tell me how you’re doing?”
“Honey, we’re all just fine. All the grandkids are growing so big. You won’t recognize any of them. Your dad’s working too much. He’s always gone, but he loves it. The team’s bouncing back from Colton being gone. It’s an exciting time. We watched Colt broadcast a game this weekend. He did very well. Your father called him afterward. He got a kick out of that,” his mom said, efficiently catching him up.
“That’s good, Mom. I’m glad to hear it. Listen, I love you. Tell Dad too.”
“I will, Mitch, and you need to tell that man how you feel. You certainly aren’t getting any younger, Son.”
“Was that a joke? Did Ellen tell you to say that if I called?” Mitch asked.
“You know, I’ve told you that you get your sense of humor from my side of the family,” she said, laughing.
“I love you, Mom. Bye.”
“Bye, baby,” she said, and he could hear the smile in her voice. Conversation about flying the nest and coming back home…Wait! Did she just tell him he was like his brothers and sister? Surely not, right?
Mitch cringed as he realized the truth. He did want Cody to meet his family.
Chapter
30
“Thanks, man, for picking me up,” Kreed said as they drove down the highway toward FBI headquarters.
“Not a problem. I planned to let you walk in the FBI building armed, but I decided to spare you this time. You owe me,” Mitch teased, keeping his eyes on the road.
“What’s that mean?” Kreed sounded completely confused.
“They let me walk in the front doors of the FBI building unannounced. Connors wasn’t there; his kid was in the hospital. I got detained for a little while. Had all the FBI attitude in my face trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with me.” Mitch gave an exaggerated eye roll. They’d worked enough with the FBI for Kreed to know exactly what he was talking about.
“Oh hell, I bet that was epic. Sorry I missed that,” Kreed said, laughing out loud.
“I was gonna let you experience the same welcome, but I’ve decided to keep my fun to myself since you came all this way to help out,” Mitch chuckled.
“That’s mighty nice of you, Knox.” He couldn’t help but catch the moment of realization on Kreed’s face. “What’s wrong with you? Are you dying or something?”
“What? No, nothing’s wrong.”
“Tell me why you were already at the airport today,” Kreed prodded, looking at him speculatively.
“No, and stop looking at me like that.” Mitch focused his eyes fully back on the road and angled his body so his right arm rested on the wheel. He didn’t want to explain anything to Kreed right now.
“What’s with you, man? Picking me up at the airport, choosing not to set me up for your own enjoyment? What the hell?” Mitch refused to speak, so Kreed narrowed the questions. “Why were you at the airport? Who were you seeing off?”
Mitch sighed. Kreed would eventually get it out of him, so Mitch broke and spoke.
“I met someone. I showed you his picture” Mitch said casually.
“And he flew out here to be with you while you’re in the middle of a big break for the case you’ve had a hard-on about for the last nine months?” Yep, he knew that was exactly where Kreed would go.
“Fuck you, man. It’s none of your fucking business. See if I tell you anything else,” Mitch countered.
“Ahh, that’s right, you’ve been mentioning that nonsense about a relationship since you met the football guy and the cheerleader. Are you just settling for anyone?” Kreed asked.
“Aren’t you just Mary fucking Sunshine? And I’m not settling for shit. You’re pissing me off,” Mitch replied, refusing to look at Kreed.
“Good, then my job is done. I’m hungry. Stop by Mickey D’s up there,” Kreed said and pointed to the McDonald’s sign up ahead.
“Fuck you. You can wave as we go by.”
~~~
Four hours later, Mitch, Connors, Brown, and Kreed sat in the conference room, scouring over all the case information they’d accumulated. The wall of photos had become a maze of information, a puzzle of sorts. They had been thorough with each individual incident. Mitch had done a good job gathering and fact-finding. Even putting in all the hours and having all these eyes and minds working the information, nothing changed except a growing victim tally.
“So we have the Greyson kid. He’s the odd man out,” Kreed stated as he led this round of discussion while they all sat back studying the wall.
“Correct,” Brown agreed.
“He’s different from the rest,” Kreed repeated. Mitch answered with a nod, and Connors shook his head no.
“Let him finish,” Mitch said, holding up a hand as Connors started to speak.
“He’s different, Connors, because he’s not in the public eye.” Kreed kept talking as he rounded the table.<
br />
“That’s Mitch’s theory, but I disagree,” Connors argued.
“Hold up, man, and let him finish. You can have the floor next, but listen for once,” Mitch said, aggravated. Kreed continued without ever taking his eyes off the board.
“Yes, Greyson’s in the public eye for negative reasons. His father’s a hard-core republican with a gay son. I get that. But these others are established men who appeared in the news for some recent success they had. The Greyson kid hadn’t. My theory is when they left their original plan of going after middle-aged, publicized gay men that that’s when they started making mistakes. If they continue going outside their target base, that means something in all this. These mistakes could continue to happen with everyone they target. Besides, we know they have to have a huge ego by now. They’ve gotten away with murder. Or the kid might not actually be a part of the big plan. He might be a message.”
“I don’t know,” Brown started.
“Let’s play the what-if game for a minute.” Kreed jumped back in to take the floor. “They got cocky and went off their original plan of attack. The kid wasn’t intended to get out of the exploding car. That’s the first mistake these guys ever made, because it wasn’t a well-executed or organized plan.”
“We all agree with you on that,” Connors said drily, clearly still not completely on board, but participating.
“He was abducted from a coffee shop. His Secret Service agent was out front. The kid’s background check and record are coming back clean, plus surveillance shows his agent sitting out front, waiting for the kid to leave. Security cameras in the front and the back of the shop never showed him exiting the building. We have two mistakes right there. You can’t vanish into thin air, and he was able to work himself out of the car before it detonated.”
“Correct, but we’ve interviewed every person we could find who patronized the coffee shop at the time of the alleged kidnapping. We followed the receipt trail. We also interviewed the entire staff of the place,” Connors said.
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