Jacob's Grace

by C. P. Rowlands

  “Sir. One more question. Where’s Clint Weeks?” Tag said.

  “Milwaukee. Maddie’s FBI bureau chief is working with Peter Adams on the charges. I waited in Milwaukee until the DHS brought him down from up here. Jay Yardly was with him.” Kelly’s voice shook. “Jesus Christ. I’ve known that guy over twenty years and he had me fooled. Do you know what he said…God, I couldn’t believe it. He said he had to get back because of the money. The money. I couldn’t believe he’d said that, and Jay looked like he’d just been hit. Clint admitted to working with John Owens’s family right away. And then he knew the two men, the ones from the motel here, had shot at AJ, twice, and burned the house and the cars. What a mess.” He took his wire-rimmed glasses off and rubbed his eyes. “It’s this damned election. It’s messed everybody up and sideways. I know you’re on standby for testimony on that other issue. You’ll make a difference.”

  “You know what I can’t figure out? Why Weeks brought that information to Pete at the Milwaukee DOJ in the first place.”

  “Because, damn it, he’s crazy. And the money. I was with his wife at their home, trying to help them with a memorial for their daughter when he disappeared. One of their kids came running in and said he’d driven away. I thought he’d figured out that it was his fault she was dead…that he’d bankrolled the Owens men who killed her and then…” Kelly stopped talking and cleared his throat. “I think he suspected it when he saw those kids up here, in Niagara…I don’t know. Anyway, he flew back here to the plant because he knew where those kids were.” He pulled in a deep breath. “As we now know—and Clint now knows—that man with the tattoos and his buddy were part of the men who killed X-Girl, his daughter. What we don’t know is why Clint killed those two kids at the plant. We’ll get some of the answer from the rescued victims at Hannah’s House, but I want to hear it from Clint.”

  “I agree with everything you just said, but it still goes back to why he brought the information to Peter Adams.” Tag shifted in her chair.

  “What more is there, other than that?” Kelly rolled his shoulders and stared out the window. “I mean…”

  Tag watched him. He was getting there. She’d done a lot of debriefing with commanders and saw him begin to sift past all the excuses.

  “Ah, shit.” He leaned on his elbows. “I see it. He wanted to be on the inside. Keep up with what we knew, didn’t he? He knew X-Girl had punched everyone hard and we weren’t going to let it go. But he didn’t know that girl was his. Yet.” He nodded to himself. “Allison Jacob is one on my best agents and fought me all the way on this one, and now…” He took a breath. “This is on me.” His hands shook and he jammed his glasses back onto his face and moved toward the door. “Somebody call me when they bring Allison back to Milwaukee. I’ll stay in town until she’s there.” He picked up his briefcase and left without another word.

  The silence in the room was unnerving. Tag cleaned the table and the coffee cups to fill the space. She straightened the desk next. None of them had slept last night, and she’d helped Grace with Crow this morning. Maddie had shown up, and all of them had gone over the vacant motel. That had been a moment.

  Grace had sent Jeff and Greg to Milwaukee, then left for the hospital to check on AJ and Katie. Tag had stayed at the suite to begin to take down their equipment. Lawrence Kelly had unexpectedly shown up at the hospital, spoken to Grace, and called Tag from there. She’d asked if he could meet her here and he’d agreed.

  Her final report to Lawrence Kelly was much like the military. She’d done a ton of them. She stared at the dark computers. It was done. She took the packing boxes out of the closet, but stopped and headed for her shower instead. She’d get some rest first and then start to get ready to leave.

  Standing under the water, Tag felt a moment’s pity for Lawrence Kelly. The truth was often damned uncomfortable.

  She thought of AJ on the pavement and all that blood. I should have seen the shooters. She blocked her mind, dried off, and crawled into the bed. She’d get to the hospital after she woke up and finished the packing.

  * * *

  That night they all gathered in AJ’s hospital room. Maddie leaned into Sam against the wall. Grace and Tag sat on one side of the bed, Katie on the other. AJ’s bed was up so she could see all of them, her right hand threaded with Katie’s.

  AJ spoke. “They gave me fifteen minutes to talk, so make it fast. Take me from the moment I got shot.”

  Grace began. “There were two men in the guard shack behind tinted glass. We couldn’t see them, and since we didn’t know that was where the truck was going, we didn’t expect it. That’s why Tattoo Man and his buddy didn’t resist.”

  “I still should have seen them,” Tag added.

  “I should have too,” AJ said.

  “What none of us saw was a very big sign that said the plant was Temporarily Closed. After the ambulance, the cops, and the DHS showed up,” Grace continued, “Richard, Tag, and I went inside to help the DHS. Maddie stayed with you and rode back here, to the hospital. The DHS put Tattoo Man and the other guy into one of their vans and they’re here, in Niagara at the police station. Richard drove the truck back to Milwaukee with Frog and all of the kids last night. They’re at Hannah’s House being looked after. I sent Greg and Jeff back too. Maddie’s bureau chief has Clint Weeks in Milwaukee with Lawrence Kelly. Pete is helping them on the charges against him.” She took a drink of water. “Tag did the final report at the resort to Kelly.”

  AJ looked at them, shocked.

  “Kelly was here? And son of a—it was Clint? Damn it. What about Jay?”

  Maddie spoke next. “Couldn’t have done it without him. He got the chopper that brought Katie and the surgeon up here from Green Bay. He got Lithscom to hold the two motel men here in jail and he rode back to Milwaukee with Clint Weeks.”

  “Everyone’s safe? No one else hurt?”

  “There were two dead kids in the plant, but all of that will come later when we have more than this fifteen minutes,” Maddie said. “We’re staying here until they release you.” She looked at Katie before she spoke again. “We’ll have you transported back to Milwaukee in an ambulance when you’re ready.”

  AJ took a breath. “Whatever works. I’d rather be home.” The Milwaukee doctor had already spoken to her. They’d leave tomorrow.

  At that moment, the doctor stepped into the room. “Time’s up. Everyone out.”

  AJ started to argue, but he shook his head. “No. I’m going to run those final tests we talked about. There’s a waiting room right down the hall.”

  Katie leaned over with a kiss, her gray eyes gorgeous and wet. “See you soon, love,” she said and was the first to leave.

  AJ sighed. “Somebody stay with her while he has me. Thanks. You did great. Damn, I can’t believe it was Clint. I’ll bet Kelly is furious. I am.”

  * * *

  Katie stood at the waiting room window, her curly black hair shining in the low lights. Tag saw her wipe her eyes.

  “She’s going to be all right.” Tag put an arm around her shoulder.

  “The doctor said so too when he talked to us earlier.” Katie turned to face everyone. “The doctor doesn’t want to leave until he’s satisfied the internal bleeding’s stopped. That’s what he’s checking now. The shoulder was a through and through and should heal fine, but the brain’s another matter.” She straightened with a breath. “After he gives us the results of this test, I can leave. I’ll sleep in AJ’s room at the resort and pack her things. Will one of you give me a ride?”

  Grace smiled. “I will. We’re doomed to stay together. Last spring and now.”

  Katie almost pulled off a smile. “I didn’t bring anything with me. Chief Whiteaker picked me up at work and took me to the airport. My car’s still there. I can have someone take it home, but I need clothes and stuff.”

  Grace teased her. “If you weren’t so short…”

  “If you weren’t so tall,” Katie shot back and turned to Maddie. “Abou
t that transport. I’ll ride with AJ.”

  Maddie nodded. “Okay. We’ve already got a room for her at the hospital where she was last spring, and I’ve talked to Dr. Light. Ride back to the resort with Tag and Grace. You’ll need clothes and I’ll see to that. You also need to eat. I called the resort and they’ll have it ready when you get there. Sam and I have to arrange for the transport to Milwaukee for Tattoo Man and the other guy right now, so we’re leaving. We’ll see you at the resort.”

  “I’ll get us some coffee,” Grace said and trailed Maddie and Sam to the door.

  Katie sat down next to Tag. “AJ hates hospitals, and I have to thank the stars above that there won’t be any crutches this time. The doctor said this procedure will take about an hour, and if the tests are positive, we’ll go tomorrow.” She tried to straighten her wrinkled business suit.

  Tag stretched her long legs out in front of her. “We’ve got things for you at the resort. Of course…”

  “I know. You’re all trees and I’m a shrub,” Katie said and finally laughed.

  Chapter Thirty

  The wheels hitting the runway at Mitchell International Airport woke Tag with a jolt. Her briefcase fell to the floor and the older man next to her bent to retrieve it.

  “It’s Milwaukee, Captain,” he said, handing her the well-worn leather case.

  Still fighting the headache she’d had for hours, Tag rubbed her bleary eyes and looked down at her uniform, her mind catching up fast.

  “Thanks. I can’t believe I slept the whole flight.” The field lights flew by her window in a rainbow of colors, and she straightened in the seat. They’d talked on the plane when she’d first sat down, and he knew she’d been in Washington DC and was out of the service after ten years. He’d not asked why she was back in uniform and in the nation’s capital. Thank God.

  They’d flown her commander in from the base at Bagram. He and Tag and two others had testified for over seven hours. She felt another “Thank God” that the meetings had been closed. They’d had a late meal and she’d gone directly to bed. She’d gotten up early this morning and taken the first available direct flight to Milwaukee.

  She looked out at the rain drenching the airport as the plane taxied up. Home again, she thought. And the first place she’d seen Grace.

  A black SUV with red and blue flashers parked next to the plane. A flight attendant smiled at her and stood by her seat as passengers filed out.

  “You’ll want to come with me, Captain,” the attendant said.

  Puzzled, Tag gathered her gear and followed, taking the back ramp. A person with an umbrella stood on the cement beside the black SUV, waiting for her. Tag’s heart jumped.

  Grace hugged her hard and whispered “I missed you” against her ear, and guided her into the SUV. Maddie drove the vehicle around the plane and out across the tarmac.

  “Maddie’s people called her and said you were on the way home,” Grace said, and gestured at her worn jeans, barn boots, and damp sweatshirt. “I was at the stables and she came and got me. Sorry. I smell like Crow.”

  “I’d rather smell Crow than what I smelled in Washington DC,” Tag said, and grinned.

  “I’ve been there,” Maddie said from the front. “I couldn’t agree more. Was it bad?”

  “Yes,” Tag said. “Thankfully, it was a closed hearing. The three of us and our commander testified for over seven hours.”

  “Did you run into any of the press?” Maddie said. She stopped at a red light and looked at Tag in the rearview mirror.

  “Yes, a few, but all the questions were about Clint Weeks, not our testimony. And only because I’m from Wisconsin.” She took a deep breath. “I need a drink, a shower, and lots of sleep. Anything else happening?”

  Maddie laughed, barreling down the interstate toward Grace’s apartment. “Where to begin? According to the national news, Milwaukee is now officially the number three center for sex trafficking in the United States. Our FBI task force in northern Wisconsin has been played on local television a thousand times, mostly because of Clint Weeks. They connected Chief William Whiteaker’s unit and the poor man has become a media darling.”

  Tag stared at her. She’d only been gone three days and two nights. “And AJ?”

  “Going to be released tomorrow,” Grace said and grinned at Tag. “I know she’s better because she yelled at us.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Maddie laughed again. “It took me an hour to convince her that it was ‘good press’ for the FBI task force.”

  Tag shook her head. “But how is she?”

  “Um.” Grace frowned. “Dr. Light said the only side effects might be occasional visual impairment or headaches. She and Katie fought over the ‘full bed rest’ in front of us.” She laughed. “Those two are hilarious when they fight.”

  “They should have a nationally televised sitcom.” Maddie laughed too. “Best one-liners I’ve heard in years. I’ve never seen love expressed quite that way.”

  Tag let the window down a little. The air was damp and wet and made her think of how it had smelled at the resort up north, the way air should smell. “How are the kids at Hannah’s House?”

  “So far, everything’s progressing as we hoped. Frog is a great story. I wish I had about five of her.” Maddie smiled. “She sounds like a mini AJ most of the time.”

  They had her inside Grace’s apartment in minutes.

  “You pack light, soldier,” Maddie said, dumping the clothes bag on the kitchen chair.

  “Years of training,” Tag said and started toward the cupboard. “Grace. Do you have any painkillers? I’ve got a damned headache.”

  “Sit down,” Grace said. She found aspirin and shook two tablets into Tag’s hand, then handed her a glass of water. “Maddie has to go back to work. You’ll need the rest. Tomorrow’s a mess. We have to meet with the Niagara victims at Hannah’s House. Then there’s a meeting with the legal team over Clint Weeks. I’ll catch you up over dinner. Grab a shower, and I’ll start dinner. You need to eat.”

  Maddie was at the door. “Check in tomorrow, girls. Grace, I’ll let the chief know we have Tag back.”

  * * *

  Tag sipped wine at the kitchen table and told Grace about being in Washington DC. Then the waiting at the airport and how hard the airline had worked to find her a seat.

  Grace started dinner, working at the stove and counter, turning occasionally with that gorgeous smile and those wonderful eyes. Tag finished her wine.

  “Time for a shower,” she said.

  Grace leaned forward, fingers roaming over her neck and face, playing with the Dragon necklace. “We have as much time as you need. I’ll put dinner in the oven and shower after you finish. Mind a little music?”

  “Not at all. Thanks.” Tag gathered her things and headed to her bedroom feeling much better. She examined her uniform. It would need to be cleaned. She tossed it over the chair and began to take the hardware off it, placing everything in the little box on the desk. She picked up the extra Dragon necklace she’d always kept and remembered the first day her unit had put them on. The ones who hadn’t made it home had been buried with them.

  She stared at it for a minute before she turned for the shower.

  Later, as they ate, she fielded Grace’s questions. “What is this?” Tag said and took another bite of the delicious casserole.

  “A broccoli casserole recipe that I stole from Katie,” Grace said and sipped the amber wine. “It’s one of the few dishes that AJ can make. Katie’s the chef in the house.” She finished and pushed her plate away. “Do I get to know what you testified about or will that come out in the news?”

  Tag sighed. “I think it’s going to make everyone really angry.”

  “Just so you know, it’s rumored to have treason laced through it.”

  “It’s possible. The one thing I can tell you is that we weren’t looking for it. It involves another country in our election and we stumbled across it tracking something else. It was Josh, Ellen, and me on a late
night. It was a mess and we didn’t leave until the next morning. I reported it to my commander, went home, and slept for ten hours.”

  “Does it have anything to do with the election?”

  “Yes, but don’t ask me for more. The FBI and Congress have it now. I can’t touch it and don’t want to think about it. You wouldn’t either. You used to work in Cyber Crime, so you know what those moments are like.” She took a drink of her wine and let her body unwind.

  Grace was quiet, looking at her plate. “Maddie’s people sent her photos of your group walking out of the testimony. All of you looked tired and sad.”

  “We were, but all I heard about from the press was Clint Weeks’s mess.” Tag took another drink of the wine. “What’s going on tomorrow? Tell me again.”

  Grace laughed a little. “The first part’s going to make you laugh, and I didn’t mention this in front of Maddie.” She fluffed her hair. “Look at this. I need to do something.”

  Tag did look. She hadn’t noticed Grace’s natural color was creeping back into her hair. “Have you looked at women’s hair these days? They have as many as three or four colors in it.”

  “So, the first place we’re going is to Katie’s sister’s and get my hair straightened out. Thank God. Wait until you see AJ’s hair. Between the surgery and the different color, her hair is a mess.” Grace took her plate to the sink, rinsed it, and put it in the dishwasher. “Then we go to Hannah’s House for a discussion with the kids. You won’t recognize them. Rest, good food, and safety really changed them.” Grace reached for Tag’s hand. “Milwaukee CPS will be there for the last part of the conversation. Finally, we meet at Peter Adams’s office with Clint’s legal team. Jay might be there.”