by Margaret Kay
“I’d think you’d have the right to. You are pregnant with his child!”
Brielle shook her head. “Nah, that’s not love. That’s control and would be using guilt to persuade him. Besides, if people like him didn’t do the job that they are so good at, I would have died. The next ‘me’ is out there and our guys have to be there to take care of that person too. It would be selfish of me to ask him to stop doing what he does.”
“I guess you’re right,” Annaka conceded. Brielle made a compelling case. And she realized that she had been that next ‘me’ that Brielle was talking about.
“Did Danny tell you about the trackers?”
“Yes. I’m still thinking about that one, don’t see why it’s necessary for me.”
Brielle took a big drink of her coffee before she spoke. “I got taken after Brian and I were living at his condo. It was my fault. I listed our return address on a package and someone who shouldn’t have, saw it. Two men came to our house, broke in and took me. It was only because of the tracker that they found me.”
“Who took you?” Annaka breathed out.
“That drug and human trafficking ring. That’s why we moved in here with Danny until we could close on the place across the street. Brian’s old place was burned. We couldn’t stay there any longer. It was my fault, and I felt really bad about it. But the team got the guys who grabbed me, and they flipped on their bosses. The whole network was brought down, so it ended okay, but it was scary. I knew during it that the team would find me because of the tracker. That was the only thing that kept me from completely losing it.”
When Brielle glanced up at Annaka, Annaka had tears in her eyes. “Oh, my God, Brielle. I am so sorry. I didn’t know. Danny didn’t tell me.”
“No,” Brielle said, shaking her head. “He wouldn’t have. Get the tracker, Annaka. It may save your life one day and it will give Danny peace of mind. He can’t be worried about you and do his job effectively.” She knew she sounded like Mr. Shepherd. She knew then that she was really one of them, not that it was a bad thing. She also knew she’d been overly emotional talking about when Brian was shot. And she’d thought she’d dealt with it. She would make another appointment with Dr. Lassiter.
Annaka nodded. “I feel like I just stepped through the looking glass into another world.”
“It is another world. Most people are blissfully ignorant of the evil all around us. I prefer that the blinders are off, and I’m properly safeguarded.”
Annaka nodded again. “I’ve never been one to bury my head in the sand.”
“How much does your lady know about the agency?” Shepherd asked.
Mother sat beside Garcia in the chairs facing Shepherd’s big desk. The morning sun streamed through the floor to ceiling windows behind him. “Enough,” Mother replied.
“I imagine the other women filled her in on a lot last night,” Shepherd said.
Mother knew that Shepherd got the tracker report daily. He’d know who was at his house last night. “Yes, sir. Some topics came up that she and I hadn’t discussed.”
“You’ve requested an agency phone and a tracker for her,” Shepherd said. “Do you also want her added to your insurance policies?”
Mother nodded. A smile curved his lips. “Yes, thank you. She’s it. I’m going to marry that woman.” It felt good to say the words.
Shepherd’s stare was intense. “I’d like to meet her.”
“Just tell me when,” Mother promised.
Shepherd lifted his cell phone from the desk. He swiped at his screen. “Tomorrow at eleven hundred.” His eyes went to Garcia. “You can issue her the agency phone after the meeting.” Then his gaze shifted back to Mother. “I’ll let Doc know that he can inject the tracker after.”
“Thank you, Shepherd,” Mother said. He stood, knowing he’d just been dismissed.
Annaka would admit that her anxiety rose as the pickup truck descended the ramp into the subbasement level of the parking garage. She watched Danny press his hand to the scan pad and enter the code into the keypad. She stared at the elevator door in silence.
Mother squeezed her hand. “You have no reason to be nervous.”
“Says you,” Annaka squeaked out. “I still don’t understand why your boss wants to talk to me.”
Mother chuckled. “Annaka, he wants to meet you. Is that so unusual? You’ve been brought in on what we do. You’re getting an agency phone and a tracker today. I’d say it would be odd if he didn’t.”
“You’re probably right,” she agreed.
Mother turned her to face him. He placed a kiss on her forehead. “I am right. Just relax. Remember, it was Shepherd who approved both missions to help you. He can be intimidating, but he’s a hell of a commanding officer, knows his shit, and cares about his people.”
The elevator doors opened. They stepped out on five. Annaka knew that Shepherd’s office door was the one tucked into the corner, straight ahead. It was closed. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves as they approached the door. Mother knocked.
“Come,” a muffled voice was heard from the other side of the door. She watched Danny open it and swing it wide. They stepped into the room. Garcia was there, standing beside a man in a wheelchair. He rolled forward and extended his right hand. “Dr. Sanchez, it is nice to meet you. I’m Sam Shepherd.”
Annaka was a bit taken aback by this man. No one had said he was in a wheelchair. As she shook his hand, she noticed how muscled his body was. He wore a short-sleeved polo. His massive arms swelled from the sleeves, his chest was broad and defined beneath it. “Thank you, Mr. Shepherd. It’s nice to finally meet you too. I want to thank you for everything Danny and this agency has done to help me.”
“You are quite welcome. May I call you Annaka?” He motioned to the comfortable seating area to the side.
“Yes, certainly,” she agreed as she took a seat on the leather couch. Danny sat beside her and Garcia took the chair beside it. Shepherd positioned his wheelchair in front of them.
“I wanted to meet with you for several reasons. First and foremost, those who work for this agency are a family. The work we do forges bonds between us. The covert nature of it can isolate us from others not associated with the agency. Because of your relationship with Mother, you have now been brought into that family. We protect our own, Annaka. The agency phone and the tracker are two of the ways we do that.”
Annaka nodded. “Yes, sir. I understand.”
Shepherd’s lips ticked into a smirk. No, she didn’t. There was no way she truly could. “A lot of what we do is classified. Mother will not be able to share everything with you. You need to understand and respect that. What he can share, you cannot ever repeat to anyone outside of the agency.” He nodded to Garcia, who pulled a piece of paper from the folder he held. “This is a nondisclosure agreement that we need for you to sign. It is enforceable at the highest levels of government. A copy will be kept on file with the CIA, the NSA, and Homeland Security.”
Annaka’s breath caught in her chest. “I would never disclose anything to anyone. Of course, I will sign it.”
A thin smile formed on Shepherd’s face as he watched her sign the NDA. “Very good. Thank you. I will tell you this. I do not put our people in harm's way easily. I carefully evaluate all missions and would never unnecessarily risk any asset of this agency. I will be the first to acknowledge that I know it is not easy being with one of our Operators. We get scrambled all hours of the day or night when bad shit goes down somewhere. Know that plans will be interrupted, important holidays and dates missed. But I hope you already know, the work we do is important.”
“I know firsthand and I appreciate what Danny and the others do. I probably wouldn’t be alive if they hadn’t come to Alaska in December, a trip that made Danny miss Christmas with his family.”
Shepherd nodded. “A promise I will make to you, that I’ve made to all the other women involved with our Operators is that if anything ever happens to Mother, you will hear it from m
e. You will not be left in the dark and you will not be alone to deal with it. You will have the backing of me and this entire agency. We take care of our own.”
Annaka let out a nervous breath. “Thank you, Mr. Shepherd.”
“And one thing I would ask of you, is that if you are ever in any trouble or danger, that you tell us, even if it is something of your own doing.”
Annaka had no idea what he meant by that, but she agreed.
“Mother is adding you to his health and dental policies and paying the premium for the coverage out of his paycheck. You are now covered by excellent plans. You are considered a dependent. Garcia will issue your agency phone and explain everything about it to you. You will then see Doc and he will inject your tracker.”
Danny and Garcia both came to their feet. She followed suit. “Thank you, Mr. Shepherd,” she said, presenting her right hand to him.
He shook it and then rolled towards his desk. Danny pulled on her arm, prompting her to walk to the door. Once on the other side of the closed door, her breathing relaxed. Her eyes swept between Danny and Garcia. “He is intimidating.”
Annaka slid her new agency phone into her purse. Her private number was ported over, and she had a new agency phone number too. So much for the seven hundred dollars she’d just spent to replace her phone. Had she known; she would have waited. Both phone numbers existed on the one device. All items from her personal phone now resided on the agency phone. Her agency contact list held the names of many people she hadn’t met. Danny and Garcia also explained to her about Ops, her new 9-1-1 number. That number was programmed into her phone too.
“I’ve pushed your contact info out to all agency phones. You are now listed in our directory. Let me know if any questions come up. Just shoot me a text,” Garcia said.
“I will, thank you,” she replied.
“Yvette is in Ops. You should swing by and introduce her, or Yvette will be pissed,” Garcia told Mother.
Mother chuckled. “I don’t want that. Come on,” he said to Annaka.
He led her out of Garcia’s office and to the door across the hall. She watched him repeat the press of his hand to the scan pad and the entering of the code into the keypad. The door clicked, and he opened it. They stepped into a room filled with monitors and computerized equipment. Two people were within, a woman with short, spikey red hair she assumed was Yvette, and a man with dark hair.
“Hi,” Mother greeted Yvette and Miraldi. “This is Annaka Sanchez,” he introduced.
“Annaka, it is nice to meet you,” Yvette said, closing the short distance to shake her hand. “I’m one of the lead analysts here in Ops. Don’t ever hesitate to call in if you need something.”
“Thank you, Yvette. It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Nice to meet you, Annaka,” the man said, offering his hand as well. “I’m Tony Miraldi. I worked with you to complete the drawings of your two assailants in December.”
“You did. Thank you again and it is very nice to meet you.”
“I work in Ops when needed as well as the tech lab.”
Annaka smiled and nodded, even though she didn’t completely understand what that meant.
Yvette’s eyes went to Mother. “She’s getting her tracker today.” It was a statement. “Doc’s already sent us the info. You’re all set.”
“Yeah, I’m just going to show her my office and then we’ll go down to see Doc.”
“A bag of frozen peas,” Yvette said.
Annaka just stared at her.
“For the pain and slight swelling from the injection of the tracker. Put a bag of frozen peas on it and it’ll feel better,” Yvette stated.
“Thanks,” Annaka replied. They stepped back into the hall. “That room is crazy. All the camera feeds on the monitors.” They watched everything, big brother on steroids.
Around the corner was his office. She looked around the personalized space, feeling Danny in the room. On one of the walls was a poster. On it was a picture of a hill with a man who stood at its peak silhouetted against the moon. The words ‘The Crucible’ and ‘Conquer the Reaper’ were written in bold letters. Near the bottom were yellow footprints and the Marine Corps emblem, the Eagle, Globe and Anchor that Danny had tattooed on the right side of his chest.
“What’s this?”
“Hell, and pride,” he replied. “The Crucible is a fifty-four-hour induction into hell. It’s described by many as the defining experience of boot camp. It’s a forty-five-mile hike with fifty pounds of gear on your back and a rifle in your hands. It’s a challenge that tests each recruit physically, mentally, and morally. To complete it, a recruit relies on teamwork, his training, and persistence.” He pointed to the top of the hill. “That’s the Reaper, the seven-hundred-foot-high mountain. Once a recruit reaches the top of it, the emblem ceremony takes place. Each is presented with his EGA and he is called a Marine. It was one of the proudest moments of my life when I presented myself at the top of the Reaper.”
Hearing the pride and conviction in his voice brought tears to Annaka’s eyes. She swallowed the lump that was in her throat. She embraced him and held him tightly. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I love you.”
Mother stroked over her back. She got it, like few others could. “I love you, too.” He kissed her and then pulled a few inches away. “We need to get down to Doc’s office. He’s waiting.”
Annaka nodded. “Okay.” She followed him, dreading it. Especially after Yvette had recommended a bag of frozen peas to help with the pain and swelling. What had she agreed to?
Yankee
“Good luck with your meeting at the Shedd,” Mother said, taking her into his arms. He held her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “You’ll probably get offered a position on the spot. I’m sure it’s not every day someone with your credentials walks in there.”
Annaka chuckled. “We’ll see. I’ll call you after I leave the Shedd.” She dropped her head against his chest, enjoying the closeness.
“I should be available. We’ll already have done our meet and greet with the local agents and will just be getting set up.”
“Be careful, Danny.”
“I always am,” he guaranteed her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she swore. “I’ll call you after my meeting.” She knew he had to go soon.
He was again catching a ride into the office with Sherman, leaving his pickup for her. “If you need anything, remember that Garcia will be around all week and offered to help you with anything you need. Text or call him.”
“I will.”
He pressed a kiss to her right shoulder, where the tracker was injected. “Does it feel better this morning?”
“Yes. It’s a hundred percent better.” But man, did it hurt when it was injected.
“Thank you for agreeing to it. I feel much better about going to work.”
“Please just be careful,” she repeated.
Through the front window, they saw Sherman pull up in his fancy little red sports car. Mother gave her a final passionate kiss. “Lock up after I go.”
Annaka nodded and watched him go out the door, the cold blast of the late January air hitting her in the face. She waved to Sherman and then closed the door, relocking it. She watched the car drive away until it was out of sight. As she headed up the stairs, her cell phone rang. It was Brielle. “Hello.”
“Hi, so I was thinking, would you like to grab breakfast somewhere before we head down to the Shedd?”
Annaka smiled into the phone. “Thank you again, for going downtown with me.”
“Is that a yes?”
Annaka laughed. “I’d like that. I have to get a shower and get ready, but I can be ready in just over an hour. That should give us plenty of time. I’ll even buy you breakfast as a thank you.”
“I wasn’t suggesting it to get a free meal. I’ll be out front in an hour and a half. We will have more than enough time to eat. There’s a ten-thirty train we can catch. That’ll get us down
town around eleven-thirty, plenty of time to get over to the Shedd by one o’clock.”
“Yes, I was thinking I’d like to pay the regular admission and walk around before my meeting, just to get a feel for the place as a visitor. I’m sure they’ll give me a behind the scene’s tour, but that’s not the same.”
“Sounds good,” Brielle said. “I’ll just wander around it the whole time you’re in your meeting. I’m looking forward to the day. I haven’t been downtown since I moved here. I’d like to go up to the top of the Willis tower, to the Skydeck, and check out that Glass Ledge too.”
Annaka laughed. “Sure, and it is supposed to be a clear day, so we should get a good view of the city from up there.”
