by TR Cameron
Bryant nodded. “That’s the plan.”
The other woman looked pointedly at Diana’s wrists, and she shifted the gaze to the bracelet on her right hand and the smartwatch on her left. She said, “So, let’s talk about gear. I’ve noticed mine is less impressive than yours.”
Bryant barely managed to swallow his drink before he burst out laughing, and Cara raised an eyebrow at him. Diana shook her head. “You’re such a child.” She turned back to their newest recruit. “Don’t worry. I’m sure to return from DC with presents. But this points to a bigger issue. After the investigator, our first priority has to be to add a tech to the team and get the labs up and running. Using rental cars as a quartermaster will not fly indefinitely, and logistics are very much not my bag, baby.” The shared phrase brought Lisa to her mind, and she smiled. Seeing her best friend was one of the things she looked forward to most in her upcoming trip.
He inclined his head as if in agreement. “Well, you’ll be with the big boss. Maybe you can convince him.”
They paused for the arrival of the food, and each sampled their plate and judged it good. Rath was particularly excited by the new experience as he munched a fried plantain that had been intended as a garnish. Judging from his dreamy smile, it was the best thing he’d ever tasted. The sweet and spicy scents whirled around the table to add the aromatic layer that completed a fine dining experience and set the atmosphere for a positive outing.
Cara smiled innocently. “So, Bryant, you’ll leave soon, right?”
He smiled as the troll and two women laughed. Then, the movement deliberately casual, he dabbed at his lips with a napkin. “That is correct. I have other cities to do initial reviews on and people to meet along the way. I don’t imagine I’ll be back for a few weeks, assuming nothing blows up here.”
Diana growled. “Speaking of blowing up, how did the press get all that information about the Cube?”
Bryant grumbled, “Your guess is as good as mine. Still, it was bound to come out eventually, I suppose. As far as the public knows, it’s merely a second Ultramax inconveniently located in their backyard. There’s nothing to indicate that they know it belongs to us, or even that they’ve heard of ARES.”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t feel like a coincidence.”
Cara set her glass down with a small thump. “There’s no such thing as coincidence.”
The others nodded in agreement. Rath’s bushy hair waved like a paintbrush with the sheer vigor of his agreement. “There are no coincidences. Only the illusion of coincidence.”
Diana frowned at his tone. “English accent?”
Rath smiled. “V for Vendetta. Excellent knives.”
Cara leaned and lowered her tone. “So, neither of you has mentioned the Kemana. Is there a reason for that?”
Bryant’s face slipped into an impression of theatrical shock. “My, my. You have done your homework.”
She shrugged. “The Marshals have access to a lot, including the known sites.”
Diana silently applauded the fact that the woman didn’t assume that they knew about all the locations. “We’ll have to connect, eventually. I’d like to be a little more established before we do, so we have something to bring to the table in any discussion. But they’re definitely in our plans.”
With the meal over, the dishes cleared away, and coffees delivered for everyone except Rath—who topped his fruit juice up and devoted his energy to more fried plantains—they discussed the future of ARES in Pittsburgh and beyond, and what the constantly growing number of magical bad actors meant for the world. They exited the restaurant bound by their common agreement that the unique position the agency held, comparatively unhampered by layers of governmental bureaucracy, would prove vital as the worlds moved ever closer.
Chapter Six
It was beyond strange to return to her old bureau office, given all that had happened in the short time since Diana had left to join BAM. The clean walls, bright lights, and shining linoleum floors brought a smile to her face that widened as she passed through the open door into Tyson Samuels' office.
He came around from behind the desk, dressed as always for a job that paid much more than his did. Today’s choice of fashion was a solid navy suit that fit his trim form to perfection. The gray at his temples seemed to have taken more territory from the brown hair that covered his head since she’d last seen him. He shook her hand and gave it an extra pat before he released it. Samuels was by-the-book, and any more expressive physical contact, like a hug, was reserved for outside the office. He was an excellent hugger, though.
She sat in the familiar chair across his desk and marveled at the complete lack of change in everything other than herself. “So, did you find someone decent to replace me?”
Samuels nodded. “Fresh out of the Academy. She jumped through all the low-level stuff to Special Agent on her first day.” He delivered it with a perfectly straight face.
Diana looked at him in momentary confusion. “Really?”
He laughed. “Of course not. We’re still using temps like I said we would, searching for someone who’s the right fit. You left difficult shoes to fill."
“But fashionable ones, I hope.” She stroked the well-repaired boot at the bottom of her crossed denim-clad leg.
“As stylish as can be. How are things with you? I hear rumblings from up north.”
Diana sighed. “It looks like it’ll be as much of a hotspot as everyone thought.” He nodded. “Anyway, that’s part of the reason I’m here.”
He grinned. “And the rest?”
“I need a reason to visit with my Rabbi?”
He waved his hand. “Never. You’re always welcome in this office.”
She frowned. “The guards at the front didn’t seem to agree.”
“Being off the books has its advantages but also comes with a few disadvantages.” He shrugged.
Her tone conveyed her frustrations only too well. “More disadvantages, so far. I know the FBI has constantly been budget-challenged and even more so since Homeland came online, but ARES isn’t much better at the moment.”
“Starting a number of new locations will do that to an organization. Growing pains. Give it a while, and you’ll be outfitted like James Bond.”
She grinned. “I’ll hold you to that. If it doesn’t happen, I demand at least an exploding pen from your people. Oh, and one of those Lotus submarine cars.”
“Done and done.”
Diana sobered. “Witty banter aside, I need to find someone who knows Pittsburgh and understands investigation—ideally, police procedures rather than a private investigator or something. It would also be good to have a person who speaks the language of the local PD.”
Samuels leaned back in his chair and tapped his chin with a thin finger. “Any other requirements?”
She shrugged. “She or he should be in shape and have at least some combat training. We can improve on their skills, but it would be best if they had a set we could evaluate before we accept them. I guess amazing investigative abilities might balance that out, but we all have to be ready to do everything, and a dead investigator isn’t much use.”
He raised an eyebrow curiously. “Are you gonna make ʼem run the gauntlet?”
She rolled her eyes. “How the hell did you hear about that? Oh, wait, never mind. Bryant.” Exasperation colored his name.
Samuels nodded. “He said it was a storm followed by a rainbow but wouldn’t explain further.”
Diana groaned. “Anyway, about that investigator.”
Her mentor laughed and leaned forward to tap the laptop keys on his desk. “It just so happens I do know someone. He did six years as an Army MP before being RIFed. Currently, he works in homicide for Cleveland PD but has only been there a year. Before that, he was in Pittsburgh for five, with three spent as a detective.”
“That sounds great so far. Any magical experience?”
He shrugged. “The file doesn’t say, and I haven’t heard.”
; “But he’s good?”
The man inclined his head. “He’s trusted by the people I trust.”
“That’s solid enough for me.” She stood and moved toward the door, then stopped and turned. “Lisa’s having a small gathering at my place—well, her place—tonight. Do you want to come?”
Samuels shook his head. “We have tickets. Hamilton.”
Diana whistled. “Those are hard to get.”
He grinned. “I do know a few people here and there.”
“Tell Ellen I miss her and that she needs to keep you in line better.”
She walked away, accompanied by his laughing response. “Maximum oversight already achieved. No need for improvement.”
Entering her home as a visitor was far stranger than revisiting the FBI had been. The door opened before she could knock, and Lisa stood across the threshold. They both grinned like idiots and grappled in a hug that threatened to bind them at a molecular level. Her friend pulled her inside and kicked the door closed.
Diana protested, “Hey, be careful. That’s not a training door. It’s an actual door.”
Lisa swung her black hair dismissively. “Don’t worry, my landlord’s an absentee. She’ll have no idea what we do to the place.”
A bark was accompanied by a shout of glee as Rath dove into a triple somersault from the back of the couch to plummet into the cushion beside Max’s head. The dog gave him an amused look tinged with exasperation.
Exactly. Now you know how I feel.
“I think he spends most of his time tiny simply because he enjoys the acrobatic opportunities it offers.”
Lisa looked at him with something close to delight. She didn’t have enough experience with him to be exasperated. Yet. “Count your lucky stars. Imagine if he did that at eight feet.”
Diana shuddered. “He’ll wind up breaking through the floor into the basement. What will your landlord say then?”
“She’ll probably abandon me and move to another city.”
She put a hand over her heart. “Ouch.”
The other woman grinned and waved her into the kitchen.
Rath shouted, “Abandon!” as they passed.
Without looking back, Diana replied, “Shut up, you.” That drew more laughter from the troll.
Lisa retrieved two Atlas Rowdy Ales from the fridge when she arrived, popped the top on one, and extended it to her friend. Diana took a long, satisfying drink.
“I haven’t had the chance to sample Pittsburgh’s craft culture yet. You need to come up,” she said.
“You need to find some time,” Lisa countered.
She nodded. “This is true. Still, you come up and I’ll find the time.”
They clinked their bottles in a familiar gesture of agreement. “Deal.”
Diana jerked her head over her shoulder. “Did the trouble twins behave today?” She’d dropped them off before heading out to her day of meetings after driving down that morning.
Bureaucracy sucks.
“They did great, although they were a little noisy during one of my calls.” Lisa had agreed to work from home to keep an eye on the pair while Diana was in town. It wasn’t so much that they needed watching but that she felt uneasy about being back in DC after the threats of retribution from her first adventure as an agent in BAM. Cresnan and his fellows were locked up in the Cube, but there were more of their organization somewhere out there. It was only a matter of time before they clashed again.
She sat at the counter where she could watch Rath practice his floor routine on the newly upholstered couch cushions. “No problems with Steve?”
Lisa slid onto the stool next to her. “He probably would’ve left me alone anyway after the alley, but that stuff you dug up on his company is a good insurance policy.”
“I knew you wouldn’t have told him about my job change.”
“Not a chance. Sisters before misters.”
Diana bumped her friend’s fist in an act of solidarity. “Well, we closed their access off, so that’s no longer a worry, and we have leverage if he ever causes trouble. I’d call that neatly wrapped up.”
Lisa tipped her bottle and made an appreciative sound. “So, I took your spot at Jackson’s studio.”
“You didn’t tell me that. Go you.” She raised her brows in real surprise.
She nodded. “I really love it. It’s great exercise, plus you get to twist big guys into little puddles of submission on the ground.” Diana choked on her drink, and her friend laughed. “It’s more fun with the cute ones, of course.”
After she’d recovered her composure, she wiped her mouth and pointed a commanding finger. “No dating inside the dojo. This means you.”
Lisa rolled her eyes. “Witch.”
Diana grinned. “Wench.” The doorbell rang, and Rath and Max dashed to the door with excited shouts and barks, respectively. The Borzoi stood on his hind legs and put his front paws up so Rath could climb on his head and look through the peephole. Diana glanced at Lisa, who shrugged.
“Kayleigh,” the troll chirped, and Max moved so Diana could let her in.
“Kayleigh, great to see you. Thanks for coming out.” She immediately looked at the visitor’s boots, which were shiny, black, and very similar to her own. “Are those the new versions?”
The blonde tech laughed. “I can’t even get in the door and take my coat off before you ask. That is the sign of a true shoe fetishist.” Diana backed out of the way and let her pass but she continued her examination. Kayleigh rolled her eyes. “To answer your question, no. These are the old pair. I’m still working on the new one. Other projects are sucking up my time.”
She nodded in response, and Lisa materialized with a beer and handed it to the newcomer. “I’m Lisa. Sorry, Diana was too rude to introduce us.”
Kayleigh laughed. “Kayleigh. I’m also sorry.”
Diana rolled her eyes and turned to Rath and Max. “Do you see the abuse I take?”
The dog barked and the troll shook his head. “Sad. So sad.” They all burst into laughter at his comically forlorn expression.
An hour later, the remainder of the guests had arrived. Lisa claimed a dozen was always best and didn’t include Max and Rath in the tally. A few of Lisa’s coworkers had joined them, some of Diana’s FBI pals—she was especially happy to see Rodriguez, who’d been with her at the start of this magical adventure—and a couple of members of the DC ARES team. It was a rare social appearance for Nancy Blackwood, the DC team’s second sniper. Even though most of the crowd used cover stories of one kind or another, everyone still seemed to enjoy themselves.
She noticed a conspicuous absence and made her way upstairs to the spare bedroom. The small room held a dresser, a television, and a queen-sized bed that was currently occupied. Kayleigh stretched out on the mattress and propped on her elbows with her face at the foot to watch a Marvel film with Rath and Max. The troll and the tech were both engaged in an animated discussion about Black Widow’s gadgets.
“They were much better in the comics,” she pointed out.
He nodded authoritatively, then looked at Diana. “Need comics. Must train.”
Diana shook her head and bumped Kayleigh with her hip. “Move over, antisocial woman.”
The tech groaned and shifted to the side. “I’m not antisocial by definition, but I don’t do well in crowds.”
“It’s all good. Thank you again for coming out.”
She stared at her with a perfectly sculpted blonde eyebrow. “I couldn’t miss the chance to visit with Rath.”
Diana nodded. “I have a suggestion on that front, actually.”
Kayleigh forced herself to a sitting position. “No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do.” She nodded again to emphasize her seriousness.
“No. I am not becoming a field agent.”
They both grinned. “Eventually, I’ll convince you. But no, that’s not what I had in mind.”
Kayleigh wiped imaginary sweat from her brow. “What were you thinking, t
hen?”
“I need a tech in Pittsburgh to get the labs going and make us lots of cool gear and stuff.”
Her companion frowned. “I’m sure I can suggest someone.”
Diana shook her head firmly. “I need a great tech. And you’re the best I know.”
“Ems is way better than me.”
She slashed her hand between them. “No, Emerson is way more experienced than you. There’s a big difference there.”
Kayleigh grinned. “It’s nice of you to say that, but I haven’t heard that you’re at the lab stage of your startup yet.”
Diana shrugged. “It’s my office. I have the budget. It’s simply a matter of making the dollars dance in the right way.”
“I can’t imagine leaving DC.”
“Neither could I and suddenly, I have fantastic river views outside my office window. Consider it.” She laid her last card down. “You’d be head tech and would get to pick your own staff as we grow.”
Something sparked in the woman’s eyes at that, but she still resisted. “I don’t know, Diana.”
“Think about it.” At an explosion on the screen, Rath fell and rolled in a cackling fit. She stood and pointed at him. “And maybe explain to the little ruffian that explosions aren’t always a good thing.”
He grinned at her. “Boom. Big bada boom.”
I really need to cancel my cable.
Chapter Seven
After a week of bureaucracy, Diana was beyond ready to get back into real activity. She entered the Sheraton's lobby through the big revolving doors and gazed at the high open area through the leaves of tall potted trees. To the right were conference spaces and to the left, the hotel proper with eight floors of balconies looked over the atrium. A circular bar filled the center of the room ahead and the afternoon sun filtered through the glass that made up the ceiling.
Cara sat alone on a tall stool at the bar, seemingly a business person having a late lunch.
