“I think he’s just reacting from the pleasure. I wouldn’t worry. All the other kids turned out fine, and we’ve done it a lot while she was carrying them.”
Callen was glad he had his big brother.
“What are you naming him?” Ethan asked.
“I meant to talk to you about that. I had an idea, and I wanted your opinion.”
Ethan waited.
“How do you feel about Timothy Wyler?”
He grinned. “Grandad would be proud, and you’re going to make our father cry—which says a lot, since he’s trapped with our four hellions all day.”
Callen snorted. “I do try.”
Then he got quiet.
“What’s wrong? Just say it. I can handle anything you throw out there, but if you’re thinking more kids, don’t say it to her. She’s going to get us fixed. I can see it in her eyes. In fact, I think she’s secretly searching for a doctor who will let her assist in the procedures.”
“No, it’s not that. I want to add Blackhawk to this baby’s name. In fact, I want to add it to EJ and Cat’s too, but first, I wanted to see if you were okay with it.”
He stared at his brother. “I would like that very much. It seems fitting since she carries both our names.”
There was another pause.
“Cal?”
“I want to add it to mine too.”
Ethan smiled. “I think you should.”
“I want to share mine with you too. I want all of us to be one big happy family. I’m not saying we’re not if our kids have different last names, since I’m over that, but I think it makes a statement.”
“And that is?”
“Fuck you, world. We’re the Blackhawks and we don’t care what you think.”
Ethan began laughing. “Now, there’s something to put on the totem pole. I like it. We’ll start the paperwork as soon as we get home.”
“Can we surprise her?” Callen asked.
He grinned. “Yeah, we can try. You know how tricky she can be. Keeping a secret from her isn’t an easy feat.”
He was well aware.
“Anything else you want to say to me?” Blackhawk asked. “You look like you’re not done.”
“I love you, Ethan. You’re more than just my brother. You and Elizabeth are the two halves of my heart. I wouldn’t want to go on without you both. I’m so happy and complete now that we’re a family.”
He felt the same way. “I love you, Cal. I meant what I said before. We all make it as FBI, or we all quit. There’s no compromise on this one.”
In a way, Callen was happy and scared. Now, all their happiness rode on his shoulders.
Ethan was the FBI to the core.
As was their Elizabeth.
He didn't believe they could ever walk away and still be happy. Callen knew what he needed to do.
He had to pull this off.
No matter what.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
The next victim was picked, set up, and ready. There was no doubt that the FBI was ready for it, but that didn't stop the plan.
In order to pay her back, it was going to mean pulling out all the stops.
Now came the next victim.
Before tomorrow was over, and forever written in the books, Elizabeth would be distracted.
It was time to alert the media, making her life even more difficult.
“You think you’re the best investigator, Elizabeth, but let’s see how you handle the heat when it’s you who’s on fire.”
The phone was turned on, and the call was made.
Only, it was useless.
The kill had already happened. Now the cat was just toying with the mouse.
And biding its time.
CHAPTER FIVE
Tuesday Early
Morning
When his phone rang, Callen tried to grab his cell with his right hand, but it wasn’t cooperating. His fingers were still numb from his injuries and being trapped beneath his body.
Immediately, he began struggling to free his good arm, but it was pinned beneath Elizabeth’s body.
He needed help.
Sadly, this was just one more reality for him. He couldn’t even do the simplest of tasks. If there was one thing he learned the last two months, it was to ask for assistance if he needed it.
“Lyzee,” he whispered.
Elizabeth rolled over his body, grabbing the phone from his dead fingers.
“Director Blackhawk,” she mumbled into the cell.
“Ma’am, I’m looking for Director Whitefox. It’s the tech department. We have his trace.”
“Hold on.”
She handed it to Callen as she struggled to see the time on the clock. It was only three in the morning.
Yeah, she needed more sleep.
“Yes?” Callen said into his phone.
There was a pause as he listened.
“Text me the address,” he said, hanging up.
“What is it, Callen?” Ethan asked.
He hopped out of bed and began pulling on his jeans. “We have to get ready to go. That was the trace. The phone went on, and there was a call made.”
“To who?” Ethan asked, as he joined his brother in getting dressed.
“The team said it’s to a man by the name of Tristan Case. They’re sending me the location of his phone.”
Elizabeth sat up in bed at the mention of his name. “What? Repeat that name for me again? I think I was still partially asleep when you said it. It sounded familiar. What was his name?”
“It was Tristan Case.”
She was up and out of bed. Both men were watching her move around grabbing her clothes.
“I definitely know him.”
Ethan continued getting dressed. “Who is it?” he asked, pulling on a polo in haste.
“He’s an agent, or he was. I’m not sure of his status right now, but he carried a badge when I was just starting out. I didn't work with him personally, but Livy did. When Gabe and I were tangled up in a case, and detained, she worked with him for a while until I was back from the job. They were partnered up.”
The men moved faster, knowing that the call had gone in to one of their own. They had to move.
Elizabeth was dressed. “Get Gabe and Livy, I’ll grab Chris.”
“We don’t have a body,” Ethan began. “We technically don’t need the ME on this one.”
“I don’t want to leave him here alone. What if he’s going after anyone attached to Livy and myself? You’re both targets and so is he. I can’t risk him. He matters too much to me.”
They understood.
Elizabeth grabbed her gun and badge and slipped it onto her belt. They needed to hustle.
A life depended on it.
Out in the hall, she headed toward the part of the house where the kids’ bedrooms were located. The men headed in the opposite direction and toward the master suite. At the door, she knocked.
No one answered.
Elizabeth hoped Chris didn't shoot her.
Then again, he wasn’t a big proponent to wearing a gun, so in all likelihood, she was probably safe. Chris hated them.
Pushing the door open, she crept in. Chris was passed out in bed, lying on his back. He was naked to his waist, and she honestly hoped he had boxers on beneath the sheet, or this was going to be awkward.
They’d been there and done that before.
“Chris,” she whispered.
He still didn't move.
When she touched his arm, he jumped, scaring the crap out of her.
“Jesus! Elizabeth! You scared me,” he said, pulling the earplugs out of his ears.
“Christopher, we got a call.”
“A body?”
“No, but I don’t want to leave you here alone.”
He stared at her. “I think I’d rather sleep.”
There was silence between them as she thought of the best way to get out her feelings. Elizabeth was horrible with things like this,
and she didn't want to screw it up.
She sat beside him. “I’m afraid for you. Please come with us. I can’t focus if you’re here alone. I don’t think I could handle it if something happened to you.”
“You really do believe we’re all marked, don’t you?”
She touched his cheek.
“I can’t lose a man I consider my brother. It’ll kill me, Christopher. I need you to trust my gut on this. I know I’m a mess over all of this, but I believe in my instinct, and it’s telling me to not leave you alone.”
He immediately softened at her words and the concern in her eyes. “Okay, Lyzee. I’ll come with you.”
She closed her eyes in relief. “I really hope you’re not naked.”
Chris started laughing. “You can look. I’m in boxers. You’ve seen this before. There’s nothing new.”
She got up.
“Thank you, Chris.”
“No problem, Lyzee. I’ll be ready in five minutes.”
She headed away from the bed, but when she got to the door, she glanced back at him. He was dressing. Her heart skipped in her chest.
She was scared.
This killer was crazy, and they didn't know who the target was going to be. At this point, it could be any of them.
“Are you okay?” he said, realizing she didn't leave.
“I love you, Christopher Orion Leonard. You own a part of my heart. You better not let anything hurt you. Wear your damn gun.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Elizabeth. I gave you my word all those years ago. You’re my sister forged in blood.”
“Promise?” she asked. “I need to know you’re safe.”
“On my life.”
With that, she closed the door.
He hesitated. Chris couldn’t remember the last time she looked so rattled.
He hated it.
Badass Elizabeth Blackhawk was worried, and that scared the hell out of him.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
In the vehicle, they all buckled in. It was apparent that Ethan and Callen hadn’t mention to Livy where they were going.
As Ethan drove, Callen sat in the back with the women and Chris doing research.
“What’s the address?” Gabe asked, preparing to enter it into the navigational system.
“Forty-three Hemlock Hills,” Callen stated.
Livy sat forward. “Wait! What?”
Elizabeth knew it was time to let her in on it. “We have the potential victim’s name and address, and that’s where we’re heading, Livy. Hopefully, we’ll catch this killer before he takes the next victim.”
“I know that address. Why?” Livy asked. “What are you being so careful not to tell me?”
Elizabeth glanced up and her eyes met Ethan’s in the mirror. “I think it’s familiar because you worked with the agent who lives there about fifteen years ago.”
She wracked her brain.
“I can’t put a face to the address. Who is it?”
Gabe was turned in his seat and staring at Elizabeth. If they had an agent in danger, he needed to know. One of his jobs was to protect his people.
“It’s Tristan Case.”
Livy gasped.
Gabe mulled it over. “Christ! That name sounds familiar. Do I know him?”
Elizabeth explained it all to them. She reminded them both of the cases they worked and the one-time Livy was partnered up with someone else while they were on a long-term stakeout.”
“Shit,” she muttered. “Yeah, I remember Tristan now. He was a great guy. He didn't mind working with a newbie fresh out of the FBI Academy.”
“Does he still work for the FBI?” Ethan asked. “Is he in town or out on an assignment? I don’t want to walk into a trap.”
Gabe had many agents under him. He wasn’t one hundred percent sure. So, he made a call.
He talked to dispatch, getting all the pertinent information on the agent in question. When he hung up, he shared everything he’d found out.
“Yes, he’s still active out of the Hoover building. He just got in from a case. He and his partner returned yesterday. They’re on their mandatory twenty-four hours off before reassignment.”
“Who’s his partner?” Elizabeth asked.
“It’s special Agent Jay Melrose.”
The name sparked recognition.
“Oh boy,” stated Blackhawk. When they all looked over at him, he explained. “I know him,” Ethan said. “He used to be my partner. We worked together for years.”
Gabe was aware. “He’s the agent I wanted you to swap to work with Elizabeth.”
Ethan glanced over.
“How long were you two partners?” Elizabeth asked.
He had to think about it. “He was my longest partnership. I think it was around seven years. Then I had a couple others, then Lily Sanderson, and then we met. He hung in there the longest. We had a really great working relationship.”
“Why did it end?” his wife asked.
“I was reckless, Cowboy, if you will, and he was too into hooking up. We eventually got on each other’s nerves.”
Elizabeth touched his shoulder in support. This case was a twisted mess. This man was attached to one who mattered to Ethan. So, was the killer trying to point this at Livy or Ethan?
This was getting shittier by the second.
No one spoke the rest of the way as they each mulled it over in their minds.
Finally, Elizabeth spoke, “Okay, we’re almost there. Everyone get ready.” Then, she focused on their ME. “Chris, you have Kevlar on, right?” she asked, patting him in the chest.
“Yes.”
She was glad that he was vested up.
“We’ll go in quietly. Hopefully, this is a mistake and Tristan won’t shoot any of us.”
Ethan pulled into the driveway and turned off his lights. No one moved at first. They were scanning the area, making sure this wasn’t an ambush of sorts.
Then they got out.
The surrounding area was dead silent. You couldn’t hear anything but the wind blowing gently through the trees. The sparse trace of snow whipped around them, kissing their exposed flesh and sending a chill through their bodies.
It was clear that they were all on edge.
“Let’s go,” whispered Gabe.
As they headed toward the house, Elizabeth grabbed Chris by the arm to get his attention.
He moved his ear close to her mouth.
“I want you to keep your hand on my back when we go in, stay directly behind me, and don’t do anything insane to get yourself hurt,” she whispered. “Am I clear?”
“Yes, Mom,” he replied. Even though his comment conveyed humor, it wasn’t in his voice. Chris knew how serious this situation was. Their lives were all on the line.
Elizabeth pulled the spare Glock off her barely fitting riot vest and handed it to him. “Safety is off. Don’t shoot anyone. Use this only if you have to.”
He held the gun in his hand and nodded. He hated touching it, but what choice did he have? He was a Fed, and this was the element of the beast.
Elizabeth was grateful that he didn't argue or put up any kind of fight.
Chris knew how dangerous this was going to be. They were all popping coms in their ears, and he followed suit.
Gabe looked at his wife. “Stay behind me.”
She nodded as she pulled her gun. It felt odd having it in her hand after years of it being gone. Still, it didn't feel wrong. Silently, she followed her husband to the door.
Ethan and Callen headed around back. He wanted to make sure he could keep an eye on his brother. He was holding his gun in his left hand, and despite knowing he’d be fine, there was still that wave of wariness.
Then he thought about his pregnant wife.
Ethan had to pray that Elizabeth would be okay. Knowing Tex, she’d shoot first and question it later. She was probably the quickest with a gun, and most likely the safest.
“We’re in place,” he whispe
red into his com.
Elizabeth pointed at Gabe, counting down for him. She hoped he wasn’t too rusty going through a door. Who the hell knew when he did this last?
Three.
Two.
One.
He booted the wood with the heel of his shoe. The second he did, the scent of bowel and blood assaulted them.
They were too late.
Tristan Case wasn’t going to be found alive.
His number was up.
The team at the front of the house clearly heard Ethan calling out, warning anyone inside that the FBI was entering. They moved cautiously toward him, clearing their assigned spaces.
Chris Leonard did what he was told, and he stayed right behind Elizabeth, only he wasn’t hiding. He was watching her flank.
A few times, she glanced back at him, until she could feel his fingers on her lower back just below the Kevlar.
Their job was just about done, and Chris’s was about to begin. The further they moved into the agent’s home, the stronger the smell became.
When they entered the living room, they found him. He was spread eagle and a holy mess.
The killer had tried to move fast, and had butchered the man. It didn't take an ME to see that this was one hell of a hack job.
Elizabeth holstered her weapon and turned to face her ME. “I’ll help you with this until Merry can get here.”
Gabe knew there was no way in hell he could contain this. They had an ex-director and now a current agent dead. If he tried to bury this, it was going to be an even bigger mess.
His hands were now officially tied.
“I need to call in more techs. If the media gets wind of a ‘cover-up’, we’re screwed. The president is going to be riding my ass over why I tried to keep the lid on this. I’m going to have to notify him too. If this killer is stalking Federal agents, we need to get the warning out.”
She understood.
Choices will Destroy (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 14) Page 15
