Five Minutes Longer

by Five Minutes Longer [Dreamspinner MM] (retail) (epub)

“I remember not being able to move.” It was the closest he had ever been to a full-blown panic attack.

  “I’m able to slow everything down in your body—your blood flow, your breathing. It brings on a state of near paralysis, but we think that’s the body’s defense, not something I actually induce.”

  Finn waited to see if he offered anything else, but he didn’t, unsurprisingly, so Finn looked at Gael.

  “I can translate anything without ever being taught a foreign language,” Gael said. “Unless you count the Spanish I was taught in middle school.”

  Finn shared his grin. “Just hearing or written?”

  “Both,” Gael replied. “Wewe kuuliza maswali ya haki.”

  Finn blinked. “What does that mean?”

  “It means ‘you ask the right questions,’” Gael said. “In Swahili.”

  “Wow,” said Finn. “I’m surprised they didn’t want you for the foreign office or something.”

  Gael shrugged. “They’re too ashamed of us. Did you know none of us can get a passport?”

  “Why?” Finn asked in astonishment. He hadn’t known that.

  “Because they’re too frightened we might accidentally blow up the plane or something,” Talon said.

  “Because no other country wants us either.” There was a short silence when no one said a word, and everyone looked at Eli. After a few seconds, he shrugged. “I’m a pyromaniac,” he drawled. “That means—”

  “I know what it means.” Just because he couldn’t set things on fire didn’t mean he was dumb.

  “So that’s our little group,” Gael said, grabbed his uniform jacket, stood, and put it on. “Is Gregory waiting for us to go back in?”

  Talon shook his head. “No. We leave in an hour. Get something to eat, and then he wants us in full uniform. He’s arranged for a press conference inside the city hall before the demo starts. He’s hoping it will take the attention away from them.” Finn could hear the disbelief in Talon’s words.

  “Fuck me.”

  Everyone turned at Sawyer’s outburst and followed his gaze. Gael had turned to the door, but he twisted around at Sawyer’s exclamation.

  Vance barked out a laugh and grabbed his own jacket. “Did you know about this, boss?”

  Finn stared at the lettering on the back of the jacket, and his face broke into a grin. “They’ve given us a cool name.”

  Talon looked heavenward in exasperation. “Gregory mentioned it, but I thought he was yanking my chain.”

  “H.E.R.O.” Finn spelled it out slowly. “What does it stand for?” he asked Talon in awe.

  “Human Enhanced Rescue Organization.” Talon winced as he said it.

  “That’s completely awesome,” breathed Vance.

  Gael took off his jacket and stared at the letters. He glanced at Talon. “You have to admit, boss. It’s kind of cool.”

  Talon looked around at all their faces and shook his head. “This could still go very wrong.” He looked at Finn and nodded to the jacket Finn was gripping. “You need to get that uniform on.”

  Finn stood nervously. “I think I’ll eat first.”

  Vance was just leaving the room, but he turned at Finn’s words. “Shit, that’s actually a good idea.” He slowly unbuttoned his shirt and glanced at Finn. “My whole family’s either cops or in law enforcement of some type. Dad and four brothers. I’ve wanted to put this uniform on since I was a kid, and I don’t dare risk mayo all down the front of it.” He laughed.

  Talon made an exasperated sound. “I’ll see you in the cafeteria.” And he walked out.

  Finn stared after Talon.

  “Don’t mind him. His family is all in law enforcement too. They live in DC.”

  Finn nodded. “Yeah, I know. Drew told me.”

  “I bet you think we’re all complete dumbasses.” Vance sighed heavily.

  Finn paused before he let out the immediate easy denial that had sprung to his lips. He sat on the bench opposite Vance and leaned back on his locker door. “You are stronger and faster than me. You outran me on the track yesterday, even though technically I should be able to sprint faster because of your bulk. You had much better endurance.” Vance looked up hesitantly. “Most people use the phrase ‘can kill with their bare hands.’ Vance, you could take me out with one tied behind your back.” Finn’s grin widened as Vance started to look uncomfortable at the praise. Seemed he was shy.

  “All my life I wanted this,” Vance said slowly, as if he were picking through his own memories. “It was a given. I’m the youngest of five. Cops came around to our house all the time. My dad is a lieutenant, and all my brothers wanted to be just like him when we grew up.” He smiled. “Drove my mom nuts.”

  Finn kept quiet. There was more. He knew there was more.

  “It was my birthday. I was thirteen and felt on top of the world. A few of us had been laid up with a mild flu the week before, so when I woke up not feeling too great, I shook it off. We had a huge barbecue planned for the afternoon, and the house would be full. Full of cops and their families. Dad had promised to take me to the shooting range for my birthday. He made us all wait until we were official teenagers. He used to joke it was a good age. How old you were when you had to start becoming a man. I never even stopped to brush my teeth, or I’d have seen it in the mirror.” Vance touched his mark self-consciously. “We always had breakfast together. Whoever was in the house. Breakfast was our thing. I knew the presents would be laid on the table next to my plate, and I couldn’t wait.” Vance leaned his head back against the lockers and swallowed. “I ran into the kitchen. Mom was just frying the eggs, and she turned around with this huge smile on her face.”

  Finn watched Vance struggle with the memories. The everyday noises from outside faded into the distance. Someone closed a door. Someone else was talking.

  “I’ll never forget how she screamed. She dropped the pan, and my dad and eldest brother came running into the kitchen. They all looked at me like I had two heads. Then my dad kissed my mom’s head and opened his arms. To me. I nearly ran to my dad. I didn’t know what the matter was. Mom was scaring the crap out of me.

  “Mom calmed down in seconds, and two of my other brothers had turned up by then. I knew something was wrong with how tight Dad was clutching me, like he was real scared.”

  Vance sighed and opened his eyes. “They showed me in the mirror. Mom had a small one in her purse because Dad wouldn’t let go of me to even go to the bathroom.” Vance shrugged. “And just like that, my life was over.”

  “Your dad sounds wonderful, though,” Finn said cautiously.

  Vance grinned. “Yeah, he was. They all were. I stayed on and finished every bit of school. There was no way anyone would dare go against a Connelly. My brothers were all fiercely protective of me, and I was incredibly lucky. I even did college and got a job for a security company. That’s how I met Talon. Private security companies loved us because perps just took one look and ran, but it was the only way I ever thought I was gonna get the chance to put on a uniform.”

  Vance smoothed out his jacket. “Talon had a similar background to mine, and we decided to train ourselves. We both wanted to be ready if this chance ever came up. To prove we can be more than the monsters the public seems to think we are. This is our chance, Finn, and I know you understand that.”

  “You’ve seen my file.” Finn smiled.

  Vance nodded. “Different set of circumstances, but I can respect that you want this as much as any of us.” Vance stood and pulled on his T-shirt. “Lunch?” He’d obviously finished sharing, and Finn took his cue from him.

  Finn grimaced. “I don’t know how hungry I’m going to be.”

  Vance grinned. “I’m always hungry.” He stuck his hand out. “Welcome to the team, partner.”

  Chapter Ten

  FINN HAD stared at himself in the mirror in the bathroom as long as he dared. The black pants and shirt were made of some stretchy material he couldn’t put a name to but definitely wasn’t just cotton. It s
eemed a mixture of an official dress uniform and combat clothes, and he loved the badass boots he now wore as well.

  He didn’t blame Vance and the others one bit for their excitement, but the thought of him doing something to mess things up for the team made him feel sick. He barely ate a sandwich at lunch, and Talon had dismissed them for five minutes to get their shit together.

  The team had ribbed one another over lunch. They all made a huge joke out of the name, but it was obvious they were each affected in their own way. Vance and Gael were the loudest, as usual. Sawyer had relaxed and was teasing them both. Eli was silent, but Finn caught a smile once before Eli realized Finn was looking at him, and it turned into a scowl pretty quickly.

  He hadn’t known what to make of Talon. Talon stayed quiet but glanced at Vance indulgently a couple of times when Vance asked Gael to take a photo of him in the uniform so he could send it to his mom and dad. Talon told them everything Gregory knew about the demo, citing a couple of the judge’s sentences in regard to the enhanced to demonstrate his bias. Then they piled into Talon’s truck, although it was a bit of a tight squeeze even when they put Vance in the front.

  “I think you ought to requisition a vehicle, boss. We need something we can all fit in, for starters,” Gael grumbled.

  “We need a 6.7L BearCat,” Finn said eagerly. “Lenco does a V10 Triton gas as well, but I’d go with the diesel.” He looked around the car at the five astonished faces in the sudden silence.

  “Yeah.” Gael grinned and put his hand up for a high five.

  Finn didn’t leave him hanging.

  “So give me a good reason to ask for one?” Talon turned around. “And I’m not just saying they would match the uniforms,” he drawled.

  Finn started counting off the reasons on his fingers. “The diesel engine’s gonna last you, but it’s a lot more costly upfront. It can seat up to ten people comfortably, plus their gear. There are many documented incidents relating to the armor shielding. In Texas in 2010, a BearCat withstood thirty-five rounds from an AK-47. It—”

  Talon laughed and held his hand up. “Okay, okay. I’m convinced.”

  Gael bumped shoulders with Finn.

  “Actually, boss, Finn’s right,” Sawyer said. “Tampa’s already buying an extra armored vehicle for this year’s round of political conventions. Nearly every SWAT unit in the entire country has them. If the team gets the go-ahead, I don’t think getting the funding would be difficult,” Sawyer said to the shocked faces in the car.

  Finn was dumbfounded. Sawyer was agreeing with him. Before he knew it, Eli would be acknowledging his existence. He glanced at the stony-faced guy staring at the roof. Mmm, okay, maybe not.

  “So,” said Gael, looking at Finn. “You’ve just got to convince them.”

  Finn swallowed. How had it suddenly become his responsibility?

  Vance glanced back. “We’re on Kennedy. Five minutes.” He turned back around, then quietly breathed, “Shit.”

  Talon’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. “Get Gregory on the phone. I don’t think they were expecting this.”

  Finn leaned forward and felt his heart thud angrily in his chest. The cops were rushing to cordon off the hastily erected podium right outside of the old city hall. Even with the noise of the truck, the shouts of the crowd were easily heard.

  “I’m going to pull the truck right up to the barrier and block the rest of Kennedy,” Talon said. He fixed a hard look on Finn. “Put your jacket on.”

  Finn nodded. It was well over seventy degrees, but Finn knew exactly why Talon gave the order. If this was going to work, it was down to him.

  THIS IS why the whole thing is such a complete fuckup, thought Talon. Finn had been here five fucking days. He could shoot a gun, barely, so long as the perp stood still and waited for him to fire, he couldn’t take Drew down now that he was ready for him, and he was still missing 750 fucking hours of training. Talon scrubbed a frustrated hand over his face. He should have gone with his first instinct and had Finn fail the written test on the first day. Then his own heart wouldn’t feel like it was going to stop on him.

  You shouldn’t care. He shouldn’t, but all of a sudden, his team’s future rested on the shoulders of some scrawny kid who couldn’t read properly.

  Talon bit his lip. He knew better than that. Of all people, he knew better than to judge at face value. He might struggle sometimes, but Finn was quick and clever. He rattled off random bits of information all the time, and Talon smiled at how he’d known the engine sizes on the BearCat. His own feelings aside, Finn wasn’t a bad fit for the team. Gael and Vance certainly liked him, and he was pretty much sure whoever they sent wouldn’t be liked by either Sawyer or Eli. It just wasn’t fair.

  He looked over at Finn’s pale but determined face as he leaned forward and gazed at the crowd as Talon pulled the truck to a stop. It wasn’t fair to the team, but most of all, if he were honest, it wasn’t fair to Finn. He needed to sit them all down without Finn and talk. They couldn’t risk anyone knowing about Gael or Sawyer.

  Talon turned around and looked at five serious faces. “Remember, every TV network will show this around the world. They all want us to fail. Don’t give them any excuse.” He looked at Finn. “You ready, Agent Mayer?”

  Finn looked startled at Talon’s words, but Talon had used them deliberately. He needed Finn to have a little confidence. At the very least, he should know they all had his back.

  Finn took a breath and nodded.

  Eli opened the back of the truck, and one by one, they all jumped out. Talon immediately saw a sergeant jogging toward him and wondered what reception he was going to get. The cop looked relieved, though.

  “Agent? I understand your team will be handling this. I’ve asked for additional backup, but to be honest, the size of the crowd has taken everyone by surprise, and the Yankees are playing the Orioles this afternoon. Being spring break, we’re already spread thin.”

  Talon nodded, relieved the sergeant clearly had no problem taking direction from an enhanced. The cop barely glanced at his scar.

  He gazed over the crowd as murmurs arose. People started pointing at his team as they exited the van, and one or two defiantly raised placards. Talon sighed silently. The word “mutants” was scrawled over two in dripping red paint. Done, he assumed, to look like blood. He felt Vance stiffen as a shout came from the crowd, and Talon glanced to where Vance was looking.

  A woman raised a placard and screamed as she saw them. “Monsters!”

  Another guy joined in. “Filthy perverts!”

  Gael glanced at Talon. “That’s original,” he said sarcastically, but Talon knew it hurt.

  “Just ignore them, and let’s get in there,” Talon said gruffly, and they walked to where another crowd stood huddled around the entrance to the old city hall. Talon counted at least fifteen press vans as they walked past, and he was thankful when a truck pulled up and more cops piled out.

  They hurried toward the building, Talon leading. Vance and Gael were firmly on either side of Finn and Eli, and Sawyer brought up the rear. They flashed IDs as they walked past human agents and through the doors, all of them looking astonished at enhanced turning up in uniform. Talon led his team toward where he could see the press conference being set up. He stood respectfully as Deputy Cohen raised his head from the sheaf of papers he was reading.

  “Mr. Valdez,” he said, and Talon’s resentment never registered on his face. He knew the director had deliberately not given him agent designation to get under his skin. He knew the deputy director wasn’t in favor of his unit, but he also knew he would have his team face on in public.

  “Deputy Director,” Talon acknowledged respectfully.

  Cohen glanced behind him, and his disapproving gaze fell on Finn. “Mr. Mayer. I’ll make no secret of the fact that I think this is an incredibly bad idea. However, you have thirty minutes to convince the world otherwise.” He waved to the desk with a row of chairs beside it. “Mr. Mayer and Mr. Valdez, I
would like you to sit beside me.”

  Talon paused as Finn went to sit, and Cohen looked up when he didn’t immediately move. “I assume, sir, you wish to present a united front for the press?” Talon said.

  Cohen frowned but nodded stiffly.

  “Then may I suggest you call me Agent Valdez?” Talon said quietly.

  Cohen stared assessingly at Talon, finally giving him a sardonic smile. “You’ve got balls, anyway, Valdez. I can understand what Gregory sees in you.”

  Talon didn’t reply, just waited until Cohen nodded to the desks.

  “Agent Valdez, perhaps you would join your trainee?”

  Talon walked slowly over to where Finn was watching him anxiously, and cursed. Now wasn’t the time to be grandstanding. Cohen was right in one thing. For better or worse, Finn was his trainee, and Talon should be sitting next to him. He nodded to the rest of the team to take their positions in the corner just as the press started filing into the room and TV cameras started rolling.

  Agent Cohen cleared his throat and stood. “I will be taking questions in a few minutes, but I have a statement that will explain the intentions behind this incredibly important initiative.

  “As the world knows, our naturally evolving human population has had some remarkable individuals born in the last thirty-plus years. Enhanced individuals, all with unique abilities that can be utilized in a way to strengthen and reinforce America as one of the leading countries in the world. You all know that the mission of the FBI is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist threats, and to uphold and enforce criminal law. In all our history, America has welcomed diversity, and it is our responsibility to defend and protect the rights of all law-abiding citizens.” Cohen paused. “Including all the ones you see before you in this room.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, the FBI has always prided itself on leading the world in innovation and security, and with that in mind, I would like to introduce Agent Talon Valdez, the team leader for the new Human Enhanced Rescue Organization, and trainee Finlay Mayer, his regular human partner.”