Zack (In the Company of Snipers Book 3)

by Irish Winters

“And where were Mother and Ember during all this?” Roy asked. “Not that I minded you showing up like you did, but why didn’t Peters grab you gals?”

  Alex didn’t have to wait for Ember to type, as fast as she was. His biggest problem was maintaining eye contact while reading the screen. “They were in the supply room. They saw him intercept Harley. And I’m here because I finally did what I should’ve done.”

  THIRTY-THREE

  “What’s that?” Zack asked. He’d taken a seat directly across from his boss.

  “I talked with Shawn Washington.”

  “The gangbanger who shot Todd?” Zack asked, instantly angry. “Why?”

  “Remember he wanted immunity in exchange for information? It turns out the big fish he was ready to turn on wasn’t Carducci like I thought.” Alex sighed deeply. “It was Peters.”

  “Yeah, none of us saw that coming,” Zack said.

  “How would a punk like Washington know Peters?” Roy asked.

  Ember’s fingertips flew over her keyboard, keeping her boss on track.

  “He drove the car when Peters dumped Zhen Ting. Apparently, the little girl had seen Peters at one of the homes. The dumpster was supposed to have been picked up the same night. She should’ve been crushed in the back of a garbage truck and stuck on some garbage scow. It’s a miracle the old man found her when he did.”

  “Marty. His name is Marty,” Zack said quietly, thinking of his friend. Maybe it was time to adopt him, too.

  “Too many other things didn’t add up,” Alex said, quieter still.

  “Like the emails from Lenny Huang that mysteriously originated in D.C.?” Zack asked.

  “Like a lot of things,” Alex said. “The explosion yesterday made me damned mad. Hell, I’ve got a couple loose teeth, and those people at the hospital put me through a whole battery of tests on my heart before they’d let me leave. And not being able to hear is aggravating, but one good thing came out of it. For the first time in months, I ate dinner with my wife last night. That’s rare around our place, and I got to bed at a reasonable hour. I woke up around two this morning, and I could see every single disconnect in the case. It’s like I was looking at a road map.”

  “That’s what we’ve been going over.” Zack nodded toward the Situation Room where the FBI was now in control. “Seems everyone had a gut feeling about all the perfectly aligned evidence we’d been handed by our Interpol friend in there. We’d barely figured it out when Peters showed up with his goon squad.”

  “And to think I invited these guys into our operation.” Alex sat back heavily in his chair.

  “You were right to invite them,” Roy said. “We couldn’t have tackled a global operation by ourselves. We should’ve been able to trust ATF and Interpol.”

  “This game had a lot of heavy hitters,” Murphy muttered, the wind finally out of his sails.

  “Greed knows no boundaries,” Mark offered. “Makes me want to go home and hug my wife.”

  “We are definitely off the case now,” Alex said wearily. “I talked with Senator Matt Burlington from Wyoming. He’s an honest man by the way, one you can trust. He’s working closely with the FBI. They’re point for civil rights violations like child trafficking, and unfortunately this one,” Alex rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, “is the biggest they’ve ever seen.”

  “We came to the same conclusion,” David said.

  “Just a little too late,” Zack whispered. The tremendous feeling of relief he’d experienced was tempered by those last comments from Peters about the stateside business being insignificant in comparison to the rest of the world. All those sad babies’ faces in the foster homes still haunted him. Mark was right. Zack needed to hold his girls again, the sooner the better.

  “Here, guys.” Mother had made coffee in two of the smaller coffee makers in the office. She brought a tray of powdered creamer, sweetener, coffee mugs, and spoons to the table.

  “Thanks.” Harley reached for the nearest cup. “I need a gallon.”

  “Me, too.” Roy helped himself.

  Zack took his hot and black. Normally, he’d doctor it with plenty of cream and sugar, but black seemed to fit the mood. He sipped as he stared at the bluster of activity in the usually quiet TEAM office. The coroner had arrived with body bags and several assistants. Hell had come to the last place on earth he’d expected it to come.

  Armchair quarterbacks and the all-knowing television pundits liked to say that a person who lived by the sword died by the sword, but Zack saw it differently. It was only because of the ‘sword’ carried into battle by honorable men that all those loud mouth pundits and know-it-alls had the freedom to shoot their faces off in the first place. David was right when he’d said, ‘You and I are not like most of the people around us. We know what it means to fight for peace’.

  “The police want us to hang around for questioning, but right now, they’re looking at us as victims first,” Murphy said as he handed the two video surveillance tapes from the Situation Room to Alex. “You might want to look at this before you surrender it to the police, but these tapes should prove what went down here today.”

  “Bet you’re glad I talked you into inner office surveillance now, aren’t you?” Mother spiked a sassy eyebrow at her boss.

  “I am,” Alex said readily as he took the tapes. “Almost as glad as the day I hired you.”

  Zack couldn’t help but smile. Mother had just been blind-sided by her boss. She sputtered and got all teary-eyed.

  “Those tapes will corroborate everything that happened here today?” Alex asked.

  “It will document our evidence against Peters and his ring of associates,” Mark said.

  Alex handed Mother the tapes. “Make three copies. One for me, the police, and Senator Burlington.”

  She nodded, silently obedient.

  Mei’s sweet face came to Zack’s mind. He wanted to run to her and Song, to make sure they were safe, but he didn’t at the same time. Peters’ death threats against each agent’s wife and children revealed the extreme evil of the man. This had evolved into an intensely personal operation that rocked each of them to their core. They seemed paralyzed, still needing each other’s company.

  Predictably, it was Mother who ended the silence. As she cleared her throat to speak, Ember went dutifully back to typing. “You know, Boss, I wish we could fix the whole world and make everyone happy, and cure hunger and greed and all them things that make this old world sick, cuz it is a sick old place and it needs a powerful lot of help. I do wish that, but I’m looking at my family right now, and...and I don’t care if I make a fool of myself.”

  Zack gulped. She might not be a trained sniper, but Mother’s words were right on target. Her blue eyes overflowed, making it worse and better at the same time.

  “You all wonder why I don’t start my own business and make a million, but I’ll tell you why. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time I say it, but...I love you guys. I do. That’s all there is to it. I’m as happy as a pig in a bushel of peaches that you guys aren’t the ones lying in there with holes in your heads. It could’ve been you if Alex hadn’t shown up like he did. And you know what else? I love all your pretty little wives and your kids, too. I don’t know what I’d have done if any of you were killed today. I’m not over losing Todd yet. None of us are.”

  By now she’d grabbed a box of tissues off her counter and mopped her face, crying openly. “And Boss.” She dabbed her eyes and her nose. “I think I love you most of all, and I ain’t ashamed to say it. You can tell Kelsey, too. I don’t mind sharing you.”

  Alex grunted, and Zack had to turn away. There it was, the truth behind Mother’s allegiance to her boss, out in the open for all to hear. Poor Alex.

  Mother sputtered, too emotional to go on.

  Thank God. Zack pushed away from the counter. Any more of this and he’d be bawling, too. He glanced at Harley who was wiping his face and not ashamed in the slightest, but that was different. Everyone knew
Harley had a soft heart. David and Mark looked pretty subdued, but Zack was still hoping he had the tough guy mystique going for him.

  “I think what Mother is trying to say, Alex,” Ember lifted her quiet voice above Mother’s sniffling while she began typing her own thoughts, her eyes never once straying to her flying fingertips, “is that we do good work here. Even if we couldn’t save the world like we wanted, we did save three hundred and eleven little girls. Little Chai Yenn is safe and sound with David and his family. And little Baby Song?” She turned to Zack. “Wow.”

  He clenched his jaw. Ember was playing dirty.

  “All we’ve got to do is look at him.” She reached a hand to his knee and squeezed before she went back to typing. “He’s happier than he’s ever been. That’s another sweet picture, watching our big old muscle-bound Zack sitting on the floor with his hands bandaged and playing with his sweet baby girl. You guys should’ve seen it.”

  Zack could not stop his eyes from filling. Ember was right. Song had opened his heart to the Technicolor world of real love. Mei had made him weak and strong in the same instant. There was no going back. He’d been converted, lock, stock and barrel, but he’d lost a good friend. Todd had also been there that day, watching him coax little Song to pick up the sock monkey.

  Ember turned to Alex next, her voice tight with emotion. “And I saw you the day the police raided the first foster home.”

  Suddenly, Alex looked surprised and as vulnerable as Zack had just been. His eyes widened and just as quickly shadowed. A secret was about to be revealed.

  “Wow, Alex. I saw you pick up that little girl when we went to help. She was scared and you snuggled her inside your jacket. You didn’t know anyone was watching you, but I was.”

  He nodded one quick affirmation, his hand lifted to brush her words off like they were nothing.

  “I saw the look on your face. I saw you kiss her forehead. You were thinking of Abby.”

  He did not speak, but Zack saw the cords in his neck tighten.

  “Wow. There you were, holding that little orphan like she was the most precious thing in the whole world.”

  The hustle and bustle of the emergency responders faded. All Zack could see was the pain on his boss’s face as the tender memory was relived. That was sacred ground. No one mentioned the daughter he’d lost to an automobile accident years ago. Not in the office. Ever.

  “Cuz she was.” Ember brought the point home. “It’s a very good thing to rescue just one child, Alex. It’s enough.”

  Her green eyes brimmed by the time she stopped typing and Zack wanted to hug her all over again. Here she was, devastated by her own loss, yet bolstering The TEAM like only a woman could.

  Alex reached across the table for her hand, clearing his throat to speak. “You’re right. Maybe we didn’t save the world, but we’ve done a damned good job.” He turned to the rest of his team. “Get out of here. Go home. This place can wait. Take two weeks. All of you.”

  Harley couldn’t help himself. He cupped a hand to his ear and leaned across the table. “Huh? What’d you say, Boss? Huh?”

  Alex almost repeated himself until he caught everyone’s smiles. He snapped the laptop closed and stood up. “Get the hell outta here.”

  Unexpectedly, he turned to Zack. “Everyone but you.”

  THIRTY-FOUR

  DAVID

  “No, Daddy! No!”

  Chai Yenn screamed all the way through the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. And then she screamed all the way through Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Like a frantic, human growth on David’s hip, she couldn’t be quieted until at last they were outside of the dark, scary castle and back into the bright California sun.

  The crowds of people milling through the castle gateway were no help as the frightened little girl clung to David in sheer terror, gulping back tears at the wonderful, horrible place. He stroked her hair as he soothed Chai in the circle of his arms. At last her screams reduced to sobbing hiccups. She peeked out from the safety of her hands and fingers. Nancy and his four boys sat with him.

  “Maybe it would be better if I sat here with Chai for awhile.” David studied his wife’s impassive face across the table. “You and the boys go on some rides and have fun. We’ll catch up in an hour or two.”

  Nancy Tao’s eyes were unreadable behind her sunglasses. “I have a better idea. The boys and I will be right back.” And with that, she was gone.

  David and Nancy’s four boys were Michael, age ten; Nathan, age eight; Ryan, age six; and the baby, Matthew, age two. And maybe it was the difference in gender, but ever since David and Nancy had brought five-year-old Chai Yenn into their home, the boys had turned into either her protectors or her slaves. No sibling rivalry had presented itself yet, but the continual jousting and competition among the boys to see who could make her smile first, or who could bring her a treat before another brother thought of it was an interesting phenomenon to watch. Even now, as Nancy walked away with Ryan and Matt’s hands in hers, three of the boys were waving at their little sister, trying to get her attention. She finally waved back with both hands.

  “Are you feeling better?” he asked her in soft Mandarin.

  Chai nodded, looking around with wide, wondering eyes. He rarely spoke to her in anything but English, preferring that she acclimate as quickly as possible. But today was different. The whole Disneyland adventure had not proven to be one of his brighter ideas. So far, all he’d done was traumatize the very one he’d hoped to please.

  After sitting for a few minutes, he scooped her up and walked with her still clinging like a baby orangutan to his side. Her nightmare was over, but apparently she could not transition to normal life yet. The oddest things frightened her. Extension cords. Matthew’s trike. Even yogurt held a sad story he could not yet fathom. Who knew what this little one had seen and lived through? He truly wished he did. Maybe then he could erase them one by one.

  They stopped to watch the carousel. It might make a better ride for a little girl who’d spent the first five years of her life in an orphanage. Maybe the magical horses or laughing tigers would help her enjoy the Wonderful World of Disney. The minute he stepped into line, she screamed. They didn’t ride the carousel.

  They watched the fantastical flying elephants soar overhead with their laughing child passengers. Chai’s eyes were bright with curiosity. Maybe she’d enjoy a ride with Dumbo and his flying friends. Once again he was wrong. Her frantic screams upset the other children. They didn’t ride the flying elephants.

  He patiently rearranged his daughter on his hip and turned back the way he came. Since they’d taken her to their hearts, the little girl had put on weight. Nancy could no longer carry her, especially not all day long like Chai preferred. He’d either have to rent a stroller, or she’d have to learn to walk on her own. Still fearful, she hummed to herself in what he’d come to recognize as her attempt to self-comfort.

  “We’re back.” Nancy tapped his shoulder.

  Chai yelped when she found herself surrounded by Goofy and Donald Duck, Chip and Dale, and the beautiful Princess Mulan. Chai all but climbed up to David’s shoulder as she whined, taking in the frightening scene around her. The big furry chipmunks were so funny-looking. It was Chip who broke the ice when he offered a feather-flower to the little girl.

  Scared at first, she stretched her arm as far as it would go, not letting go of her Daddy while Chip put the flower in her hand. A cautious smile tugged the corners of her mouth. He blew her a kiss. She blew him a return kiss just like she’d learned to do from her brothers, only without a smile.

  Chai climbed down into David’s arms. By now, he and Nancy were seated on a rock ledge that ran the concourse to Never Neverland.

  Beautiful Princess Mulan took her crown off and rested it carefully on Chai’s head. Of course, Chai pulled it right off, but she let Mulan stroke her hair. All the while, Goofy and Donald danced and partied around her. Chip and Dale persisted with their antics.

  Chai Ye
nn planted herself squarely between David’s feet. Goofy and Donald joined her, then Chip and Dale. Soon Mickey Mouse arrived with his entourage. He sat at David’s feet. The Tao family had become a Disney attraction.

  David nudged Nancy’s arm. Chai was playing pat-a-cake with Mulan. And smiling.

  Nancy scooted in beside him as they watched their children cavort within the now cordoned-off area. Snow White and Cinderella arrived, along with more Disney security escorts. It was a totally unscripted party designed on the spur of the moment for a little girl who’d never seen such magical things as a fluffy duck in a sailor suit, chipmunks bigger than she was, or a mouse wearing red shorts.

  “How did you arrange this?” David hugged his beaming wife, planting a kiss on the side of her very smart head.

  “Easy.” Nancy smiled. “The entire country knows about how you guys rescued all those orphans. I still had her adoption papers in my bag. Besides, Disney really is all about children.”

  He smiled past the knot in his throat. He couldn’t bring them all home, but he was eternally grateful he’d saved this particular little girl. Now Chai Yenn would live the best happily ever after life he could give her.

  Chai’s brother, Ryan, pulled her to her feet while he played tag with Chip and Dale. “Come on, Chai. You can do it,” he squealed.

  Chip rolled on the ground, catching Chai as she ran by. He lifted her high in the air like a human airplane. She looked across the crowded space at David. The smile slipped.

  He waved to her. You’re safe, Chai. Don’t be afraid anymore. The world is yours for the taking. The momentary frown was replaced by the breathtaking smile of a happy little girl playing with a giant furry chipmunk. He turned his head and wiped the tear.

  Nancy whispered in his ear. “You old softy.”

  THIRTY-FIVE

  EMBER

  The capricious wind whistled around Ember Davis as she stood in solitary vigil at the headstone of Agent Todd Chandler.

  Like the soldiers they represent, the endless rows of identical white headstones marched across acres of snow-drifted lawn in reverent Arlington Cemetery. The morning stillness gave way to the first of many twenty-one-gun salutes that would sound throughout the day while honor guards assigned heroes and heroines to their final posts. Solemn words would be spoken, the noble flag folded and presented. Another warrior safely home.