He kissed her. “Your charm sucks.”
Elizabeth nuzzled her forehead against his cheek as she wrapped her arms around his waist. She took that moment to absorb some of his strength. Maybe it would get her through the upcoming events. “Yeah, that’s why you love me.”
He did love her. That’s why this whole thing sucked. Whitefox stared over her head at Ethan. The look they shared said one thing.
‘Keep our woman safe.’
Callen had done a good job, completing his tour for the day, and Ethan Blackhawk was now up to bat.
“I really wish you’d let me go with you,” Callen stated. It wasn’t that he didn't trust his brother to do the job. He just hated being away from them. His heart ached in their absence. Plus, he knew when this case was over, they’d have to go their separate ways once more.
Callen wanted to suck up as much time by her side to get him through the brutal days on the horizon.
Elizabeth wasn’t surprised that the man was being overprotective. They’d nearly had a different outcome, and she knew it.
“I’ll be okay,” she stated. “The pizza place is across the street. As long as I don’t get hit by a bus, we should be golden. The sheriff is dead, the shooter is caught, so what more could happen?”
They didn't even want to go there.
With Elizabeth, it was a gamble.
Both men were already contemplating the myriad of things that could possibly go wrong, and with each one, it sickened them. Their woman was a walking trouble magnet.
“Besides, you get to be my sexy paperwork monkey.”
Callen pulled out his tablet to make notes. “Okay, what do you need done?”
She could tell when he didn't even break into a grin at the nickname that Callen was not in the mood to joke around. With him, that was a very bad sign. He was the easy going one. Apparently, they were both beyond that.
Instead, she went with work to keep him occupied. That always worked for her.
“I need you to cross check all the victims, and the newly abducted woman against the suspects. See if you can tie Bonnie Anston to Wilfred Monroe. She’s pretty young. He might have popped up in her life.”
“You know that the two agents are supposed to be handling this, right?” Callen asked, hoping he could change her mind about leaving him behind. “I think they can handle it.”
She had to cut this one off at the pass.
“Yeah they might, but do you recall how they dropped the ball, and Tony nearly died all because they didn't pick up the connection between mummies and a man who was a missionary in Egypt? That’s a flaming neon sign pointing at the killer. Since then, I like to double check their work. At least until they have more seasoning on them. Green isn't always good.”
Callen got it.
“By now, they should be done tracking down Russell Beston. Get that report for me. Maybe later, we’ll add anything we can to the whiteboard. Ethan, do you have anything to add to the profile?”
“I might,” he offered. “It’s going to depend on what we dig up at the pizza place.”
“Anything else?” Callen asked.
She had one more thing that needed to be done. “Yes, Cal, I need you to contact Wilfred Monroe. Tell him we need to see him tomorrow.”
“And if he tries to blow us off?” he asked.
“Tell him we found something.”
Blackhawk glanced over. “We have?”
“Yeah, I found out that he’s a scumbag pedophile who needs his ass booted to jail.”
That lightened the mood and made the men laugh. At least she still had her sense of humor. Someone needed to at this point.
Now, Elizabeth was ready to get it done. “I love you, Callen James.”
He gave her a kiss. “Watch your back. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
She patted his cheek before heading toward the door. “I’ll be with Ethan. He’s worse than you. Right now, he has a full roll of bubble wrap waiting in the Denali. He’s going to whip me up some puffy britches to wear under my Kevlar.”
Blackhawk shook his head, amused by his wife.
Callen sighed. “I love you, Elizabeth. Don’t risk your ass for anyone!” he warned.
She blew him a kiss over her shoulder. “Darlin’, don’t you worry about lil’ ol’ me,” she drawled. “I’m as mean as a rattlesnake.”
Both men hoped that was true.
Their lives depended on her being badass.
When the door closed, Callen got to work, hoping it would distract him. If he was forced to sit there and think about all the possible things that could go wrong, he’d go insane.
Already, he was half way there.
They made it to the lobby before the concierge stopped them. In his hand, he held four pieces of paper. “Mrs. Blackhawk, ma’am?” he called, getting their attention.
She glanced over at him. “Yes, Johnny?” While she wanted to boot his ass for dropping her title, she realized it would be petty. Technically, she was Mrs. Blackhawk.
“You have some messages. The same man called back, and he’s getting irritated. By the last call, he was using some profanity and said something about coming down here.”
Yeah, Gabe was getting pissed.
Ethan glanced down at her. The look said it all. The last thing they needed was Gabe there, screwing around in their case. They were running out of time and options.
“Thanks, Johnny,” she stated, tucking them in her back pocket.
“Is it true there’s another missing woman? I heard it on the news,” he said, lowering his voice. “What’s happening in our town?”
“Yes, there is.”
“God! This is terrible. Belleville used to be so quiet and calm. Growing up here was like living in a Norman Rockwell painting.”
That sounded horrible to her. Give her mayhem any day of the week. Perfect happy people were generally hiding secrets. No one was that flawless.
“Don’t worry, son,” Blackhawk stated. “We’re close to bringing this killer in. Then you can have your painting back.” He sure as hell didn't want it. Whenever he encountered people who seemed to be living ‘the life’, there was always some deep dark secret buried within them—or in their basement.
He grinned right before grabbing a tray of cookies from the counter. “I just baked them.”
Elizabeth laughed right before she grabbed one. “Thanks, Johnny. If the crazed man calls back, tell him we were out working all day and you didn't see us.”
He could do that. “Yes, ma’am—anything to help out the FBI.”
With that, he rushed away.
Elizabeth popped the cookie in her mouth. “Great. It was warm too. Now I need some coffee. Charlie wants a nap.”
Ethan broke his cookie in half and handed it to her. “Here you go, baby.”
She grinned up at him. “I love being pregnant.”
“Great, we can keep having kids then.”
She laughed. “Nice try. Not happening, ace. I’ll just barter sex for cookies after Charlie is born.”
Outside, he scanned the area for any prospective danger. Without missing a beat, Ethan went for it. “You know you’re going to have to call him back. He’ll be on a jet and down here so fast your head will spin. Gabe doesn’t screw around when he throws down a threat.”
Elizabeth was well aware. She’d seen him in action more than once.
“Yeah, I know. I’m just worried about Avalon and Jagger. They should have called in by now. I can’t even reach them. I have to admit that I’m really freaked out.”
He could see that.
“Plus, this is weighing heavily on my shoulders. I left them out there alone. I had to make a choice, and I don’t like that I was put in that position.”
Ethan understood. His wife had to put family over duty, and when you dedicated your life to serving and protecting, that wasn’t an easy task.
“When this assignment is over, I want you to head back with Callen. I’ll take the next shift babysi
tting them.”
“No.”
He stopped her from continuing. “I’m used to being alone, Elizabeth. You have our children at home. They need their mother.”
Ethan had to be desperate if he was throwing that out there. He knew their kids were her one weakness. Well…next to the men in her life.
She refused to move from the spot in the parking lot. “No, Ethan. You’re not doing this. I’ll take one for the team just for that reason. For twenty years, you lived isolated. It ate away at you, making you a control freak workaholic. If you go back there, then what’s going to happen?”
He didn't know. That was one of his fears. Every day, Ethan struggled to not let the job have all of him. Dividing his life into sections of time was very hard for him. When he was at work, it consumed him. Many times, he found himself sitting at his desk later at night, letting Callen carry the parenting load. It was wrong, but he didn't want to fail at being there for his family as their financial support.
Work.
Family.
Work.
Family.
It was a delicate balance, and he was terrified of screwing it up.
“We both know that it’ll eat away at me.”
“Exactly. That’s why I have to do this, but in all honesty, there’s more. You’re a great director, Ethan. You know that you’re the power behind FBI West. I’m just the window dressing.”
He stared at her. “No you’re not, Lyzee.”
She touched her fingertips to his lips as she gazed into his blue-black eyes. “Yes, I am. I scare them into compliance, but you’re a true leader. You handle all the meetings, you run that office like a kingdom, and you’re good at it. You’re really damn good at your job, Ethan, and I’m so very proud of you.”
His heart skipped.
“You were always meant to be the boss there. We both know Gabe tossed this to both of us, but you were the one he really wanted. From the start, FBI West was meant to be your baby.”
“Am I a failure at being a father?” he asked. Ethan needed to know. Since being abducted, he felt like he was unable to balance it all.
She stared up into his eyes. “No. You’re nothing but a success. What does CJ eat for breakfast every day?”
“One cookie, half a banana, and some apple juice. It’s the only thing he will eat.”
“When Cat is fussy, what calms her down?”
“That ratty old blanket that the dogs like to tug at.”
What was EJ’s first word?”
“Daddy.”
She ran her fingers over his chiseled cheek bone. “Handsome, if you were a shitty father, you wouldn’t know anything about your kids’ lives. You’re a good dad. CJ loves you. Cat curls up in your lap for stories, and EJ frisks you for cookies when you come home. Children and animals are the best judge of character. Our kids love you.”
He relaxed. This was what he needed.
Elizabeth always knew how to heal the cracks in the dam. She was the only reason he could pull any of this off.
“Plus, you read that ‘licking the kitty’ book to Charlie, and I know she loves it. I can feel her kicking.”
He looked appalled. “Elizabeth! It’s called ‘I Can Lick Thirty Tigers Today’! Licking the kitty is just wrong!” he stated, still horrified.
She made him laugh by playing dumb. “I’ll have to memorize that for future reference. I wouldn’t want to go into preschool with the wrong book.”
He shook his head. “I’ll go. You’re not allowed.”
“Yeah, you’re a good father, Ethan. There’s no doubt there.”
Blackhawk grinned. “You’re tricky, Elizabeth. Thank you for what you just did.” He leaned down to kiss her on the tip of her nose. “I love you.”
She could cross this mini mission off her list. Ethan would be fine on the parenting front. Now it was time to convince him of the same on the work front.
“I love you too. You’ve got this, boss man. We’ve worked hard to build this division up. We’ve bled for it, and nearly died for it. You have to go back home and run it. This is your baby, Ethan. I’ll take on Oracle, so you can keep our kingdom intact. It needs YOU. Not me.”
“It needs us. FBI West is our baby.”
She went to say something, and he stopped her. While he loved how protective she was, offering up reassurance, Ethan needed her to know that she was a big part of their success.
“It’s true, Elizabeth. I never thought I’d pull this off. So, you’re wrong. FBI West isn't my kingdom. It’s ours. Behind every good man is a great woman. You don’t give yourself enough credit. I’m nothing without you. If you didn't marry me, I’d still be an agent. I’d be working eighty hour weeks, burning the candle at both ends, and dying a lonely man. Because of you, we’re here. You ground me.”
She leaned in to kiss him. Ethan tasted like cookie, and it gave her an odd sense of peace. Here was the first man she’d ever loved.
Elizabeth knew they were both blessed.
Suddenly, her phone beeped. Pulling it out, she began laughing. Her eyes filled with tears as she handed it to him.
‘I can see you both from our window. If you think that my arm will keep me in here, you’re mistaken. That doesn’t look like an interview. It looks like making out. I’m jealous.’
Ethan grinned up at their window on the fifth floor. He saluted his brother before taking her hand in his. “We should get this done. Right now, Callen’s tying sheets together to scale the building.”
Yeah, she didn't doubt that.
“You’re right. Afterwards, I want another cookie. Damn that concierge. I’m going to get a big ass before this is over.”
As they headed over, he checked out her behind.
She had nothing to worry about, and he reminded her when he gave her a pat.
Yeah, everything was just fine.
Across the street sat ‘Momma’s Pizza’. It was quiet and there was a sign on the door stating they were closed. As soon as they entered, they were accosted by the owner.
“It’s about time! We’ve been sitting here for hours waiting for you. Where’s the sheriff? He said he was bringing you here,” Clark Phillipe stated.
“He’s not going to be coming here,” she stated, saying nothing more. If she told the man the sheriff was dead, that would make their job more difficult.
“We’re going to need to ask you some questions,” Blackhawk stated, scanning the room.
The man led them to a table in the corner. “Sure thing. We want to help find Bonnie. She’s a sweetheart.”
Ethan pulled out his tablet to make notes.
“How do you know she’s missing?” Elizabeth asked, knowing there was always the chance that the woman was just lying low.
He had an answer for her. “She was due in an hour ago to work. Bonnie never misses work. She’s all about saving up and beginning her life.”
Okay, that made sense. She’d broken pattern.
“Was anyone bothering her?”
The man laughed. “Only our delivery guy, Lenny. He had the hots for her. You could tell. He sulked around after her, always watching her like she was his dream girl.”
That was curious, especially since that pizza grease stain was in the back of her mind.
“How long has he been working here?”
“A long time,” Clark admitted. “I think he started here when he was in high school. He’s been delivering for a good ten years now.”
“How did Bonnie feel about him following her around?” she asked.
“She was really shy. I’m not married or an expert, but whenever he’d get close to her, she’d scurry away. Bonnie would get this wicked blush and giggle. It was really cute to watch.”
Ethan made notes.
“They were both really shy, I guess.”
She continued, “How long has she worked here?”
“Again, since high school. It was going to be sad when she left.”
Elizabeth stared at him. “She was leaving h
er job? Can you explain?”
“Yes, I can. Bonnie was going to go to cosmetology school. I know that she was looking for a new job with hours that would accommodate night school. She still needed to pay the bills, but being a hostess at my place was interfering with going to school.”
Okay, well, that was definitely something.
They had another student go missing.
“Have you noticed anyone lurking around?” Elizabeth asked.
The man thought about it.
“Well, not that I noticed, but our security tapes might show you more than I saw.”
“Wait, you have security here?” This could be the break they were looking for. Who would have thought this little place would be packing some high tech surveillance?
He nodded. “Yeah, someone stole our contributions can for the local high school last year, so I had one installed. I didn't want to risk anyone’s life if we were robbed.”
She was giddy with the potential of having some technological help in this backwater town.
“Did you give them to the sheriff?”
He shook his head. “No. He never asked. Do you want me to get them for you?”
“Uh, yeah, please,” she stated. “While you’re over there, send Lenny to our table. We need to question him.”
“Take it easy on the poor guy. He’s devastated over all of this. He really likes her.”
Elizabeth didn't say anything. Instead, she watched the man lumber toward them. The second he recognized them, he looked surprised.
“You’re the FBI?”
“Yes. Have a seat,” she ordered.
He obeyed.
“You have a thing for Bonnie?” Elizabeth asked.
Lenny nodded. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
“Do you have her back at your house locked up?”
He looked horrified. “What? Why would I do that? Bonnie is awesome. She’s sweet and a really great girl.”
“If that is the case, why didn't you date her? You followed her around, stalking her. You stared at her with moon eyes, and now she’s missing. You realize now that you’re at the top of our suspect list.”
Lenny looked sick.
Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) Page 47
