by Faye, Carmen
Andy was happy when Logan sent him on an investigation. He’d never really worked outside the office. But gathering information was something he could tackle. It made him feel like someone was fighting for her, helping her. Doing what they could.
But the more he talked to people, the more he realized that nothing was the way it seemed. He was learning about the people he worked with, and learning about the people they were trying to take down.
In the end, though, it would have been a wild goose chase. He wouldn’t have learned a damn thing that could help them. Of course Logan had ended his assignment when she’d come back, but Wallaby wasn’t going to stop.
It had been a fluke that Detective Larsen had told him things he was pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to know. That stirred something inside of him. Instinct was necessary on the job and he’d fine tuned his years ago. Now he knew when to follow a lead even if it was unrelated in some way. So he did.
The more he learned, the more terrified he became. The world wasn’t what he’d thought it was. There were things going on behind the scenes that Andy wouldn’t have imagined. And any trust that he’d held for anyone on the team was gone. He was riding solo and he knew it.
He also knew it was possible that his life was in danger. He needed to talk to someone, but part of trust issues was knowing that you couldn’t just pick someone and tell them this kind of thing. He wondered if Melissa Fuller would like to know. Maybe she even had some insight for him.
He sat in his apartment and scanned the file he was building. Each document told its own story. Each piece he read led him to more of the same conclusions. Justice was a lie. The system was corrupt. And the people he’d counted on most to have his back were the same damn ones that would just as easily stab him in it.
He had to think about what he was going to do next. He wanted to talk to Fuller. He thought she’d believe him. She seemed to have the same trust issues. But he was afraid. What if she told someone? What if she turned her back?
What if he put her in danger? That was the big one. He couldn’t live with himself if that happened.
Closing the folder, he let out a sigh. He looked in the mirror and realized that from the outside he was the same. But inside was a different man. He no longer held the same beliefs and ideals that he had only days before.
Mostly, he knew that he had to handle this right before multiple people ended up dead. Including himself.
***
“I don’t give a fuck about that,” the man loomed above Agent Logan as he sat in the chair. “This is a problem that needs to be solved. And it damn well needs to be solved now.”
“Look,” Logan tried to interject his own thoughts.
“Don’t start with me. You told me you could keep up your end of the bargain. You gave me your word. If you can’t do that then I will.”
“I understand,” Logan agreed.
“Then you also understand that if I have to take care of this problem, you will become my next.”
Logan nodded.
“Then tell me what you plan to do about this.” The voice grew calmer.
“All I’m asking for is some time,” Logan admitted. “I’m not trying to go against you. I’m trying to help you.”
“How is that?” the man questioned. “Give me a reason,” he finished.
“Look, she’s hiding something. I’m just not sure what,” Logan offered. “But whatever it is, she doesn’t want it out.”
“God dammit, Logan.” The man leaned down, face to face with the agent. “She could be hiding a weight gain or an illicit affair,” he continued. “She’s a fucking woman. They hide everything.”
“Right. But I want to find out. That way I know if it’s something that can hurt us or help us.”
“How in God’s name can anything she’s hiding help us?”
“Think about it,” he replied. “She knows that house. She knows the man. Something took place. We could use that information,” he suggested.
“I don’t want to get in his fucking house, Logan,” the man raised his voice. “I want him out of my way before he fucks me up.”
“Well,” Logan started, “he’s been laying low since she came back.”
“And your point?” the man was getting more annoyed by the second. “How does this affect me or you in any way?”
“What if you are right?” Logan started explaining. “What if she’s hiding an affair? Like maybe one with the guy she’s trying to get?”
“She fucked a bad boy,” the voice dripped with sarcasm. “That should really help my business move right along.”
“What if he’s laying low because he’s hiding it too?”
“So what? Wouldn’t you hide fucking an agent who’s been sent to take you to prison?”
“Yes,” Logan agreed. “But what if it’s more? What if she is his weakness?”
“You think Asher Hudson has found a woman that makes him weak?”
“I don’t know,” he was honest. “But I’d like to know. Before I tend to the problem.”
“She’s getting too nosey,” the voice answered.
“I know,” Logan conceded.
“She’s working with that lump of lard detective,” he spoke softly.
“I know, I saw them together,” Logan nodded. “But what’s he going to help her with?”
“He’s smarter than you give him credit for,” the voice stated.
“So what do you want me to do?”
“Get her out of my fucking business. And yours. Find out what you want to know and then take care of her,” the voice ordered.
“I have every intention of getting rid of Agent Fuller,” Logan admitted. “I’ll show her that Vegas just isn’t the place for her.”
“Good,” the voice replied. “And I can expect this when?”
“As soon as I crack her wall,” Logan offered. “Which this case is doing for me. Great idea by the way.”
“I don’t need thanks,” the man replied. “This is just as much for me as it is for you.”
“Give me the time to find out what I need to know,” Logan requested. “Please?”
“Agent Logan, you have a week. In that time you will either have the information I need, she will be gone or I will take you both down.” The man turned and walked away.
Logan sat in the chair and took several deep breaths. He wasn’t sure at all what was going on, but he knew that he had to do what he was told. His ass was on the line.
Suddenly his text went off. He opened the message to see several pictures. Him and Amanda. In a hotel room. In his office. In his bed. The bed he shared with his wife.
I’m assuming Mrs. Logan would be as displeased with this as I am with your results. One week. No more. No less. Finish the job or I’ll finish you.
Logan stood up and walked out of the room. He no longer had time to pussyfoot around Fuller and her soft spot for criminals. He no longer had time to worry about how far she was digging into the things that were going on. He needed to take care of things.
As he drove towards the office, Logan couldn’t help but remember a time when things were easier. Before he’d gotten involved in all of this. A time when he only wanted to do the same things other agents did. Help people. Fight crime. Support justice.
Now he just wanted to survive. It was hard to imagine he’d changed so drastically over the years. His wife probably wouldn’t fuck him because she’d hated who he had become. And that was the worst part of it.
Logan didn’t care much about himself. But he’d hate to see his family hurt because he’d made a decision years ago that altered the course of his life. This wasn’t the place he’d intended to be in. This wasn’t the life he’d imagined.
The fear was getting to him and he knew he had to blow off steam. Without even thinking, Logan found himself headed in the direction of his house. His wife was gone and the kids were there with Amanda. It was just what he needed.
“Hey baby,” she answered on the first ring and her re
sponse let him know that he was right. His wife was gone.
“I’m on my way home,” he spoke quickly.
“For what?”
“I’ve had a shitty day and I’ve got some built up frustration. I was hoping to bend your ass over and take it out on you,” Logan stated.
“I’ll put the kids down for a nap and meet you upstairs,” she was smiling and he could hear it from the other end.
As he set the phone down he had a small flash of guilt for what he did. Then he remembered that she didn’t matter. Some people deserved the shit he did.
CHAPTER 20
She smelled him. That was all it took. One whiff of that musky cologne and her insides began to ravel. Instantly, she regretted the decision to come to him. He didn’t care about her. He didn’t care if she was alive. She could potentially be making a huge mistake and even putting herself in danger.
What Fuller was banking on was his one true desire. He wanted to take down Logan. She wanted some information. Perhaps if they worked together, both could achieve their goals. She only hoped that her willingness to help would buy her some time on the death threat.
Even as she felt Asher move closer behind her, she knew that she would have to play this the right way. Her job would require action if he told her too much. At the same time, she couldn’t tend to business if he told her too little. If she was going to keep him out of this and still solve the case, she’d have to walk around the lines of normal to her. And he’d have to be attuned to her enough to do the same.
It was a game and she only hoped it was one she could win. She knew it was her only option and that is why she spun to face the man she wasn’t sure she could bare to look at.
“Nice place, I’ve never been here.”
“Not many have,” he answered. “How are you, Agent Fuller?”
“I’ve been okay. Working a lot.”
“So I hear. What exactly brings you to me?”
Her body wanted to scream the answer. She wanted to scream the answer. But she refused to show vulnerability in that moment.
“I need help,” she confessed. “And I’m pretty sure you are the only one I can trust right now.”
***
“You wanted to see me?” Andy appeared in the doorway to his boss’ office with very little noise to alert Logan he was there.
“Wallaby,” Logan smiled and motioned his hand, “Sit down.”
Andy was a little bit nervous about the sudden request for him to come into the office. He had spent much of his weekend checking into things that he knew damned well Logan would disapprove of. Having learned the kind of man that he was working for, Andy wasn’t sure any private meetings would be a good idea.
Different thoughts swirled through his brain. What if Logan knew he knew? What if it was all real? Would his life be in danger?
He wanted to avoid the entire conversation, but he wasn’t able to. He had no choice but to be right where he was and thinking just what he was thinking.
“Wallaby, we have a problem,” Logan’s face turned serious and Andy froze. His stomach was in knots and he was terrified to speak. “Relax, you look like you are heading for the gas chamber,” Logan teased and began to laugh. A loud and hearty laugh that didn’t come around very often.
“Sorry,” Andy swallowed and managed to answer. “I had a long weekend and I’m not feeling very well.”
“Sitting at home hardly qualifies as a long weekend, Wallaby,” Logan rolled his eyes.
“I…I’m sorry…Wait... what?” Andy was terrified. How did Logan know?
“Sitting at home,” Logan waved his hand as if to dismiss the topic. “Isn’t that what you always do? I mean when was the last time you had a drink with friends? Do you even have any friends?”
It was only in that moment that Andy realized that Logan was picking on him. That whole I’m better than you mentality that many of the guys had. He wasn’t being watched, and Logan didn’t know anything. He was just being the same dick he always was.
“Oh,” Andy managed a forced laugh. “Yes I guess I do sit at home a lot.”
“Anyway,” Logan continued as if Andy wasn’t important. “The thing is, the Fuller situation is out of control and I have to do something about it.”
Andy’s body froze again. Situation. Out of control? Do something about it? Was Logan planning to get rid of Agent Fuller? Was there something he was trying to bring Andy to do or say. Something to help him slip past any kind of problems for what he did.
“I don’t understand.”
Logan began to laugh which only made Andy feel more uncomfortable.
“For a smart guy, you sure are clueless,” Logan continued to laugh. “I’m talking about her kidnapping.”
Andy nodded.
“So, my ass is on the line here. I’m sure you know that. One of our own goes on a mission. Inside. She has the wrong information. She gets kidnapped. She escapes. We didn’t solve the problem. In fact, we created it.”
“Yes,” Andy agreed wholeheartedly. It was about time someone gave a damn about the shit that had happened.
“My boss wants to know what the fuck happened and how it happened,” Logan continued.
Andy was finally getting the idea. Logan wanted a uniform story to tell the higher ups. Something that kept the ATF running smoothly without anyone losing their job. He nodded and waited on the rest. He’d go along with whatever he had to. It was important to keep Logan happy.
“I really didn’t want this to come back on you.” Logan looked up again at the surprise on Andy’s face. “I hope you know that.”
“Of course,” Andy was hesitant to agree at this point.
“Fact is, someone has to take the heat. And those plans you handed her weren’t accurate at all.” You bastard. “And leaving the mike.” He shook his head. “That can’t happen when one of ours is out there in danger,” he spoke softly.
“But I didn’t…” Andy started to say something and then stopped. He realized by the look on Logan’s face that there was no point in arguing.
“I went to bat for you,” Logan kept talking. “I tried to get by with a short suspension.”
“I see,” it was all Andy could muster.
“But they aren’t having any of that. They want you gone,” Logan set his arms on the desk. “I’m really sorry. If it’s any consolation, I’ll give you a terrific reference.”
“You know that I didn’t give her the plans.” Andy said as Logan stared at him. “I didn’t leave the mike of my accord either,” he tossed in. “I’m just the scapegoat.”
“Even if that were true,” Logan said calmly. “It wouldn’t matter. You were responsible for checking the details. You were responsible for sitting on that mike no matter what. It would still come back on you.”
“I see,” Andy replied. “Guess that would depend on who actually did it.”
“Andy.” Logan leaned across the desk. “You really should watch what that smart mouth of yours is saying. Might piss off the wrong person one day.
“Think of it as a vacation,” Logan smiled. “You get a severance package. You have some time off. You can spend it doing whatever personal research has you so occupied lately.” Logan’s face tightened and his expression changed. “Provided that it’s not work related. That would be very unprofessional, Wallaby. “
“No sir,” Andy began. “I guess I do need some time on my own. Go make some friends, like you said.”
“Good,” Logan relaxed and smiled again. “You can leave now.”
Andy walked slowly out of the office and to his own. Drawer by drawer, he cleaned out his desk and packed the belongings into a box to take home. It was at that moment that he realized just how pathetic his life was. He had just been fired from the only job he’d ever known and he had no one to talk to about it.
Logan had been right. Andy Wallaby had no friends. He glanced around the office to try and determine if anyone there would like to get a drink. He realized they wouldn’t. They didn’t l
ike him. They weren’t his friends.
He wondered if there was someone he could go to with the information he’d been gathering. He realized that was a no-go as well. Even though Logan was less popular than he was among the team, he wrote all their paychecks. Andy was just the nerdy guy—a drone in the background. Replaceable.
Fuller might care. But he didn’t know her well enough to be sure. He just knew she’d changed after her time at Hudson’s. She was quieter. Less inclined to mouth off or tell what was going on. She kept her casework to herself.
