by C. W. Stokes
Suddenly she was feeling a little shy around him and didn’t know what to say. She started opening the take out boxes reaching in and pulled out a noodle and sucked it into her mouth. She looked up and saw him staring at her with a wicked grin and couldn’t help it, but she giggled.
“I love to hear you giggle Shelby.”
“You do? Why?” she asked skeptically.
“Because it’s involuntary, and it’s real. I don’t think you’ve had a lot to giggle about in your life?” he asked.
She stopped chewing thinking for a moment. “No, you're right, but Amanda has been my joy since she was born.” She paused trying to gauge his reaction before continuing. "Max, the day that you left…."
Placing his finger over her lips, "Shhhh, I need to tell you something." Pausing for a moment, "The morning that I left wasn't by choice. I received notice that I needed to report in as soon as possible. I contacted by CO and was advised that I'd been assigned to a top priority assignment and was going to be deployed immediately. I couldn't tell anyone." Getting up, he paced the floor as he continued. "The moment I got back I searched for you, but you were married and had a little girl." Stopping to look at her, she waited a moment before getting up from the bed and going to him. The idea that he had not abandoned her so long ago and had even tracked her down caused her heart to swell with such love.
"Why didn't you contact me?"
"I didn't have any right to come back into your life and turn it upside down when you had a family. I watched you one day when you were at the park with Amanda. You looked so happy. I wanted to say something to you more than you know, but I couldn't."
"Pshhh, looks can be so deceiving Max. You of all people should know that. My marriage, how do I explain it? After you left I accepted a position with Hawk Enterprises and shortly after found out that I was pregnant with Amanda. Edward was a colleague of mine, and we had become good friends. His parents wanted him to get married, and Amanda needed a father, so we got married. We decided to branch out and started our own company Consortium Enterprises. We had a nice existence, and that's all. We had an agreement that we could live our lives however we wanted as long as neither embarrassed the other." She waited for him to catch on to what she was saying. "I spent the majority of my time working or raising Amanda. She was my number one priority. Before long Consortium wasn't a priority with Edward, especially the day that I walked in and caught him with my assistant in front of him on his knees." Oh the light bulb finally it went off.
"Your ex-husband was gay?" He exasperated.
"Yes, we had a marriage of convenience only. I had no desire to get involved with anyone else after you left. He needed a wife to appease his parents, and I needed a husband." He pulled her into his arms and held her close. She heard the rapid beating of his heart and the controlled breath he exhaled.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that alone." he said as his hands caressed her back gently. Leading her back to the bed, he picked up the tray setting it down in front of her and pulled open a takeout container.
“So, how did you come to work for Liz?” He sat down next to her.
###
There stood her appointment Liz Colbert. She was wearing a black suit with four inch black heels. Her silver blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and her makeup was flawless. Her hazel eyes seemed to darken as she assessed Shelby and her situation.
Liz cocked an eyebrow "Hello, Shelby."
"Hello Liz." She hesitated. "Liz, we will need to reschedule your appointment. My partner is currently indisposed."
"I came to see you, so I'm not interested in your partner. We can go across the street and get a cup of coffee." She pointed towards the street.
Shelby nodded her head in acknowledgement, "Sure we can do that." She was trying to get her emotions under control. She had worked very hard to learn to control her emotions when her sister Monica had passed. She never wanted anyone to ever see her lose control again. This made the second time in her life that she had been stomped on by a man.
They walked across the street to the coffee shop and the aromas flooded her senses as she walked into the quaint little shop. They had a seat at a corner table and Liz looking at her "You look like you've lost your best friend."
Shelby stiffened as she didn't want to talk about what she had just witnessed in her office. Dismissing the image, "It's been a long time Liz. What can I do for you?" she asked.
Liz ignored her avoidance of her statement but shelved it for now. "I want to talk to you about contracting with my group. I know that you used to work for Hawk Enterprises and therefore familiar with his systems. He is one of my main clients and need someone that has the knowledge and the motivation to help me with his account." She watched Shelby as she thought about what she was saying. "What was your specialization at MIT?" she asked.
"My degree is in Computer Science with a specialization emphasis on computer forensics."
"Liz gazed at her tapping her fingers against the table taking a moment to assess her from head to toe and said "Las year after leaving the bureau, I formed my own organization called The Athena Group or TAG, if you will. On the back end of the organization it's a black ops organization made up of women from various backgrounds that help civilian corporations with unique situations and can afford the very best. From time to time we also take on an assignment from other agencies and it's strictly on a case by case basis." Taking a sip of her coffee, she continued. "I take my organization very serious and only want the best members that are out there. There are a select few outside of the organization that know what we actually do. We provide a service to those individuals who need help when traditional law enforcement can't or won't help them. I need someone with your expertise. I'm not going to lie, there's going to be a lot of adjusting. There will be mandatory trainings and you may want to quit at times. But if you stick with, not only will TAG benefit, but you and your daughter will as well." She paused "Would you be interested in partnering with me?"
Shelby was trying to take it all in, but without hesitation she said "Of course I would be interested, but you mentioned on the back end. What is the front end of the organization?"
Liz gave a little laugh, "We are an exclusive crisis management company. Only the elite can afford our services." She handed her a book "Take this home and read it. It's a book of strategies that a lot of men in the military follow. Take a week to absorb the information and think about everything that I've said. Then call me and let me know your answer." Liz gave her Sun Tzu's "The Art of War.", along with her business card.
"Oh and one other thing, you can't tell anyone."
She knew within twenty four hours she wanted to be a part of TAG.
###
“It's funny how things work sometimes." Pulling a noodle from one of the boxes, she quickly pulled it between her lips and slowly sucked it in as he watched.
Clearing his throat “Do you enjoy what you do?”
“Yes I do. Liz has given me opportunities and allowed me an independence I didn't feel before. I set my own hours and I can provide for my daughter and secure her future at the same time." She looked at him hoping he would understand.
He breathed in deeply. “I think you are an exceptional woman for making the choices that you've made. Not a lot of parents put their children first anymore. You've done an amazing job with Amanda. I'm sorry that I wasn't there.” She could see the war going on inside his head, but didn't dare go down that path just yet. She wasn't ready to talk to him about Amanda.
“How often do you have to put your gear on and go out?” He interrupted her thought.
“My job doesn’t require me to do a lot of field work. I stay in my sanctuary downstairs and watch mostly. I have the same training as everyone else. Liz is very strict when it comes to our training and she doesn't relent. Our safety has always been her main concern. If we're ever in a situation where our safety is in question, she'll abort the mission. No questions asked. If she says to abort y
ou don’t question you shut down and get the hell out. I’ve had to go out a few times whenever I couldn’t access someone’s system remotely, but now I can rely on Tabby or Jo.” Her phone buzzed on the night stand. She reached over and had a text message from Tabby.
We made it to the loft in NY.
Will meet in the AM to discuss contact.
Contact if needed. Tabs
Max was removing their dinner when she put her phone away. “They made it safely to New York and we'll have a video conference in the morning.” She yawned and watched Max as he finished. Walking back over to her he pulled the covers down, caressed her cheek and motioned for her to get in. He slid in next to her pulling her close to him and tucked her head into his shoulder. She felt good lying next to him as she fell asleep in his arms. That’s where he wanted her to stay.
Chapter Eighteen
Shelby was already in her office when Max walked in. He sat down next to her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Hey there.” She couldn’t help but smile at him. He had done it; he had worked his way into her heart. She wondered what was going to happen once this case was over. They always worked fast and expeditiously, but she didn’t want it to end.
“I’ve already met with Liz this morning. Tabby and Jo are all set up to go to the club this evening. Today they will place additional cameras around the outside of the club so that we can get a better view of who goes in and out.” She told him.
“So now we wait?” he asked.
“Yeah, we wait.” She was feeling nervous. “Max you don’t have to stay in here and wait, if you have something that you need to do go do it.”
“No I’m good. Shelby, why is Roger Hawk one of your clients?"
She debated on whether or not she could trust him. She wanted to confide in him what they really did for Roger and why. But if she told him, she had no doubt that he would feel obligated to interfere before Liz could really do any damage to him. “Liz had met Roger when she was still with the bureau. He needed help with some problems and wanted the bureau to step in, but they wouldn’t look at his case. Liz decided to take a look at his case and said she would help him. She was able to help him with his problem, so he put her on retainer from that point on." She shivered at the thought of helping Roger, but it was a means to an end.
“You’ve told me that you don’t like him and I can see it in your face every time you talk about him. What’s really going on Shelby?” He gripped her chin and turned her face to him.
“Max, I can’t. You work for the bureau, and you know that we don’t always follow the rules. Please don’t ask me.” She pleaded with him.
“Shelby, I have never stopped caring about you. From the moment that I met you I’ve wanted you and I could never be around you without wanting to sweep you up and carry you to bed.” He looked at her, “I'll leave it alone for now, but make no mistake I'll find out why.” He held onto her hand circling the back with his thumb.
She shifted in her chair, “How long have you worked for John?”
“I’ve worked for him for ten years, why?” he asked warily
“Being in the bureau and doing what you do, wouldn’t you say that on many occasions you would help John with no questions asked?”
“Yes I would, but…..”
“No, no buts, I don’t like Roger Hawk for reasons of my own, but they don't compare to what Liz feels for him. Liz trusted me when I needed someone and with no questions asked I'll do whatever she needs me to. Liz is a strong woman and she can be ruthless, but she's still a woman.”
She pulled away when her phone buzzed. Tabby and Jo appeared on the screen in front of them. “Hey guys. Do you have everything ready for today?”
“Yes, we’ve already scoped club and placed the cameras around the building. Shelby if you want to check them now. We are just down the block from the club so if we need to make any adjustments we can.” Jo said.
“Give me just a second to bring them online.” She accessed her console and pulling up the screens to the right and the first view was of the front door to the club.
Max stepped away as he took a call from Ross, “What’s up Ross.” He answered.
Slowly she watched as each camera came online with a view from every angle of the club including the back door as well as all the windows and the alley in the back. There was a silver sedan parked in the back. “Jo how long ago did you put the cameras in place?”
“It’s been maybe ten minutes at the most, why?”
“There’s a silver sedan parked in the alley by the back door.”
Max interrupted his phone call and moved closer to look at the screen. “That’s Patricia Young’s car. We tried tracking the GPS, but we weren’t getting any hits.”
“Are you sure? With the angle of the car, I can’t get a look at the license plate. Jo what’s next to the club?” she asked. She watched as Max walked away and began talking to Ross again, but couldn’t hear what he was saying.
“There’s a parking lot, hold on a second. There are cameras in the parking lot, can you access them and get the license plate?” Jo interrupted her.
Shelby pulled up the city grid on the computer and got the name of the parking lot. Gaining access to their main frame she pulled up the camera angles from the lot and found the one facing the back of the club. She zoomed in on the car and the license plate. She moved to another keyboard and quickly typed in the plate number and came back with a match immediately. She looked at Max as the name and photo appeared on the screen.
Patricia Ann Young
“Tabby, Jo – that’s Patricia Young’s car. I’m going to call Liz and let her know.” As she dialed Liz’s number she looked at Max when he hung up with Ross and he looked concerned.
“Liz, Patricia Young’s car is parked outside of club right now.” Shelby told her. Max’s body was tense as he sat in the chair next to her. She looked at him and his face was tightened in anger. He looked at her and she saw in his face that he knew. He knew that Patricia Young wasn't innocent in this.
“Why do I have a feeling this isn't going to end well? Shelby you know what procedures to take. Take them and I’ll be up shortly.” Liz said and hung up.
Max spoke with urgency in his voice. “Shelby, I need to explain some things.”
She cut him off with a wave of her hand speaking into the headset. “Go ahead and proceed as normal and I’ll keep an eye on the sedan. If it moves or anything else happens I'll contact you.”
Tabby and Jo both said, “Got it” She sat there for a moment once they were disconnected. “Max what do you know about your Agent Young? Is there a possibility that she's bad?”
Liz walked in at that moment. “Yes Shelby, she is. Apparently that’s why they wanted our help, because they sent Kim Le in to extract her. What they failed to tell us was that they suspected Young of being a perpetrator rather than a victim.” Liz was furious.
“Max?” Shelby looked at him questioningly.
“Yes she's bad. We believe that she orchestrated Kim Le’s death and I was under strict order not to say anything until we knew for sure.” He pleaded.
“See! That’s the difference between what we do and what the bureau does. We trust everyone we work with because if you don’t people get hurt and deception within an operation gets people killed. You wanted me to trust you enough to let you into my network when you didn’t trust me enough to tell me what was really at stake.” She was furious.
“Shelby, please you have to understand. Exactly what we were just talking about, no questions asked.”
“Max don’t you dare throw that back at me. I didn’t want to let you in, but I did and apparently I had good reason not to. Is there anything else that we need to know, because you better start talking? If you don’t, I believe that Liz will agree with me when I say we'll pull out of this and not look back. I want full disclosure Max, now!” She demanded as Liz walked into the office.
Shit! Shelby was pissed and he was the reason, and he didn’t like
it. “Sit down Shelby, Liz.” He ran his hands through his hair as he began. “Agent Young was originally sent in to investigate Douglas Oleg and his connection with the Russian Mafia. She'd been undercover in his organization for the past year before we lost contact with her. We sent Agent Le in to retrieve her when she found out about Oleg dealing in the human trafficking business. She wasn't sure if Young had gone bad or not. She was supposed to contact me the night she disappeared. We believe that Young turned her over to Oleg. We found her a week later as you know.” He looked at Shelby, and the door slammed shut across her face. He'd been shut out.
“I have already told John that we'll complete this assignment, but remember it’s because of things like this that we don’t trust the bureau and the way they do things.” Liz turned and left him alone with Shelby.
Shelby was furious and hurt all at the same time. She'd begun to trust Max, and she almost told him about Roger. There's no way that she could now. He didn’t trust her to be up front when she let him into her world and taking a chance by asking him to stay the night with her. She would help him, but it would be strictly business between them.
“Have a seat Max. We have some work to do.” She motioned for him to sit down.
“Shelby we need to talk.” He implored.
“No Max, we don’t.” She turned to her console shutting him out.
Chapter Nineteen
Shelby watched as Tabby, Jo and Ross made their way through the line at The Entropic Club and they were almost to the entrance. Max was sitting next to her watching and waiting. She hadn’t talked to him the rest of the afternoon, because she was afraid to and despite being angry at him she couldn’t turn her feelings off that easily.
