Jacob's Grace

by C. P. Rowlands

  Owens’s body was still in constant motion. “I have a handgun, a Glock .22, at the house, but only for protection.”

  AJ frowned at the mention of the gun. No way was he the shooter. He was too strung out and looked like he’d been that way quite a while.

  A minute later, Tag came inside. “How could this kid miss, even with a pistol? I know what he did over there. Those guys don’t miss, and what the hell’s wrong with him?”

  “Did you notice his face? He’s only twenty-four but looks a lot older.”

  “Yeah, and that’s some acne he’s dealing with. His teeth need work too.”

  “Good street lesson here, Tag. I’d bet meth. I agree about the gun. He’s not the shooter.”

  “AJ,” Jock said, walking into the room. “Got something for me?”

  She handed him the paperwork and indicated Owens with her chin. “That’s the brother of the victim, the kid in the alley, from the trafficking house that the chief took down.”

  He looked up quickly. “This guy’s your shooter?”

  “I don’t think so, but he just said he has a Glock .22 at that house. Have ballistics check it. Tag and Grace did a quick run-through of that house but didn’t run find a gun. He’s staying there. His brother, the primary suspect, owns the place.”

  Jock watched young Owens. “He’s on something, isn’t he? Charles said you did a lab test.” He looked at the chief. “How do you want to handle this?”

  “We haven’t said anything about the shootings or drugs. We waited for you,” AJ said, glancing at Tag behind them. Jock had ignored her.

  “And I have his brother John locked up. The Milwaukee task force will go after him,” the chief added.

  Jock blew out a breath and rubbed his short hair. “This guy keyed Katie’s car last night? That was stupid, but it also means he has her name.” He turned back to AJ. “Why don’t I take it from here? I’ll let you know what I find.”

  “There’s a laptop in the living room at that house,” Tag added from behind, but Jock never acknowledged her words.

  AJ could see the wheels turning, exactly what she’d hoped for. “Jock, this is me, sharing, and the chief has Grace’s video from that house. Both the garage and back door were open and the crime scene tape was down. They thought someone was in the house while they were there, and the chief’s guy has video of an adult female running from the house.”

  Jock jammed the papers in his back pocket. “You have people there, Chief?”

  “Just one guy hanging out in a car on the street.”

  “Why don’t you two work out something. We’ll be out of town for a while, but Bonnie and the chief will be here,” AJ said.

  Jock entered the interrogation room, introduced himself, and placed his badge on the table. Robert Owens surveyed the mountain of a man in front of him and muttered something under his breath. AJ was sure Owens was tweaking.

  “Wait.” AJ stopped Tag and Grace as they started to leave. “Margaret Hershey, the FBI-DHS coordinator, is picking me up for lunch tomorrow, and I’d like you to meet her. She might have another member for our team, so watch for her email. The agent’s name is Sam Mullins.”

  “Margaret Hershey?” Tag turned, hand on the door. “Maddie, right? She did a tour, didn’t like it, and went home. Got married.”

  “She said she knew you,” AJ said. “Get Bonnie home safely. Good job today.”

  The chief and AJ turned back to the window and watched Jock intimidate young Owens for a bit longer. “What about those guys in our parking lot at work?”

  “We’re still working on it.”

  “I could swear they were at Jimmy’s last night beside an old pickup. Katie said Robert Owens handed them some takeout. I couldn’t see their faces, but same body type and height.” He nodded. “Watch over Jock for me, will you? Owens has Katie’s name, and even though I don’t think he’s the shooter—”

  The chief held up his hand, but AJ pushed on.

  “This is different from the mess with Michael.” She took a big breath. “And this task force up north feels wrong. You know it does.”

  “Trust Bonnie and me. I’ll walk you to your car.” The chief steered her out of the room. “John Owens is in Interrogation, two doors down with the Milwaukee task force. I don’t want you in there. He’ll know you from the meet you had with him in the gym. Tell me what Margaret Hershey had to say.”

  Both searched the area and her vehicle again as they walked through the parking lot and talked about working with the FBI in northern Wisconsin. She also mentioned Maddie’s comment about “Clint Weeks and his good friend, Lawrence Kelly.” The chief laughed when she said they called her Lightning.

  “You know about Pete and Margaret?” he said at their vehicles.

  “That was surprising, but the energy crackles around her, like…lightning.” They both grinned. “How did you know?”

  “I’m there so often that sometimes I forget I’m Milwaukee Police. It’s one big rumor mill and a fight to see who can get what.” He unlocked his vehicle. “Where are you headed?”

  “Home to change clothes. If it wasn’t for Frog, I’d fight this task force. My worst fear is that someone paid her to go up there to make sure we cooperated. The meeting with Maddie Hershey tomorrow may change everything.”

  “If I know Maddie, count on it,” the chief said.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sweat trickled down Tag’s back as they stood inside Smokey’s Bar. With both hands protectively on Grace’s hips, she steered her through the wall of music, voices, and packed bodies.

  “God, it’s a steam bath and I don’t see her—”

  “There, arm wrestling with a cop.” Tag pointed over Grace’s shoulder at a table against the wall. People were throwing money down and yelling. Bonnie’s face was red, but it looked like she was winning. Tag tightened her grip, tracking Grace’s shifting bones and muscle as they moved for a better look.

  Bonnie slammed the man’s arm onto the table and stood, yelling “Yes!” at the top of her lungs. The group erupted in groans and cheers. Bonnie began picking up the money, but the young cop grabbed her arm.

  “You said the best of three.”

  “That was three.” Bonnie shoved the money into her pocket, weaving as she stood. “You won the first one.”

  “No, it was only two. You’re too drunk to remember.”

  Bonnie held her hands up, shouting at the crowd for confirmation and jammed the rest of the money into her pocket. Tag got her attention, and Bonnie started toward her, bumping her opponent. He didn’t like it, and his fist connected with her face. Just that quick, the fight was on.

  Tag grabbed Bonnie, but she jerked away and threw her own punch. Another cop shoved Tag, yelled, “Move over, Pocahontas,” and threw a punch. He missed and hit Grace in the face, knocking her into Tag’s arms.

  Tag wasn’t sure who hit who or how many, but she and Bonnie ended up with Grace between them, fighting their way out of the bar.

  Outside, they assessed the damage. Bonnie had a cut on her jaw, but Grace looked worse. Blood ran down her face from a deep gash across her eyebrow, and she slowly tipped into Tag.

  “Damn.” Bonnie grabbed for Grace. “Look what you’ve done.”

  “Me?” Tag held Grace tight against herself. “I didn’t do anything. We could’ve had you out of there, but no, you had to throw a punch and Grace got hit.”

  “I don’t feel so good—” Grace leaned over and vomited into the gutter. Tag carefully wiped her face with her T-shirt, lifted her into the back seat, and snapped the seat belt.

  “I’ll drive us to the hospital.” Bonnie held out her hand for the keys.

  “Fuck you will. You can barely stand up.” Tag pushed Bonnie to the other door. “Get in there with Grace and tell me where to go.”

  “Straight to hell,” Bonnie grumbled but crawled into the back seat with Grace. “Take a right at the next light.”

  * * *

  Tag and Bonnie sat in plastic c
hairs in the waiting room in the Columbia Hospital ER waiting for word on Grace. The gray tiled floors stretched out around them, and Bonnie held an ice pack to her jaw. Neither had spoken.

  “I never should have thrown that punch,” Bonnie slurred.

  “Did the doctor check you out?”

  “Yes, and I’m okay, but I didn’t cheat. That was the third match. If Grace is seriously hurt, AJ and the chief are going to kill me.”

  Tag remembered what AJ had said about Bonnie’s crush on Grace. “It was just a bar fight and probably won’t be our last. Grace doesn’t seem the type.”

  “Wrong. AJ’s been training her for years. I wouldn’t want to fight her.”

  Tag thought of Grace’s surprising muscles when she’d held her outside.

  A doctor came out of the exam room. Her long lab coat had blood on it. She took a second look at Tag.

  “Who’s this?” she said, hands on hips.

  “Tag Becket, our new agent.” Bonnie struggled to her feet.

  “Dr. Light, your unit’s doctor,” the woman said, shaking Tag’s hand. “Were you with Bonnie in the bar?”

  “Grace and I went to pick her up.”

  “Then you get to call AJ. Tell her I’m keeping Grace here tonight. I want to keep an eye on a possible concussion.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Tag said.

  “Damn.” Bonnie collapsed back to the chair.

  “Bonnie, stay where you are until we get this sorted out. Tag, tell AJ to call me on my personal phone.” She turned back into the exam room, and Tag pulled out her phone.

  “AJ, we’re at the Columbia ER. We had a little…skirmish…at the bar. Grace has a possible concussion and stitches. Dr. Light said you should call her on her personal number.” Tag heard silverware clatter on a plate.

  “What? Where’s Bonnie?”

  “Right here beside me, but she can’t drive.”

  “Drunk?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine, ma’am,” Tag said. There was more silence.

  “I’ll be right there after I talk to Dr. Light.”

  The line went dead and Tag sat down again beside Bonnie. “She’s on her way.”

  “Christ. My first official day as an agent and I have to call AJ.”

  “The doctor knows you?”

  “AJ and I were injured last spring and spent hours here with Charles and Grace. AJ ended up in surgery. Katie helped a lot.”

  “You’ve been friends with Katie for a long time?”

  Bonnie nodded and jammed the ice back on her jaw with a grimace. “Since high school.”

  “And Grace?”

  “They’ve only been here since last September, but she’s a good friend.” Bonnie leaned back and stared at Tag. “Why?”

  Tag shrugged. “I’m going to be working with her and—”

  “Give me a break. The only thing I’ve seen her really excited about is horses. Until you. She’s interested, whatever that means to Grace.”

  She’s interested. In me?

  “There’s a horse ranch south of town. She’s out there every chance she has and maybe owns a horse.” Bonnie shifted the ice pack. “I’ve never seen her hurt. This is my fault.”

  “I’m getting some coffee. Want some?” Tag said and stood.

  Bonnie nodded and Tag walked to the coffee machine she’d seen in the lobby. The last time she’d been in a fistfight was beside two young privates in Kandahar. They’d gone into a building looking for a man with a bomb, certain they’d be blown up at any moment. She’d been beyond scared. Tonight, she’d only been angry, and how the hell had she let that happen to Grace?

  The machine made a rumbling sound when she put money into it, and she remembered the helicopter earlier at the Owens’s house. How long would it be before she got over that damned noise? The doctor had said it was a trigger.

  She studied her reflection in the glass. She needed a haircut. She rested her forehead on the glass still feeling Grace in her arms and processed Bonnie’s words. She’s interested, whatever that means to Grace.

  As she turned the corner, she heard AJ’s and Katie’s voices. Grace was right about this assignment. Something was off, and Robert Owens sure as hell felt off. None of the pieces fit. It was like the last time she’d commanded the Dragons, everything spinning sideways and wrong. Her stomach tightened as she tried to keep that out of her head. Frowning, she went toward the voices.

  * * *

  “What the hell, Tag?” AJ said.

  Tag handed the coffee to Bonnie and came to full attention. “Ma’am, don’t blame Bonnie. Someone else threw the first punch.”

  AJ surveyed her wounded agents. Tag had blood all over her T-shirt and a bruise on her cheek. Bonnie held an ice pack to her jaw with blood on her clothes too. And what was going on? Tag was practically at parade attention.

  “What’s wrong with you two? It was a damn bar fight,” AJ ground out. “And don’t call me ma’am.”

  “Yes…ma’am.”

  “Now that was just mean. And for Christ’s sake, at ease, soldier.”

  Tag blew out a breath and her shoulders relaxed. “Is Grace going to be okay?”

  “So the doctor says. Take Bonnie home with you tonight. Dr. Light says she’s fine, but make sure she’s hydrated before she sleeps. Give her a ride to change clothes in the morning and meet us at the office. We’ll stay with Grace.” She took Tag’s right hand and studied it, and then her face. Tag’s eyes were pure onyx. “You might want to ice this. I hope you clocked him good,” she said and left for the exam room.

  A nurse covered Grace with a blanket, and AJ bent to look at the stitches. Grace’s skin had lost its summer tan glow. “God,” she murmured.

  “I feel like crap,” Grace mumbled, her normally bright eyes dull. “My fault. I wasn’t paying attention. I need to see Tag. Go get her, AJ.”

  “Can’t. I sent them home to your place. Bonnie feels terrible about this.”

  Katie bent over Grace. “Oh, sweetie, those are serious stitches. I see a black eye in your future. Well, your horse won’t care.” She straightened and looked around the room. “I don’t like this.”

  AJ leaned against the bed. “This is only day three, and we’ve had two fires and I’m shot, Grace is in the hospital, and we haven’t even left town. I don’t like it either.”

  “What did Dr. Light say?”

  “I said I want her quiet and resting until we do more tests. I’m sure she’s concussed.” Dr. Light stepped into the room behind them. “We’ll probably release her tomorrow. Grace said you were leaving town. How soon?”

  “As soon as possible. Should we stay here with Grace tonight?”

  “No. Go home. I’ll take care of her.” Dr. Light turned and took a long look at them. “Have a nice summer? You both look healthy.” She started to leave but turned back. “Wait, I saw paperwork about a gunshot. Let me see your arm.” She unfolded AJ’s sleeve and examined the injury. “Looking good,” she said. “How’s the leg?”

  “We actually had a vacation and did some hiking. I’m fine.” AJ fastened the cuff on her shirt.

  A nurse stepped into the room and unlocked the rollers on Grace’s bed, and Dr. Light started for the door again. “We’ll talk later or tomorrow.”

  Outside, they stood in the parking lot for a moment. “Wonder why Grace needed to see Tag?” AJ said.

  “I heard you talking to Tag and Bonnie. You sounded angry.”

  “Angry? No, just upset.” AJ looked at the green lawn and a rainbow of colorful flowers. “Remember last spring when they released me and we stood here?” She put her arm around Katie’s waist and tugged her close. “It was foggy from the melting snow and I was so happy to be out of here but hated those damned crutches.”

  “I took you to dinner to celebrate my bank contract.” Katie smiled. “You and those gorgeous daffodils on the table at the restaurant. My favorite time of year, spring.”

  Chapter T
hirteen

  Still worried about Grace, AJ jammed maps onto the corkboard in the office conference room the next morning. She recognized the chief’s footsteps before he appeared in the doorway and glanced up. His normally impeccable uniform was…wrong. Even his tie was unknotted.

  “I just spent twenty minutes on the phone with the downtown office. What the hell happened at Smokey’s yesterday?”

  “I heard it was some kind of rumble.”

  The chief buttoned his top shirt button and tightened his tie. “There are rookie cops with a bunch of injuries riding desks downtown on their first day of duty. Did Bonnie start a fight?”

  “That’s not what Tag told me. They’ll be here soon—”

  “We’re here.” Tag walked into the conference room with Bonnie.

  “Damn.” He gave them a thorough once-over. “How the hell are we going to report this? You girls have to do the paperwork. I’m not touching it. Where’s Grace?”

  “Still in the hospital,” AJ said.

  He gaped at her. “It was that bad?”

  “It was,” Tag said. “What can we do, AJ?” She gestured at the corkboard.

  “Tell the chief about what happened at Smokey’s.”

  “Grace and I stopped at Smokey’s to give Bonnie a ride home. She was arm wrestling a young cop. She beat him and he punched her. Heck of a fight.”

  “You beat him?” he said, and grinned at Bonnie. “Good for you.”

  “He was a sore loser and he hit me. It all went downhill after that.” Bonnie ducked her head.

  “We all threw punches,” Tag added. “Someone hit Grace hard enough to give her stitches and maybe a concussion.”

  The chief stared at them. “Okay. I think we’ll ignore the paperwork. The fellows downtown would like to do the same. There’s damage to the bar too.”

  “Let me know. We’ll help pay for it.” AJ shoved a stack of papers that Maddie had emailed to the center of the table. “Tag, I have to keep track of Frog while Grace is in the hospital.”