At his name, Elizabeth felt a wave of sorrow wash through her. Her greatest wish was that her dad was there to be a grandfather.
“I believe that he would be,” she replied. When both men moved closer to her, sharing a simple touch, Elizabeth managed to keep it in check.
“Now, why are you here?”
“I need to see Tony,” she said. “Where is he?”
Martha pointed at the office. “He’s been hiding out in there for the last hour or so. I don’t know what’s wrong with that boy, but he looks plum scared stupid.”
Great.
Babysitting was just what they needed.
“We need to talk with him. You don’t need to announce us. I’m sure that he knows we’re coming.”
Martha simply nodded and watched them head to the office door. It wasn’t lost on her that they had their badges and guns on too. That meant they were here on business. Something was definitely up. It was a matter of waiting and seeing what was going on in Salem.
Or, true to form, she could just snoop and dig it up!
Yeah, that was more her style.
Opening the door, the three headed inside. Tony wasn’t behind the desk, but pacing nervously back and forth. He had redecorated the room, and it looked more like a bachelor pad than a sheriff’s office. It was packed full of sports memorabilia and other man treasures.
The sexy women calendar was a bit much. Don’t get her wrong, she would plaster half naked pictures of Ethan and Callen all over the place if she could, but there was a time and a place.
This wasn’t it.
“I love what you did with the place,” Ethan said, beating Elizabeth to the punch on that one.
Tony immediately stopped pacing. “Thanks. What did you find out?” he blurted, heading right to the heart of the matter.
“We need to dredge the river.”
He stared at her. “Do you think Doc is in there?”
Elizabeth didn't know what to think at this point. Her mind was going a mile a minute, and she was a little thrown off balance by the office that once meant so much to her and her father. It once had stood for something, and now it was simply a mockery. Tony was making it a spectacle, and in more ways than one. Yet, she held her tongue and tried to play nice.
“I can’t answer that, but I do know you need to call up the dive team and send them into the location where you found these remains. It’s going to be a shitty job, but someone’s got to do it.”
Tony thought about it. “I just assumed you’d be handling it.”
Blackhawk hoped the man didn't think that Elizabeth was going into that water. If he did, he was in for a rude awakening, and a boot in his ass. Check that. Make it two boots in his ass; Callen looked just as perturbed.
“No, this is your mess and your town. Unless we find something in the water, I can’t step in and handle this. For now, you’re the sheriff. Grow a set and man up.”
Tony was trying to not get angry. He could tell by the look on her face that she didn't approve of his office, or the job that he was doing.
He picked up his phone and paused to flip through the rolodex to find the number of the man in charge of the water team.
Elizabeth didn't want to see him look even more embarrassed then he should be, so she hit speed dial and number nine. Immediately, it began dialing.
They waited as the man gave the instructions. When he hung up the phone, Whitefox began asking him questions.
“Was anyone bothering Doc? Did he have any concerns about his safety?”
Tony shook his head. “No, he never said anything to me about someone bugging him. If he did, I would have handled it. I’m sorry, but I’m at a loss with this one.”
They stood from the chairs and headed to the doors.
“Where are you going?” he called after them.
Elizabeth turned and looked at him. “This is your rodeo, darlin’. I think that you need to haul your sheriff-y self down to the river and watch your men dredge it. We’re going to grab a coffee and meet you there in a little while.”
“Seriously? You mean you’re not coming to run it?” he asked, his voice filled with angst and nerves. “I thought you were yanking my chain.”
She shook her head. “There comes a time, grasshopper, when you have to step up and take the reins.”
“I have been! I’m running this town.”
The whole time she was in his office, she tried to hold her tongue and play nice, not because she was worried, but because the man had once been a friend. “Tony, you may wear the badge and sit in the office, but you have a lot to learn about doing the job.”
He watched her walk away.
Yeah, didn't he know it?
* * *
He was standing in his kitchen rubbing seasoning into the loin meat. It was going to be put in the crock pot for tonight, and then served for dinner over potatoes in its own gravy.
The mere idea was so pleasing that his belly growled in response.
“Oh, I can’t wait to have dinner!”
Heading to the freezer, he searched it for the frozen brick of juices that he saved for just this occasion. As he pulled it out, it occurred to him that he didn't have enough meat. Where he thought the older man would be sufficient, he wasn’t.
It looked like he was going to have to start planning his next person, and soon. There were only a few more dinners before he would be out.
That was the last thing that he needed to happen. He had learned from the last time to never let his freezer go empty.
Being hungry sucked.
An ounce of prevention was worth a pound of cure, and he was going to follow that advice.
Moving back to his dinner, he ran his fingers over the flesh to massage the seasoning deeper into the meat. When you didn't properly add the right flavors, it could be bland and a tad bit gamey.
Who wanted a so-so dinner when it could be a masterpiece?
Placing the loin meat on the potatoes and carrots, he dropped the gravy brick in and closed the lid. Now, when he returned tonight, he would have a hot meal waiting for him.
His only problem was he couldn’t stop.
One serving became two.
Two became three.
Before he knew it, there were no left overs for the next day. Tonight, he would try to control himself. It wouldn’t be easy, but he would do it.
Pushing the timer button, he headed off to get some work done. Later, he would sit down and work out his plan. In the back of his mind, he already knew who would be joining him for dinner next.
It was a matter of implementing and following through.
If he had his way, there would be some fresh food coming his way, and on Valentine’s Day nonetheless.
Now, that was worthy of a celebration. Nothing said love like tasty meat.
It was the gift that kept on giving.
* * *
They walked down the street side by side.
While the river was being dredged, they were going to take a little coffee break. After all, they were on vacation.
Or should be.
The last thing that Elizabeth wanted to do was stand over people, who used to work seamlessly beneath her, and micromanage them to death.
For now, they were going to bide their time and lay low.
Once inside the café, they headed to a back corner where they could have some privacy. One never knew when the men were going to try and pull off some kiss-y face in public. Not that she minded, since they were on vacation.
“This is some place,” Callen said, taking in the crystals and bright colors. “It seems oddly out of place in Salem, or maybe we seem out of place in it.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t here before. This used to be ‘The Barrel’, but when my brother went into the facility, I didn't want it.”
Ethan kissed her knuckles. “We decided to sell it. The realtor took care of everything, and we just signed the papers to get it over with.” The truth was that he didn't want his wife dwelling on Sa
lem when they weren’t here. The way it could have ended was vastly different. That was one of the reasons why they didn't come back here. Yeah, work kept them busy, but he was trying to protect his wife from her past.
When the waitress came over, Elizabeth stared at her watch. “I’m starving.”
The men knew what that meant. It was time to feed the baby and little woman.
Taking a menu, they each picked out what they wanted. It wasn’t easy, since all the food was pretty much vegan. The only thing on the menu that was once breathing was a crab cake.
Well, it would have to do.
Again, Elizabeth pointed out the obvious, since this was a different server. Maybe this one would have a clue. “If you’re all vegan, then why the dead crab?” she asked.
The waitress snapped her gum and stared at her. “Because believe it or not, the owner likes to cater to everyone, including the carnivores. Now everyone can be happy.”
That was good enough for her.
Sipping their coffees, they waited for the food to be ready.
Ethan wanted to keep her mind off work while she ate, so he went with the obvious. “How far along do you think we are?”
She loved that he used ‘we’. Doing some mental math, she tied to pinpoint a date. Since Ethan hadn’t really been interested in a lot of sex lately, it wasn’t that hard to figure out. “I’m probably about two months pregnant.”
Callen ran his fingers down her cheek. “I’m excited for another baby in our family.”
Ethan was too. “I hope we’re having a girl.” It was what he wanted more than anything else in life. He wanted to hold his daughter and see his wife in her eyes. It wasn’t that he didn't love Catherine, but to have his own little Lyzee would be a piece of heaven.
“If we have a girl, she’s probably going to be trouble. Picture my attitude and your felonious ways, mixed up into one cute little girl.”
Callen laughed. “Oh boy.”
Blackhawk didn't mind in the least. “I’ll spoil her rotten.” When he believed that he was going to die, and he made his last prayer, he wanted more children with Elizabeth and a second chance. Now that he was getting it, he couldn’t believe it.
“You spoil all the kids,” Callen stated. “The boys have a tree house packed with things they can’t use yet. You built Cat a play house below it. What’s next?”
Ethan leaned back as his lunch was placed in front of him. “If I’m having a daughter, I’m going to build her a house too. The girls will each have one, side by side and maybe even a general store and a beauty salon.”
Callen laughed. “Great. We’ll have a village in our back yard.” Secretly, he loved it. It touched his heart that his brother loved Cat so much that she would be equal in his eyes. It was all he ever wanted for her.
To belong.
His brother was doing a damn good job of taking her in as his own.
Elizabeth tried to focus on them, but she was genuinely enjoying her lunch. “You have to try this,” she said, offering each man a bite. From the looks on their faces, she could tell they agreed.
“That’s pretty awesome,” Callen said.
When the waitress came over, Elizabeth couldn’t help herself. “Is the owner here?”
Callen glanced over at her. “Uh oh.”
Then men didn't know where she was going with this, and that was always a dangerous thing. One couldn’t predict what was going to come out of Elizabeth’s mouth.
“Yes?” asked the woman, as she approached the table. “Is something wrong with your lunch?”
Elizabeth could feel the men’s hands on her lap in silent warning. “Yes there is. This crab cake is spectacular. It should be illegal, and I’m thinking it just might be.”
The woman began laughing in relief. “I am so glad you like it.” She held out her hand warmly. “My name is Justine Stephens. I own the place.”
Elizabeth shook her hand and took in the short woman. She reminded her of someone who would own a café. She looked like baking was her passion. There was flour dust in her hair, on her pants and shirt too. “I’m going to ask something so completely crazy. Can I have the recipe?” Her belly was dancing happily, and she needed to eat these every day.”
Justine shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”
“Okay, then I need to ask something else. Do you cater?”
Now the men were really confused. They had no clue what Elizabeth had planned.
“I do.”
“Okay, I need to order two hundred crab cakes, but I need them shipped out of town.”
Ethan stared at her, and then began laughing. “Are you sure that you’re not further along in the pregnancy?” he asked. Generally, she didn't begin craving things until four months.
“Are you having a baby shower?”
Elizabeth pondered that answer. “Yes, yes I am.”
Callen and Ethan stared at her openmouthed. With the last three kids, she had adamantly refused anything of the sort. In fact, she threatened bodily harm on a regular basis. When she got wind of it at work, she threatened anyone who went with a transfer to Siberia.
Now, she was planning her own?
What the hell just happened?
“I’ll get the forms,” Justine said, happily moving away.
“We’re having a baby shower?” Callen whispered, finally able to speak.
Elizabeth took another bite of her crab cake. “I am. I’m inviting my two hundred little fishy friends back to our house, to hang out in our freezer. Then, they shall meet their demise at my whim. Happy baby shower to me!”
Ethan laughed and pulled out his credit card. If Elizabeth wanted to ship two hundred crab cakes back west to feed his growing child, who was he to question it? “Whatever you want, baby,” he offered.
Callen laughed even more. “Yeah, and you thought I created a monster when she was pregnant with EJ.”
To Blackhawk, it didn't matter. This was his second shot at life, and he was going to do whatever it took to get it right.
For now, that meant doting on his wife.
He was down with that, and her little fishy friends too.
~ Chapter Six ~
Thursday Noon
As they approached the site, Ethan, Callen and Elizabeth split up. Ethan wanted to call home and talk to his father, explaining the situation and how they may be there longer.
He liked to be prepared for the worst case scenario.
Callen headed towards the side of the river to inspect the team. Already, they were in the water, and he wanted to document the grass around the basin with photographs. If they indeed had to call in the team, he wanted to have before pictures to help them out.
That left Elizabeth.
She stood, silently watching the two men foraging in the shallow water for anything that felt like a bone. They were doing this blind, and she had to hope that they were still as good as the day she had used them to find the women in the lake.
Elizabeth was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she didn't hear Tony coming to her side. When he dropped his arm over her shoulder, she glanced over at him.
“Yes?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow.
“It’s like déjà vu all over again.”
Yeah, she knew it. It was almost four years ago, when she had stood alongside another body of water looking for the lost. Oh, she had found plenty in the process. When her gaze shifted to Ethan, their eyes locked across the space and so much love raced through her.
She had found a miracle as she stood over the dead.
Tony leaned in closer and whispered in her ear. “The two body guards are looking like they want to kill me.”
Elizabeth recalled how Tony had enjoyed baiting Ethan the last time they were here. “Let me warn you, right now, Tony. I’m pregnant with Ethan’s second child. If you push him too far, he will snap, and I won’t stop him.”
He stared at her, unsure if she was serious or kidding. “I see friendship only goes so far,” he stated, as
he tried teasing her, but some of the wind was out of his sails.
“It does. Now, Ethan comes with his backup.” She nodded towards Callen. “Don’t screw with them, or I may be the one hurting you.”
He got the message and moved his person away from hers. Obviously, this wasn’t the same old easy going woman who he had once known. She had definitely changed and hardened.
“I got it.”
As if on cue, both men moved towards her and took a place at her now vacant sides. Neither man had any expression on his face, but it was clear how they were feeling about Tony whispering in her ear. There was the telltale twitch on both of their cheeks. There was hostility brewing.
Elizabeth was about to ask a question, when a deputy vehicle pulled up. When Tyrell unfolded himself from it, a smile crossed her face. Moving away from the men, she crossed to her old employee.
“Elizabeth!” he said, grinning.
The best thing about Tyrell was the bright smile contrasting against his very dark skin. It just shone and made him seem warm and approachable. No one in town, had a smile like him.
“Ty!” She hugged the man and smiled up at him when he released her. “How is your family, my friend?”
He grinned even more. “They’re great. When I arrived at work, Martha was all stirred up. She told me you’re back and working on something.”
She led him over to the men in her life and did the introductions. “Tyrell Donnell, this is Director Callen Whitefox, and you remember Ethan.”
The men exchanged pleasantries and shook hands. While the introductions were going, Tony excused himself to take a call. Elizabeth liked Tyrell because he was a straight shooter.
“Ty, how the hell did Tony beat you out for Sheriff?” she whispered.
He didn't like to gossip, but he didn't doubt why it happened for a minute. This was the Deep South, and he wasn’t a good old boy. “Boss, your guess is as good as mine.”
She was endeared that he called her that. In the back of her mind, she knew that she needed to dig around. When she left, she asked that Chris Santana be given her job, and if he refused, Tyrell was her second choice. She went with years of experience. In all honestly, Tony wasn’t even on the list.
Consumed by Wrath: An FBI/Romance Thriller (An FBI/Romance Thriller ~ Book 8) Page 14
