He was right.
The United States Marshals was one of the agencies who took part in the ten-week national operation to find endangered missing children.The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or NCMEC, had fulfilled me in a way that my normal day job didn’t.
The operation was conducted across sixteen states, including Los Angeles.We found critically missing children and were able to raise awareness of the epidemic of missing children in America.
“I did.”I spun my beer on the countertop.“My cousin went missing when I was a kid.It’s why I joined the Marshal Service.”
“I know.”
Fucker.Of course, he did.
I should’ve known he would look into my past.Much of it is locked down because of my job, but a man like Josh Black—nothing much would stop him, I suspect.
I had a taste of how they worked as an organization when we joined forces, unofficially, to track down the North Korean, Chen, who ended up on the run.
Josh, a Navy SEAL, had already dropped a hint that he wanted me on his team, saying I could get more done in the private space.
I knew he was right.
The difference I could make with BHS resources would be significantly greater.Except, I’m a bit of a rule follower, so doing things outside the law doesn’t come naturally to me, nor is it comfortable.
I’m not going in blindly, I know paramilitary and private security organizations aren’t bound by the same limits as three-lettered agencies.
Technically.
They’re still bound by US laws, but anyone with any level of security knows the real shit gets done in the shadows.Even I know that.
To get the real bad guys, sometimes you have to level the playing field.Our enemies play by a different set of rules, ones that give them more freedom and power.And so must we if we are to protect our people and nation.
Still, I believe the American taxpayers want men like me in the trenches to make sure we do things the right way and fairly.There is a place for all of us, but I’m that good guy.
Most of the time.
“I need more men.Different expertise for new assignments we’re being sent, and you fit the bill.”Josh shared that night.“You saw how we get things done.We have top-class people from across the military, and some of the best tech people in the business.We work much like when I was in the Teams but faster.Much fucking faster.”
It was highly appealing; I’m not going to lie.
But before I agreed, I needed him to know who I was.The tactics BHS had used while assisting me and the other Marshals stop Chen from escaping US soil couldn’t be documented.But without them, I’m almost certain he would have escaped.
“Can’t say I was thrilled at having to fudge some of the paperwork,” I sipped my beer.
“You’d have been less happy if Chen had boarded a plane and disappeared outside of your jurisdiction.”
He wasn’t wrong.
If that happened, it could’ve caused a global catastrophe and cost millions of lives.Here and abroad.Hence fudging the paperwork while zipping my lips.
“Yeah.”My laugh was dry.I then studied him for a moment, wondering about the man under the nondescript black polo and Ray-Ban sunglasses on top of his head.I knew he was wealthy and married to the famous rocker, Blaze Cartright’s daughter.I knew he was a decorated SEAL and respected among his men.“I guess if we’d been unsuccessful, your old team would’ve stepped in to sort things out if he had.”
I was referring to SEAL Team Six...or three or four or whichever team he was in.
“Or me,” Josh shrugged.
I raised a brow, surprised.“You do black ops?Privately?For the gov?”
“No,” he smirked.
So that was a yes.
