They’d asked Charlotte to conduct training sessions with their operators. Since they were the ones who typically encountered the victims first, it was important for them to know the best, most compassionate way to handle them.
She’d also offered to meet confidentially, one-on-one with the operators. Their job was extremely dangerous, no doubt bloody, and exposed them to the bleakest side of human behavior. Charlotte could provide them with the tools needed to help them deal with any lingering trauma.
“Currently, there are six O’Halleran siblings working for OSI in some capacity, along with a few significant others and one cousin.” Cole grabbed the papers again and walked over to the small copier behind Dulce’s desk. “You’ve met Calliope, right?”
“Yes, she reached out to me, wanting to know the best ways to allay the fears of victims during a rescue operation.” Charlotte had been shocked the first time she met Calliope.
At only an inch or two over five feet with bouncy blond pigtails, she did not look like a covert operative or a deadly sniper. Yet she was both.
“Calliope is Lucas O’Halleran’s girlfriend, and he’s one of their cousins,” Dulce added.
“Six siblings, spouses and significant others,anda cousin?” Charlotte couldn’t imagine having that many people in her life. “That’s a lot of O’Hallerans.”
“Yep, and they’re all amazing people.” Dulce’s tone held an enormous amount of respect and affection. “Considering who their parents are, that comes as no surprise.”
“Michaleen and Mollyarepretty great.” Cole looked over his shoulder at them.
Everybody turned to Remy when he groaned and rolled over.
“He’s so cute.” Charlotte smiled at Hawk’s dog.
“He has his moments.” Hawk leaned forward, rested his forearms on the table, and threaded his fingers together. “So, Charlotte, where were you planning to go?”
“My great aunt and uncle have a place in Harper’s Ferry,” she said. “They both passed away, and my mom and I just recently inherited their house. We haven’t had time to change the name on the property, and I was hoping no one would make the connection.”
“Once a will goes through probate, they become public record.” Hawk shared another look with Cole from across the room. “A simple public records search and they’ll be able to connect you and your mom to that house.”
“Oh, my God.” She twisted to grab her bag, shoved her chair back so hard it rolled several feet away, then she stood. “They could go after my mom.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Hawk hurried around to her side of the table. His long fingers wrapped gently around her forearms, and he bent his knees so they were eye to eye. “We’ll send someone to pick her up.” He kept hold of her and turned his head back to Cole. “Eddie can get her. He was working out at the training center earlier but should be done by now.”
“Where is your mom right now?” Cole pulled his phone out, ready to make the call.
Hawk’s hands slid down her arms, and he released her. She turned her wrist so she could look at her smart watch.
“It’s almost eleven, so she should be at her office. But I’d like to call her and give her a heads-up that someone’s coming to pick her up.” Her mom had learned at a young age not to trust strangers, especially men. “It’s the only way she’ll leave with him.”
“Sure, go ahead,” Cole agreed. “But don’t tell her anything just yet, okay?”
Charlotte nodded, dug her phone from a pocket on the outside of her bag, and scrolled to her mom’s number. Her fingers quivered, so she shook out her hand and tapped the screen.
It rang twice before her mom answered.
“Hey, sweetie! What’s up?” She sounded so cheerful and happy to hear from her.
Charlotte hated having to spoil her mood.
“Um, Mom, I—”
“What’s wrong, Charlotte?” Her mother’s happiness was instantly replaced with concern.
“Something happened and … well, I can’t really go into it over the phone, so I just need you to trust me.” She should’ve given some thought to what she was going to saybeforeshe called her. “A man named Eddie …” She turned to Hawk. “What’s his last name?”
“Calabretta,” he said.
“A man named Eddie Calabretta will be coming to your office to pick you up.” She lowered the phone from her mouth. “Can we send her a picture of him?” Hawk nodded and slid his phone from his pocket. “Mom, I’m going to text you a picture of him.”
Cole was on the phone with Eddie, quietly giving him the high points of what was going on.
