“Calliope’s been texting with him, but she’s champing at the bit to find out what’s going on with him.” Lucas speared his fingers through his wet hair and tossed his towel into the basket with the others. “She doesn’t know whether to be pissed or worried.”
“If Eddie needed our help, Cole definitely would’ve told us.” One of the things Boone respected most about their boss was his deadly loyalty to his people.
“She knows that, but you know how she can get.” One corner of Lucas’s mouth lifted in a partial smile. “She considers everyone on the team to be family, which, in her mind, gives her the right to be in all y’all’s business.”
“I’ve noticed.” Boone chuckled.
Both of their phones pinged. They grabbed them and read the message from Cole to the entire team.
C: briefing room now
“That can’t be good.” Lucas hurriedly stepped into his boots and laced them up.
They took off out of the locker room and headed for the main building, meeting Calliope, Hawk, Remy, and Viking on the way.
“You guys know what this is about?” Calliope asked as they quick-footed it to the main building.
“No idea, babe.” Lucas looked over at Boone. “But I’m guessing it might have something to do with your old teammate.”
Hawk slammed the bar to open the heavy door leading into the stairwell, and they all took the stairs leading down to the briefing room. When they arrived, Cole was sitting at the head of the table, looking at his phone. Luna was to his left, her laptop open, clicking away at the keys.
She glanced up at Boone, saw the question in his eyes, and nodded.
Therewasnews about Udall.
“Have a seat.” Cole’s serious voice rolled across the table.
Boone took his seat next to Luna. Hawk sat next to him, and Lucas, Calliope, and Viking sat across from them. Remy sauntered over to the wall, plopped down on the carpet, and fell asleep.
Eddie’s usual chair remained empty.
Once everyone was settled, Cole turned to Luna. “Go ahead.”
“We have more news regarding Udall.” Cole turned to Luna.
“Thanks to Emily’s contact in Aliabad, we were able to obtain some surveillance video of the American we think was onthat audio.” Luna tapped her magical keyboard, and a video began playing on the flat screen. “Our target is near the front of this building.” She jiggled her cursor over what appeared to be a rundown auto repair shop. “Right there.” She paused the video long enough to place a red circle around him. “That’s him.”
A man in olive-green hiking pants, tactical boots, a fleece pullover, and wearing a backpack was standing with another man in traditional garb in front of a building. They appeared to be talking.
“Did he just put something in his hand?” Calliope asked.
Luna paused the video, rewound it a little, and stopped.
“I’ve watched this video more times than I can count, and I’m pretty sure it’s an envelope.” Luna started the video again. “Watch what he does next.”
She slowed down the video, and they could clearly see Udall putting something in the man’s hand, then he patted him on the cheek. They finished their conversation, and Udall turned and headed down the street, in the direction of the person filming.
“He’ll be easier to see here in a minute, when he starts toward the hotel over on the left,” Luna said.
Boone stood and walked over to the screen for a closer look.
“Is that him?” Cole rolled back from the table and joined him.
“He’s put on some weight and looks like he’s wearing a long wig.” There was no way he grew his hair out that quickly since being at his folks’ place. “The full beard and mustache are new, too, but yeah, it’s him.” Just seeing that piece of shit walking free pissed Boone off.
“You’re certain?” Cole asked.
Boone watched the man cross the street, jog up the steps, and look in the general direction of the camera before disappearing into the hotel.
