Tessa wasn’t having it. “Whatever. If you want to waste your money, fine. I’ll leave you to it.”
“No, no. That’s okay.” Zane held up his hands in mock surrender.
“How much did she save you?” Luke knew it was big.
“About three large.”
Jacob whistled. “Tessa, can you talk to my wife? Please?”
“Anytime.” Tessa all but stuck her tongue out at Luke. “I’m happy to help.”
Jacob cleared his throat. “A couple of things before the day gets away from us. First, Karen has decided to have the funeral here, but there’s a problem.”
“If we attend a public funeral,” Zane began.
“We’re sitting ducks,” Tessa finished.
“Bingo.”
“I’ve never felt sorry for the ducks before,” Luke said.
Zane gave him a look of commiseration, and Tessa started to say something, but Jacob kept them on track. “The funeral won’t be until next Wednesday. Michael’s sister is a missionary in a remote village in one of the former Soviet republics. They didn’t get in touch with her until Wednesday evening, and it’s going to take her until Monday to get to the States. Karen knows about the problem with us attending and the possibility of the funeral becoming a target, so she’s not announcing anything until Monday. If we catch this guy before then, maybe we can attend.”
“So, no pressure.” Luke couldn’t imagine skipping Michael’s funeral.
“Jared’s parents plan to have a public wake on Saturday, followed by a private graveside service in Milwaukee on Sunday. There’s no way we can attend the wake. No one will approve it. But even though there are safety concerns, we’ve been invited to the graveside service and the local RAIC is working on it. The cemetery is out in the middle of nowhere, and there’s going to be a one-mile perimeter to ensure everyone’s safety. Charles Campbell has agreed to any security measures we want on his plane. Plan to leave on Sunday morning, but don’t advertise it. The goal will be to get out of town and back without anyone knowing we left.”
“Lucky we know how to protect high-profile people with public schedules.” Zane didn’t sound lucky.
“The difference,” Jacob said, “is when we have a credible threat, we’ve been known to ask the protectee to cancel their plans. We’ll see where things are on Sunday and make the call then.”
Everyone nodded their agreement. What other choice did they have?
“Zane, take it easy. Luke, take it easy. Tessa, don’t get shot.” Jacob pointed to each of them in turn. “I’m done with seeing my people in the hospital. Now, get to work.”
Tessa bounded out of her seat like she’d been sitting on a spring. Luke leaned on the arm of the chair and used it to help push himself upright. Zane groaned, resting both hands on the arms of the chair and heaving himself upward, a hiss escaping through his gritted teeth.
Jacob rubbed his bald head. “Luke. A moment?”
Luke hung back.
“I hate to do this, but I need you to keep an eye on Zane andTessa. Tessa’s still green. Zane’s more beat up than he wants to admit. I know you aren’t at one hundred percent, but—”
“It’s no problem. I’m on it.”
Jacob grunted. “How are things with the FBI? I heard Malone was here for a while last night.”
“We’re okay.” Luke glanced at his phone. “She’s supposed to be here around eight thirty so I can bring her up to speed on everything I’ve learned, and she will do the same.”
“Keep me in the loop.”
Luke left Jacob’s office and headed for the conference room but paused at Marty’s desk. “Marty?”
“Yes?” Marty was not her normal sassy self, and that needed to change.
“I hate to be a brat—”
“You live to be a brat,” she countered.
