She harrumphed very classily. “I just spoke with Clark, and he said you didn’t come into work today. I can bring you some food to tide you over. A smudging wouldn’t hurt, either. I haven’t cleansed your bungalow lately.”
I frowned. “Why were you and Clark talking?”
“We talk all the time. He’s a good guy and I cleansed his apartment the other day. What time should I be there?”
I shook my head. The last person I thought would become buddies with my free-spirited, tarot-card-reading, tea-making, air-smudging Nana was Clark Bunne. She’d smudged him the month before after we’d been caught in a crematorium covered in human remains, and apparently now they were friends? “I’m in Spokane working today with Aiden, Nana.”
“Oh. Good. That’s lovely.” Her voice lilted. Yeah, she was happy I was dating an Irishman. “Well then, call me when you are home and want company. Maybe next week?”
“Sure, Nana. Bye.” I waited for her to say ‘bye’ and hang up first because she was my grandma. Then I turned back to draft a quick motion and accompanying brief for a motion to dismiss Kelsey’s case if her sister did step up and recant her false testimony, using remote login from Aiden’s computer.
The outside door opened and heavy footsteps echoed. “I need to talk to you,” a male voice said.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Aiden answered evenly. Too evenly.
I winced and leaned way back in the chair to see Kurt facing off with Aiden next to the computer table. Not a good idea. The tension between the men was obvious, even as Saber and Drag watched from next to one of the big screens. Neither seemed inclined to jump into the fray.
Kurt partially turned and saw me. “Tell him I didn’t do anything wrong. That it wasn’t such a big deal.”
Aiden instantly pivoted and put his broad body between us. “Don’t talk to her. This has nothing to do with her and everything to do with you disobeying orders, and not for the first time.” While his tenor remained calm, the long line of his back showed tension. His dark tee and black cargo pants were intriguing, even without the gun strapped to his thigh.
Kurt’s gun was visible at the front of his waist.
I held my breath. They were all armed and it was normal for them. This wasn’t scary. Forget the fact that they stood nearly eye-to-eye with dangerous training. Nope. Not scary at all. I stayed in the office and away from them.
“This is bullshit,” Kurt burst out. “I was gone for maybe an hour.”
Aiden moved toward him. “For an hour when a terrorist came into her office, sat down, and had a discussion. If she didn’t have a good brain and a core of solid steel, she would’ve understandably freaked out and not only ruined this Op but probably gotten herself killed.”
“Then it turned out okay,” Kurt challenged, also stepping toward Aiden. “She handled it.”
“You didn’tknowshe could handle it, and you screwed up,” Aiden said. “You’re out. Report to Los Angeles for a new assignment if you want to remain working for the ATF. If not, feel free to explore other options.”
Kurt flicked his gaze to me and then back. “Your personal life is messing with your judgment.”
Drag grimaced, and Saber slowly shook his head.
Aiden didn’t so much as twitch. Although I could only see the back of him, even I could feel the tension rolling through that room. “You’re also free to make any report you’d like to headquarters. If you think my personal life is negatively impacting my team, then file a report. Either way, you’re leaving here now.”
“You’re ruining my career,” Kurt snapped.
“I transferred you without a mark to your record,” Aiden retorted. “You did a decent job when you followed orders, so you still have a career. Get your ass out of here before I change my mind and file a report with more than one mark. And while you’re at it, thank whatever god you pray to that Anna is alive and survived meeting with Barensky.”
“Why? Would you have fired me, then?” Kurt asked, all sarcasm.
Aiden took that final step into Kurt’s space. “No. Your job would’ve been the last of your worries had she been hurt.”
Even I shivered at the tone of his voice now. I’d never heard it—not like this. He’d never talk to me like that, thank goodness. Even so, I had to swallow over a lump in my throat.
Kurt paused for a second. Then he apparently grew a brain and turned to storm out of the building, slamming the door as he did so.
Aiden watched him go.
Several quiet and tension-filled seconds ticked through the building.
Aiden’s phone rang and he slipped it from his pocket. “What?” Then he leaned over to type onto a keyboard. “Okay. I’m bringing it up now. Thanks.” The far screen lit up with pictures and stats of the two Barensky henchmen who looked like golfers.
Saber whistled. “Wow.”
