Chapter Thirty-Eight
Thursday morning found Jethro’s temporary home overrun with operatives. He leaned against the counter drinking an obscenely sweet latte provided by Wolfe.
Angus Force stood by the doorway, holding his latte and only taking a sip once Wolfe lifted an eyebrow. “Jethro’s DNA was found on Monty’s body in the congealed blood, but the murder weapon hasn’t been found yet, oddly enough. The arrest warrant came in for Jethro early this morning. We need to find Fletcher before the HDD getsahold of him.”
Wolfe lifted an eyebrow. “How do you think he got your DNA and prints?”
Jethro shrugged. “Could’ve been several ways. I would’ve broken into the college office and taken them from there, but who knows? Fletcher is very good at what he does.” Jethro had become aware of the warrant first thing, and he’d been expecting it, so the day was going as he’d thought it would.
Angus looked at his watch. “We have a full Deep Ops meeting in an hour in our offices with our superiors. I can cover for you, Jethro, but you need to stay here andoff the radar.”
Wolfe sat on the sofa next to Ian. “Dana isn’t feeling well and is stickingclose to home.”
“That’s good,” Angus said. “We’re about to disavow any knowledge of Jethro’s location, so we have to act normal. Nari called is taking the day off. She’s already called in.”
Gemma, her eyes wide, looked over at Nari. “Don’t you have to attend the meeting at HDD?”
Nari shook her head. “I met with the brass earlier today and gave my psychological assessment of Jethro as well as his brother, so I’m not required.” She winked at Trudy, who sat in Gemma’s lap. “Plus, I should get some coloring time in as well after I finish up with some work at my house.”
Trudy hopped once and clapped her hands. Her hair was a wild mess, and she looked young and innocent.
Jethro studied the group. Maybe he should just take Gemma and Trudy and run to an island where they couldn’t be found. It wouldn’t be a bad life. “You’re about to destroy your own unit, Force.” He couldn’t let that happen.
“Not unless they know you’re here, and they don’t,” Angus countered. “Our personnel records show all of us living in an apartment complex in Arlington, and the HDD is more than welcome to visit us at home. This property is owned by several dummy corporations that can’t betraced to us.”
Smart. Even so, it wasn’t like the unit was loved within the HDD. It wasn’t fair to ask Angus to stick his neckout like this.
Angus bent over and kissed Nari’s head. “Everyone move out. Also, I had a camera hooked up in our main hub, so you can see what’s going on, Jethro. If I say the words ‘James Bond,’ you three Brits need to take off. Fast.”
Ian rolled his eyes. “Can’t we use a different code?”
“Nope,” Angussaid, grinning.
The group dispersed.
Jethro grabbed Gemma in a hug, then kissed her forehead. “You look tired. Why don’t you take it easy for a while?”
She looked up, her hands on his flanks. “I think I’ll go give Trudy a bath.” She looked at her daughter, who was munching happily on a chocolate. “She earned the treat yesterday, and I see she found this week’s goody bag from Barb, although I believe she was supposed to wait until after lunch.” Shaking her head and patted his arm. “One goal ata time, right?”
Their goal was to track down Fletcher and end him. Jethro would start hunting as soon as everyone left. He kissed her, trying to put all the things he couldn’t say right now into the moment.
She kissed him back. “See you a bit later.” Then she turned, lifted her daughter, and walked down the hallway and into themaster bedroom.
Quiet descended.
Ian tossed a thumb drive across the sofa to his brother. “Study these to learn more about what Fletcher has been doing.” He looked up at Jethro. “We have all the video from his time in prison and nothing to do for the next hour but watch it. We’ll take these if you want to review your interviews with him.”
Jethro couldn’t believe all these friends were putting their careers and possibly their lives on the line for him. He didn’t know howto thank them.
Oliver pointed at the laptop on the counter behind Jethro. “How about you get to work on this?” His eyes sobered as he must’ve read Jethro’s expression. “You’ve saved our lives more times than I can count. You can’t expect us not to do the same for you. Now, why don’t you help out and get to work?”
Fair enough. He’d figure out a way to thank them later. Jethro took his latte around the counter and sat, opening up the laptop. Wow. Angus Force had managed to obtain all the interviews this time. Jethro had been watching one between a head SIS agent and Fletcher for about an hour when a ding sounded through his speakers.
He clicked the button and the dismal hub in the HDD basement office took shape on his screen. The camera had been positioned perfectly to capture the entire room. Angus and Wolfe sat at the hub in the center looking a little bored. Agents Rutherford and Fields faced the group, the camera angle capturing their expressions.
“Where is Jethro Hanson?” Rutherford asked.
“Haven’t seen him,” Angus replied negligently. “I can’t believe you lost aBrit. Come on.”
