And I never wanted to let go.
Chapter Twelve
PATSY
We’d been out on a training exercise and were just coming back when I’d felt the vibration of my mobile. Normally I’d leave it but a sixth sense made me check it. Seeing Wes’ name on my screen, I’d gotten a lump in my throat. The sexy man always gave me butterflies. I’d been smiling when I’d answered the phone but the second I’d heard the desperation in his voice and how scared he sounded, the butterflies had turned to fear.
I’d relayed what was going on to Mickey, who’d contacted Candy. He’d been reluctant to give permission to divert but he had.
I expected to get hauled over the coals for it and read the riot act. I’d felt a wee bit bad because I’d dropped Mars in it. But thank God we had him in command of the aircraft. He was our team’s chopper pilot and there were no questions asked—he just did it.
Thanks be to the saints; we were already in the air and close by.
I’d put Wes on speaker as we’d raced to the roof and had him stay on the line with me as Mickey dealt with logistics. I’d ignored most of their conversation as I tried to stay calm and say a few,Hail Mary’s, in my head.
At a minute out, seeing Wes hunkered down behind the AC unit through the high-powered binoculars when the three men had stepped out onto the roof, had been bloody terrifying. I’d held my breath, calling up all the saints, until one of the men hadpointed at the chopper, said something to his mates, and run back to the rooftop door. Only then did I exhale.
I held onto Wes as Mickey rappelled down behind me, disconnecting his line right after mine. He was waving Mars and Rex away as I pulled Wes into my arms. Mars would find the closest spot to set down, then be back with whoever else was available on my team. I had a feeling they were either already on the way or soon would be.
“What happened?” I asked when Wes finally turned me loose. He’d just opened his mouth to reply when two uniformed LAPD officers burst through the rooftop door, guns drawn. Mickey held up his cred wallet and waved it around. God knows why. Both of us were in full FBI tactical gear, but you never knew these days how people would react if they got into a wee bit of a panic.
“FBI!” he called out as they approached. They looked him over, slowly lowered their weapons, and then turned their attention to me.
“Also FBI!” I shouted as Wes pulled out of my arms. I slowly took out my creds and showed them to the two officers before they relaxed and reholstered their weapons.
“What’s going on?” one of them asked. “We got a 911 call from the security guard downstairs.”
“Can we take this down to the lobby?” I asked. I didn’t have time to explain everything but I wanted them to put out an all-points bulletin for the three men and the car Wes described. They’d radioed that in, and the five of us made the trek downstairs where they took Wes’ statement.
Two other unis were talking to the security guard, and seven minutes later, Mars pulled the BearCat up outside with Candy and the others.
I sighed with relief as my brothers came in wearing tactical gear. Candy wore a thunderous expression as he stopped in front of us.
“Sláinte,Captain,” I said and winced. I wasn’t sure, “Cheers,” was going to cover it.
“Good,” he said, frowning at me. “You couldn’t relay this to me personally about diverting the chopper, wasting government resources, taking trained and expensive personnel with you?”
“I had Wes on the phone, so I left that to Milky, sir.”
“It was my fault, Captain,” Wes said.
“Your fault?” Candy looked him over, and I realized the two hadn’t met.
“Captain Sorensen, this is Weston Chaudry. Wes, this is my boss.” Candy shook Wes’ hand when he held it out.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Chaudry. Would you tell me what happened?”
The lobby’s double doors swished open then, and I was almost relieved to see Cassidy and Mike come in. They ignored us and went to speak with the two officers we’d been talking to. We all watched as they nodded to the unis and then came walking over. “Hey, guys,” Cassidy said, shaking our hands. “Mr. Chaudry.”
“Did someone call ya, Cassidy?” I asked.
“I did,” Candy said. “Once Mickey told us what was going on, I thought it was important that they talk with Mr. Chaudry while everything is fresh in his mind.”
I flinched at the unspoken reproach in my boss’ voice.
“And we really appreciate that, Captain,” Cassidy said. He and Mike turned to Wes. “Can you tell us what happened, Mr. Chaudry?”
I glanced at Wes to see him looking in my direction. “It’s okay, tell them,” I reassured him. “Ya did nothing wrong, Wes.”
