“I’ll discuss the idea of an interview with Mike, Kieran and Julian, and I’ll get back to you,” Ian said.“And we need to speak with Gwen again. Troy, I know the lines between you and Gwen have faded. I’ll let you decide how you want to approach her.”
* * *
Troy and Traskwaited at baggage claim for his mom. Troy smiled at the sight of the short, curvy woman carrying two huge shopping bags and an enormous purse. Her dark eyes twinkled, and her gray hair was done in a long braid wrapped around her head. She picked up speed, crashing into her son and murmuring words in Greek.
Trask managed to grab the two shopping bags before they emptied onto the floor and watched Troy gentle his mom’s excitement, speaking Greek back to her. “Mom, this is Trask Winslow; he’s one of my first deputies. His job is to keep me out of trouble.”
Fani Bremen turned to Trask, reached up and held his face between her warm hands. “Deputy? Such a handsome man. You should be making babies.”
Trask bit his lip. “Mrs. Bremen,I have six beautiful children.Thank you for the compliment. Boss, we have to go.” He scanned the area. As he stepped toward the roadway, he held up his hand, tapping his comm. “Sierra Delta 2 on the move.”He waited for Troy’s Tahoe with tinted windows to pull up. “Mrs. Bremen, Boss, our ride is here.”
Loaded in the car, head of Papa Team, Paul Shanks, was at the wheel. “Cat’s Meow engaged en route to Litter Box 2, ETA fifteen minutes. Momma Bird and Headcap on board,”he said.
“Fifteen minutes out, Mr. Bremen,” Trask said.
“Troy, all this secret agent stuff, is it necessary?” Fani patted her son’s arm.
“Yes, Momma. It’s to keep all of us safe.”
Trask watched him take Fani’s hand and kiss it, then he settled back, his eyes constantly scanning. There was banter coming from the seat behind him. When Troy’s mom returned to Greek, he asked her to use English. He had a thing about speaking a foreign language with friends around.
Paul abruptly sat up straighter. “Papa leader, we have three tandem vehicles, four clicks behind us, rapidly closing distance. Gray, foreign make. Possibly Honda Accords.”
Trask slid his weapon into his lap, his eyes snapping to the rearview mirror. Troy’s expression projected no potential danger. Clearly aware, he wrapped his arm around his mother.
Inhaling, Trask watched through his sideview mirror. “Paul, alter route. This is Headcap; we are changing route. 3-Romeo leader, drop back into a pyramid formation.”
“Roger, Headcap. 3-Romeo leader to all cars, pyramid.”
“Request eye in the sky reading,”Trask asked.
“Headcap, this is Communications 8; eye in the sky reports three gray Honda Accord vehicles. Plates—all reported stolen. Quebec Team responding from base forthwith.
“3-Romeo XO. Shots fired. We are taking fire. Repeat, taking fire,”Gavin Anderson said.
“This is Papa leader to team. Tight formation on my vehicle, gradual increase in speed.” Paul Shanks sped up and changed lanes.
Troy cleared his throat as Trask notified Communications, “Headcap to Comm 8, request CHP assistance to 3-Romeo XO’s location. Divert Quebec Team to assist.
“3-Romeo XO, CHP and Quebec Team en route. We are breaking off. All Papa units, cocoon formation. Divert to Litter Box 1, secondary exfil.” He turned in his seat. No one would know the danger they were in by Trask’s tone.
“Mr. Bremen, Mr. Dupart has requested our presence at his home for breakfast. Is that alright?”
Troy heard him already confirm they were heading there. “Mom, Julian invited us for breakfast. Holly is home from the hospital. You can meet his Sadie and the new baby, JT. And Martin’s wife, Dr. Elizabeth, will be there with Lola and their twins, Hope and Faith.”
Trask exhaled, “Mr. Bremen, we’re clear. ETA two minutes.”
Paul pulled up to the gate at Julian’s house. Cleared to enter, he pulled up to the inner circle and parked. Both he and Trask stepped from the vehicle and helped their passengers out. The front door opened, and Elizabeth Bailey stepped out, one of the tiny twins in her arms. “Fani, so good to see you.” She smiled.
Troy rubbed his heart—Elizabeth was saving him again.He stayed a step back. “I want a complete report in an hour,” he whispered to Trask.
“Beth, my goodness, who is this beautiful girl?” Fani cooed.
“This is Hope. Faith and Lola are inside.” After handing Hope to Fani, Beth led the way into the home.
Julian happily made a delicious breakfast for the group and excused himself to take a tray to Holly. Beth and Trask sat with Troy and Fani. “Mom, we’ll stay a few more minutes, and then we’ll head to my home. I can’t wait for you to see it.” His voice was strained.
“Who is she?” Fani asked.
