“Nothing I can’t clean up before the first of August.”
Those words didn’t necessarily instill the reassurance Catori wanted, but Doc was free to have a personal life. Whatever his situation, it most likely had to do with the woman named Charlotte that Fred had mentioned.
“See to it that it is. I need you focused.”
Doc didn’t bother to utter another word as he got out of her car. The rain was coming down hard but it didn’t seem to bother him as he leisurely took his time to walk up the slightly crooked sidewalk. Catori did notice that he looked around, taking in his surroundings before unlocking his front door. She had a feeling that locking one’s home was an unusual occurrence around these parts, but considering what Doc had done for a living, it didn’t come as a surprise that he liked the extra security. Having faith in his ability to iron out his personal life before arriving in San Diego, she pulled away from the curb.
Two down, three to go.
Chapter Seven
‡
The neon litjukebox in the dilapidated bar played a country western tune that was more rock ’n roll in Catori’s opinion. It was loud, but not so deafening that the rowdy customers couldn’t hear their shouted conversations. It was only eighteen hundred on a weekday, three days after her visit with Doc, but that didn’t stop those whom she assumed were regulars from coming in for their daily bellyful. It was a small dive located in a tiny town situated in northern Nebraska.
Catori noticed that the loud banter had become more or less diminished as the locals noticed a stranger amongst them. She quickly memorized the layout of the place, noticing the bar to her right, a dartboard directly toward the back, one pool table off to the left, and around eight tables with four or five chairs each located in the middle. There were two small booths located in the far left corner that would be perfect to have a private conversation. The only potential trouble she could foresee were the two men playing a game of pool. It seemed to her that they might have just reached their limit.
Recognizing her next target, Catori walked directly to the bar and met the gaze of the man she needed to speak with. Daegan Murphy was part Irish and his startling blue eyes were evident of his strong heritage. He kept his head closely shaved to his scalp, but his black hair was unmistakable. The two young girls who couldn’t take their eyes off of his six-foot tall muscular frameobviously found him attractive. Catori just wanted him for his ability to button a man’s pocket at a thousand yards.
“Daegan, I was hoping you had a moment to speak with me.”
“For you, darlin’, I have all night.” Daegan flipped the hand towel over his shoulder and then folded his arms before leaning on the bar top. “What can I help you with?”
Catori couldn’t prevent a smile at his charisma. She had to admit that she was having fun setting up her team. It kept her busy and she found herself feeling closer to Red in doing something that he loved. Seeing the frowns on the faces of the two women who looked as if she had just pissed in their rocks glasses, Catori cut to the chase.
“It’s what I can do for you.” Catori motioned with her head toward the back booths. “Mind if we talk in private?”
Daegan’s smile didn’t falter, but she could see that she had his wheels spinning. He tapped the surface of the bar and nodded, giving his consent. Holding up two fingers and gesturing to someone, Catori saw a man at one of the tables stand and head their way. This must be Daegan’s brother, Callum. They were similar in their dark good looks, although Callum appeared to have a thinner frame. She also noticed a wedding band on his left hand, making him out of contention with the women.
“This pretty lady would like a word with me, Callum. Mind taking over?”
Callum was more reserved and took the time to look her over, in the direct opposite manner that Daegan had. His brother didn’t like strangers in his town and was making it known. When he finally brought his gaze up to meet hers she didn’t back down. His lips thinned in annoyance, but he acquiesced and stepped around her to lift a portion of the bar. Callum entered while Daegan exited, but not before Daegan tossed the towel his brother’s way.
“After you,” Daegan murmured, gesturing with one hand while placing his other on her back. His familiar way was about to be brought to a halt and she wouldn’t in any way feel bad about it. In a way it was comical. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Catori Starr, of Red Starr HRT.”
In under a second Catori felt his hand drop from her waist like his fingers had just been singed. She smiled and kept walking, making her way to one of the empty booths. Picking one, she made sure she was facing the door. Knowing that he would have done the same and seeing the frown mar his face gave her some satisfaction. He slid into his side, giving her one hundred percent of his attention. That was good.
“Red Starr? I thought that agency went defunct a couple years back. What do you want with me?”
“Your services.” Catori leaned back against the dark wooden seat and studied Daegan’s reaction. “I’m putting together another team. I need a long range shooter with your marksmanship skill.”
Daegan sat back as well, mulling over her words. Catori knew damn well that he had an IQ well above average, seeing as he could do the advanced math required for a long distance shot in his head without blinking. He used his charm to cover up exactly how intelligent he was and seemed to enjoy playing with people. She wasn’t the woman he wanted to try that on and it was apparent he’d figured that out rather quickly. The smile vanished and he reached over to grab a toothpick from where the holder sat alongside the salt and pepper shakers. Instead of chewing it, he rolled it in his fingers. He was tactile and it showed.
“Why me?”
“Why not you?” Catori countered and then patiently waited for his answer.
“Let’s be blunt,” Daegan said, pinning her with his blue eyes. “You’ve obviously read my file. I’m not known to follow orders I don’t like. I was transferred out of my unit and into a range PMI billet because I had a difference of opinion with my Ops O. When I detached he shit-canned my career. I was given an adverse fitness report so that I couldn’t reenlist. I’m not the sort that Red Starr HRT would be looking for.”
“Really?” Catori asked, catching a glimpse of the anger that anyone would have in his position. Daegan had been reassigned from his unit to serve out his time as a primary marksmanship instructor at the base range. He’d only been a civilian for less than a year, but she figured to him it had felt like a lifetime. “And you would know that how?”
“Look, I’m not a machine that someone can program. I use my head. I think, Ms. Starr. I don’t regret making that shot against my commander’s orders. I took out the target with no other casualties. That was my job and I did it.” Daegan tossed the toothpick back onto the table and readied himself to leave. “I appreciate that you would consider me for your team, but you’ve obviously made a mistake.”
“I don’t make mistakes, Daegan. I don’t believe in mistakes. With that said, I might miscalculate from time to time. We learn something new every day, just as you’re about to.” Catori picked up the toothpick and held it out for Daegan to take, not continuing until he did so. “First, call me Starr. Second, I want a team of operators whodothink. Using your head is the only way to ensure that you’ll get out of these missions alive. Nothing ever goes as planned, and if one of my men hesitates for a second, when that eventually happens all of your lives are forfeit. I admire your smarts and your gut instinct. Last time. Interested?”
Daegan didn’t react at first as he digested what she was offering. When a smile broke out over his face and his blue eyessparkled, she knew he was hooked. There was an edge about him that suggested he was an adrenaline junkie. As much as he loved his family, as his dossier indicated he wouldn’t be satisfied for long working behind a bar.
