“First, though, we’ll get all the info we need from the traitor.”
“Damn right,” Mitch said. “It’ll be just the four of us working that angle, unless we need to use Joey’s technical services. Agreed?”
Stealth stepped forward. “You can trust Cat, too.”
Mitch had never heard the man even say her name before, and now he was standing up for her? Maybe their time together at the hospital after she was shot had let him see her in a different light.
“Of course we can trust Cat,” Mitch said. “I just didn’t know if she’d be well enough to go back out in the field yet.”
“Maybe not in the field, but she could be our inside person at headquarters,” Stealth continued.
“Good idea.” Mitch nodded. “I agree.”
Stealth leaned back again, evidently satisfied with what he’d said and the answer he’d gotten.
Pausing along the portside rail, Mitch once again looked at his house. At the lights. At the sand. All welcoming. The woman inside was welcoming, too. Liz had made his life feel like living this afternoon. But he wasn’t cut out to deal with …with what? He didn’t even know what to call what he was feeling. Only one thing to do in that case.
“I’m going to take one of the PWCs and head on out,” Mitch said. “See if I can get a lead on any boats in the area. Maybe I’ll run across someone who saw something out of the ordinary.”
“What about your Q40 waiting on the beach?” Reese asked.
“Have OPAQUE pick it up. I won’t be back this way any time soon.”
His three teammates shot each other a questioning glance.
“What about Liz?” Stealth glanced over his shoulder.
Mitch stared at the water then turned to face the men. “Once the relief crew arrives, you all head back to the house. Pick up Liz. See that she gets to the St. Louis headquarters safe.”
Stealth quickly straightened from against the rail. “That’s it?”
“That’s it,” Mitch said.
Josh shook his head. “You’re a fool.”
“He’s not a fool,” Reese said, as he stepped closer. “He’s running. Running scared, when he should be running back to the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”
“OPAQUE is the best thing that’s ever happened in my life.” Mitch used the same response he’d used a million times in his career. It worked in all types of situations, for all types of reasons. “If OPAQUE wanted you to have a wife, they’d issue you one.”
That usually got a laugh. Not this time.
“You’re right, Josh, he’s a fool.” Reese swept his hand in the direction of the PWCs. “If you honestly believe that, then grab your ride and head straight south. Don’t slow down. Your brain might hit you upside that stubborn hardheaded exterior. Damn SEAL.”
“Better watch your mouth, Flyboy.” Stepping on the dive platform, Mitch knew he was doing what was best for Liz. What was best for himself.
He had no right to ruin her life. Being an agent meant having danger as a shadow. An agent’s wife not only had the danger, but also the worry. He wouldn’t do that to her. He’d told her goodbye. He’d kept his promise. Now he’d stay out of her life.
“Don’t blow it, man.” Stealth stepped in front of him. “I heard you laugh today.”
Mitch moved within an inch of his friend. He didn’t need to hear his team’s analysis of him. And, he damn sure didn’t need one of his team giving him advice. “I’ve laughed plenty in my life.”
Stealth narrowed his eyes. “Not like today, man. I’ve never heard you laugh like today.”
“Maybe so.” Mitch shook his head and turned toward the water. “But it’s better this way.”
“Let him go.” Reese stepped back. “One of us will just have to take over watching out for Liz. I wouldn’t mind that job myself.” Reese chuckled. “I’ve always liked a green-eyed woman with long legs and a—”
Mitch charged him head on, until Stealth and Josh held him back.
