SWAT prepared for this very situation and had at least one sharpshooter in position, likely on overwatch this whole time. Focus pinned to his scope. Waiting for the word to do his job. Willing to take action, but not liking the consequences either.
“Take the shot,” Hawke said into his mic and listened. “Affirmative. You’re cleared to take the shot.”
The L.A. office supervisor had needed to affirm the plan to take a life with Hawke, and in turn his shooter needed the same confirmation so that no mistaken shots were fired.
Kiley held her breath. Waited.
A single report sounded from the distance, and the gunfire from inside the room stopped.
“This is the FBI!” Hawke bellowed through his bullhorn. “Everyone back in your rooms now.”
Guests poking their heads from out their doors scrambled back inside.
“Sit tight,” Hawke said to her and then bent to his mic. “Move. Move. Move.”
The SWAT guys swarmed out of hiding to secure the area,their boots pounding over the pavement as they rushed the room. Evan stepped cautiously along the side of the car, and her thoughts turned to his football tackle. Anger consumed her adrenaline, and she could hardly look at him. He’d let his personal feelings color his actions, and she couldn’t have her authority challenged that way in front of another team of agents.
“We’re clear,” Hawke called from in front of the room. “One suspect only.”
Holstering her weapon, Kiley went to join Sean and Mack, as did Evan, but she kept her gaze pinned on her teammates.
Sean glanced around the lot. “C’mon, Bowers. You can watch the entrance with me to see if this guy’s buddy shows up. On the way we’ll take pictures of license plates and run them for IDs.”
Evan nodded and gave Kiley a long look she ignored. He followed Sean toward the entrance. She made a mental note to thank Sean for getting Evan out of her sight and for thinking to cover the entrance and run plates.
“Let’s get gloves and booties so we can check out the room,” she said to Mack.
She marched toward their SUV, putting her anger into each step. Mack kept up with her, and she glanced up at him. “You okay? You looked freaked out back there.”
“Fine,” he said, his tone shutting down the questioning. “And you?”
She’d let him get away with it for now but would watch for that unsettled look in future ops. “I’m mortified. I’m supposed to be the leader on this op, and Evan tackles me.”
“There was nothing you could do anyway,” Mack said.
She gritted her teeth. “He’ll be off this investigation as soon as I can have a civil conversation with him. I can assure you of that.”
“Don’t be too hasty. We might still need him.”
“Are you kidding me?” She gaped at Mack. “You’re taking his side?”
“No, but I understand wanting to protect someone you love. I once did the same thing with Addy.” A fond smile, speaking to his love for Addison, claimed his mouth. “She was just as mad at me, but I didn’t care. I love her and would do anything to protect her.Anything, even if it embarrassed her in front of other agents.”
She didn’t miss the fact that he said love in the present tense, and Kiley hoped it might mean they would get back together someday. “Big difference here is that he did it because Olin’s death freaked him out, and now he’s trying to make sure no one gets hurt on his watch ever again.”
“Are you sure?” Mack pulled her to a stop. “He’s in love with you, kid, and you’re too blind to see it. Or maybe just unwilling.”
She sputtered, trying to come up with a rebuttal, but how could she refute Mack’s statement? He was a keen observer of people. Her, not so much. Was he right? Was Evan in love with her? Sure, they had a connection and that kiss, but love was a whole different thing, wasn’t it?
Thinking about Evan right now was only getting in the way. She shook her head to erase her thoughts and started off again.
“You can’t run away from it,” Mack said, catching up.
“I’m not running. At least not this time. This could be our best lead yet, and I need to get my head back in the game.” At the SUV she grabbed a box of booties and gloves and spun to go to the room.
Mack fell in step next to her. “Besides, the SWAT guys were the right ones to handle the shootout. They were prepared for an altercation. Dressed for assault and had sharpshooters on the team.”
He was right. Of course he was.
