Eager to find out what was going on, she raced down the hall and found Sean and Cam waiting by their office entrance.
Mack was right. Somethingwasup. Something big. All team members were go-getters and didn’t wait around for anything. Not even Cam, who was often laid-back. Tonight, his eyes were narrowed, and he shoved a hand into his blond hair already in a messy style. Intensity radiated from his toned body just as it did from Sean.
“We gotta move,” Sean said. “We’re on a plane to Tacoma leaving now.”
She blinked a few times to let his comment register. “Tacoma? As in Washington State?”
“Yes.” Sean moved closer and lowered his voice. “We have a report of two known terrorists entering the country. A JTTF out of Tacoma intercepted a shipping container tricked out as living quarters. Arrived four days ago out of India. Eisenhower arranged for us to catch a military hop out of Andrews.”
Kiley couldn’t leave. Not even for the Joint Terrorism Task Force’s discovery. Not now. “But Firuzeh ... I need to...”
“I think we’ll find there’s a connection to her,” Sean said.
“Think about it.” Cam tapped his temple. “Port. Coma.”
“Oh my gosh. Yes.” Her mouth fell open. “Of course. Port of Tacoma. That’s what Firuzeh was trying to tell me.”
“Likely,” Sean said.
But what did this mean for the investigation? “Did Eisenhower say he still wants me in charge?”
“Yes,” Sean said.
This was big. Huge. Freaking huge. Her confidence completely evaporated.
“I’ve already loaded our gear into my vehicle,” Sean continued. “Go pack your personal things so we can get moving.”
Mack spun, and her backpack hanging over his shoulder shifted.
“Wait,” she said. “I’ve got evidence from the homicide. I need to review it, and Lancaster wants it back by ten a.m.”
“No time for that. Our hop is the last plane of the day, andthey’re holding it for us. We’ll be putting down at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma. Either leave it behind or maybe we can get the evidence returned on another flight.”
She shook her head. “I need equipment to review Firuzeh’s phone. I can’t do that on the plane, and there’s no way I’m leaving it behind. It’ll just have to be late, and I won’t worry about it.”
“What about the evidence we need to get to Quantico?” Mack asked.
“We’ll leave it here.” She retrieved the items, along with the chain-of-custody form, and held them out for Sean. “While I pack, can you arrange to get this to the lab with my name listed as the contact person?”
Sean nodded and took the items. “Harrison is here. The rookie’s always looking for a way to help. She’ll camp out on the lab doorstep until they open and get this submitted with top priority.”
Kiley took Firuzeh’s backpack from Mack and shoved it at Cam. “Hold on to this for me.”
Kiley jogged to her cubicle, making a mental note to text a heads-up to Eisenhower about the evidence in case Lancaster wanted to call foul. She took a quick look at her desk to decide what to take. The team traveled with a mix of equipment—electronic, forensic, and law-enforcement supplies—always packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice, so she didn’t need to add much. She stowed frequently used electronics and cords in her pack that already held extra clothes. If she forgot something in the rush, she could buy it in Tacoma. She heard Mack doing the same thing in the cubicle next to her.
“Ready?” he called out.
She shouldered her pack and met him in the aisle. Sean had returned to the doorway with Cam, and the four of them raced for Sean’s department-issued SUV. With his need to control things they usually let him drive, and tonight was no exception. She rode shotgun while Mack and Cam took the back seat.
After Sean got them on the road, which was slick with rain, she swiveled to face him. “You mentioned a JTTF. Is this an FBI group?”
He shook his head. “Mixed agencies, but I don’t know the makeup.”
She wished they knew more so that she had an idea of what she would be facing. “Either way they won’t like our interference.”
Sean shrugged. “Locals never do, but it’s in the country’s best interests to have the most capable people on this investigation.”
“And that’s us.” Mack chuckled.
