“What’s up?”
“I swear I’ve sat in every spot you can sit in this barn.And yet, they always find a way to put me somewhere else.”
“But at least you don’t have a television at your back,” Becs noted.
Atticus spun in his chair.When he came back around, there was a smile on his face.
“You got somethin’ against televisions?”Archer asked.
“Only when giant heads pop out of them and scare the shit outta you.”
“It happened once,” came a voice from a speaker.
“Once was more than enough, JJ,” Atticus replied, then pointed toward a wall-mounted monitor.A moment later, Jessica James’s face appeared.
“That’s the big head that scared me,” Atticus said loud enough for JJ to hear.
“Hey, now.Careful, or I’ll drain your bank accounts.”
“Then the joke would be on you,” Atticus said, barking a laugh.“I ain’t got no money.”Atticus looked his way.“In case you do, I suggest you don’t get on her bad side.She can do that.”
Archer smiled.“Consider me warned.”
“All right.Baz is walkin’ in now,” Brantley announced.“Let’s get seated so we can start.”
Archer relaxed in his chair and glanced around.He realized for the first time since he left the Marines that he actually felt like he belonged somewhere.He couldn’t explain why, but he could feel it.And he’d be damned if he wasn’t looking forward to what was to come.
“I know we dumped a lot ofinformation on you yesterday,” Brantley began.“And I’m sure Becs and Holly already have a notebook full of questions.”
Reese smiled, watching the two women glow with approval.It was funny what a little recognition from the guy they admired so much did.It was something Reese knew all too well.He might’ve married Brantley and had the pleasure of waking up next to him every single day, but when it came to their careers, he held a different sort of respect for the retired Navy SEAL.No, he didn’t usually mention it because Brantley wasn’t the sort who wanted praise in that regard.But it was true nonetheless.
“I don’t intend for this to be a lengthy meeting,” Brantley continued, “but I do want to know whether you are on board with taking this case.Not so much the search for Meredith Prescott, since we know where she is.”Brantley turned and looked at Decker.“We know where she is, right?”
Decker nodded.
“Good.”Brantley scanned the faces again.“So not the search for her, but the conspiracy Holt eluded to yesterday.Plus whatever else that search dredges up.If you prefer to sit this one out, I will not hold it against you, but I need you to speak up.”
Reese looked from one person to the next, waiting.He knew they had questions and likely a boatload of concerns, but those were things they could work through on the case board.This meeting was to determine who didn’t want to proceed.He already knew the answer, and not because he’d talked to anyone about it.They’d put together a strong team.A diverse team.They worked well together, and they had each other’s backs.They would come together to do what was necessary.
“No one?”Brantley asked, obviously not as convinced as Reese.
“I’m in, boss,” Slade said, and his agreement had a domino effect.
“I’ll do whatever you need,” Luca stated.
“Me, too,” Holly added.
“We’re in,” Charlie said, gesturing toward Jay, who nodded once.“And we’ll bring the new hires up to speed as they come on board.”
“Whatever you need,” Evan said.
“I’ll help however I can,” JJ noted.
“I’m in,” Becs said.
“We got your back, boss,” Atticus added.
“Okay, then.”Brantley sighed and took a few steps before looking up.“As you know from my outburst yesterday, this isn’t an easy case for me.For any of us, I’m sure.Whether Holt is right or simply creating fiction in the real world, I’ll admit there’s enough information to warrant taking proper steps to address.
