“Somethin’ like that,” Becs replied with a small wave.
“That guy back there is Darius Frost,” Brantley continued.“He’s a former techie JJ pilfered from a corporate gig in Dallas.He’s gonna be Baz’s right hand, in charge of cold cases and special projects.We’ve hired four additional investigators to join Charlie and Jay on that team.They’ll be comin’ on board next week.”
“Darius’ll also be the go-to when I’m out on paternity leave,” Baz noted.
The door opened, and all eyes shifted in that direction.
“And last but not least…”
A man walked in, looking as though he was about to kneel before a firing squad, eyes wide, eyebrows cocked.“What’s up?”
“This is Luca Switzer,” Brantley acknowledged.“Luca, meet Archer Halligan.Luca can navigate the internet almost as good as JJ.”
“Better,” Luca corrected, walking toward them.“Just don’t tell her that.I’m lettin’ her hold onto the title for a little while longer.”
Archer shook his hand.“Didn’t I hear another Switzer a minute ago?”
“That’d be my pain in the ass little sister,” Luca stated, releasing his hand.
“She’s hangin’ with JJ,” Brantley reminded.
Ah.Right.
Not that Archer would know who was who.The overwhelming number, combined with his horrific ability to put a name with a face, meant he would no doubt flounder at their second meeting, but he appreciated Brantley making an effort.
“I know they’re not all here right now, but that’s the team,” Brantley said, turning to face him.“We’ve got flexible hours because the job’s the job.When we’re needed, it’s all hands on deck.Otherwise, they take care of their business as they need to.As long as the work gets done, I don’t have to put my boot in any asses.”
“I take it one of these is your office?”Archer asked, gesturing toward the wall of glass.
“Reese and I work out of our offices at the house.Second floor.Reese’ll tell you we moved over there to free up space, but that’s a lie.We did it to hide from these people.”
A chorus of laughter sounded.
“That’s the conference room.”Baz pointed toward the long, narrow room, which was currently dark.“Behind it is the kitchen.Nothin’ fancy, but there’s coffee.Behind that, the restroom.”
“We’re in the process of rearrangin’ things,” Elana said, standing tall.“We got some new desks in today.”
“She says that like they haven’t rearranged this place a few dozen times in the past month,” Brantley said.
Atticus pointed at Brantley.“Exactly.And the desks … they’re new to us.They’re actually ancient.”
Archer peered around, taking it all in again.
“So, when do you start?”Luca asked.
“He hasn’t taken the job yet,” Brantley responded before glancing at him again.“And I’m sure he’s got plenty of questions.”
“A few.”
“Let’s head back to the house, and we’ll get you some answers.”
“It was great to meet you all,” Archer told the room.
The rest of the team echoed the sentiments.Everyone except for Slade, who glared at him as though he’d just set fire to his car.Hmm.He wondered what that was about.
“You think you could see yourself workin’ here?”Brantley asked when they stepped outside.
Archer was nodding before he realized he was doing it.He couldn’t explain what it was about this place or the people, but he liked it.Far more than he’d liked anything in a long,longtime.
