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“Hey man, we appreciate you taking one for the team,” said Mike. “Next time it’s Rick’s turn.”
“Aww, hell no. I ain’t signing up to that.” He lowered his voice. “Next time, we leave the women at home.”
“What was that?” asked Jenny as she approached with one of the pups on a lead.
“I was just saying how vital you guys were to the operation,” said Rick. “If it wasn’t for the three of you we wouldn’t have gotten the pups back.” He dropped to a knee to pat the dog.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve saved the day,” said Jenny. “I do recall a bachelor party that went a little wayward.”
“We make a great team,” Rick added with a sheepish grin.
“And remember that you and Mike wanted to kidnap and interrogate a Canadian citizen,” added Ali as she joined the group.
TJ shook his head. “And I thought you guys had it under control.”
“In all fairness, they did try to kill us later,” said Rick.
“Yeah, that really escalated,” added Jenny. “How much do you think they got from the North Koreans?”
Mike shrugged. “Enough to murder us and betray their country. I think we can all agree that Kane and his buddies got what they deserved.”
“TJ, what will happen to the Koreans?” asked Maria as she joined them.
“Not sure,” replied the chief. “The agency might offer them the opportunity to defect, or they might be traded with North Korea. Either way, I bet they’re not having a fun time in custody.”
“I’m just glad we got the puppies back with no casualties or injuries,” said Ali.
“Not bad for a weekend,” added Mike.
“Chief, you giving us the day off tomorrow?” asked Rick.
TJ laughed. “You just spent a weekend away with your wives. If anyone is getting a day off, it’s Ernie.”
The communications expert shook his head. “No way, esse. I’m going to work. I need the rest.”
Everyone in the group laughed, except Maria, who frowned. “Now you know how it feels, mister. And, so that you know, this special operations stuff. It’s not so hard, we nailed it on the first try.”
Ernie wrapped his arms around his wife. “I couldn’t do any of it without you by my side, my beautiful esposa.”
“OK, OK, enough of the soppy stuff,” said TJ. “Let’s get you people home.”
“Dinner tomorrow night at our place,” announced Maria. “Ernesto is cooking.”
“Yay, pizza,” yelled the boys.
Maria’s eyes narrowed. “I left you plenty of food.”
“Yeah, and we ate it all. The pizza was a treat. Now, I’ve got a van waiting outside. Not only am I cooking, but I’m also Mr. Uber.”
“Jack of all trades,” said Mike.
“Master of none,” added Rick.
“Kinda feels like some kind of husband selection course,” he grumbled. “Except I passed that years ago.”
TJ rested a hand on his shoulder as they left the terminal. “Always good to have a refresher.”
It was nine forty-five on Monday morning when the door to the team’s working area swung open, and Commander Dan Stark entered.
