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Noah flinched. “And torpedo our careers.”
“After the op is finished, I’ll inform the media and your brothers in blue that additional evidence came to light and you’ve been exonerated. However, you’ll still have to watch your backs on calls.”
“What does that mean?” Teagan asked.
“Cops have long memories, and they’re suspicious by nature. Noah and Seth will have to prove themselves all over again.”
“Which means what, exactly?”
“Seth and his partner may have to protect themselves against the criminals and their fellow cops.”
She glared at Burnett. “You’re setting up Seth and Noah as traitors?”
“It’s okay, Teagan,” Seth murmured. It wasn’t, but what could he do?
“No, it’s not. Your own lieutenant is hanging you and your partner out to dry.”
“Paloni,” Maddox snapped.
“You wouldn’t do that to one of your people. You would never throw us under the bus.”
“Not unless I had no choice. I’ve done it before.” His gaze slid to Murphy, who saluted his boss.
Seth couldn’t imagine Brent Maddox turning on his communication and tech man.
“Why is this necessary?” Noah demanded. “All we have right now the is word of a CI that he thought a man was a cop. Why put our careers in jeopardy on Pico’s word alone?”
Burnett motioned to Walters. “Your turn.”
“As I said, we tried to insert an agent into The Brotherhood and failed. We need to get someone in there soon. It’s imperative.”
“Why?”
“This group isn’t just a bunch of men and women hauling around peashooters and doing target practice. Richardson and Peters are fanatics, and they’re planning something big. The problem is no one is talking, and if we don’t get someone inside that compound soon, we’ll be too late to stop them from doing a lot of damage.”
“And you think Noah and I are your best bet at getting inside that organization?” Seth stroked the back of Teagan’s hand when she stiffened.
“Who better?” Walters countered. “Two disgruntled cops who are former military. You have the skills The Brotherhood values in their recruits. I had planned to send you and your partner in alone. Maddox convinced me it would be easier for the two of you to get inside with Teagan and Violet.”
“Explain.”
“Violet is a paramedic. Every organization needs medical personnel on the inside to treat wounds. As a former Army medic, she’s no stranger to combat injuries.”
“And Teagan?”
“She’s a trained sniper.”
Seth froze. “Military trained?”
“That’s right.”
As much as Seth hated to put Teagan in the middle of this operation, he had to concede she was more than qualified as was her teammate, Violet.
He exchanged glances with his partner and saw the same reservations he had. Seth turned to Burnett. “When do we have to decide?”
“Now.”
“I need a few minutes with Teagan, Violet, and Noah before I give you our answer.”