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Caleb stared into his coffee. “Before Albuquerque? Two. We’ll see how the Navajo Nation Police deal with it.”
And how his grandfather handled it with the police chief. The Diné didn’t like the Feds in their business.
But this hadn’t been Diné business.
He’d called his grandfather last night. Filled him in on what had happened in Albuquerque. That he and Gia were headed to Phoenix with the FBI. He’d also checked in on Zach, who was due to be released from the hospital tomorrow.
Lachlan exhaled and rubbed his temple. “How many more bloody favors am I going to owe Lucas Caldwell? He already has naming rights to my firstborn.”
He gestured between Caleb and Danny. “Make sure your stories match with everyone who was there, just in case.”
Caleb nodded. Since they were all together, he figured now was the time to bring up a decision he’d made.
He just wasn’t sure how.
“I want to continue working at Dìleas,” he began.
“But?” Lachlan asked. He and Ryder shared a look.
“I’m staying in northern Arizona. At least for now.” Caleb scrubbed a hand along his jaw. He met the eyes of each man at the table. “This is where I need to be.”
Silence stretched, ratcheting up tension at the base of his skull.
Lachlan and Ryder held another wordless exchange—battle-hardened shorthand from their SAS days.
Caleb shifted. If they cut him loose, it would hurt. But Gia came first. He’d figure something out. Maybe he’d join the Navajo Nation Police, work alongside Zach.
Finally, Ryder spoke. “As long as you’re willing to travel for assignments, I don’t see why it matters where you call home, mate. Actually,” he glanced at Lachlan, “we could talk with Gia and your grandfather about using the clinic for medical visits that need…discretion.”
Amusement flickered in his bright blue eyes. “You wouldn’t be the first in this firm to rearrange your life for a woman.”
“Christ,” Lachlan groaned. “Here we go again. Another one of us making a bloody fool of himself.”
“You started it,” Nathan drawled.
“Whatever this virus is, keep it to yourselves.” Danny mock shuddered. “I like my freedom.”
“Don’t say that too loudly,” Nathan warned. “Karma’s listening.”
Relief loosened the knot in Caleb’s chest. “Thanks.”
A knock at the door.
Nathan pocketed the audio jammer as Special Agent Walton poked his head in.
“Your ten minutes are up.”
After giving their statements, Walton dismissed them. “You’re free to return home. Assistant Director Caldwell knows where to find you if we need anything else.”
Fortunately for Caleb and Danny, Walton focused his questions on everything that happened after they landed in Albuquerque and postponed any inquiry into events on the rez until he could coordinate with Navajo Nation authorities.
Caleb checked his watch. Over two hours had passed since Gia went in.
He saw his teammates off as they left for the airport, then resumed pacing the waiting room, his gut twisting with thoughts of what Gia must be enduring—reliving the DEA agent’s murder, recounting her time with Vincente Lopez Garcia. The Feds would throw everything at her, press her for every detail they could use against Espina Negra.
All Caleb wanted was to take her home. To her trailer on the rez.
Hold her until that haunted look faded.