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Jay was feeling the same dread he felt the first time they’d been approached to infiltrate De la Pena’s organization, back before he had met Davi or reconnected with Payton. The FBI had tried to launch their own undercover investigation, but their agent had been compromised and found dead. When KSI was asked to step in, Jay refused the op because the intel on the crime family wasn’t solid enough to build a proper back story. He couldn’t send in one of his Alpha Team to work a case that was a suicide mission. But then the case turned personal because his little sister’s best friend needed his help.

He’d not seen Payton since Addison’s funeral. She’d reached out to his mother during a moment of weakness when she ran into a bit of trouble while trying to help a client. As a social worker, Payton was in over her head trying to help Mary, who’d been involved with Oscar De la Peña and had his baby, Davi. All of it came to a head when Oscar shot Mary and kidnapped Davi. Jay led the Alpha Team in the rescue which led to the shooting death of Oscar. When Mary died, Payton offered to be Davi’s foster mother.

Jay couldn’t believe how much his life had changed since reconnecting with Payton and learning how she’d been in love with him for years. It didn’t take him long, after seeing her strength and her love for other people, to fall in love with her. Having Payton in his life meant including Davi, but the fifteen-year-old won him over with her strength and sass that reminded him of Addison. He and Payton wanted to adopt Davi, but he was apprehensive about moving forward with the process when it would call De la Peña’s attention to them.

Their discussion was interrupted by another knock on Tryst’s door. He turned to see Brick Coffey squeezing his large frame through the doorway, a file folder clutched in his hands. The former green beret was an intimidating figure, standing well over six feet with a muscular frame which would be the envy of any professional bodybuilder. He often stepped in to assist the Alpha and Delta Teams on ops when they needed back-up, and Brick was good at what he did. He was solid and reliable. And though he was the size of a brick wall, he was surprisingly light on his feet.

“Hey, I need you two to consult on a case. I want you to talk to the clients to see if you get the same vibe I am.”

Jay studied his friend, surprised by his request. “You’re bringing in a new case now? We’re all hands on deck until we take down De la Peña.”

“I know, but I scheduled this appointment before we knew about Zane’s meet. The clients are from Georgia, and they didn’t want to make the trip here without knowing they could talk to us first.”

“Georgia?” Tristin sat up a little straighter. “Why are they coming here for a PI or security? There are plenty of firms between here and there who can help them out.”

“I mentioned that to them. They said we came recommended as the best, and they didn’t want to take any chances with a second-rate firm.”

“But you’ve talked to them already? Are you thinking we should take the case?” Jay studied his friend closely, sensing something was off with how Brick was reacting about this case.

“Well, no. I don’t know. I need a second opinion.”

“Since when does your gut instinct need a second opinion? What’s up?”

Brick shook his head. “I’d rather you talk to them first. I don’t want to cloud your judgment with my opinions.”

“You want both of us?” Tryst asked.

“Well, I was coming to ask you, but yeah, it would be helpful to have both of you. I have them in the smaller meeting room.”

Tryst stood. “I was about to take a break and go with Jay to the hospital. Jay, you go ahead. I’ll take this meeting.”

Jay shook his head as he stood. “Nope. I’m too curious to let you shut me out. I’m in.”

Brick shrugged. “The more, the merrier. Just follow my lead.”

They followed the investigator down the hall and passed the larger conference room, dubbed the War Room because it was reserved for their strategy meetings, and the Command Center, where their technical analysts worked. The small meeting room was reserved for the investigators to use when meeting potential clients. It kept the clients away from the inner workings of the business while maintaining the public appearance.

The couple in the meeting room were older. The man had a long face lined with wrinkles which made him seem older than what he probably was, in Jay’s estimation. He wore a simple collared shirt and slacks, his weathered hand clutching tightly to his wife’s. She held herself regally though the rims of her soft eyes and the tip of her nose were tinged with red as if she’d been crying. She wore a demure green dress complimenting her graying platinum hair.

“Mr. and Mrs. Williams, I’m sorry to keep you waiting. These are my coworkers I wanted you to meet, Jay Colter and Tristin Knight. Guys, this is Oran and Ivy Williams. They’re originally from Georgia. I’m going to let them tell you in their words about why they want to hire us.”

Brick settled in a seat at the head of the table, leaving Jay and Tryst to greet the couple and settle in seats across from them.

“You’re a long way from home just to hire a private investigator,” Tryst began. “I could recommend a couple of reputable firms closer to home if that would help.”

“We realize this is unorthodox, but we felt it better to have someone local handle this,” Mrs. Williams explained, glancing at her husband to continue.

“Our grandchildren just moved to town with their aunt, and we want to hire you to watch them. Make sure our grandchildren are safe, and document anything you see that the court might deem unfit or dangerous.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Maybe you should start at the beginning.” Tristin leaned forward to rest his forearms on the table.

“Of course. This is a bit difficult to talk about, so you’ll have to forgive us if we…become emotional.” Mrs. Williams’ voice cracked as if to give credence to her words.

Mr. Williams cleared his throat. “Our son, Dean, and his wife were killed in an automobile accident almost a year ago. They…um, they had two children, a son Mathias and a daughter Marlowe. We…we never expected to, um, outlive our son, and I’m certain he never expected it either. So when Dean and his wife made arrangements for the children in the event of…their death, they, uh, awarded custody of Mathias and Marlowe to Jennifer’s sister, Bridget Kincaid.”

“And you suspect she’s unfit to care for them,” Jay said. “Why not report her to the Division of Children and Family Services?”

“We have. We even sued for custody, but we lost,” Mrs. Williams explained, two rosy spots of color appearing on her cheeks. “I believe we’re being penalized for our age, but I can assure you, gentlemen, we have the means to care for our grandchildren that their aunt does not have. She is single and works long hours as a nurse. Instead of Mathias being able to enjoy his high school years, he’s left to care for his sister in his aunt’s absence. She’s been known to go to the bar scene and get carried away — drinking too much, one night stands, staying at clubs all night. Once she won custody, she uprooted the children from their home and all they’ve ever known to bring them here, where they have to start over. They don’t know anyone, they don’t have any friends, no one to watch out for them.”