Page 17 of Concluded (The Bureau #13)

Achilles dismounted from the ATV… and promptly collapsed onto all fours.

Dee—whom he was growing ever more fond of—rushed over and helped him back to his feet.

Jackie told her clan members to stand back, then led Achilles and Dee to a small adobe house where an elaborately carved front door stood ajar.

The interior was dark, and she switched on some low lighting as she took them into a tidy kitchen that looked as if it had escaped an Ikea showroom.

Well, coyote shifters had to buy home furnishings somewhere .

After glancing at Jackie for permission, Achilles sank onto one of the white-painted chairs arranged around a small table. She brought him a corded black phone that was probably older than he was.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” she said and left the room. She’d be able to hear everything perfectly well from there, but he appreciated the gesture.

It took a moment to remember the phone number; he was accustomed to simply pressing a contact name on his cell. Henry answered after a single ring.

“Bureau. Who’s calling, please?”

“Hi Henry. It’s Spanos. We’ve got?—”

“Oh my gods , Achilles! Are you all right? We’ve been searching for you.”

Achilles hadn’t expected otherwise; the Bureau didn’t willfully abandon its agents in times of need. But it was still really nice to know that the effort had been made despite busy times, and it was also soothing to hear Henry’s genuine relief.

“I’m all right now. Mostly. But I urgently need to speak to the chief, please.”

Henry didn’t hesitate. “Of course. He’s out in the field but I can patch you through. When you’re finished with him, please have him let me know whether to call off the search.”

“You can do that now. I’m found, sort of. I mean, I know more or less where I am.”

“Assuming this is really you,” Henry said, slightly primly. “What if I’m talking to somebody who’s impersonating Achilles, and the real Agent Spanos remains in distress somewhere?”

Achilles sighed. “If I were an evildoer looking to impersonate a Bureau agent, I’d pick one more interesting than me. But fine. I’ll tell the chief.”

“Thank you. And assuming you truly are Achilles, I’m very glad to hear from you.”

Silence followed for a minute or so. Dee sat opposite him but didn’t say anything. He looked haunted, which wasn’t a surprise considering his part in recent events. Achilles wondered what was going through his head.

“Spanos! Are you safe?” Chief Grimes, who rarely showed emotion, sounded worried.

“Yes. And this really is me, by the way. I don’t know how to prove that to you, though.”

“Never mind that. What happened?”

Achilles tried to marshal his thoughts, but his brain was sluggish. “It’s a long story. Bad shit. But Martell is here with me, so there’s that. I’d much rather discuss this in person, and I’m not in great shape at the moment. Can you send help to get us back to HQ?”

“There is no HQ,” Grimes growled.

“I…. Pardon?”

“No HQ and, technically, no Bureau. The feds shut us down yesterday.”

Achilles’ stomach plummeted. “But?—”

“The agency no longer exists. You are free of all obligations and duties. If you continue to pursue our mission, you’ll be doing so without official authorization and without payment. Do you wish to disengage?”

Although Achilles felt dizzy, he was certain of his answer. “No, sir.”

“Just a short time ago you were insisting on resigning.”

“Things have changed.”

“So they have,” the chief said grimly. Then he continued in a gentler tone. “I’m glad to keep you. We need you.”

Those were good words to hear. “I’m glad I can help. I’ll need a couple of days to recuperate first, though.”

“Give me your location and I’ll come collect both of you. Do you need medical attention?”

Achilles did a rapid self-assessment. “I don’t think so.” Rest, a good diet, and exercise should do the trick. “Um, I don’t have an address, but I’m a guest of the Gerard Pack in Arizona. They saved my skin, chief.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow.”

“Good.” A bit of the tension in Achilles’s body ebbed. “Oh, and can you tell Henry to call off the bloodhounds? This really is me.”

Grimes made a sound that might have been a chuckle. “Done. See you tomorrow.”

After hanging up the phone, Achilles gazed at Dee. “I’m going to have to tell him everything you did—the good and the bad.”

“And the ugly?” Dee shrugged. “I figured.” He didn’t seem especially distressed. Maybe he’d already made peace with this.

“What I’d really like now is to wash up, eat something that’s not from a vending machine, and sleep somewhere that’s not literally rock hard. You’ll be okay?”

“I’ll stick around, if that’s what you’re asking. But I have a question. You said something earlier about being sorry you didn’t bring gifts. Why?”

Apparently it was time for a brief lesson on coyote etiquette.

“It’s traditional when visiting a coyote shifter to exchange presents.

They don’t have to be a big deal, but they should demonstrate some degree of thought and consideration for the other party.

Jackie is being very kind to overlook our faux pas. ” He meant that sincerely.

Dee chewed his lower lip, cast a quick glance at the doorway, then leaned forward and whispered, “I could give them a wish.”

Although Achilles was not sure that encouraging Dee to use his talent was a good idea, he was intrigued that he’d offered. He was also a little curious about the whole process; he hadn’t been in any shape to note details when Dee freed him. And, well, they did owe Jackie’s pack. Big time.

“If that’s what you want to do,” said Achilles in a normal voice. “And there’s no point in whispering. Coyotes have stellar hearing.”

“We sure do!” Jackie yelled from the next room before sauntering in. “Let’s get you settled, Agent Spanos, and then we’ll see what your friend can do.”

Achilles slowly rose to his feet. “Um, you heard what my boss said. The agency you signed a treaty with doesn’t exist.”

“Bull. I don’t care what those assholes in DC are doing—we promised to be on your side.”

“Thank you.” Achilles gave her a broad smile. It was far too early for optimism, but the hope in his heart had grown a little stronger.