Page 89 of Facing the Enemy

I picked up a man’s voice. “Calm down, Ethan. You knew I’d call. I hear sirens. Is that the fire department? Doubtful they can put the pieces of your Jaguar back together, and I liked the shiny red.”

“You blew it up! I’ve done everything you’ve asked.”

“And you handled those agents nicely too. I wanted you to understand nothing gets by me. Do yourself a favor and behave yourself.”

“Apparently not. What now?” Ethan said.

“I’m sending you a list of clients. You know the drill. I want them by the close of the day or I might have to take further action.”

“All right. I’ll get what you need. Do you have my family?”

“Oh, they’re alive for now. Cooperation is all I ask. I suggest you pay attention to today’s news. There’s an interesting report on the demise of Special Agent Luke Reardon.”

The call ended, and Ethan left us to join HPD and the fire department. Florakis’s implications made me shudder. I texted the agents assigned to Ethan’s family and learned they were safe.

Risa and I walked outside to the burning site, the heat and smell of melting metal and gasoline fueling my frustration with all that had happened and kept happening. I spoke to HPD and told them I’d be escorting Ethan to the FBI building for questioning.

Inside my vehicle, I wrote Ethan a note to give me his personal cell phone and the phone Florakis used to call him. Already a list of client names filled a text in the burner. I removed the rogue bugging apps from both devices and handed the phones back to him. “For your own safety, no more games with Florakis. You’re done.”

“These guys play for keeps.” Ethan’s voice rattled with fear. “What happened to Agent Reardon?”

I licked my lower lip. I hadn’t given myself time to process his death. Anger pounded through me. Grief tore at the memory of a good man. “Ethan, it’s gruesome. He was beheaded.”

He gasped.

For a moment, I feared Ethan would be sick. “Do you want me to pull over?”

He shook his head. “What kind of barbarians are these people?”

“They’re serious. We know they are involved with kidnapping and fraudulent adoptions. Possibly drugs too. Are you ready to join your family? We now have information to help us locate Florakis.”

Ethan nodded. His whole body trembled. “Like an idiot, I thought I was immune because he needed what I provided. Yes, I’m ready for a safe house, but not with my family. Put me somewhere far away from them. The idea Florakis might try the same thing with Lynn, Carson, or the baby—” He vomited into his lap.

Risa handed him tissues and rolled down her window.

After a few minutes, Ethan regained his composure. “I’m sorry. I’ll pay to have your car cleaned.”

“No worries. I’ll handle it,” I said. “Now you understand these guys play for keeps. At the office, I’ll arrange for a safe house.” I glanced at Risa in the back seat. She hadn’t spoken, and it was probably in her best interests to stay that way. I hadn’t been this angry with her in all the years we’d worked together. But she’d risked the lives of innocent people. Her red-rimmed eyes showed me that reality had settled. I loved this woman, but she’d been reckless. Maybe her stepping back into the FBI had been premature.

My phone alerted me to a call from SAC Dunkin. Ignoring him would only make the situation worse.

“Yes, sir.”

“Gage, what the—”

I listened to Risa’s and my deplorable representation of the FBI.

“I want you two in my office before the day’s over.”

“Yes, sir.” I slid my phone back onto the console and glared at Risa in the rearview mirror. “The SAC. Before the day’s over.”

Her face etched with what we’d witnessed. “I take full responsibility. I’m sorry. I made a reckless move. I planned for the worst but didn’t expect it.”

“I’m glad no one was hurt,” Ethan said.

“Me too.” She avoided my image in the mirror.

In the parking lot, Risa exited and faced me. I could read her like a book, and she oozed with remorse. She stepped beyondEthan’s hearing. “Gage, I’ve gotten out of hand. My actions can’t be repeated.”