Page 53 of Missing Pieces (Brantley Walker: Off the Books #12)

“We’ll wait for him,” Brantley decided, then addressed the room. “If you want coffee or whatever, get it. I don’t want any interruptions.”

Some muttering ensued, and then people were on their feet, heading for the kitchen.

Movement on one of the wall monitors drew Archer’s attention. He saw Atticus and Slade walking in, and Simon’s car was pulling down the long driveway.

When the doors opened, Archer turned his attention to his new partner. Atticus stopped abruptly, eyes wide.

“Are y’all serious right now?” he asked, looking around. “You rearranged? Again?”

Becs laughed. “You’ll get over it.”

“Maybe. Wanna tell me where I’m supposed to sit?”

She pointed at the desk beside Archer.

“And Slade, you’re here,” she said, aiming a finger at the desk beside Evan, directly across from Atticus.

As he watched the interactions, Archer felt Slade’s gaze slam into him directly.

He could feel a cold hatred coming off the guy, but he had no idea why.

From what little he knew about Slade’s relationship with his brother, he didn’t think the man’s anger stemmed from Archer going out with Spencer a couple of times. Then again, what did he know?

“Hey, man.” Atticus dropped into his seat.

“What’s up?”

“I swear I’ve sat in every spot you can sit in this barn. And yet, they always find a way to put me somewhere else.”

“But at least you don’t have a television at your back,” Becs noted.

Atticus spun in his chair. When he came back around, there was a smile on his face.

“You got somethin’ against televisions?” Archer asked.

“Only when giant heads pop out of them and scare the shit outta you.”

“It happened once,” came a voice from a speaker.

“Once was more than enough, JJ,” Atticus replied, then pointed toward a wall-mounted monitor. A moment later, Jessica James’s face appeared.

“That’s the big head that scared me,” Atticus said loud enough for JJ to hear.

“Hey, now. Careful, or I’ll drain your bank accounts.”

“Then the joke would be on you,” Atticus said, barking a laugh. “I ain’t got no money.” Atticus looked his way. “In case you do, I suggest you don’t get on her bad side. She can do that.”

Archer smiled. “Consider me warned.”

“All right. Baz is walkin’ in now,” Brantley announced. “Let’s get seated so we can start.”

Archer relaxed in his chair and glanced around. He realized for the first time since he left the Marines that he actually felt like he belonged somewhere. He couldn’t explain why, but he could feel it. And he’d be damned if he wasn’t looking forward to what was to come.

“I know we dumped a lot of information on you yesterday,” Brantley began. “And I’m sure Becs and Holly already have a notebook full of questions.”

Reese smiled, watching the two women glow with approval.

It was funny what a little recognition from the guy they admired so much did.

It was something Reese knew all too well.

He might’ve married Brantley and had the pleasure of waking up next to him every single day, but when it came to their careers, he held a different sort of respect for the retired Navy SEAL.

No, he didn’t usually mention it because Brantley wasn’t the sort who wanted praise in that regard. But it was true nonetheless.

“I don’t intend for this to be a lengthy meeting,” Brantley continued, “but I do want to know whether you are on board with taking this case. Not so much the search for Meredith Prescott, since we know where she is.” Brantley turned and looked at Decker. “We know where she is, right?”

Decker nodded.

“Good.” Brantley scanned the faces again. “So not the search for her, but the conspiracy Holt eluded to yesterday. Plus whatever else that search dredges up. If you prefer to sit this one out, I will not hold it against you, but I need you to speak up.”

Reese looked from one person to the next, waiting.

He knew they had questions and likely a boatload of concerns, but those were things they could work through on the case board.

This meeting was to determine who didn’t want to proceed.

He already knew the answer, and not because he’d talked to anyone about it.

They’d put together a strong team. A diverse team.

They worked well together, and they had each other’s backs.

They would come together to do what was necessary.

“No one?” Brantley asked, obviously not as convinced as Reese.

“I’m in, boss,” Slade said, and his agreement had a domino effect.

“I’ll do whatever you need,” Luca stated.

“Me, too,” Holly added.

“We’re in,” Charlie said, gesturing toward Jay, who nodded once. “And we’ll bring the new hires up to speed as they come on board.”

“Whatever you need,” Evan said.

“I’ll help however I can,” JJ noted.

“I’m in,” Becs said.

“We got your back, boss,” Atticus added.

“Okay, then.” Brantley sighed and took a few steps before looking up.

“As you know from my outburst yesterday, this isn’t an easy case for me.

For any of us, I’m sure. Whether Holt is right or simply creating fiction in the real world, I’ll admit there’s enough information to warrant taking proper steps to address.

“With that said, I’m too close to this. Many of us are.

By all accounts, we’re lookin’ for my cousin’s mother-in-law.

His wife’s mother. That makes her family, and regardless of what she’s done or how I feel about that, I owe it to my family.

If she’s been on the run all these years because someone in authority was blackmailing her, I owe it to her to help her get home.

The hardest part is knowing that her daughter will never know what happened.

Kylie died believing her mother ran off. I hope we prove otherwise.”

Reese hadn’t expected that, but he continued to watch Brantley.

“Because of that, I’ve decided to assign an impartial team to lead this investigation.”

Everyone started looking around, evidently as surprised by that revelation as Reese was.

“Atticus and Archer,” Brantley stated, looking directly at them. “You two are the lead investigators. You will coordinate and direct every step. If anyone has a problem—”

“Why them?” Decker asked, his tone barely disguising his anger.

The room seemed to hold its breath, anticipating another volcanic eruption from Brantley. To Reese’s surprise, Brantley remained calm as he looked at Decker.

“Because they weren’t here when Kylie died. Neither of them knew her. They can and will remain unbiased and do what needs to be done.”

“That’s bullshit. I should be in charge of this,” Decker bit out, glaring at Z. “This is your fucking team. You make this decision.”

Z frowned. “This isn’t my team,” he snapped back. “This is Brantley and Reese’s team. I provide some direction when needed, but they run the show here.”

“They work for Sniper 1,” Decker argued.

Z’s mouth opened, but RT put his hand on Z’s arm and interjected. “Technically, yes. That doesn’t change anything. And we’re not here to debate that. If you don’t like the direction Brantley’s taking this, you can go back to Dallas and keep a desk chair warm.”

Every ounce of attention was focused on Decker.

“No.”

“Then shut up about it,” Z hissed.

All eyes shifted back to Brantley despite the tension thickening the air.

“Do either of you have a problem leading this investigation?” Brantley asked Atticus and Archer.

Reese watched as the two men looked at each other briefly before both shaking their heads at the same time.

They hadn’t worked a single case together yet, but for some reason, the pairing felt right to him.

Being a former bounty hunter, Atticus had the skills necessary to find things.

And due to his military career, Archer understood the need for control and discipline.

Plus, he could and would see things through to completion.

There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Brantley made the right decision there.

“Good.” Brantley scanned the room. “As I was saying a moment ago, if anyone has a problem, you can talk to me or Reese privately. If at any time you feel the need to step back from the case, be sure to let Atticus or Archer know. Just don’t let it be at the eleventh hour.”

“When do we start?” Atticus asked.

“We already have.”