Page 20 of Long Past Deadly

“Do we notify her family?”

“No, I don’t think she has any.”

“Well, she does here.”

Out of the blue, Quaid called himself every name in the book. She’d only been with them two weeks, but they had a deal with their crew. They stayed tight, stayed present, stayed family. And they hadn’t pulled Alanna in because she belonged to the FBI. She deserved the same backup they provided for everyone else.

He spoke more reassuring words to his aunt, then slid the cellphone into his pocket to return to Bets.

One of these days, he was going to learn not to be such an ass.

&&&&&&&&&&

QM International Situation Brief: 09:30:00 PST 12/15 – San Diego HQ. Active threat targets Daniels. Security Level 3 remains in effect. All units maintain elevated vigilance. Ϙ

Mackey measured his steps from drop off at the UCSD Medical Center emergency room door through the crowded reception area to Alanna’s treatment room. Thanks to Bets, it was an uneventful walk.

One thing about being a lethal warrior, you couldn’t rush anywhere. His body was a weapon and his experience had a vibe – one he tried to keep contained, but his presence tended to scare people – a tactic better left to dangerous situations, not day-to-day movement. The persona was important.

He’d changed to dark jeans, a butter-yellow shirt, and a lightweight sport coat that concealed his weapon. Thankfully, the medical center’s security knew him because of the connection with Cait. But everyone else would see a well-dressed man carrying himself with confidence, calmness, and control. That inspired trust – from strangers, from hospital personnel, and any cops in the building.

Was this his favorite way to dress?

No. But Elizabeth always prevailed. She paid attention to every detail of how the two owners presented themselves in public, and he chose to honor her experience, not fight her. Because this business meant a great deal to him, and the people he had around him helped change who he’d been into who he wanted to be.

He caught sight of Quaid and stress bled out of his system. Quaid could take care of himself, but they still lived in a shit-happened world. He rounded the care station and took a moment to study his partner. Black slacks, white shirt, expensive loafers, and hair disarrayed. Not the Quaid he usually saw. And he was pacing from one side of the drawn curtain to the other.

He moved in quietly, and waited.

“ENT in with Alanna. We’ll have word about her hearing in a few, hopefully.”

Mackey stayed silent. Quaid needed to talk. It was in the set of his shoulders, the tight tone in his voice.

“Grandfather is pissed.”

It wasn’t a question. “Yes, but I told him to stuff it. You’re alive.”

Quaid eyed him. “You didn’t really tell him that, did you?”

Mackey sighed. “I was a bit more diplomatic. Elizabeth talked to him after I did, though, and I’m pretty sure she wasn’t.”

Quaid grinned, then shook his head. His eyes went back to the curtain, worry there and not disguised very well. “She’s his goddaughter, and she used to be his right-hand. She can say all kinds of things to him that we can’t and shouldn’t.”

Cutting through the tension, Mac steered off the personal and to the professional. “Are you coming back with us to QM or are we making other arrangements?”

“Coming back. This isn’t about me. I think it’s about Alanna.”

Mackey opened his mouth and had no reply. Finally, he found the right question. “Why?”

“My gut and my logic. I talked to Harrison. If you are hitting walls, and you are, and so am I, then the “obvious” answer isn’t the obvious. It’s someone after Alanna.”

“She disagrees.”

“Vehemently, but she hasn’t seen pictures of the man yet.”

“Harry has a call into her boss, but hasn’t connected.”

Quaid snorted. “I’m guessing she’ll want to tell him the situation herself.”