Page 97 of Long Past Deadly

Hunt tipped his head, his eyes scoping the room. “What’s next?”

“I’m putting you with Quaid and Alanna.”

“Protection?”

“Backup. I’m tired of them being fucking alone every time he hits, and you are a face he won’t recognize. What’s your command directive?”

“No weapons.”

Mackey looked him up and down. “Friend, your whole body is a weapon.”

“Can’t use it either. NCIS Agent Borell is here with Ryker. But believe me when I say, I will step in and damn the consequences.”

“The Navy isn’t going to make any fuss if he ends up dead.”

Harrison joined them, having caught the end of the conversation. “Gregg will cover you however is needed, and so will we.”

“You don’t have to…”

Mackey slapped his arm. “Sorry, my friend. Not your decision.”

He moved off. Harrison and Hunt shifted to the corner of the room and went silent.

Quaid worked his way around the room. Alanna was talking to the Highway Patrol. Time to pull them and work out the bait – the when, the where, and the what would draw Mercer best. He went to Remy.

“Get with Tinkerton and do a review of our weapons. Make sure we have everything prepped we’re going to need.”

Remy widened his eyes. “And that would be the bazooka, the drone, and the deadly viruses.” The man grinned, his sense of humor complimenting his innocent expression.

Mackey smirked. “If we have any of those, you’re fired.”

Remy pushed out of his chair. “Bet you. The bazooka is a probable. The drone a maybe. You do not understand Tinkerton’s hobbies.” His deep laugh had others looking as he walked out of the room.

Quaid left his conversation with the U.S. Marshall and joined him. “A bazooka?”

“Never know what we’re going to need. Mercer did blow Alanna through a plate glass window.”

“True. My office. Planning?”

“You sure you want to let her be bait?”

“Let her? Oh, that won’t be something I’m saying to her. If her boss okays it, she’ll do it. I better be her ride or die.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.” He walked away.

Mackey made sure Quaid didn’t see him smile.

&&&&&&&&&&

QM International Communication Check: 00:00:12 PST 12/25 – San Diego HQ. Security Level reduced to 4. HQ Secure. Manhunt remains active. Per usual holiday instructions: Be merry. Be safe. Ϙ

Quaid made his way to the back stairs of his house with no hall lights and silently cursed the woman who woke in the middle of the night and wandered. Eleven days into this relationship and it felt like ten years – like he knew her every thought process and every conclusion. And when he woke and she wasn’t beside him, protector Quaid came out, swinging into the room bearing arms.

Planning hadn’t gone a direction he liked. Not sure what direction would have been satisfactory, he kept his mouth shut. He was trying to use tactical Quaid, not-the-man-you-sleep-with brain. They’d hashed the whole operation at QM, and everybody had an opinion until Alanna finally called it. She had a combative spark in her eyes. In the short time he’d worked with her, that look signaled no good results if they kept pushing.

In the kitchen, he paused by the empty chairs and clean counters. Not here. So far, she hadn’t been one who made herself comfortable anywhere in his house except his bedroom. He wasn’t complaining, but his room was the only place he could coax her to unwind. They had to work on the belonging concept.