The Squad

“I know, I’ve already given the others a heads-up not to worry.” I hung up the phone and left the office for the outside. I plan on spending as much time as I can with my wife and daughter while we’re here because things are about to get pretty dicey real soon. Thorpe’s not too pleased with me, and neither is Flanagan, both of them showing their overprotective side, which is understandable. Hopefully, they’ll get over it soon, and we can all move on.

I saw Char as I approached, her eyes tracking me. I’m sure she’s wondering when I plan to spill the beans to her friend about what she’d done. I’m hoping she’d do the honors. I’ve had some time to think about what she’d done, and I guess I can understand, though she’d set Lyon back a bit, with his personality and inherent drive for justice, it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been had he been anyone else.

There was a time I was worried about passing the reins to someone else. I wondered how that would make me feel after expecting to be the one who’d be taking over all these years. It wasn’t about ego, or wanting to be top dog, but more because I’m very protective of the organization and what we stand for and not wanting someone less qualified sitting in that seat.

But having got to know Lyon myself without him knowing who I was, or who he is for that matter, I have no doubt that he’d step up to the plate. He’s no Wilson, that’s for sure, and I can’t imagine him sitting behind a desk while others go out into the field to do the actual work, but we’ll come to a compromise when the time comes I’m certain.

“Charlotte!” I greeted her in passing and kept going. If she weren’t ready to tell her friend the truth, the less time we spend together, the better or people would start to wonder. I haven’t told Cierra about the others and our real purpose for being here as yet, not because I don’t trust my wife the FED, but because I don’t trust my wife the female when she gets with her friends. Each man has the right to tell his woman in his own time and in his own way. Telling her would be like taking that away from them. Let them enjoy the peace and comfort of the island for a little while longer.

JASON

I listened with half an ear to the men as they talked about their new ‘squad’ at least that’s what Lyon had decided to call it since as he says organization sounds too much like law enforcement and he hates any fuck that has to do with that fuckery. His vocabulary is even more colorful than Gideon’s, and my brother has got a fine grasp on gutter speak.

Mostly I was organizing my moves once we land in my head. I’d already mapped out what needed to be done from the specs Mancini had given me earlier, so it was just a matter of getting there and letting my senses do the rest. There was a certain kind of excitement in the air. One that stems from working with a new crew for the first time and also because this was all new to me, and I have no idea how this person is going to react once found.

Usually, when I go on a search and rescue, the kids on the other end are only too glad to see someone who isn’t there to hurt them and can’t wait to go back home. This person, this stranger, is bound to feel cornered, trapped, so I have to be extra careful with my approach.

I hadn’t had much time to study the area where we were headed before moving out, but I guess that’s what the rest of the team was for. Mancini seemed to think that the FEDs were onto the killer or were getting close, and that was his reasoning behind sending us in blind. No worries, I’ve worked with less and still came out on top.

I heard movement and opened my eyes to see them all turned to me in their seats. I was wondering when they were going to get around to discussing some sort of plan. Since we’ve never worked together before, I was hoping they weren’t going to get in the way, I always go in alone, so I don’t see why they all had to come. Unless Mancini didn’t think I could do the job, in which case, why the hell send me?

“Alright, kid, Creed and Law will be close by, while the rest of us will be heading to the safe house.” Lyon took something from his pocket that looked like a blue tooth and passed it to me. “Wear this at all times, all of us will be able to hear you if anything goes wrong Creed and Law will be able to get to you, but the rest of us will be there as soon as we’re able.”