Page 34 of Beautiful Unity
“One of my guys left a message a month ago that an agent had approached him asking questions. He wasn’t the usual contact, so he asked for the code phrase, but this guy had no clue. Tall, dark hair, and tries too hard?”
“That sounds like him. What did he ask?
“Jackal said he asked about the safe haven, and he let the name slip before he caught himself and redirected with the code phrase. He didn’t say more than a name, but if I had to guess, your Agent Bones is smart and resourceful enough to know it wasn’t a random word.”
“So he’s behind Becca’s disappearance?”
“Possibly. If he wants to pressure Maddox to fulfill his bargain, he might’ve wanted more leverage.”
“I thought the feds were the good guys,” I growled, wishing I’d kicked Agent Bones in the balls.
“Anyone who reigns judgment on others walks a fine line. Their view of right and wrong can become skewed if they’re not careful, justifying their actions as right to get the ‘bad guy.’ I’ve seen a lot of good men do questionable things in the name of justice, and a lot of bad guys go completely over the edge.”
All the things that had pinged my radar about the agent suddenly flared to life, and I knew my dad was right.
Agent Bones had something to do with Maddox’s sister.
I prayed for his sake that Becca was safe, or he’d learn real quick why you didn’t mess with a Mississippi girl.
There were swamps and marshes with his name all over them. He’d never be found after he became alligator food.
“I don’t want to know what you’re thinking, do I?”
I smiled sweetly, sipping my heavenly coffee. “I have no idea what you mean, Hank.”
He laughed, shutting the computer and handing it to me. I shoved it in my bag along with the notebook. I hated that he’d been able to do in a few hours what I’d spent almost two days on. He glanced at his watch and motioned for the check. I sent a message to Maddox about what I’d found. He sent a vague one back that he was leaving and would fill me in more once he arrived.
“You know, you might have four boyfriends, Peanut. But there’s no doubt you have the biggest dick energy out of all of them.”
I spewed coffee all over the table, thankful I’d packed everything up. My dad bellowed, the laugh deep and full, bringing tears to my eyes as I smiled at it. I’d missed that sound.
“Good gravy, man! Warn a girl. I mean, boy.” My dad laughed harder, unleashing some of the tightness in my chest.
Once I’d cleaned up the table and my dad paid the tab, we headed out to the truck he’d borrowed.
“Was that Brick Brick?”
“Yeah. He picked Razor himself when he defected, but road names don’t work that way. He’s still Brick.” My dad’s jaw tensed.
“Why was he given Brick?” I asked, buckling my seat belt.
“Because he’s dumb as one.”
Laughing, I let the lightness I hadn’t felt in a few days return. That was until my dad glanced over as he pulled out of the parking lot, a mischievous smirk on his face.
“Time to see if your men are as good as you believe. They should be on the last test about now.”
I had absolute faith in my guys, but I also remembered how many times it took me to pass MCD. It wouldn’t be easy.
Diary #11
Dear Mom,
I’ve had a lot going on lately. There’s shit coming at me from every direction. It’s overwhelming. Most days, I don’t even know which way is up. I keep waiting for an adult to step in and take over. But then I remember I’m the adult. I’m the one with the plan. The one everyone is counting on to fix this.
It’s not that I don’t believe in myself. I do. But damn, it’s heavy.
Thank Gucci, I have my guys. They’re the one thing getting me through this.