Page 8 of Sebastian
“What would you like me to wear?” he asked dutifully.
“Your uniform,” she smiled. “I always dreamed of marrying my Ranger. I want you to wear your uniform.”
“Then that’s what I’ll wear,” he smiled, kissing her.
Over the next few days, they took long boat rides around the bayou, exploring islands they didn’t even know belonged to Belle Fleur. Matthew and the team had taken the time to post signs on each island with its individual name, and the very clear declaration that it was private property.
“I wonder what he’s planning for all these islands,” said Emelia, hugging Sebastian.
“My guess is he’s planning for the future. A future that you and I will be a part of for a long, long time. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember, Em. I can’t wait for you to be my wife.”
“Same,” she smiled. “I dream of it, you know. I dream of being Mrs. Sebastian Vernon. When I was younger, I used to write it in my notebooks. My sisters would make fun of me and tease me. Thankfully, they knew how to keep a secret, or I would have been outed a long time ago.”
“That wouldn’t have been so bad,” smiled Sebastian. “Maybe we could take a vacation in Alaska, see where Mom was born and raised.”
“I’d love that,” she smiled.
“When do you have to leave?” he said with a sober expression.
“Two days. I don’t want to think about it. This case is kicking my ass. I’m good at what I do, Sebastian. When I’m in FBI-mode, I’m confident; I know where to go for my sources and information, but this one is tough.”
“Wanna talk it through? I could gather the guys, and we could chat about it. As much as you’re comfortable with.”
“Yeah. Yeah, you know, that might help me.”
Back in the grove, Leif, Major, Brix, Forrest, Alistair, Garr, and her sisters all sat patiently waiting for her to begin.
“This has to stay here,” she said.
“Em, we know,” smirked Mags.
Walking along the paths toward the offices were Doug, Chipper, Evie, Autumn, and the new pilot, Clark. Everyone smirked as Forrest followed the woman, watching her every move.
“You know that’s creepy, right?” smirked Ellie. “Just talk to her, Forrest.”
“What? No. No, it’s not like that. I mean. Never mind. Just continue.”
“Alright, so in the last four months, there have been seven bank robberies in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. They follow the same pattern, the same MO. They all happen just as the bank is about to close its doors. The robbers come in with sunhats, remove the hats, and they’re wearing masks.”
“What kind of masks?” asked Sebastian.
“Mostly character masks like rabbits, dogs, that sort of thing. They carry handguns but haven’t harmed anyone. They ask for the cash in the drawers but not the cash in the safe. There is always a car waiting outside, but when the police arrive, the car is still sitting there, and no one is inside. It ends up being a car that was parked a few blocks away and moved.”
“Moved? Like someone parked it, drove it a few blocks, parked it in front of the bank, and then left it there?” asked Leif.
“Yep. No one has been harmed, but I feel like it’s only a matter of time.”
“What about the alarms? Why aren’t the alarms bringing the police in on time?” asked Brix.
“They’re disabled,” she said, staring at the people around the table. She knew that saying that would get their attention. To disable a bank alarm system took skill. It had to be done precisely, and the timing had to be impeccable.
“Disabled,” muttered Forrest. “Bank alarms are complex systems. You have to know what the hell you’re doing to get that done. What about former employees?”
“Believe me, I’ve scanned through it all. Former employees, former guards, IT teams with the banks. I can’t find one link.”
“Are the banks all the same company?” asked Leif.
“No. All different banks. Here’s the thing that I can’t convince anyone of. I think these robberies are connected to some robberies that occurred two years ago. There were five robberies two summers ago in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. All were done with masks, but the masks weren’t animals. They were superheroes.”