Gabe (In the Company of Snipers, #8)(10)

“Yes. Did you find the list yet?”

“No. It’s not on his computer. I still need to check his desk. He might’ve written it down somewhere. You know how he is, umm, was.” She turned her face into her husband’s shoulder at her misspeak.

“It’s okay, Ember. We’re all hurting. We’re in the same boat.” Mark took a deep breath. “We’ve all lost men before. It goes with the profession we’ve chosen, but Alex wasn’t just another guy. It’ll be tough for a while, but we can do this. We can carry on. We’re the best team out there, remember?”

The TEAM. My team. Damn.

Reality suffocated the resolve he’d started with. “I’ll tell you everything I know right now. Alex’s will directed Harley, David, and me to take over the business. None of you will lose your jobs. You guys should already know that. If you have any questions, come see one of us.”

He sucked in a slow breath, relieved that the corners of Gabe’s mouth twitched with the smallest smile. Good. The guy needed a measure of reassurance after what he’d lived through. “The minute the Bureau clears the crime scene across the street, I want a team on the roof to verify what happened. Check ballistics. Traffic cams. Everything. We’ll find the SOBs who gunned Alex down. I can promise you that. Mother, call the county or city offices and find out how to exhume a body.”

Everyone’s brows lifted at that quick shift in direction. A couple agents gasped. Well, hunker down guys. We’re in this for the long haul.

“I know how it sounds, but Kelsey’s struggling. She thinks she wants to exhume Alex’s body. I’m hoping she changes her mind before we bring in a backhoe, but until then we’ll proceed with finding out how to do what she’s asked.”

Mark drew in a deep breath. “Taylor and Izza, the second Ember finds that list, I want you to track down every last name on it. Find out where those ten bastards live, what they ate for breakfast, and who their proctologists are. Everything.” The more he talked, the more the weight of responsibility lifted from his shoulders. Delegation definitely spread the load.

“You got it,” Izza muttered.

Taylor nodded one curt affirmative.

“Zack. Gabe. Pack up. You’re going to stay with Kelsey for a while, maybe as long as a month.”

Gabe’s brows furrowed. Standing watch over a grieving widow was an unusual assignment for two ex-snipers and top-notch undercover operators, but he needed this assignment more than anyone else. “Sure. I can do that. Be glad to,” he said.

“It’ll be our pleasure. You think whoever killed Alex will go after her, too?” Zack asked.

“It’s possible. I’ve asked Alexandria PD to keep an eye on her, but I’d feel better if we were posted at the house. I think she’d like having you guys with her, too. At least until she catches her balance.”

“Do we know who killed him yet?” Gabe asked.

Several other agents glanced at the poor guy. He must not have been listening to the earlier assignment, a minor infraction for a man carrying a shitload of guilt.

His innocent question sparked Harley’s temper. “Don’t be stupid, Cartwright. It was one of those jerks he didn’t hire. Who else?”

“Right now, we’re assuming that’s who killed him,” Mark intervened. “Until the FBI lets us into the crime scene across the street, we can’t be absolutely sure.”

“Well, I’m sure.” Harley glared at Gabe. “Hell. I’m not an idiot.”

Regret washed over Gabe’s face. Okay, so maybe Harley blamed Gabe for Alex’s death, another problem Mark hadn’t seen coming, but enough was enough. The TEAM was running on empty, Gabe maybe most of all.


Mark intervened again. “Gabe, listen. I need someone to stand with Kelsey. She needs her friends around her. Will you do that for me? For her?”

He nodded, swallowing hard. “Sure. Like Zack said. My pleasure.”

Harley gave an impatient growl, but Mark kept going. “I know it sounds like overkill, but yes. On the long shot that someone might go after Kelsey, I want you guys to set up a perimeter around her house. Alex had a top-of-the-line security system installed. Use it. Push external coverage to a three-house radius for now. Maybe it’s my paranoia, but let’s stay close to her until we’re sure what’s going on. Sound good?”

“Yes, Boss.”

Gabe’s automatic response startled Mark again. They had to understand. “I’m not the boss here, guys. That was Alex. I’m just... me.”

Blinking hard, Gabe opened his mouth to speak. Fortunately, Zack interrupted the awkward moment. “Maybe we’ll do some painting while we’re there. She’d like that.”

“Good idea. Just take care of her, okay?”

Mark faced The TEAM. His team. Grief stared back. Despite bossing Steven earlier, Mother dabbed tissues against both eyes. Rory had Ember in a loving stranglehold while Izza and Connor both blinked fast and hard to keep their tears at bay. Softhearted Connor lost the contest.

Taylor looked every bit the fierce warrior he could be when needed. Harley’s hand came to rest firmly on Mark’s shoulder, his angst in control for the moment. Gabe looked ready to get the hell out of there, his fingers fluttering anxiously at his side and his feet tapping.