Code name omega, p.19
Code Name: Omega, page 19
It’s Clay and Corrine with a bottle of wine. She’s the company’s resident psychiatrist, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about learning that Jameson needed such services. I don’t like to think of Kellen doing things that might hurt him emotionally and mentally, but I spent a lot of time talking to Corinne last night at the wedding, and she’s fabulous. I know the Jameson people are in good hands.
Impromptu get-togethers are usually near impossible for this lot under ordinary circumstances, but given that everyone’s in town for Bebe and Griff’s wedding, we lucked out.
It’s amazing that all the Jameson guys are happily tied down, and we have a full house by the time everyone arrives.
Malik and Anna.
Cage and Jaime.
Jackson and Camille. Oh my gosh… a real princess eating burgers with us.
Ladd and Greer.
Kynan and Joslyn. A freaking movie star, and she’s so humble.
Dozer and Jessica.
Cruce and Barrett.
The only ones not in attendance are Bebe and Griff, and they get a pass since they’re headed to St. Lucia for an extended honeymoon. Sin and Saint also couldn’t come, but they have a newborn to swoon over.
When we’re all assembled on the back deck—but before Kellen throws the meat on the grill—we welcome and thank everyone for coming on such short notice. A beer in hand and his arm around my waist, Kellen says, “I’m so grateful to have this crew at my back. I’ve not been here long, but the bonds are tight, and I hope we can do many more of these get-togethers in the future.”
He holds up his beer, his sentiment echoed around the group.
“I do have a nefarious scheme in mind, however,” he continues, and I tip my head to look at him curiously. Whatever this is, I’m not privy to it. “You’ve all noticed the puppies out in the yard.”
All heads turn that way, and I giggle as I see one of the pups, belly up in front of Bubba where he lies on the grass, chewing on the big Belgian’s paw.
“There are fourteen guests here. I expect y’all to figure it out, but four of these pups are leaving with four of you today.”
Kynan busts out a laugh, and to my surprise, he immediately says, “We’ll take one.”
The rest of the gang talks, and a few walk into the yard for a closer look. Corinne gets down on the grass, and a puppy pounces on her. I’m pretty sure she’s a goner.
I squeeze Kellen’s waist to get his attention. “Four puppies? But there are five.”
“We’re keeping one,” he says with a smile. “So Princess can have a puppy of her own to take care of when we get her back.”
Oh shit.
Tears bloom fast and copious, and I wheel away from Kellen with a mumbled excuse that I need to set out napkins or whatever. I dart into the kitchen, grab a paper towel, and press it to my eyes.
But Kellen is right behind me, arms wrapping around my waist as he pulls me into him. “You big ol’ softy,” he teases.
And I laugh. He knows how to lighten the mood.
I turn and throw my arms around him, squeezing tight. “You are the most amazing man in the entire world.”
“Nah,” he says with a chuckle. “I just like doing things that will ensure I get laid tonight.”
“That’s a given,” I mutter. “Even without the puppy stunt.”
We’re silent a moment, and then I ask, “Do you think we’ll get Princess back?”
“We’re absolutely getting her back,” he says confidently. And although it seems insurmountable, I have utter faith that he speaks the truth. “Now, dry up those tears, and let’s go unload some dogs.”
Kellen kisses me again, and it’s sweet and settling. I feel grounded and sure of myself.
So sure, in fact, that I make a proclamation before thinking it through. “My dad’s birthday is the weekend after next, and I think I’m going to fly home for it.”
Kellen’s eyebrows rise. He’s come to learn a lot about my family—particularly the stilted relationship I have with them—and knows I’ve been battling on whether to go.
Ordinarily, I would not. I’d use work as an excuse like I always do, but I’ve learned something from Ethan’s visit last week and our phone call when he loaned me money for the barn. It’s okay to be at odds with what my family wants me to do and what I actually want to do. I don’t have to be what they expect, and what Ethan taught me—when he loaned me the money without hesitation—is that they will learn to accept me as I am.
I can’t stay away to avoid battles and arguments about my future. I can hold my own path and still accept their love.
“I think that’s great,” Kellen says with a smile.
“It’ll be a quick trip. Fly out Friday afternoon and back on Sunday morning. Dr. Schoen will be home by then, so I know she won’t mind me taking a few days since I’ve covered the practice for her while she was gone. Assuming she doesn’t fire me.”
Kellen rolls his eyes at that last statement, his hands coming to my hips. “She’s not going to fire you. You are not at fault for what happened.”
We can agree to disagree on that, but I decide to do so with my inner voice because I have something far more important to ask. “Would you be interested in going with me?”
“To Kentucky? To meet your family?” I don’t know how to take the surprise in his voice. Maybe it’s delight, but maybe I’m coming on too strong.
My instinct is to offer an excuse to let him out of accepting, but then his grin broadens and his fingers squeeze into my hips. “I’d love to go. I mean, you’ve already met my parents, so it only seems natural I return the favor, right?”
Everything about this man is perfect. “Right.”
“I’ll put in a request for time off,” he says, leaning in to kiss me. “I’m excited to see the farm and meet Kat.”
“You’re perfect.” My unspoken thoughts come out unbidden, but I have to let him know.
Eyes softening, Kellen’s hands move to my face, and he bends down to kiss me again. I sigh into his mouth, not believing for a single second I could feel any more contented.
The door creaks open, and while I jolt, Kellen holds me tight, drawing away slowly. His gaze stays on me a moment before he looks over his shoulder.
Kynan stands there, phone in hand, Dozer right behind him. “Bebe’s on the line.”
Kellen releases me as Kynan and Dozer enter the kitchen, closing the door behind them. Bebe’s on her honeymoon. If she’s calling, it must be important.
“Okay, Bebe… standing here with Kellen and Abby.”
“We just landed at the airport, and I decided to check the taps and bugs we’d placed on Hellman. While I’m recording everything, I’ve programmed an algorithm that will duplicate sections of recording that have key words and phrases. And I hit something big.”
She pauses and calls out, presumably to Griff, “No… our bag has reflective tape wrapped around the handle.”
Her voice becomes clearer. “Sorry… for being an FBI agent, he’s not overly observant. At any rate, it picked up the word ‘transfer,’ which was one of a few dozen I’d programmed. I went back and listened to the entire exchange, and while they’re talking in code and euphemisms, they’re not consistent, so it’s easy to figure out that they’re selling some girls they’ve got holed up in that house in East Allegheny. Hellman is going to be there and will be receiving money in exchange for the women.”
“He said something clear enough to get police or feds involved, or did he talk only in code?” Kynan asks.
“Griff listened to the recording, and he thinks it’s clear enough… the lingo is well known. As soon as we get our bags, he’ll call into his SAC. I need Dozer to go into the office and download the recordings from my server for them. The information won’t be admissible in a criminal trial, but it’s absolutely enough for them to watch and listen when it goes down. They’ll be able to move in as soon as the exchange happens. It’s going down tomorrow night. Hold on… Griff wants to talk to you.”
“Bebe fill you in on everything?” he asks as he joins the conversation.
“She said it’s going down tomorrow,” Kynan says.
“That’s right.”
“Like, he’ll be arrested tomorrow night?” I ask, completely stunned. I mean, we all figured he was dirty and something was happening, but we didn’t expect anything to happen this fast.
“If he follows through with what he’s got planned, yes. The feds will arrest him as soon as he receives the money.”
“They’ll seize his assets?” Kellen asks.
“The dogs,” I exclaim. “What will they do with the dogs?”
“Probably local animal control,” Griff replies.
“They’re not equipped.” I look at Kellen, gripping his hand. “It’s going to take massive coordination.”
“What kind of coordination?” Kynan asks.
“Veterinary care, medicine, behavioral evaluations, foster homes, adoption coordination. There are at least a few hundred dogs on his property. Animal control cannot handle it.”
“And you can?” Kynan asks.
“Not single-handedly,” I reply, “but I can manage all the components.”
“I’ve got contacts at the county level I’ll reach out to after Griff gets things in place.”
“And we’ll let the US attorney’s office know as well,” Griff adds on. “Technically, the dogs are property and thus assets, but I can’t imagine they won’t let efforts get underway to care for and rehome them.”
I’m afraid to voice the words, but I don’t need to. Kellen says them.
“And we’re going to bring Princess home.”
CHAPTER 21
Kellen
“It’s almost seven,” Abby grumbles as she paces the living room. The early-morning sun warms the floor underfoot as the new pup, who we’ve named Roscoe, follows behind her. “Why haven’t we heard anything?”
Why, indeed?
The sting was supposed to go down last night. Bebe’s intelligence didn’t say what time, but Griff said there would be a large team in place, ready to move in when it happened.
But while Jameson Force Security may have been the catalyst for all this to happen, we are in no way involved once the FBI takes over. They are not beholden to us for updates or explanations. They could’ve taken Hellman into custody hours ago, and they don’t owe us even a thank-you.
Of course, if Griff were here, I think he would update us, but as it stands, he’s on his honeymoon, and I’m not about to bother him with this. Not only is it disrespectful, but he’s a big dude—I expect he’d kick my ass upon his return.
“Kellen,” Abby says in exasperation, “are you even listening to me?”
“No.” My tone is biting, even sarcastic, as I move into the kitchen for another cup of coffee. “You’ve said the same thing over and over for the last three hours.”
“Ouch,” she mutters, then flops onto the couch. Roscoe puts his front paws on her leg and she lifts him to her lap. “I’m sorry. I’m just nervous.”
Sighing, I pour another cup, knowing it’s going to make me super jittery, but I got no sleep last night. Neither did Abby, for that matter.
I walk back into the living room, step over Bubba snoozing by the love seat, and sit next to Abby. Roscoe chews on her fingers as she pets him.
He’s fucking adorable, and I’m glad we kept him. The other four got parceled out to Kynan, Ladd, Cage, and Corinne, and I expect we’ll have dog playdates in the future.
Leaning over, I kiss Abby’s neck and kick my feet onto the coffee table. “I’m not sure they would have alerted us if there was an arrest. I’d think they’d wait until he was processed and interviewed, assuming he’ll talk.”
“I hate to give the asshole credit, but he’s probably too smart to talk. He’ll lawyer up.”
“Maybe,” I agree, taking a sip and then setting the cup on the side table. “But there’s always a chance he has information he can use to cut a deal. While he might be trafficking women, there’s no way he’s at the top of this. A middleman, at best.”
“What does that mean?” Abby asks, rolling her head on the cushion to look at me.
I shrug. “He’ll cut a deal if he’s got good info that will lead to a bigger bust.”
“He won’t go to jail?” She sits up, her eyes wild with worry. Roscoe uses the opportunity to bite her on the chin, but she holds him back with the practiced efficiency of a veterinarian who knows how to manage a wriggly animal. “He could be free to—”
Smiling, I lightly cup her neck and bring her in for a swift kiss, the puppy squished between us. It quiets her instantly. Pressing my forehead to hers, I murmur, “It will be fine. I promise. He won’t go free, but he might not get a lengthy prison sentence if he cuts a good deal.”
“But—”
I pull back slightly, locking my eyes with hers and dropping my hand to pet Roscoe. “No matter how much time he gets, his mill is finished, Abby. He cannot keep that operation going. The dogs will be seized. He’s done, and isn’t that the most important thing?”
“Yes,” she breathes out. “But—”
“But nothing.”
Something shimmers in her green eyes. Not tears, but maybe hope? As if she’s seeing the end of a tunnel, and the light there is reflecting in her irises.
Abby smiles. “You’re too good for me.”
I scoff and settle back on the couch, lacing my fingers over my stomach. “I’ve got you fooled. I really just wanted to make you my sex slave.”
“Oh, it worked.” She laughs and gently sets Roscoe onto the floor so she can snuggle into my side.
The doorbell rings, and we both jolt upward, our eyes slamming into each other in question.
Abby scrambles from the couch, She’s closest to the door, but I have longer legs and jump the coffee table, cutting her off and grabbing the knob. Roscoe trips over his own feet trying to catch us, and Bubba shakes loose from a deep sleep, barking wildly with the sudden movement.
And on the other side of the door, there’s an answering woof.
I freeze, and Abby’s hand flutters near her throat. We exchange a look—both hopeful and cautious. Bubba barks again, and I utter a curt command, “Sit.”
His ass hits the ground, but his tail wags furiously against the rug. Roscoe leaps at Bubba and tries to bite his collar, but I scoop the puppy into my arms.
Abby reaches out and touches my lower back with trembling fingers.
I open the door, and a white-hot burst of joy explodes as I see Kynan standing there with Princess on a leash.
I’m knocked out of the way by both Abby and Bubba flying onto the porch. Abby drops to her knees—I wince, because that’s concrete, but she doesn’t seem to notice—and throws her arms around Princess’s neck. While there’s no doubt that the golden retriever loves Abby, she’s more interested in Bubba.
My eyes go to Kynan. “Is it done?”
He nods. “Let’s talk.”
Abby rises and accepts the leash from him. “I’ll take them into the back to play.”
We head outside and spend a few minutes letting Princess sniff Roscoe. She’s amazing with him, giving him gentle sniffs before nuzzling him. She’s a natural mom who never really got to be one. Before long, they’re all running around together.
Kynan, Abby, and I sit at the deck table, and I unfurl the umbrella for shade.
“Do you want anything to drink?” Abby asks Kynan. It’s an afterthought, but she’s excited to hear his news. When he shakes his head, she leans forward and demands, “Tell us everything.”
Kynan smiles, drumming his fingers on the table. “It went down just after midnight. Van pulled up, Hellman came out of the house and talked to the driver for a bit. They went inside—presumably to look at the women. The feds had directional mics so they could pick up the conversation. The van driver was checking out the women, tried to negotiate the price that had already been agreed on, but Hellman stayed firm. Walked back outside with the victims who were ushered into the van. A bag was handed to Hellman, and the feds swooped in.”
“Those women didn’t fight?” Abby asks incredulously.
“They were drugged… docile. But Hellman had two men there with him who kept them in control.”
“I would have given anything to be there to see the look on his face,” I say, conjuring an image of Hellman’s skin turning green when he realized what was happening. “Did he lawyer up?”
“Immediately,” Kynan says. Not surprising. “But the two men he employed to watch over the girls started talking, and that has Hellman reconsidering. Last I heard, his lawyer and the US attorney are negotiating.”
“But he’ll do jail time, right?” Abby asks.
“Yeah… he’ll do time. Just don’t know how much. I guess it all depends on the value of his information. But he’s finished doing business here. The state won’t license him to operate the kennel with a felony conviction.”
“Maybe his wife will keep it going,” Abby muses with a frown.
“I don’t think so,” Kynan says, glancing at the dogs playing. “As soon as the feds moved in to arrest Hellman, they descended on the house. Woke her and his boys out of a sound sleep. She’s not a happy woman, to say the least.”
“And how did you get Princess?” I ask.
“Well, that was Griff’s doing. He apparently provided one of the agents her tattoo number. Got permission to let her come here, a small token of appreciation for the work we all did in tipping them off. They called me to come pick her up just a bit ago.”
“Thank you so much,” Abby says, her voice cracking. “I made a big mess of things, but you ended up doing what I couldn’t all this time, and that was to shut him down. But mostly, thank you for getting Princess back for us.”
“My pleasure,” Kynan says and raps his knuckles on the table. “Now, I have to get into work and finish up our final report to turn over to the FBI. None of our stuff is admissible, but it could lead them to investigate other areas.”
Once again, Abby gives Kynan a hug of gratitude, which he gladly accepts. She heads into the yard to love on Princess while I walk Kynan out.
