[Home]
They were all absorbed in their individual tasks two hours later when a tall, broad-shouldered man entered through the double glass doors.Nathan, being closest, got to his feet. “Agent Jackson,” he introduced himself. “May I be of some service?”
“Steve Collings,” the man replied, shaking Nathan´s hand. “I´m looking for Senior Agent Larabee.”
“Steve?” Buck exclaimed in surprise at hearing the voice. Getting to his feet, he crossed the floor in a few long strides.
“Buck Wilmington,” Collings replied, grinning and offering his hand to the other man. “Hell, I should have known.”
Buck, still somewhat in shock, took the proferred hand and glanced down at the ID badge clipped to the man´s lapel. “FBI?”
“That´s right,” Collings nodded. “It´s going to seem strange, Larabee and I working together again after all these years.”
“Does Chris know?” Buck asked.
Collings laughed. “Not yet. Wanted to surprise him.” Then, his eyes taking on a hint of wariness, he added. “But I thought I´d best do it before the teams get together this afternoon.”
“He´s in a meeting right now,” Buck informed him. “I´m sure he wouldn´t mind if you waited in his office.”
“If it´s all the same to you,” Collings replied lightly, “I´d just as soon wait out here. It´ll give me a chance to get to know the rest of your team, seeing as how we´re going to be working together for the next little while.”
Buck made the necessary introductions and offered Collings a chair beside his desk. “So, how long you been with the FBI?” he asked, trying to make conversation.
“About four years now,” Collings answered. “The force offered me a desk job, but I just couldn´t see that for the rest of my life, so, I went back to school, got a degree in psychology and here I am, criminal profiler for the FBI. Not too shabby for a gimp, huh?”
An uneasiness spread through the room at the words and the tinge of bitterness that seemed to colour the last sentence. They´d all noticed the man´s slightly uneven gait, but not one of them had thought much of it. It was suddenly obvious, however, that Collings did.
“So, you guys worked together?” JD asked, trying to steer the subject to what he hoped were good memories.
“The Denver Police Department,” Collings reminisced. “Chris and I were partners for a short time.”
JD glanced at Buck, noting the older man´s slight discomfort at the subject. Being JD, though, he couldn´t seem to refrain from giving voice to his thoughts. “Thought you and Chris were partners, Buck.”
“We were, kid,” Buck said softly. After a moment, he looked up to see the rest of the team looking at him expectantly. Taking a deep breath, he began the explanation. “Chris and I were chasin´ a couple of snatch and grab suspects one night. One climbed up the fire escape of this building and I naturally followed. He thought he´d lose me, jumpin´ from one roof to the next, but I was on him like ugly on an ape.” His eyes clouded slightly as he brought the memories forth.
“So?” JD prodded. “What happened?”
Buck sighed. “Almost had him. Couple more steps and he was goin´ down. He jumped to the next roof, I followed. Just as I landed, he swung the bag he was carryin´ and I lost my balance.”
“You fell?” JD asked, eyes wide. “Off the roof?”
“Three stories.” Buck allowed a wry smile. “Landed in a dumpster.”
“Were ya hurt bad?” Nathan asked from across the room.
“Broke my leg in two places, coupl´a busted ribs, nothing serious,” Buck answered.
“But that busted leg took him out of commission for eight weeks,” Collings added.
“And that´s when you and Chris was partnered up,” Vin surmised.
“Yep,” Collings nodded. “Though not for the whole eight weeks as it turned out.”
“How come?” JD asked innocently, oblivious to the warning look Buck shot him.
Collings merely shrugged. “Got into a bit of a firefight with some drug dealers one night. Took a bullet in the hip. After three surgeries, docs told me I´d always have a limp. Denver PD made the offer of the desk job, but I didn´t go into law enforcement to shuffle paperwork and file traffic reports, so I decided a change of career might be in order.”
“But you got into the FBI,” JD pointed out needlessly.
“Not without a lot of hard work,” Collings chuckled, shaking his head slowly. “Got my degree, went into profiling, got called on to testify at a few trials in New York. One of the feds I was working with at one point suggested I´d do well with the FBI. Failed the physical training course six times. Finally, I had to accept the fact that my physical limitations would preclude me ever being an agent. Unbeknownst to me, however, I was attracting some interest from the Investigative Support Unit. As you well know, they supply training to detectives, psychologists, criminologists and lawyers from all over the world. I would have to be crazy to turn down their offer.” He grinned and shrugged somewhat modestly. “So, here I am, profiler and criminologist. Still a desk job, for the most part, but with a lot more prestige, wouldn´t you say?”
Buck got to his feet quickly as Chris came through the door. “Chris!” he called, making straight for his friend. “You´ll never guess who´s here.”
Vin was watching the scene and noticed that Buck´s smile seemed forced. When he looked at Chris, however, the look of surprise and the grin that followed were genuine; he´d stake his name on it.
“Collings?” Chris exclaimed, crossing the room to shake the man´s hand. “What´re you doing here? Thought you left Denver.”
Collings was on his feet, returning the handshake. “I did. I usually work out of the New York office.”
“Office?” Chris repeated. Looking down at the ID tag, his eyes grew slightly rounder. “FBI?”
“Criminologist and profiler.” Collings clarified. Then with a teasing grin, he added, “What´s the matter? Never thought I´d make it?”
From his view as observer, Vin noticed the slight colour rise in Chris´ cheeks, along with a definite cringe on Buck´s part.
“Hell, no,” Chris replied, covering quickly. “Always knew you had more brains than the rest of us put together. So what are you doing back in Denver?”
“Believe it or not, I´m working the Bertolli case. It´ll be almost like old times, huh, Larabee?”
“Well, I´ll be damned,” Chris breathed. “They put you on Johnson´s team?”
“Not exactly,” Collings replied with a wry smile. “Could never make it as a field agent with this leg. I´m with ISU.”
“Well then,” Chris nodded, his smile widening, “why don´t I buy you lunch and we can catch up a little?”
“Sounds good to me,” Steve agreed. Looking around the office, he added with a mischievous grin, “You hear that, fellas? Larabee´s buying. Who´s in?”
JD glanced at Chris first, and, seeing the nod and still-present smile, broke into a grin. “Count me in. What about you, Buck?”
“Got some notes I gotta finish up for that meeting,” Buck answered JD, though his gaze flitted to Chris.
JD didn´t seem fazed by the rejection. “Josiah?”
“I, for one, always welcome the chance to speak with someone from ISU,” Josiah grinned. “Count me in, too, brother. Nate?”
“Depends,” Nathan replied, checking the bagged lunch he´d brought in with him. “Great,” he muttered. “Leftover meatloaf.”
“Then can we assume you´ll be remaining here for your repast, Mr. Jackson?” Ezra ventured. “We couldn´t possibly allow you to otherwise insult the culinary skills of your lovely wife.”
Nathan grinned. “Hell, no, you can´t assume that, Ez. I made that meatloaf, and trust me, it was bad enough the first time around.”
Chris chuckled, shaking his head before looking up at Standish. “How ‘bout you, Ez?”
“My sincere regrets, Mr. Larabee, but I have made prior arrangements.”
Their leader nodded and looked over to the last member of the team. While he and Vin had made tentative plans to have lunch together if time allowed, he knew the sudden change of plans wouldn´t be a problem. “Never known you to turn down a free lunch, Tanner,” he teased in way of an invitation.
“An´ I ain´t about ta start now,” Vin assured him with a wicked grin. “´Course, with both me n´ JD goin´, you might wanna head back up to Travis´ office ‘n´ ask fer a raise first.”
“I think I can handle it,” Chris laughed. “Come on.”
“Just got a few things I need ta take care´a here, first,” Vin explained. “I´ll catch up with y´all in a few minutes.”
“Ok, sure,” Chris nodded. Vin didn´t miss the uneasy, but brief glance the team leader shot in Buck´s direction before heading for the door.
Once they were gone, Ezra gathered his things and gave his customary two-finger salute. “Gentlemen,” he addressed them before leaving the two men alone in the office.
Vin strode across the room and perched himself on the corner of Buck´s desk, one foot braced on the floor, the other dangling casually over the side. “Wanna talk about it, Bucklin?” he asked softly.
Buck looked up in surprise as though he hadn´t realized Vin was there. “Huh?”
“You bin jumpier´n a cat on a hotplate since Collings walked in here,” Vin explained. “Wanna tell me what´s up?”
Buck shrugged evasively. Then, feeling Vin´s eyes on him and knowing the sharpshooter was being supportive, not nosy, he forced a small smile. “Guess I´m just surprised, is all.”
Vin considered the words for a moment. “Chris seemed happy to see ‘im,” he finally stated. It wasn´t challenging or judgmental – that just wasn´t Vin´s way. It was simply an observation.
“Yeah,” Buck murmured thoughtfully. “He really did, didn´t he?”
“´S´that what surprises you?” Vin asked casually.
Mulling the question over, the ladies man tilted his head to one side as though listening for an answer. “Maybe,” he finally admitted with a small sigh.
Though he hadn´t found out exactly what Buck´s problem was, Vin knew it had to be personal. If he was concerned in the least about Collings on a professional level, he wouldn´t have hesitated to express those concerns to Vin, better yet, Chris. Keeping things like that from one another could get them killed and they all knew it.
“If ya decide ya wanna talk about it, I ain´t hard ta find,” Vin offered with a smile.
Buck returned the only real smile he´d managed since Collings had walked in the door. “Just follow the trail of double-dipped, chocolate-glazed, double-fudge?” he teased.
“Yep, that´d work,” Vin replied with a grin and a wink. Getting to his feet, he glanced at the doors leading to the elevator. “Sure you don´t wanna change yer mind ‘bout lunch?”
He considered the proposal. Chris really had seemed glad to see Collings after so many years. Maybe he was just borrowing trouble. “Aw, Hell,” he finally sighed. “Guess them notes can wait an hour or so.”
Vin nodded with a satisfied smile. “Then I reckon we´d best get over there ‘fore JD eats through Chris´ lunch budget.”
Feeling better than he had since Collings´ arrival, Buck joined Vin and, together, they headed for their usual noon-hour haunt.
+ + + + + + +
Lunch turned out to be a pleasant affair, everyone laughing as Chris and Steve regaled them with stories of their time on the force. Though unusually subdued at first, it hadn´t taken long for Buck to join in, telling the rest of the team a few things that the other two had neglected – intentionally or otherwise – to reveal. Even Ezra had joined them before the meal was over, citing the excuse that he´d concluded his business too early to go back to the empty office.
Vin had surreptitiously been watching Buck and had noticed the change in behaviour as the midday break progressed. While he was glad Buck seemed to be over whatever it was that had been bothering him, Vin hadn´t forgotten the guarded hostility he´d noticed earlier. Turning his gaze upon Chris, he couldn´t help a small smile. The older man was obviously enjoying himself, joking and laughing along with Steve and the rest of Team 7. He´d seemed happy enough when they´d walked into the bar, but his expression had definitely brightened upon seeing that Buck had changed his mind about joining them. Making a note to himself to keep his eye on things for the duration of Collings´ visit in Denver, Vin allowed his colleagues´ laughter to draw his attention back to the goings-on at the large table.
Like lunch, the afternoon meeting had gone remarkably well. Since the FBI team working the case was one of Denver´s own, the agents were by no means strangers to those on Larabee´s team. While they hadn´t necessarily worked side by side before, the fact that they all worked in the Federal Building made it almost impossible not to hear some of the stories that filtered from floor to floor.
According to Travis, the teams would still be working their own cases from their own offices. This joint meeting was simply to exchange information they´d gathered thus far and to ensure than any future intelligence would be likewise shared.
Special Agent Geoff Johnson was as fair as he was abrupt, making no secret of the fact that he and his team would do whatever necessary to find the missing men, while bowing to Chris´ experience when it came to the matter of the drugs and weapons. The rest of the members on his team were likewise personable.
Tyler Eckhardt, though young, had an eye for detail that Team 7 admired. He´d been the one to make the connection between the missing men and Bertolli and his face flushed in obvious pride and embarrassment when Johnson pointed that out. The blush seemed almost out of character in the hard face. The kid always looked as though he´d been yanked off some college football field in the middle of a game.
Jason Crowley and Richard Hewitt looked to be around Chris´ age, but that´s where the similarity ended. Crowley had more of a swarthy complexion, dark hair and eyes and a look that was more suited to fashion magazines than law enforcement. Hewitt was tall and slender – almost skinny - with red hair, blue eyes and skin so pale it called attention to the spatter of freckles across the bridge of his nose. When he spoke, however, it was in a surprisingly deep voice that seemed out of place in his ‘Howdy Doody´ face.
The final member of the FBI´s team was one Angela Sheeler, a petite brunette with large, warm brown eyes and a smile that seemed to light the whole room – at least until after the introductions were made. Once they´d settled down to business, she´d taken on an air of intensity and determination that clearly showed she was far more than just a pretty face.
After sharing the information each team had to offer, Johnson looked to Larabee for his suggestions.
“If I may,” Collings interrupted with a somewhat rueful smile. “I was appointed to work on this case for a reason. As one of the top profilers in the country, I feel I´m the one here most qualified to deduce what Bertolli´s weaknesses may be. At the very least, you should hear my proposals before you decide on anything.”
Buck and Vin looked at Chris only to see their leader nod in agreement. “By all means,” Larabee offered. “What do you think, Steve?”
Vin thought he detected a rather satisfied smirk on Collings´ part, but it was too brief to be sure. Moving nothing but his eyes, he glanced quickly at Buck, then at Chris before turning his attention back to the man speaking.
“Well, we know that Bertolli owns The Silver Pagoda over on Seventh,” Collings began. “His only legitimate holding as far as we´re aware. We also know he´s hired young men to do the front work for the guns and drugs in the past, thus keeping himself adequately out of the line of fire. I´d be willing to bet that he´s hiring those men through The Silver Pagoda, either employees or patrons.”
“What makes you think so?” Nate asked. “That club ain´t the kinda place that a man desperate for work would hang out. Seems Bertolli would be better off hiring outta one of the places that cater more to the lowlife that takes that kinda job.”
“Bertolli isn´t interested in lowlife,” Collings corrected. “He has a strong sense of patronage. His father died when he was very young. His mother struggled for a while to make ends meet, then pretty much just gave up. Bertolli and his brother were left to their own devices when she took off for parts unknown with her boyfriend at the time.”
“The man never had a real sense of family,” Josiah mused. As always, he seemed unable to keep from getting caught up in the intricacies of behavioural science.
“Until The Silver Pagoda,” Collings nodded in agreement. “It gives him the sense of control he never had in his own life. Not only does he feel the need to interact with his patrons on a more personal level, but he looks on them as his own private temp pool. If he needs anything from a delivery boy to hired muscle, he´s most likely to get them from the club.”
“And we have witnesses that saw each of the missing men at The Silver Pagoda on more than one occasion,” Eckhardt added.
“Do we know anyone who´s a regular there?” JD asked. “Anybody we can trust?”
“Not yet,” Collings smiled mischievously, looking around at the others. “Unless anyone in this room qualifies.”
Vin let out a small snort at that. “Ain´t ‘xactly our kinda place,” he smiled.
“Speak for yourself, Mr. Tanner,” Ezra replied. “I´ve been known to visit The Silver Pagoda on more than one occasion.”
No one else made a similar declaration and Collings turned his attention to Standish. “On a regular basis?” he asked.
Ezra adjusted his cuffs before meeting the profiler´s gaze. “My first foray into Mr. Bertolli´s establishment was some eight or nine months ago,” he explained. “Of course, had I known at the time that the business was maintained by such a reprehensible individual, I would have sought my entertainment elsewhere, I assure you.”
“How many times since then?” Collings asked, eyes narrowed.
Ezra didn´t even have to think about it. “Three, maybe four since the first time.” Eyes flashing, he added, “And not once since I learned of its proprietor.”
Collings was shaking his head. “Not enough,” he stated. “Bertolli might have seen you, but if it was so sporadic, he´d wonder at a sudden regularity. Besides, you´re just not the type.”
“Type?” Standish repeated, one eyebrow raised.
“The young men who are missing are, well, younger, no offense,” Collings smiled ruefully.
“None taken,” Ezra replied. “I do not, for one second, regret my years of experience, nor do I wish to recapture the oft-embellished trials and tribulations of youth.”
Collings was at a loss as to how to respond to that, so he simply said, “Glad to hear it,” before turning to the others around the table. “Once Agent Eckhardt discovered the three missing men had frequented The Silver Pagoda, I spent hours doing character profiles, trying to determine what might have made them worthy of making the transition from patron to employee.”
“So you think they´re ‘missing´ status is voluntary on their part?” Hewitt asked. “That they merely found working for him to be more profitable that whatever else they were doing?”
“Yes and no,” Collings replied obliquely. “Bertolli has hired men from the club, I´m certain of that. Unfortunately, as you all know from your own cases, they tend to be very loyal and not at all willing to talk.”
“Pro´bly pays them not to,” Vin surmised, “or threatens them.”
“No doubt,” Collings continued. “The thing is, Bertolli generally hires them on a strictly temporary basis. That´s how he stays one step ahead; his front-runners are constantly changing. And none of them had ever just up and disappeared until these three recent individuals.”
“Did the three men know each other?” Josiah asked thoughtfully.
“Not that we can ascertain,” Sheeler replied.
“Is that important?” Nathan asked.
“Not necessarily,” Josiah shrugged. “But unless I miss my guess, Collings is thinking of sending one of us in there. Just helps to know if our plant needs to be a loner type or if Bertolli prefers more of a package deal.”
“Very perceptive, Agent Sanchez,” Collings smiled. “I do believe it´s important we send someone in. Not one, but two men.”
“Got anyone particular in mind?” Chris asked evenly. “Since you´ve already ruled out our number one undercover agent.”
Standish smiled and nodded slightly at Chris´ acknowledgement of his abilities.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” Collings replied without preamble. “Agents Tanner and Eckhardt.”
Vin looked up at hearing his name, his initial surprise blanketed quickly by the unflappable mask that usually graced his features. “Why us?” he asked simply.
“First, I think it´s important to have one man from each agency go in, since you´re both looking at this case from two entirely different angles. And, like I said,” Collings shrugged. “The missing men are all young. Both you and Eckhardt fit the bill.”
Vin´s gaze flitted quickly to JD, but he didn´t mention the younger agent. If one of them had to face the dangers of such an undercover operation, he´d rather it be him.
Collings hadn´t missed the look. “I´m afraid Mr. Dunne has too much of that ‘college boy´ look about him.”
Buck chuckled at that. “So, JD looks too smart?” he asked, sending a mischievous grin in Vin´s direction. “Don´t say much for you, does it, Junior?”
Vin returned the grin with a twinkle in his blue eyes. “Least I´m not too old, Bucklin.”
Nathan interrupted the teasing. “But those three were college boys, according to the reports.”
“Yes,” Collings replied with a nod, “but, physically, outwardly, they had a harder look to them, an edge, if you will.”
“So what you´re saying is, I don´t look tough enough for the part?” JD joked.
“Tough break, kid,” Vin teased with a wink.
“Trust me,” Collings interrupted the light-hearted banter. “The two I´ve chosen are the most suitable for the job.” He turned his attention quickly to where Johnson and Larabee sat side by side. “Provided, of course, your leaders are in agreement with my analysis.”
Both SACs had read the profiles of the missing men and had to agree that the two chosen had the best chance of getting in if Bertolli happened to be looking for recruits. “You up for that, Tanner?” Chris asked, focusing on his fellow agent and best friend.
Vin allowed a lopsided grin. “Can´t see why not,” he shrugged. “Playin´ a customer in a bar ain´t ‘xactly outta my realm of expertise.”
Nathan and Josiah snickered at the comment while Chris allowed a small smile of his own.
“What about you, Tyler?” Johnson asked.
“Yes, sir,” Eckhardt agreed enthusiastically.
“Of course, first we´ll have to come up with decent covers for you both,” Collings addressed the two he´d chosen. “All we want is for Bertolli to take some interest, maybe give us a lead as to what might have happened to the other three.”
“While making sure the same doesn´t happen to the two of you,” Hewitt added in his deep, resonant voice.
“No chance of that,” Crowley grinned. “Not with the top FBI and ATF teams watching their backs.”
Vin and Tyler exchanged small smiles at the words. Tanner had never worked with Eckhardt, but he´d talked to him at various functions and had to admit to genuinely liking the man. He was sharp and enthusiastic when it came to his job, but he was also easy to talk to and had a dry wit that the sharpshooter appreciated. He didn´t know how much the kid had done as far as undercover work but, he assumed that if Collings had chosen him, he must have thought he was capable of handling the job. Still, for his own peace of mind, Vin hoped he´d have a chance to talk to him before they had to go in.
Collings interrupted his thoughts. “Once we´ve decided on your covers, I´ll be briefing you both, going over character traits and such that will give you an edge with Bertolli.”
“But first, we´re going to have to clear all this with the higher-ups,” Chris reminded them, glancing at his watch. He turned to Johnson. “It´s 4:00 now,” he pointed out. “Until we´ve got clearance on this plan of Collings´, there´s not much more my men can do here.”
Right,” Johnson nodded, turning to his own agents. “Let´s call it a day, shall we? I´ll expect you all at your desks at 8 a.m. And don´t be late; none of you are irreplaceable, you know.”
“How could we forget,” Sheeler said in a stage whisper, winking at her fellow agents. “He points it out on a daily basis.”
“Least he doesn´t threaten to shoot you,” JD whispered back, nodding his head in Chris´ direction.
“Really?” Johnson asked with a grin at Chris.
Larabee shrugged with a small smile of his own. “Maybe once or twice,” he murmured in a teasing voice.
“A day,” Buck chuckled.
“Yeah, well, you´re all still in one piece,” Chris pointed out. “But if you want to stay that way, I suggest you get out of here and let the big boys handle things for a while.”
All but Collings and the two SACs went about gathering up their things and making plans to hit Inez´ for a few drinks.
“Gonna be at the saloon for a bit,” Vin called out to Chris. “If´n you ‘big boys´ get done at a reasonable time, drop on by.”
“I don´t know, Vin,” JD teased. “I hear men their age need their sleep. Wouldn´t want to keep them up past their bedtimes.”
“Reckon ya got a point there, JD,” Vin chuckled. “Gotta be a bitch gettin´ old.”
“Watch it, Tanner,” Chris warned using his best glare and knowing it would have little if any effect. “We´re going to be the ones deciding on your cover, don´t forget.”
Still grinning, Vin shook his head and turned toward the doors. “We´ll leave ya to it then.” As the rest of the agents filed out of the room, Vin stuck his head back in. “Just don´t stay up too late now, y´hear? We´ll be needin´ y´all at yer best in the mornin´.”
Without giving Chris a chance to respond, he hurried off to catch up with the others.
“One of these days, I really am going to shoot him,” Chris muttered. “All of ‘em. Got to be the most ornery, insubordinate group of men to ever wear a badge.”
Johnson and Collings were still snickering as they left for Travis´ office.