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  “Mia, I promise you, nothing’s going on.”

  “I don’t believe it. And I won’t agree to anything unless you tell me what’s happening.”

  “Why do you have to be so distrustful?”

  Mia shrugged. “I guess I learned from you?”

  Recker tilted his head. “Probably so.”

  Mia folded her arms across her chest. “So… are you gonna tell me what’s going on?”

  Recker sighed. “There’s nothing going on other than… I just think I need a break. I’ve been doing this a long time, going back to my CIA days. And I think it’s all just caught up to me. I think it’s time for a break. An extended one.”

  “How much time?”

  “I don’t know. At least a month. Probably more.” Recker shrugged again. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll be gone for four or six weeks and not miss it. Maybe I’ll come back in four weeks and I’ll be recharged and ready to go again.”

  “So this isn’t a permanent thing?”

  “I don’t think so. I don’t want you to get your hopes up and think that I’m walking away for good. I fully intend to return in a month, or two months, or three months, or however long it is.”

  “And what if that month turns into something longer?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t predict the future. Maybe if everything’s going well and six months from now I’m still gone, and I feel good, and I don’t miss it, then maybe I will walk away completely. But I don’t want you to think that’s definitely what’s happening. And I don’t want you to be disappointed if in six weeks I tell you I’m coming back to work. I definitely don’t want that.”

  Mia leaned in and kissed him on the lips. “We’ll just play it by ear then.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No hopes. No expectations. Just you and me somewhere far away from here for a month or so. But it better be somewhere with a beach.”

  Recker smiled. “Maybe…”

  “And you better not say The Jersey Shore.”

  “What’s wrong with The Jersey Shore.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with it. But we’ve been there before. If we’re gonna go somewhere for a month, I’d like it to be somewhere I haven’t been. Somewhere really beautiful and… beachy.”

  “How ’bout Hawaii?”

  Mia’s eyes lit up. She’d always wanted to go to Hawaii. “Oh my gosh, can we?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “When can we go?”

  “I dunno. As soon as you get approved for vacation time?”

  “What about David and Chris?”

  “I’ve already talked to them about it.”

  “And they’re good with it?”

  “Yep.”

  “Wait a minute. You talked to them about this before you talked to me?”

  Recker took a deep breath. “It wasn’t because they were more important. I just… didn’t want to feel like I’d be letting them down if I left for a bit.”

  Mia smiled at him and rubbed his hand. “What’d they say?”

  “They were both fine with it. No problems.”

  “Let me go make a few calls and see what I can do?”

  She gave Recker another kiss, then disappeared into the bedroom to call her boss. While she was in there, Recker sat back on the couch and stared out the window, thinking about stepping away. And a big step it would be. He’d never taken off more than one week at a time before. Would being gone for four to six weeks, and possibly longer, recharge his batteries? Would it be what he needed to get back to where he thought he used to be? And would he know if it was really time to walk away for good? He wasn’t sure. He also didn’t know if he would actually listen to his body if his heart was telling him to walk away. Would he come back anyway, even if his heart wasn’t really in it? He kept coming up with more questions and didn’t have the answers for any of them.

  His gaze out the window was interrupted by Mia tapping his arm. He looked up at her, and judging by the huge smile on her face, assumed she had good news.

  “Guess what?” She could hardly keep herself from jumping up and down. “I got eight weeks!”

  “Eight weeks? How’d you pull that off?”

  “Well, I’ve got four weeks of vacation time. And I’m also going to use a week’s worth of sick time, since I never use them anyway, and then I can also take three more weeks after that. I just won’t get paid for those last three weeks. But I figured that’s OK. We don’t really need the money, anyway.”

  “True.”

  “Is that OK? Is that too long?”

  Recker shook his head. “No. Should be fine.”

  “I mean, if you start getting antsy, we can come back earlier than that if you want.”

  Recker smiled. “It’s fine. Like I said, I need some time to get away. We might as well take a few weeks longer.”

  Mia leaned in and gave him another kiss. “I could really get used to this new side of you.”

  “You think so?”

  “Oh yeah. I’m kind of liking it.”

  “So when can you go?”

  “Oh. Um, they said not next week, ’cause I’m still on schedule, but the week after. So almost two weeks from now.”

  “OK.”

  Mia clapped her hands enthusiastically. “I’m so excited!”

  Recker’s phone then started ringing. He answered. “Yeah?”

  “We’ve got a situation,” Jones replied. “Are you able to come in?”

  “Be right there.” Recker then got up and gave his girlfriend a hug. “I gotta go.”

  “OK. Just be careful.”

  “Always am.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Why don’t you start making plans? Flight information, hotels in Hawaii, things to do there, things like that.”

  “Oh, don’t worry, I will. That’s gonna be fun.”

  “I’m sure it’ll keep you busy while I’m gone.”

  “You know it.”

  Recker gave her a kiss before walking out the door. As Recker closed the door behind him, he stood outside for a moment, just thinking. He wasn’t sure what Jones wanted, or what the job was, but it hit him that he might not have many of these moments left. Depending on what it was, and how long it took, this could have potentially been one of his last jobs with the team, especially if he never came back.

  6

  Recker and Haley arrived at the office at the same time, with Haley just getting out of his car as Recker pulled up. He moved around his car and waited by the hood of Recker’s vehicle as he got out.

  “Any idea what this is about?” Recker asked.

  “I was just about to ask you.”

  “So we’re both in the dark, huh?”

  “Looks that way. Wonder what it’s about?”

  “I dunno. David just said he had something important to talk about.”

  “That’s what he told me,” Haley said.

  “Hmm. Guess we might as well get in there and find out what’s on his mind.”

  Recker and Haley went into the office together and found Jones sitting at his normal chair, typing away like usual, looking like it was an ordinary day like any other. Recker and Haley looked at each other, then Recker looked around the room.

  “Well, the place isn’t on fire or anything, so that’s a good start.”

  Haley smiled. “David, what’s the big meeting about?”

  Jones swiveled his chair around to face his two friends and partners. “The big meeting, as you so accurately put it, is about the future of the team. We have things to discuss.”

  Recker and Haley looked at each other again, neither of them thinking that this was what they were being brought there for.

  “What things?” Recker asked.

  Jones put his hand out. “Come sit.”

  “Now who’s the one being vague?” Recker whispered to Haley. “That always means it really is something big.” Recker and Haley followed his wishes and sat in chairs near the desk and waited for him to begin.

>   “As you know, last week, you dropped some news on us.”

  “Want me to take it back?”

  “No,” Jones replied. “But you also mentioned something to me about adding to our team to take your place.”

  “Yeah?” Recker thought he knew where his partner was going.

  “Well, I believe I have identified that candidate.”

  “You have? Already?”

  “Yes. Well, as soon as you left the office that day, I immediately started a search, not sure what I would find, or if I would find anything at all. As you know, these things take time.”

  “Apparently not anymore if you found him in only a week.”

  “Well, I changed some parameters in my search, started immediately, worked on it extra, sped up the process some, did some tweaks to get an initial list faster. Then I worked on that list faster than I did with you and Chris.”

  Haley looked at Recker. “Should I be insulted that he’s more interested in finding this guy than he was in finding me?”

  Recker leaned over. “You’ll get used to being shafted in time.” The two had a good laugh, though Jones failed to see the humor.

  “Are you two done now?” Jones asked.

  “I suppose.”

  “Anyway, like I said, I believe I have identified the most qualified candidate.”

  “And that person is?”

  Jones picked a couple file folders off the desk and handed one to each of his partners. “His name is Paxton Phillips.”

  “Rolls right off the tongue,” Recker said as he opened the folder. “Why him?”

  “Well, you can read for yourself, but to summarize, he was in the CIA for six years in a black ops program. His grades and reports are very high. He’s single, nothing to tie him down. He is also newly available as he left the agency a year ago.”

  “What’s he been doing since then?”

  Jones cleared his throat. “He worked for a private security firm overseas for six months immediately following the CIA. The last few months, it appears he’s been doing nothing.”

  “Private security overseas?” Haley said. “That usually means mercenaries.”

  Jones knew it didn’t sound so good, but it didn’t take away what was on his record. “As we all know, especially you two, people who leave the agency in the roles that you fellows have, sometimes an individual flounders for a bit until they find their footing again.”

  “Chris is right. Mercenaries do things for money, not because they believe in a cause. I’m not sure.”

  “Let’s just talk to him, see what he has to say, then make a determination from there.”

  Recker continued reading Phillips’ file. It certainly looked good on paper. But looking good on paper and doing it out in the field or on the street, that was something else. Still, he didn’t feel he was in a position to question Jones’ judgment on it. He knew Jones was always thorough, especially on something like this. If he felt Phillips was the guy, Recker wouldn’t stand in his way.

  Recker continued reading the file. “If you feel this is the guy, then this is the guy.”

  “Chris?” Jones asked.

  Haley peeked his head up from the file. “Uh, yeah, yeah. I have no objections, I guess.”

  “Neither of you sound so sure.”

  “Just wanna make sure he fits in,” Recker said. “That’s all.”

  “That is why we’ll talk to him and feel him out. If any of us have doubts, we’ll cross him off the list.”

  “Well, at least it’ll be a short trip,” Haley said. “Looks like he’s living in Delaware.”

  “So, if you guys agree, me and Mike will go talk to him.”

  “Today?” Recker asked.

  “Do you have a better time frame?”

  “Well, I don’t think I should be the one going.”

  “Why not?”

  “Chris is the one who’ll be working with him more off the bat. I think it’d be better if they established a connection right away. And if he’s not feeling it, then maybe look elsewhere.”

  Jones nodded, understanding his reasoning. “Are you up for a trip, Chris?”

  “Yeah, why not?” Haley replied.

  “I’ll hold the fort down here,” Recker said.

  Jones and Haley quickly got themselves ready for their roughly ninety-minute drive to Delaware. About half an hour after they left, Recker was still sitting in the office, trying to keep himself busy. The last few days had been surprisingly quiet, and there was now only a week left before he went on his semi-permanent vacation. Recker’s phone then rang. He saw it was Tyrell and picked it up.

  Tyrell didn’t waste any time in a greeting. “Hey, you busy?”

  Recker could hear the urgency in his friend’s voice. It also sounded like he was out of breath. “Not really. Why?”

  “I could really use your help right now.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Uh, I got people after me.”

  “You what?”

  “I think they’re Jerrick’s boys.”

  “Why are they after you?”

  “How should I know? Maybe trying to finish what they didn’t before.”

  “Where are you at right now?”

  “On the move.”

  “You on foot?”

  “Yeah. I was just walking down the street, then this car drove up on me, nearly ran me over. Then these guys got out, and I bolted.”

  “Still following you?”

  “Wouldn’t have called if they weren’t. Can’t seem to shake them.”

  “Well how am I gonna find you if you keep moving?”

  “Right now I’m holed up in this place.”

  “What place?”

  “I’ll text you the address. It’s basically an apartment style house that’s used mostly by drug dealers and prostitutes.”

  “Oh, nice.”

  “I’m in one of the apartments, but it’s not gonna take them long to figure out where I am.” Tyrell moved a curtain and looked out the window from the third story. He saw a few of the men standing there, looking around. “They’re still out there.”

  “All right, hang tight, I’m on the way. Text me that address and let me know if you move.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  Recker quickly took out a couple of guns and flew out the door in order to get to Tyrell in time. Ever since the last time Recker and Jerrick had a run-in, the word on the street that anyone close to Recker needed to be on-guard at all times. Tyrell was now seen as an associate of Recker’s and that put him in Jerrick’s crosshairs just as much as Recker was. Up until now, Tyrell had done a good job at steering clear of Jerrick. It also helped that Tyrell had cut back on a lot of his activities lately. Though he still needed to be on the street at times to wheel and deal and get the information he needed, with the money Recker paid him, he didn’t need to be out there as much. In fact, Tyrell was figuring on getting out of the life all-together in a few more years and putting his money into something else, like a business that he could start. Something that didn’t require putting his life on the line or rubbing elbows with criminals that might kill him two seconds later.

  By the time Recker got to the address that Tyrell gave him, he didn’t see anyone hanging around the building in question. Recker stood there, looking at the building, trying to see if he could see anyone looking through the window. The building wasn’t in terrible shape, though it definitely looked like it was in need of a cleaning. Recker sent Tyrell a message to let him know he was there. He waited a few seconds, but didn’t get an answer.

  Recker started walking around, keeping his eyes peeled for signs of trouble. He then went around to the back of the building. He looked up at the windows again. Wherever Tyrell was, he was close to a window. He knew that much if he was able to look outside and see the men out there. Recker looked at his phone again, but there was still no reply. He was starting to get worried. Recker looked at the building again. He wondered if Tyrell was in trouble and couldn’t get t
o his phone. Maybe the men went inside the building too. Recker took another look around and didn’t see anything else nearby that he could follow. He walked back around to the front.

  Once Recker went inside, he was almost immediately knocked over by the smell of marijuana. Somebody must’ve been growing a farm in there, he thought. He opened his eyes wide as he pressed on. There were three doors and a short hallway to his left and some steps to his right. He assumed Tyrell wouldn’t be hiding on the first floor. Recker went up the steps and saw a man and a woman making out against the wall. There were three more doors, one of which was opened. Recker took a peek inside the open one.

  “Hey, that’s mine,” the woman against the wall said. “Just leave your name and number and I’ll make an appointment for you later.”

  “No thanks. Just looking for someone.”

  “What, I ain’t your type?”

  “I’m looking for a guy.”

  “Oh. First floor. Ask for Timmy.”

  Recker shook his head and pulled up a picture of Tyrell on his phone. He always kept on in case of emergencies like these. He had one of everyone else he knew too. He showed the picture to the woman, who was barely able to hold back the other man from going to town on her. “No. I’m looking for this guy. He just told me he was here about twenty minutes ago.”

  “Haven’t seen him. But, I’ve been pretty busy.”

  Recker nodded and smiled. “So I noticed.”

  Recker turned back around and headed up the steps for the third floor. As soon as he got up there, he immediately heard a commotion. It sounded like a knock-down, drag-out fight going on. All three doors were closed, but it was easy enough to tell where the action was going down. Recker rushed over to the third door and turned the handle, instantly opening it.

  As soon as the door opened, two of the four men standing there turned around. The other two were too busy beating on the man on the ground. Recker could easily make out Tyrell’s face as the one that was getting bounced around.

  “Beat it, man, this don’t concern you,” one of the burly men said.

  “Pretty sure it does,” Recker replied. “You Jerrick’s boys?”