The B-Team (Benson Security)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

As they were herded out to the waiting police vans, Callum spotted Detective Inspector Singh heading straight for him. He knew the plainclothes investigator and trusted her, so it was a relief to see her.

She eyed him somberly. “I don’t have to cuff you guys and shove you in the caged vans, do I?”

“You won’t get any trouble from us.” He gestured to Lake and Rachel. “You’ve met Rachel, but this is the big boss, Lake Benson.”

To his surprise, the DI shook Lake’s hand. Not what you’d usually do with a suspected terrorist. It seemed not everyone on the commander’s team agreed with him.

“Who’s working this case?” Callum asked as they lined up on the pavement outside the terraced Regency building to climb into the vehicles that would take them to the Chelsea custody suite.

He spotted his wife standing at the first-floor office window and tried to give her a reassuring smile. Who knew what he actually looked like. He wasn’t known for being reassuring. She gave him a sad little wave that made fury coil inside him. Nothing pissed him off more than somebody messing with his family.

DI Singh glanced around cautiously before replying: “Commander Fitzwater is running the task force personally.”

She didn’t need to say anything more. They both knew that an officer of his rank didn’t run investigations. They delegated.

Singh continued, “DI Stark and I will help him conduct the interviews.”

Callum’s eyebrows shot up. “Fitzwater’s doing some of the interviewing?”

“Commander Fitzwater has been very hands-on with this investigation.” She gave him a pointed look. “He appears to have a personal interest in it.”

Callum mulled that over as they approached a waiting van. “Did he have something going on with Tessa, a romantic thing?” If he did, he wouldn’t have been happy when Benson Security sent his predecessor to jail.

“No.” Lake spoke up as he climbed into the van. “His issues are with me.”

DI Singh suddenly straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She raised her voice. “Constable, please ensure that everyone is safely secured and wearing their seat belts. We don’t want any health and safety issues.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Callum saw Commander Fitzwater approach, and he nodded to Singh. Their little catch-up was over.

“Yes, ma’am,” the officer said as he reached for Rachel’s hand to help her up.

“Do I look incapable to you?” Rachel batted his hand away. “I’m pregnant. Not infirm.”

“Uh…” The officer turned bright red as he glanced around, seeking help.

“Leave her be,” Callum said. “If Rachel wants help, she’ll order you to give it.”

“Uh,” the man said again as Rachel climbed into the van. “She doesn’t look stable.”

For a second, Callum thought he meant mentally, which was a fair point, but then he noticed the officer was staring at Rachel’s shoes. They were high stiletto heels in polished black leather with bright red soles.

“Oh, that.” Callum dismissed it as he levered himself into the van, grateful that he’d worn his state-of-the-art “bionic” legs—as Elle called them—because his run-of-the-mill prosthetics would have struggled with the high step. “Don’t worry about her balance; I’ve seen her run in them. Rachel was born wearing those shoes, and the only way they’re coming off is if a house lands on her.”

“I heard that,” Rachel snapped.

Callum settled beside Lake on a bench seat and dutifully fastened his seat belt. There were two padded benches facing each other, taking up most of the back of the van. Two police officers sat up front, and one sat with his back to the driver, watching them. Joe, Elle, and Grunt filled out the empty seats, and the door slid shut.

Behind a police barricade across the street, Callum spotted a growing sea of journalists. He nodded to them. “The vultures are out.”

Rachel glared in their direction. “This is not good publicity for TayFor Pharmaceuticals.”

“Ain’t too great for Benson Security either,” Joe drawled. “Our stellar international reputation could take a serious hit.”

“I’m more worried about being locked up for the rest of my life.” Elle glanced toward the blank-faced cop who watched their every move. “We should have come up with a secret language so we can talk freely in front of the fuzz. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before now.”

“Maybe because it’s crazy.” Rachel turned to the police officers. “Do any of you speak Spanish? I need a translator.” Her upper-class English accent made it clear that Spanish was not her first language.

The cop was clearly confused but followed protocol. “I’m afraid none of us speak Spanish, but we can get an interpreter for you once we’re at the police station. If you need one.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Rachel said before switching to Spanish. “See? No weird Klingon language needed.”

After two missions in South America, most of the team had learned the language.

Joe already spoke it fluently. “Guess we’re all talking in Spanish now.” He grinned at Rachel. “Respect.”

“I’m still inventing a Benson Security language.” Elle folded her arms defiantly, although she too spoke in Spanish.

“Whatever.” Rachel rolled her eyes before turning to Lake. “I think now would be a good time to tell us why Fitzwater is out to get you.”

“What she said,” Callum agreed.

Lake ran a hand through his military-short blond hair. It was the first agitated gesture Callum had ever seen him make, and it did nothing to appease his sense of unease.

“You know the family?” Lake asked Rachel.

She nodded, one arm curling around her massive belly in a protective gesture Callum would have sworn she was incapable of making. “Old money. Government positions. Military careers. Some law enforcement, but usually management. They consider themselves movers and shakers within the aristocracy.” She inclined her head as though giving them their due. “They do have power and connections. Whereas my family is known in the business world, they’ve always had influence in government and law. They aren’t liked.” Her lip curled. “Outside of their personal circle, they’re barely tolerated.”

“Why?” Elle leaned forward to peer around Grunt, who sat between her and Rachel like a massive mountain separating nations. “I mean, I know why the commander is unlikeable, but why the whole dynasty?”

“They don’t play well with others.” Rachel gave a sniff of disdain.

“Rach,” Elle said. “ You don’t play well with others. What’s the difference?”

“They’re vindictive.” Rachel looked disgusted. “They keep records, hold grudges, and ensure their enemies pay. And don’t say I do that. There’s nothing underhanded about any retribution I may seek. I let people know I’m coming and what they can expect.” She smiled. It was terrifying. “Take the former commander, Tessa Sharp, for instance. I promised her I’d ruin her life for getting you kidnapped, and Ryan shot, and I did. Well, my lawyers did.” There was no disguising the satisfaction in those words. “But I did warn her beforehand. That’s just cricket.”

Grunt grunted and grinned, obviously approving of Rachel’s attitude.

Time was running out for chatter. The Chelsea custody suite wasn’t far from their office, which meant a short van ride.

Callum turned to Lake. “What did you do to Fitzwater?”

Lake’s expression darkened. “We went through Special Forces training at the same time. He seemed to think he was competing against me.”

“When it’s not a competition,” Callum muttered. He remembered his training well. It was about being a team and upping your own game. It wasn’t about the performance of anyone around you.

“He was desperate to get through,” Lake continued. “His family all went the officer route, and he would’ve been the first to make it into Special Forces. It would have been a real feather in the family cap.”

“Guessing he didn’t make the cut,” Joe said. He, too, had been Special Forces, along with Grunt. Only, they had served in America.

“He cheated,” Lake said evenly. “Put other men in danger. I took issue with his behavior, and he was kicked out of the program.”

There was a moment’s silence before Elle spoke. “This is all about him not getting into the SAS?” She gaped at them. “That’s it?”

“No.” Rachel sighed in disgust. “It’s about a perceived slight to his overinflated ego.”

Elle still seemed shocked. “It can’t be. I mean, seriously? Who holds a grudge over something like that?”

Grunt rumbled and spoke: “A little prick.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“He had a plan for his career,” Lake said. “Government. Politics. It was all mapped out, and he was aiming for the top. It’s clear he hasn’t reached the heights he’d intended.”

“And he blames you for that?” Elle shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s dragging all of us into this because he’s gunning for you over some stupid thing that happened a lifetime ago. Great. Just great.”

“Or,” Rachel said, “it could be because we have skirted close to the line, legally. And you have hacked almost every secure server on the planet. Perhaps this is actually justice.”

Elle leaned around Grunt and glared at her. “I’m gonna assume that’s your baby brain talking because the Rachel I know would have said, ‘Oh goody, let’s annihilate him.’”

“I was merely playing devil’s advocate,” Rachel said coolly. “I don’t have baby brain.”

“Well stop playing devil’s advocate and go back to your usual role of Queen of the Damned. We need scheming Rachel, not soppy Rachel.”

Rachel narrowed her eyes. “You do not want to mess with me right now. I am two weeks away from having a baby the size of a royal corgi explode out of my vagina. I am not in a good mood.”

As the men grimaced, Elle grinned. “That’s what I’m talking about. Although, technically, nothing explodes out of a vagina during a C-section. Just saying.”

“Not my point.” Rachel glared as she pulled out her phone. “Now I need to tell everyone else that the commander’s playing a game of whose dick is bigger with Lake. The fun never ends.”

Nobody said anything, but it was clear Elle was bursting to. It didn’t take long for her to cave. She stared at Lake with wide eyes. “It’s yours, right? I mean, it has to be. You’re Lake Benson.”

Grunt and Joe seemed amused, while Lake just shook his head.

Callum decided a change in topic was past due. “Who did you contact earlier, Rachel?”

She sat back in her seat. “Benson Security’s and TayFor’s lawyers. Ms. Patel said she’d meet us at the custody suite. She’ll coordinate with the TayFor lawyers, as she has more criminal experience, and take charge of our representation. She’s bringing her entire team.”

Everyone relaxed slightly. Patel was a shark. They were in good hands. She also had connections within the higher ranks of the Metropolitan Police, which would come in useful.

“I messaged Harry too,” Rachel continued.

Callum perked up at the mention of their former business partner. The government loved Harry Boyle. He’d written the code that kept them safe. If anyone could pull some strings to make this go away, it was Harry.

“Unfortunately,” Rachel said, extinguishing his hope, “he’s out of contact, having gone caving with his wife.”

“Bummer,” Elle said in English before switching back to Spanish. “We could have used his skills, seeing as our only two hackers are in custody.” She nudged Lake with the toe of her sparkly pink boot. “We need more hackers.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Elle nodded. Satisfied.

“You message anybody else, Rachel?” Joe asked. “I’m assuming you contacted everybody’s families.”

“Not really. I contacted Julia and delegated that task. The only other person I messaged was my hairdresser. I had an appointment this afternoon.”

“During the conference?” Callum was not happy. If he had to stay for the duration, then Rachel should too.

“Let it go,” Elle said. “Take a deep breath and focus on the big picture here.”

Callum scowled at her. She ignored him, making him nostalgic for the days when his team was still afraid of him.

The van slowed and turned into the parking area beside another nondescript and purely functional government building. There were CCTV cameras in abundance, tall fences topped with razor wire, and several cops milling around.

Their impromptu team meeting was over.

The officer who’d watched them slid the side door open and climbed out. He leaned back in to speak to them. “Please remain seated until we’re ready to process you. As you can see, we’re a little busy today, so it might be a while.”

Another van pulled up beside theirs, and the triplets waved through the windows, like they were on a school trip.

“Kids,” Callum muttered.

Rachel, meanwhile, unclipped her seat belt, slung her handbag over the crook of her elbow, and proceeded to disembark.

“Ma’am,” the officer said. “I told you to stay in your seat.”

“And I’m telling you that isn’t going to happen. Instead, you will take me to a bathroom immediately. Unless you want to manhandle a pregnant woman.” She held up her phone. “On camera.”

Callum almost felt sorry for the young cop.

Rachel ignored the man and strode past him toward the secured door into the facility. “And please don’t insult me by taking me to a prisoner bathroom,” she called over her shoulder. “Those things are feral. You will take me to the staff bathroom. Are we clear?”

The cop trotted after her, looking panicked.

Callum shook his head. “Do you think she believes all civil servants work for her?”

“I’m pretty sure she just sees them as servants. There’s nothing civil about it,” Elle said.

Callum turned back to his business partner. “What are the odds of us getting out of this intact?”

Lake’s eyes were flint. “I don’t know.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Callum folded his arms, stretched out his legs—to take some of the strain of the prosthetic off his thighs—and settled in to wait.