Chapter 2
Chapter two
Roger
The team is gathered around the table wrapping up a debriefing from a previous assignment when Ethan’s wife, Amelia, knocks twice and pokes her head between the double doors to the conference room.
“Ethan. Ben. May I borrow you for a moment?” she asks with downturned lips and eyes that repeatedly dart in my direction. “It’s urgent.”
Since Amelia is seen smiling more often than not, Ethan and Ben immediately know something is seriously wrong and stand up to excuse themselves.
They give us a half-hour break, after which we will resume the meeting.
Upon our return, I’m positive that we’ll get an update regarding whatever the current crisis is.
Most of my teammates scatter, whether it’s to grab a cup of coffee or go into a secluded corner and steal a kiss from their significant other.
I just lean my head back and pinch the bridge of my nose, contemplating the look of pity Amelia had thrown my way.
Whoever is waiting for Ethan and Ben has some terrible news.
Jerry rocks his chair and taps me on the arm. “Amelia should never play poker. Her not-so-sly glances say that whatever is going on somehow involves you, Roger.”
I nod. “Yeah, I kind of got that impression.”
“Do you think you’re getting fired?” he whispers.
I chuckle. “Why would you think that? What could I have possibly done to warrant getting fired?”
He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Well, you did break a cardinal rule by stealing the last donut from the box this morning. Don’t you know that no one should ever take the last donut?”
“Someone had to do it, Jerry. Besides, it was the maple, which none of you like anyway.”
“Exactly!” he exclaims. “Anyone who likes maple can’t be trusted.”
Savannah sets a cup of black coffee in front of me before wrapping her arms around my neck in one of those awkward over-the-chair hugs from behind.
Addressing Jerry, she says, “I have to disagree. The fact that Roger ate the maple donut goes to show that he’s willing to take one for the team.
You can’t get any more trustworthy than that. ”
The banter continues for a few more minutes, mostly at my expense. As the team begins to return one by one, the tension in the air becomes thick with anticipation.
I scan the faces at the table, noting how our little group has grown—not only in size but in experience and maturity as well.
Okay, the maturity aspect is questionable at times, but there isn’t a single person here I wouldn’t lay down my life for.
They’ve all become like family, and I fear that one day, they won’t need me anymore.
I’ve worked with Jessie, Savannah, Jerry, and Patrick for more than ten years, while I’ve only worked with Carter since I started at Shining Knight.
Jaxon and Elijah are very recent additions, but they have proven themselves more than capable of handling whatever is thrown at them.
I couldn’t be prouder of this team and everything they have accomplished.
I’m pulled from my quiet contemplation as Ethan and Ben enter the room with somber expressions.
My eyes widen when I see who is behind them.
Harper Finnegan. She’s as beautiful as ever, and my heart starts beating rapidly when her gaze meets mine.
She doesn’t smile or say anything as her eyes quickly flit toward Savannah and other members of the team—a team she had aspired to be a part of at one point in time.
Her features harden, and her posture straightens when Ethan clears his throat.
Ethan rests his clasped hands on the table, making eye contact with every one of us before he speaks.
“Some of you already know Special Agent Harper Finnegan, but for those of you who don’t, she is the daughter of Deputy Director Robert Finnegan.
” Ethan’s voice cracks as he tries to continue.
“One week ago, Robert Finnegan and his wife disappeared while attending a couples’ retreat in the Florida Keys.
Harper needs our help to locate and coordinate rescue operations. ”
I nearly fall out of my seat upon hearing the news. Before I can even get a word out, Jessie raises her hand up high. “Count me in. But Harper, why come to us? Won’t the FBI be handling this?”
“Technically, yes. But if my parents were taken out of the US, the FBI would have to go through diplomatic channels once they figure out where they’re being held.
That’s time that will be wasted and time my parents can’t afford.
So far, there hasn’t been a ransom demand, which makes me think my father was abducted for information and my mother to be used as leverage. ”
FBI Director Marshall Whitman will pull out all the stops to find my friend, even if it means circumnavigating the diplomatic channels Harper mentioned. There’s more to this story, and I plan on finding out what that is before we leave this room.
Ben shifts in his chair, looking very uncomfortable with what he’s about to say. “We need to give this everything we’ve got. The first place to start looking is the couples’ retreat center, which requires…couples. Jessie and Elijah, are you willing to go?”
Elijah and Jessie both agree without a second thought. Ben turns to Carter, “I hate to ask this, but do you think Leanna would help? She doesn’t need to be involved, but you do need a plus one. If she agrees, we’ll compensate the fire department where she works generously for the time she’ll miss.”
Carter cocks his head to one side. “I can’t answer for her, but I’m fairly certain she’ll agree. I’ll go give her a call right now.”
Harper purses her lips. “I need to be there.”
“But you’re not married,” I blurt, stating the obvious.
“Neither are you, but my dad would want you on this case. There is no one who he trusts more than you,” she says in her defense. It doesn’t escape my notice that she fails to mention that she wants me on this case.
Ethan arches an eyebrow in Harper’s direction. “Are you suggesting a fake marriage between you and Roger?”
Harper’s hair bounces as her head moves side-to-side.
“No, that will never work. They verify every marriage certificate for authenticity. While I’m sure you could create a fake one, I’m not willing to stake my parents’ lives on it passing muster.
The marriage needs to be real. Roger and I can get married at the courthouse in less than 24 hours, then have it annulled once I have my parents back. ”
“What?” I ask, slack-jawed. She can’t be serious. While being married to Harper wouldn’t be a hardship by anyone’s standard, her father would never approve of us being together. He’s said as much.
Harper narrows her gaze. “It’s the perfect solution, Roger. I’ve known you since I was seven years old.”
“That doesn’t sound creepy at all,” I mumble.
Harper ignores me even though she heard the words under my breath.
“I know your favorite color, favorite food, and how you like your coffee. You know almost everything about me. We wouldn’t have to fake our way through a conversation or stutter when answering someone’s question.
I’m not seven years old anymore, Roger. I’m nearly 30.
A 17-year age gap isn’t that big of a deal, so don’t make it one. ”
It is a big deal. If she knew how I felt about her, Harper wouldn’t be so flippant about getting married. Even if it’s just a piece of paper in her eyes, the vows will mean something to me. I never make a promise I don’t intend to keep.
Ethan grins broadly despite the seriousness of the situation. “Roger, I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want, but I’m asking you to do this for Robert.”
I stare at Harper in a silent battle of wills.
Harper refuses to look away. The stand-off goes on for about a minute before I finally relent.
I’d do anything for my best friend, even if that means marrying his daughter to save him.
I’ll deal with the repercussions of this horrifically bad decision later.
“If Harper thinks she can handle being married to a man like me, then count me in.”
Harper arches an eyebrow and drums her polished nail on the table, the staccato rhythm echoing in the room as everyone remains silent. Her lips slowly relax and turn upward. “I think I can manage it.”
Jessie snickers and feigns whispering to Elijah in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “What Harper really means is that she can ‘manage’ Roger.”
Elijah keeps a straight face and bobs his head in agreement, saying nothing in response. Smart man.
Carter returns from making his phone call to his wife, Leanna, who is a paramedic for one of the Newark fire departments. “Leanna is fully onboard with being my plus one, but on one condition. She said, ‘I want to use all the gadget and gizmo thingamabobbies, including the taser ring doohickey.’”
Patrick chuckles. “At least she used the technical terms for all the specialized equipment we use out in the field. I’m sure we can outfit her with a whatchamacallit or two.”
Carter laughs. “As long as she gets to play with a couple of our toys, she’ll be happy.”
Jerry grunts. “Carter, you’re leaving yourself wide open for jokes with comments like that. You’re lucky we’re fine upstanding folks with a little self-restraint.”
Carter pinches his finger and thumb in front of his squinted eye. “Just a little, for which I’m grateful.”
Harper rears back, appalled that anyone would be making jokes at a time like this.
As the youngest person in the room, she’s still probably one of the more mature people at the table.
Ethan, Ben, and I are excluded, of course.
I gesture toward the team and address Harper, “If you can’t laugh in the dark times, Harper, then this job will ultimately suck the life out of you.
There isn’t a person here who isn’t going to give their all to find your father.
Those who won’t be joining us on the trip will be working in the background and running all of the queries.
You came to us because your father knows that we’ll get the job done, but I have to ask, why are you here?
Why aren’t you working with Director Whitman and helping him find your father? ”
Harper’s cheeks flush a dark shade of crimson as we wait for her answer.
“As I mentioned to Ethan and Ben earlier, I don’t believe that Whitman and the agents he sent to investigate are on the right track.
While I agree with Whitman that my father is likely being held to glean information, I don’t believe he’s in some foreign country.
” She proceeds to give us details such as the drop of blood, the ransacked room, and her take on the FBI’s assessment.
I jot down a few notes on my yellow legal pad.
“Okay. Whitman believes your father is being held in a different country, but you disagree. That doesn’t explain why you’re here, Harper. Is Director Whitman aware that you are coming to us for help?”
She shakes her head. “Not exactly. He’s sidelined me from the investigation, citing some regulation and claiming that I’m too close to the situation to remain objective.
He also believes I could be kidnapped and used for leverage and wants me to be as far away from this as possible.
He didn’t forbid me from hiring Shining Knight for your investigative services, but chances are I’ll lose my job when he finds out. ”
Ethan runs a hand through his hair while Ben stands up and begins pacing the room.
Ethan inhales and exhales deeply several times before he speaks.
“Harper, why didn’t you mention this thirty minutes ago?
I told you that we are required to keep the FBI in the loop should we discover anything pertinent to the investigation. ”
Harper’s voice becomes calm, but her fierceness and resolve are ever-present.
“Nothing changes on your end, Mr. Knight. The only person who has anything to lose is me, and losing my career is nothing compared to losing my parents. I refuse to watch as a spectator while the FBI fumbles the ball when I know we’re capable of a touchdown.
We won’t be obstructing any investigation, only chasing down different leads.
Whitman knows my father had…has a soft spot for this team, so your help isn’t going to be unexpected.
All I ask is that you keep my name out of it unless absolutely necessary. ”
Ben grunts in displeasure. “Is there any other information you are withholding, Harper?”
“I’ve told you everything I know so far. Maybe Ethan can act as a liaison and find out more, but I’ve basically been cut off. I have officially taken a leave of absence for the next month so that I’m available to help in any way I can,” Harper declares.
Ethan smiles. “Well, it looks like there’s only one thing left to do, and I just so happen to be married to the woman who can make it all happen.” Ethan presses a button and says, “Amelia, how would you like to plan a wedding?”