Bravo
T he expression on Cameron Woods’ face was priceless when he opened the door to his townhouse. Wilson couldn’t help but smile.
“You?” For Woods, finding Wilson standing there with the other man, who he’d never seen before, was not only shocking, but it was his worst nightmare coming true. Then dread settled over him. “Wait, is Briana okay?” It had been a full day since he'd heard from his sister, and he knew that she was with Sebastian and another of his team members when he’d last heard from her.
“Relax, she’s fine,” Wilson replied. “Can we come in?”
“Look, we’ve been behaving ourselves. Briana wasn’t committing a crime in Maine. She legitimately needed help. That’s the only reason she called Sebastian.” His eyes darted nervously between the two men.
“No one said you’ve still been committing crimes. Are you gonna let us in?” asked Wilson again.
“Aw, fuck man!” Cam Woods stepped back from the door and threw it wide, inviting them inside. A disgusted look was now on his face. “Are you sure my sister’s okay?” That was the only reason he could think of that this man was back at his front door.
“She’s fine. This is Garcia, one of my colleagues,” Wilson introduced.
Garcia presented his hand. Cam Woods reluctantly shook it, as though he expected a handcuff to be slapped around his wrist as he did. “I was the one who you gave computer access to last November.”
That statement caused a knot to form in Cam Woods’ stomach and this man’s gravelly voice did sound familiar, which further put Woods on edge. He thought back, considering what he'd done on that computer in the past few months. Had he done anything that was even borderline illegal? He didn't think so. But who knows what they’d seen or what they’d found on the computer if spyware had been left during the time he’d allowed them free access to his computer? Not that he’d had much of a choice back then. When six armed men are standing in your living room and your hands are zip tied behind your back, you pretty much agree to anything.
“So, what’s this about?” Woods asked.
“Your sister has accepted a position with our agency,” Wilson said.
“She what?” Woods asked, surprised as hell. Of all the things that were going through his mind about why these guys were here, that hadn’t been one of them. “I mean, cool, if that’s what she wants.”
Wilson’s lips tipped into a grin. “She does. I promise you; she wasn’t coerced.”
“Okay, so, whatever. That doesn’t answer why you’re here,” Woods said, feigning disinterest.
“Two reasons,” Wilson said. “First, you know about us, and you worked with her. She won’t be working with you any longer and without you signing a nondisclosure agreement, she can’t tell you why. Not that you wouldn’t have figured that part out. But she can’t tell you who we are and why she wanted to work with us.”
Garcia produced the standard NDA and handed it to Woods.
“Whoa, I’m not sure I want to know who you guys are,” he said, not taking the slip of paper.
“Yes, you do,” Garcia said.
“And Briana wants you to know,” Wilson added.
Cameron Woods looked undecided for a few seconds. Then he took the form from Garcia and gave it merely a glance before signing it. “I know I’m going to regret this,” he murmured as he handed it back.
“I want to point out one section on this form that you didn’t bother to read,” Garcia said, his deep voice sounding foreboding. “This document is binding for your entire life and if you divulge any information whatsoever, you will face federal felony charges with a bench trial, which means no jury, just a judge.”
“Whatever,” Woods said. “I already regret this.”
Wilson watched the grin spread over Garcia’s face. Woods was entertaining.
“Your sister was in some real danger on this latest mission of hers,” Garcia said. “But our boss recognizes that what she’s doing is important. There’s no doubt she’s saved many women from being killed by an abusive partner. He also recognizes that she needs a team and resources to back her up.”
“And we have those resources and team members to assign to this project. Plus, we’ll give her protection by operating under our agency’s umbrella,” Wilson added.
“So, your boss offered her a job?” Cam asked skeptically. He knew his sister well. She wasn’t going to turn her operation over to someone else and then follow their rules to do what she felt was a calling.
“In a few words, yes,” Wilson said.
Cam Woods then listened to the two men lay out exactly who they and their organization were. When they concluded recounting the events of his sister retaking her military oath the previous day, he fully understood Briana’s motivation for joining forces with them. And the fact that she’d be working with Sebastian was the cherry on top for her, he was sure. He knew that Bree had it bad for Sebastian.
“I’m glad for her,” Cam said. “Even though I know my sister is tough and can handle herself, I’ve been worried about her out there alone. And since you were here in November, I’ve been telling her we need to dial it back, so we didn’t get caught again. I love Bree, but I don’t want to go to jail for her and this mission of hers.” He grinned a guilty smile.
“Our organization will be taking over this website and contact link you set up to source jobs for her,” Garcia said.
“Sure,” Woods agreed immediately.
“You’re good with a keyboard and at doing some investigative work,” Garcia said to him, watching him closely for a reaction.
“And let us be honest with you. We can’t find a viable income stream for you. Not a legit one, anyway,” Wilson added.
Woods groaned inside. “Oh shit, you are looking to bust me for something, aren’t you?”
“Relax,” Garcia said. “But your future hinges on the next thirty seconds.” He paused and smiled. “No pressure.”
“Ah, fuck,” Woods cursed.
“We’re not the IRS. We don’t care what you may be doing under the table. We just need to be sure it’s not illegal.”
“It’s not. I swear. Even what Bree and I were doing wasn’t really illegal. Well, quasi maybe with those IDs she was pulling,” he admitted. “Everything I do is for cash under the table.”
“There were no encrypted or protected files on your computer that contained financial data,” Garcia stated as fact. He’d looked over every file on his hard drive and in his cloud storage in November. “Do you keep records?”
“In a paper ledger,” Woods insisted. “Do you think I’m stupid? I wouldn’t put it on a computer. Every system can be hacked.”
The corners of Garcia’s lips tipped up again. “Do you have any hacks we should know about?”
“If you don’t know, I’m sure as hell not going to incriminate myself,” Woods replied.
“The question is, would you give up what you’re doing solo for a good paycheck and to help the good guys if you were still allowed to challenge the firewalls and dig into shit you’re not supposed to?” Garcia asked.
“What? Work for you guys?” Woods asked.
Both men nodded. The expressions on both their faces were serious.
“I’m not a military guy. Surely you recognize that,” he said.
“We’re quasi military,” Wilson said. “But we are one hundred percent loyal Americans and so are the few civilians who work with us. As we said, the majority of our group came directly from the special forces’ community. This team is just the next phase of our service. The missions we take on protect American lives.”
Woods looked undecided.
“There’s some serious shit going down out in the world. Shit, we stop. Few get the invitation to join us. We’ve got a top-notch Digital Team. You’d be surrounded by the best,” Garcia said.
Woods laughed nervously. “You’re like, serious, aren’t you?” He couldn’t believe they really wanted to hire him.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” Garcia asked.
“Man, you don’t look like you ever joke,” Woods replied.
Wilson had to stifle a laugh. And he hadn’t even seen a truly intense Garcia. He’d almost forgotten that Briana wanted to talk to her brother as soon as he’d signed the NDA. He pulled out his phone and text messaged Madison to see if now was a good time for that call. He knew Madison was working with Briana today, her second day as an employee of the agency.
Almost immediately after, his phone rang an incoming call from Briana Woods. “Hey, how’s it going there?” he greeted.
“Good, thanks. How’d he take it?” Briana asked.
“You can ask him yourself,” Wilson said. He handed the phone to Cameron Woods. “Your sister.”
“Bree, are you okay?” Cam Woods asked.
“I’m fine,” she said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you they were on their way to see you, the nondisclosure form and all.”
“I get it. I had only a mild heart attack when I opened my front door to them.” And he wasn’t joking. His heart definitely seized in his chest when he saw them.
Even though Woods held the phone to his ear, Wilson was close enough to him to make out most of Briana’s words on the other end.
“So, I’m sure they told you I’m working with them now,” she said.
“Yeah, and they just offered me a job too,” Cam said. His tone of voice still clearly conveyed his surprise.
“Yes, I knew they planned to. Take it, Cam. We can still work together to do a lot of good.”
“Aw, Jesus, Bree,” Woods said, turning his back to the two men and pacing a few steps deeper into his house. “You have them now. You don’t need my help any longer.”
“We’re a team, Cam,” she said. “And you’re going to love the tools they have. And the access. We only dreamed about being able to check out our potential clients and their situation like this! This is the big leagues, Cam. And we’ve been invited in.”
Cameron Woods turned back around, and his gaze swept over the two men, still standing in his entry. “I’ll listen to what they have to say, and I’ll consider it. That’s all I can promise, Bree.”
“Good enough,” she said. “Call me after they leave.”
“I will,” he promised. “Bye.” Then he handed the phone back to Wilson. “She wants me to listen to your offer.”
“Your sister’s a smart woman,” Wilson said.
Wilson watched Cam Woods closely as they laid out the employment offer. Woods’ facial expressions as they spoke broadcast his thoughts. He was thrilled by the salary and benefits package. Wilson doubted Woods ever made that much in his life. The list of what he’d buy ticked through his thoughts, no doubt. He didn’t seem intimidated by the workload or hours.
“It’s a team environment,” Wilson said. “You seem to be more of a one man show. Will that be a problem for you?”
“I’m cool with working in a team if everyone’s pulling their weight, and it sounds like they do,” Woods said.
“They do,” Garcia assured him.
“So, I really have to move near Chicago to work for you?” Woods asked. “Haven’t you heard of remote workers or a work from home employee?”
“You will work from home on occasion, usually when we need you to log in and resolve something that is time-sensitive, and we can’t wait until you drive in. Lives often depend on what the Digital Team digs up. But yes, you have to relocate near our office,” Garcia said.
“And Briana will be operating out of the office. You’ll get to see her more than a few times a year,” Wilson added. “Probably weekly.”
Camron Woods cracked a smile. “I’m not sure my liver can survive seeing her that often.”
Wilson and Garcia laughed. They waited a few beats. “So, do you have an answer?” Garcia finally asked when Woods said no more.
“What’s the guy like that heads up the team? I haven’t had a boss in a long time. I have to know he’s not a dick,” Woods said.
Wilson laughed aloud. They had not told him that Garcia led the Digital Team. “He can be a dick,” Wilson said, his smiling gaze beaming at Garcia.
“Fuck you,” Garcia replied. Then his focus shifted from Wilson to Woods. “I lead the Digital Team.”
“You’re shitting me,” Woods remarked.
“That’s why I’m here. I’d never hire a team member I didn’t personally meet. I’m not a dick, but I expect people to do their work by the due dates assigned. I don’t micromanage, can’t in the environment we operate in, but me and every other member of the team are there to help get the job done. We back each other up. And you’ll have a wide latitude in how you carry out your assignments. As I’ve said, what we do is important and often someone’s life is on the line, so what we do has to be right.”
“You keep saying someone’s life is on the line. There’s got to be more you’re not telling me,” Woods said, suddenly serious.
“We told you we run missions for the DoD, the alphabet agencies, and private clients. A pre-mission packet is put together by the Digital Team before every Op. Included in it are clinics, hospitals, and trauma centers in the vicinity of the Op just in case things go south. All must be verified. So, let’s say you’re assigned the pre-mission packet for one of our DEA Partner Missions, where we go undercover to help bust major suppliers. If during it a team member gets hit and is bleeding out, we need to know where the closest medical facility is and be one hundred percent sure we’re rushing him to an open hospital that can treat his wounds. His life depends on it,” Garcia said.
“That happens?” Woods asked.
“Yeah, it happens,” Wilson replied. “We work DEA cases on a regular basis and those fuckers aren’t afraid to pull the trigger.”
By the expression on his face, it was as though Woods finally understood the gravity of what their team did. He nodded solemnly. Wilson also thought he saw increased respect for them in his return gaze.
“Yeah, I accept the job offer,” Woods said. He presented his hand to Garcia.
Garcia shook it. “You’re due in Schaumburg, Illinois, to report for work in two weeks. Wrap up anything you’re working on and get yourself packed. Our office manager will line up your moving company and Shepherd Security will buy your townhouse, so you have a down payment for a new place. We have a furnished apartment where you can stay until you find a place and can move in. And the moving company will store your stuff if you want.”
“Got it,” Woods said. Then he turned to Wilson and shook his hand.
“You won’t regret this,” Wilson said.
Woods blew out his breath and shook his head. He already did. “Will there be a drug test when I report for work?”
“Stop using whatever it is today,” Garcia said, his deep gravelly voice sounding harsh. “I don’t care if it’s legal or not. Stop using it.”
“Okay,” Woods agreed.
Garcia pulled the agency phone he’d set up for Woods from his backpack, which he’d set on the floor when they’d entered. He explained its security, usage, and then asked for Woods’ personal phone so he could set up the dual phone feature.
Wilson noted how unsure of surrendering his phone Cam Woods was. “It makes life much easier to have only one phone. And your monthly cell phone bill goes away too. Another perk of the job.”
“Sure, why not?” Woods remarked and then handed his phone over.
After completing the transfer, Garcia showed Woods how to toggle between the two phone lines. Then he showed him the agency phone book. He only had six numbers programmed in: the Shepherd Security Operations Center, his number, Wilson’s, Woods’ sister’s, Sebastian Roth’s, and the agency office manager, Angel. After Woods reported to work, Garcia would open up the remainder of the staff’s names and phone numbers.
“See you in two weeks. I’m your contact for any questions but contact Angel to arrange your move. She’s expecting your call,” Garcia said.
Wilson presented his hand again. “Welcome to the team. Give your sister a call and let her know you’ve accepted the job offer. The phone is secure. You can discuss anything on it, but be mindful where you are that there are not people around who shouldn’t hear your conversations.”
“Yeah, I will,” Woods said.