40. Zombie
FORTY
ZOMBIE
The next morning, I went to Chief’s makeshift office with my heart in my throat.
I didn’t want to do this. But now that Buddha knew my part of my secret, I had to.
Chief deserved to hear everything from me.
Hell, the entire team deserved to hear everything that had happened and why I did what I did.
I knocked on the ajar door and heard the gruff sound of Chief’s voice asking me to come in. My heart sank when I saw Buddha already sitting in one of the plush office chairs across from Chief, and judging by the way Chief was looking at me, Buddha had told him everything.
“Zombie, I’m surprised to see you here,” Chief said with a stern voice. “Something you wish to tell me?”
His expression was pissed, but I could see a deeper hurt in his eyes.
My hands clenched into fists at my sides as I tried to find the words to explain myself. This was the first time I had ever felt so alone with my team. But I understood why. From the expressions on their faces, they didn’t trust me. I only hoped that they would hear what I had to say.
“Yes, um, sir,” I said uneasily.
Chief motioned for me to sit, and I did so. I’d always appreciated the man who took us in like his own and made our team a family. But now, I felt like I was a child about to get a verbal lashing from my father.
Chief and Buddha gave me expectant looks.
I took a breath and let the words flow out of my mouth. “I found out that I am the bastard son of Anthony Ricci.”
Chief just blinked, an expression of “I know that much” on his face.
“And when did you find this out?” he asked calmly.
“I found out when we captured Ricci, and I brought the sedation tools into the interrogation room.” I paused before adding, “I swear, sir, I had no idea up until that point that I had any relation to Ricci or else I would have said something when I joined the team.”
“Would you?” Buddha said with a harsh laugh. “Because it’s been eleven months and you haven’t said a goddamn—”
Chief put his hand up to silence Buddha. His jaw clenched, but he respected our leader enough to remain silent.
“Well, Zombie, that is information that you should have let me know as soon as you found out. So, my question is, why didn’t you?”
I gulped, not liking the attention on me. “Honestly, sir, I found out that Sarah was holding captive my daughter Ryann and my ex-girlfriend Cassie to make me comply.”
Buddha let out a huff of annoyance. I didn’t blame him for not believing me. But he hadn’t seen the pictures. He hadn’t seen the horrific situation they were in. I just glanced at him with a pleading look.
Chief’s gaze bore into mine. “Well that certainly is something. Besides the obvious with that statement, I need to know. Are you or are you not working with Sarah? Should I be concerned about your loyalty and oath to our cause?”
This is where I knew I was fucked. I knew that anything I said would be taken the wrong way. Why would they believe me now about a daughter and my ex-girlfriend?
I glanced down at my lap and back up at Chief. I didn’t have to say anything; he already knew.
Chief let out a curse and pounded his fist on the desk. “How long, Z? How long have you been betraying us?” he seethed. Chief rarely got mad, so seeing him like this was putting the fear of God in me. He looked like a wild bear about to kill its prey.
“A little after Badger got her second letter. But I swear to you I am not working with Sarah. I was trying to go undercover and figure out her plan so I could tell you guys and try to save my daughter an—”
Chief cut me off. “You mean to tell me that you knew where Sarah was all this time and you didn’t fucking tell anyone?
” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “You know how much time and resources we have used to try to find that bitch, and you’re telling me that you had a front-row fucking seat?
And now magically you have a daughter and an ex in the mix?
C’mon, Dante. How can I believe anything you say right now? ”
I wanted to sink into my chair and disappear.
“I planned to tell you guys everything, I swear, Chief. I just needed more time because she is planning something big. I needed to make sure that I had a plan to keep my daughter and Cassie out of the crossfire. I know that seems like a bullshit answer, but you have to understand that little girl is my only blood left.”
Buddha stood up abruptly. “You are so full of shit, Z! I loved you like a brother, and you fucked us over in ways I’d never imagine!”
Before I could respond, he stormed out the door and slammed it shut, leaving me alone with Chief.
Chief took a breath before interlocking his fingers. “You have one last chance to tell me everything, or I’ll turn you into the feds.”
I nodded and told him everything I knew about Sarah and her operation.
I told him about the man I killed, the shipments that were coming in, and everything I’d learned about the upcoming auction that Sarah was planning.
By the time I was done, I was winded. The entire time Chief was quiet, not interrupting me once.
“So, this is why you have been MIA for team events.”
I nodded and stared at the wall behind him.
“Christ, I thought you were just grieving Arrow, so I made excuses for you…” His eyes showed more emotion in them than I was equipped to deal with. His gaze met mine once more, certainty shining in them.
“Here’s how this is going to go. You are suspended from the Elite Squad but are permitted to gather intel and give it to me.
However, you are not to go to the warehouse or interact with anyone.
The team and I will use the information you give us and infiltrate her on the auction date.
We will work on saving your daughter and her mother. ”
Tears began to fill my eyes as Chief spoke. I couldn’t lose this job, my friends; it was everything to me.
“Once Sarah has been taken care of, then, and only then, we will talk about your reinstatement. Do I make myself clear, Dante?”
I looked down at my lap, praying that the devastation didn’t show on my face. “I understand, sir. But what about my lab?”
“Toby will make do without you. We’ll say you are on leave for personal reasons if there are any questions.”
I nodded in understanding. This was all going to shit. Not only had I lost the girl of my dreams by lying to her, but I was losing my family and team. Bone-crushing anxiety ricochetted through me as I stood up.
Chief held out his hand. “Give me your gun and your facilities ID card, Dante.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I heard Chief use my real name so much in one conversation. I pulled my gun out of the holster on my belt and then retrieved my ID from my pocket before placing both items on Chief’s desk.
“I am very disappointed in you, Z. You, out of everyone on the team, have always followed the rules and protocol. I know the loss of Arrow fucked you up, but that does not excuse what you have done.”
“I understand, sir. I–I’m so sorry.” I choked out.
Chief pursed his lips and gave me a somber nod. “Go home, Zombie. I’ll be in touch soon.”
I gave him one last pleading look before walking out of the office and then the building.
As I got into my Jeep I let out a yell and punched the steering wheel.
What the fuck was I going to do now?