Epilogue
Wednesday before Thanksgiving
“We had no idea that Brotherhood Protectors was going to get involved in this.” FBI agent D.D. Rice–aka Deidre Eric– defended. “I personally was put into East Tennessee just after The Cadre moved into the area as part of an investigation for drugs being moved through the area from points south.”
“And it was my right to call Brotherhood Protectors if I felt I needed special help after my best friend was murdered in front of me and died in my arms.” Elaine interrupted.
In her severely cut black suit, Rice looked nothing like the pretty hostess from Sapphire’s. At any other time, Patrick’s expression of stunned disbelief might have been funny. Knowing Agent Rice had tricked this brave man into coming to “rescue” her only made Elaine madder.
They were seated in a chilly, sterile room on the 20th floor of a downtown office in Knoxville for a “debriefing.” Rice had suggested that they meet at the safehouse but Hank’s choice of language for what she could do with that idea had made the agent blush.
“We thought you might be part of a rival drug gang.” Rice’s patient tone bordered on patronizing. “After you showed up at the club, we needed to learn more about you.”
“And you called Lt. Danton into a dangerous situation and put his life at risk? Lied to him?” Hank asked from the room’s oversize computer screen. “Really, really, nice, Agent Rice.”
“I couldn’t risk my cover of Deidre Eric being blown,” Rice argued. “I didn’t know the bartenders were going to follow me. They both had crushes on me.”
“Which you no doubt encouraged,” Griff growled. “If they’d killed Patrick, his blood would be on your hands.”
“Ha!” Patrick snorted. “Not likely.”
“And then you conveniently ran away–” There was no mistaking Griff’s sarcasm.
“I had to go even deeper undercover after that,” Rice cut him off, her voice rising. “I couldn’t afford to have my Cadre persona of D. Creed that I used to meet with Big Daddy blown. He thought I was a man, for Heaven’s sake! He might have tried to kill me!
“Like he tried to kill Elaine three times?” Griff nearly shouted. “You sanctimonious little bitch–”
“That will do, Agent Rice.” Hank waved Griff to silence. “The FBI has Big Daddy for all kinds of nasty crimes. Elaine’s cousin and all those kids we–meaning the Brotherhood Protectors, of course– found at the third house, are safe and on their way home to their families in time for Thanksgiving”.
“And thanks to Lt. Tyler’s s skills, you have at least fifty pedophiles under arrest,” Elaine said proudly. Including my boss, Monty “Ape Man” Gibbons. How delicious that is!
“So, I think we’re done here,” Hank announced. “Good-bye, Agent Rice. If you show your building pass to the parking attendant, there will be no charge for the parking.”
“But–”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Agent Rice.” Hank’s smile was that of a hungry tiger anticipating his next meal. “Do we need to show you to the elevator?”
In answer, Rice gathered her things from the table, shoved them into a briefcase and left them without a backward glance. It was several minutes before anyone spoke.
“D. Creed. Deidre Eric and now D.D Rice, FBI. Are we really sure we know who she is? I think I need coffee.” Shaking his head, Patrick stood. “Good thing they have Blue Mountain in the shop downstairs. I’ll be back.”
“What a piece of work Rice was,” Elaine declared after he was gone.
“She’ll say she was just doing her job,” Hank said dryly. “But Big Daddy and his minions are locked up–I hear Tina Paxton is still screaming for him–pedophiles busted, and kids rescued and safe. We’ll let the FBI go through Big Daddy’s records and do the rest.”
“And busting Big Daddy? That’s a nice Thanksgiving present for Grant Miller,” Griff said. “If this doesn’t help make him lieutenant in another year or so, I don’t know what will.”
“What about Silas Clark?” Elaine asked. “Is he going to be charged with anything?”
“Don’t know,” Hank sighed. “He may be the classic dirty old man–though he’s only forty-five–but it appears he really didn’t know The Honeys were underage. But I’m sure Grant Miller will find something to charge him with. So, I’d say our case is closed. Did BP’s services meet with your satisfaction, Elaine?”
“Oh, yeah,” Elaine said softly, leaning over to kiss Griff’s cheek.
“And I understand, Lt. Tyler, you want to stay in East Tennessee?” Hank asked.
“Well,” Griff said slowly, “We brought down Big Daddy, but The Cadre has once again done their vanishing act. I’m sure they’ll be back, so I’d like to stick around and be part of eventually bringing them down.”
“I think we can arrange that,” Hank agreed. “Good work, Griff.”
“I had help,” Griff raised Elaine’s hand to kiss it.
“And all this just in time for Thanksgiving,” Elaine said. “I think it’s going to be the best one ever!” Chelsea’s reunion with Elaine and Martin’s parents had been beyond joyful. And even though both Chelsea and Martin would need lots of support and counseling, they were home at last.
“Don’t think I’d argue with that,” Hank agreed. “But there is one more thing. You got your earpieces in place?”
Griff and Elaine exchanged looks. “Yeah,” Griff said. “What’s up with that?”
“I have a Thanksgiving present for you. Consider it thanks for a job well-done. Standing by.”
The screen dimmed for a moment, and then three smiling, dark eyed children appeared, waving like mad. “Hola, Senior Griff!” they shouted. “Que tal?”
Oh, my sweet Lord,” Griff whispered. “Kids?”
“Is that the Obando children?” Elaine asked softly.
“Si. I mean, yes.”
She gently punched his arm. “I know that. I’m not really a ding-a-ling, you know.”
She wasn’t sure if he heard her. He and the children–two young boys and a younger girl were chattering like mad in Spanish all at the same time. They looked happy and healthy, jostling each other the way siblings will do when they are vying for the attention of someone they love. And it was obvious they loved Griff Tyler.
“Uno momento, muchachos,” Griff broke in. He looked at Elaine and said, “I’m going to introduce you.” He pointed at her and said, “Muchachos? Esta mia corazon, Senorita Elaine. Senorita Elaine–” and he named the children. Nicolo, Tomas, and Esperanza.
Esta mi corazon. This is my heart.
“Izzie!” The little girl shouted, pumping her fist, and they all laughed.
“That mission you were so concerned about?” Hank’s voice came through their earpieces. “Among other things, we were looking for them as witnesses to the shooting that killed Alajandro and injured you. And as you can see, we found and rescued them. We’re flying them to Atlanta the day after Thanksgiving to be with their dad’s brother and his family.”
“Did you find Marda Kitts?” Griff’s grip on Elaine’s hand tightened as tears ran unchecked down his face.
“We did. And the kids–interviewed separately–all corroborated that she was the one who kidnapped them and shot you.”
“Are they alright?” Elaine asked as she watched Griff pick up his conversation with the children, who were still nodding and laughing.
“They are,” Hank said. “For all her wickedness, Marda Kitts–who I have no doubt Griff told you about–actually found a place with a couple who took good care of them.”
“And Kitts?” Griff looked away from the screen. “What’s going to happen to her?” And please don’t say ‘need to know’. I’ve heard enough of that phrase to last a lifetime.”
“Arrested, might stand trial for war crimes,” Hank said simply. “She’s a nasty piece of work, but she’ll get what’s coming to her. And, Griff, that’s truly all I know.”
“‘Kay,” Griff said. He looked at the children again and whatever he said–except for a few phrases–Elaine’s Spanish was limited–had them smiling, waving and yelling, “Adios, Senor Griff! Adios, Senorita Eliana!”
“Eliana? Is that Spanish for Elaine?” she asked as the screen went dark. Hank’s image also faded.
“Yeah,” Griff said, wiping the remaining tears from his face.
“I’m gonna call your mother and tell on you.” Elaine took a handkerchief from her jacket pocket and patted his cheeks. “You forgot your handkerchief again?”
He grinned at her. “Guess I was a little tired this morning,” he said. “After all, we didn’t exactly get much sleep last night.” Their lovemaking, like Chelsea’s family reunion, had been a joyous celebration that had lasted until the wee hours of the morning.
“And you really want to stay in East Tennessee?” Elaine asked and now it was her tur to cry.
“Of course, you ding-a-ling,” Griff scolded, taking the handkerchief and drying her eyes. “This is my home. It’s yours and Chelsea’s and Martin’s. Why would I want to be anywhere else?”
“Why indeed, my Brotherhood Protector?” she asked. “My Marine. Mi Corazon.”
“And we should always remember what Dorothy Gail taught us,” Griff continued, wrapping his arms around her?”
“From The Wizard of Oz?” Elaine frowned. “What did she say?”
“There’s no place like home, my ding-a-ling–“he whispered as he leaned into kiss her. “There’s no place like home.”