Epilogue
Donnie stood with Dex and Sam on the back deck at Dex’s place. They had been talking baseball, but his eyes kept straying to the beautiful woman sitting in an Adirondack chair talking to Kelly.
“Oh, man, you got it bad,” Dex said.
Donnie grinned. “Yep.” He was not ashamed to admit it.
Dex and Sam laughed.
“Jesus, you boys are dropping like flies,” Sam said. “I’m happy for you. She’s a brave, smart lady. Hopefully, we won’t have to rescue her again.”
“We won’t. She’s still pretty shook up and has decided to stay here.
Her boss is working on finding her an in-office position here or on the mainland.
Ambassador Clarkson had a foundation, raising money for aid in the worst hit countries.
She spoke to them last week and wants to get involved in that too.
They plan to keep the foundation going in Ambassador Clarkson’s honor. ”
“That’s great. You must be a little relieved,” Dex said.
“Yeah, I am. I mean I would never have stopped her if she wanted to continue traveling, but it would have been hell on me.” The very thought of her going anywhere where there was danger made his gut ache, and he couldn’t be happier with her decision.
“So, do you really think Reborn is done?” He looked at Sam. He wanted to believe it, but that snake had a way of reinventing itself.
“Yes. Lazir and Khalini are locked up. The brothers dead. There’s no leader, no money. Maybe someone tries to resurrect it, but I don’t see how they would be coming after you guys personally anymore. It’s over.”
Sam held up his bottle, and they all clinked.
“Tracer really came through for us.”
“Mmm.” Sam glanced at Dex. Kelly had made that call without consulting him. There really hadn’t been another option. Dex stayed quiet. Wise man. Donnie hid a grin.
“Does that mean you and Kelly will set a date now? She must be feeling better about everything,” Donnie asked Dex, changing the subject.
“She is. I’m not sure even I realized just how much of a weight this had been for her. But she’s good, and yes, we are going to look at setting a date.”
“Congrats, man. Can’t wait. I also want to thank you both for everything over the past few weeks. I know I’ve thanked everyone already, but I was at a low point for while there and a real ass. You two could have kicked me off the team and I wouldn’t have blamed you.”
“This is what we do, brother,” Dex said. “Get each other through the rough times. We’ve all had them.”
“But you were a moody fucker,” Sam added dryly, “so I am thankful you got your sight back in full as I’m not sure I could have tolerated you under my feet at the farm every day doing paperwork.”
No Kidding. The thought was enough to give him hives.
“So, what’s next?” Donnie asked. “Is anything brewing?”
“There’s always something brewing, but you got a few days. So go make the most of them.” Sam nodded toward the beach and Donnie smiled seeing Charlie was walking in their direction.
Donnie grinned. “Yes, boss.”
***
DEX AND KELLY’S HOUSE was beautiful. This was her first of many barbecues, so she’d been told.
Charlie had been in Coronado for two weeks now and she could not be happier.
While it might have been more appropriate to look for a place of her own, she had moved in with Donnie.
She wanted to spend every moment they could together, so it seemed pointless living apart.
The ladies had welcomed her back excitedly and were already planning “Maddie girl trips” as they called them.
Charlie had also now met the rest of Onyx.
Man, there was a lot of good looking, fit guys.
Not that she was eyeing up anyone else, but damn it was a nice view.
Her smile widened as Donnie walked toward her.
“Hey, beautiful. Are you doing, OK?” He put an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. His affection was addictive.
“I’ve never been happier,” she said honestly. “Can we walk a minute?”
“Of course.”
She slipped her hand in his and they walked down to the water’s edge. “It really is beautiful here. This house is amazing, and so close to Steve and Diane.”
“That used to be Kelly’s home. Where she grew up. When she moved in with Dex, she couldn’t sell it to strangers. Then Steve and Diane needed a place. They’re family, so she let them move in.”
“Oh. That’s so lovely. These people. Your other family. You’re so lucky to have them.”
“Babe. You have them too now. You are a part of this family. It’s our family.”
She smiled at him. “I guess I’m still getting used to that.”
“Get used to it.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you, and so does everyone here. You can call on any one of these people at any time, and they would drop everything to help.”
It was a little overwhelming. She had never had this. Been a part of something like this.
“I have a surprise for you.” She stopped walking and turned to face him.
“Mmm. Please tell me you’re naked under that dress.” He went to grab her ass, and she swatted his hand away.
“That is not it. Behave.”
“Can’t around you. You drive me crazy.”
“I spoke with Sam yesterday.” That stopped him in his tracks.
“You did?”
“Yes. I wanted to know if you had any time off coming, and he said he was giving you the next few days”
“OK. You could have just asked me.”
“Then this wouldn’t have been a surprise.” She reached into her cross-body purse and pulled out her phone. She tapped away and held it up to him.
Donnie took it from her, reading the screen.
“Are you serious? You booked these?”
“I thought it would be a nice way to celebrate us, with Nate.” On screen was the electronic booking of two tickets to the Yankees game at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday evening. Donnie was quiet. His silence making her nervous.
“If it’s too soon and you don’t want to go, I’d understand.”
Donnie handed her back her phone and pulled her tightly into his arms. When he spoke, his voice was raspy.
“Thank you. No one has ever done anything like that for me and it’s perfect. There is no one else I would rather go to Yankee stadium with than you.”
She sighed in relief and looked up at the man she loved. His eyes were moist. Just another thing she loved about him. He might be the tough protector, but he was also tender and vulnerable at times.
“I love you Donnie and I feel like Nate will be right there with us.”
“Yeah, he will. We will raise a glass to him, for sure.”
“Did you see who they were playing?” She smiled.
“I did. Padres. Can’t wait to see the Yankees beat their ass so I can claim it over Dex. He’s hardcore Padres.”
She laughed; pleased Donnie was smiling again.
“Thank you, Charlie. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for giving me another chance. Thank you for changing my life. A few weeks back I was terrified of my future. You took that fear away. Whatever hurdles I may need to cross, I know I can handle them with you by my side.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Right back at you Donnie.”
***
“MACKIE, THANKS FOR coming in on your day off, but this couldn’t wait.” Sam indicated the chair across from him. Dex was already in the other.
“No problem. This just us? Not the whole team?” he asked in confusion.
“Yes. For now. This is a needs-to-know operation.” Dex said.
“OK.” Mackie sat, still confused.
“We have a situation,” Sam said. “A computer programmer, Miles Cannon, working on a special project for the DOD was shot and left for dead in DC two weeks ago. His laptop was stolen. He was designing a computerized weapon that was close to begin testing. This cyber weapon would infiltrate the highest encrypted systems and shut them down,” Sam said.
“What type of systems?”
“Hydro grids, air traffic control or even nuclear weapon launches.”
Mackie swallowed. Shit, this was bad.
“Now it’s in the wrong hands. The laptop has military grade encryption, which is going to take some time to crack. Cannon also added a sophisticated passcode. Apparently, he had it memorized and had a copy stashed somewhere safe. Not even DOD have it.”
“So, this wasn’t a random home invasion.”
“We don’t believe so, no. And DOD are not taking any chances. FBI are on this. Together with DOD they were able to track when the laptop came online and found a decryption program being uploaded. Before they could block it, the tracker was deactivated.”
“Sounds like these guys are professionals. You need me to try and get back into it?” Now it made sense. He was a hacker and could crack a lot of systems. This one sounded like it would be quite the challenge.
“FBI have people working on that already.” Dex said.
“Did whoever took it get the code from Cannon?”
“No. Security camera footage didn’t show much but it did show Cannon was killed instantly upon entry. There was no conversation.” Sam said.
“Cannon had an ex-girlfriend and a five-year-old daughter.” Dex said and Mackie turned to face him.
“OK?” Confused again.
“FBI interviewed her, but she claims she did not know what Cannon was working on. They split nine months ago.”
“Makes sense. He would have been told not to share it.”
“FBI thinks the ex might know more than she’s letting on. She has a masters in computer science and is currently working with a private company on using AI in disaster risk management.”
Mackie raised his eyebrows. “So if a major disaster was threatened, say like the hydro grid being shut down, a disaster risk management company would financially benefit. You think she stole it?”
“Can’t rule it out but there is no evidence.
She also may have the passcode. If she didn't steal the laptop, whoever did, once they crack the encryption will want that code. They may come after her. FBI wants someone on her without her knowing, at least until we know if she is involved or not. Our good buddy Dale and his FBI team are assigned.”
“This isn’t an op for Onyx. Sounds to me like Dale needs to put someone undercover. What am I doing here?”
“We’re lending a hand to Dale. He’s done us enough favors.
If the killers get the code and the program is put up for auction....
well, I don’t think I need to tell you what that will lead to.
DOD wants the program and the fact that it was stolen, kept under wraps.
The capabilities of the program or even the fact that DOD authorized its creation cannot be made public.
It appears whoever stole it, knew what was on it, which means there may be a leak, so this op is locked down tight.
The ex might have the code, or she might be behind this.
Dale wants to tread softly. Where you come in, is the ex-girlfriend and her daughter just moved into your condo building. Lisa Munroe and her daughter Ella.”
****