Chapter Seven
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The neon lit jukebox in the dilapidated bar played a country western tune that was more rock ’n roll in Catori’s opinion.
It was loud, but not so deafening that the rowdy customers couldn’t hear their shouted conversations.
It was only eighteen hundred on a weekday, three days after her visit with Doc, but that didn’t stop those whom she assumed were regulars from coming in for their daily bellyful.
It was a small dive located in a tiny town situated in northern Nebraska.
Catori noticed that the loud banter had become more or less diminished as the locals noticed a stranger amongst them.
She quickly memorized the layout of the place, noticing the bar to her right, a dartboard directly toward the back, one pool table off to the left, and around eight tables with four or five chairs each located in the middle.
There were two small booths located in the far left corner that would be perfect to have a private conversation.
The only potential trouble she could foresee were the two men playing a game of pool.
It seemed to her that they might have just reached their limit.
Recognizing her next target, Catori walked directly to the bar and met the gaze of the man she needed to speak with.
Daegan Murphy was part Irish and his startling blue eyes were evident of his strong heritage.
He kept his head closely shaved to his scalp, but his black hair was unmistakable.
The two young girls who couldn’t take their eyes off of his six-foot tall muscular frame obviously found him attractive.
Catori just wanted him for his ability to button a man’s pocket at a thousand yards.
“Daegan, I was hoping you had a moment to speak with me.”
“For you, darlin’, I have all night.” Daegan flipped the hand towel over his shoulder and then folded his arms before leaning on the bar top. “What can I help you with?”
Catori couldn’t prevent a smile at his charisma.
She had to admit that she was having fun setting up her team.
It kept her busy and she found herself feeling closer to Red in doing something that he loved.
Seeing the frowns on the faces of the two women who looked as if she had just pissed in their rocks glasses, Catori cut to the chase.
“It’s what I can do for you.” Catori motioned with her head toward the back booths. “Mind if we talk in private?”
Daegan’s smile didn’t falter, but she could see that she had his wheels spinning.
He tapped the surface of the bar and nodded, giving his consent.
Holding up two fingers and gesturing to someone, Catori saw a man at one of the tables stand and head their way.
This must be Daegan’s brother, Callum. They were similar in their dark good looks, although Callum appeared to have a thinner frame.
She also noticed a wedding band on his left hand, making him out of contention with the women.
“This pretty lady would like a word with me, Callum. Mind taking over?”
Callum was more reserved and took the time to look her over, in the direct opposite manner that Daegan had.
His brother didn’t like strangers in his town and was making it known.
When he finally brought his gaze up to meet hers she didn’t back down.
His lips thinned in annoyance, but he acquiesced and stepped around her to lift a portion of the bar.
Callum entered while Daegan exited, but not before Daegan tossed the towel his brother’s way.
“After you,” Daegan murmured, gesturing with one hand while placing his other on her back. His familiar way was about to be brought to a halt and she wouldn’t in any way feel bad about it. In a way it was comical. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Catori Starr, of Red Starr HRT.”
In under a second Catori felt his hand drop from her waist like his fingers had just been singed.
She smiled and kept walking, making her way to one of the empty booths.
Picking one, she made sure she was facing the door.
Knowing that he would have done the same and seeing the frown mar his face gave her some satisfaction.
He slid into his side, giving her one hundred percent of his attention. That was good.
“Red Starr? I thought that agency went defunct a couple years back. What do you want with me?”
“Your services.” Catori leaned back against the dark wooden seat and studied Daegan’s reaction. “I’m putting together another team. I need a long range shooter with your marksmanship skill.”
Daegan sat back as well, mulling over her words.
Catori knew damn well that he had an IQ well above average, seeing as he could do the advanced math required for a long distance shot in his head without blinking.
He used his charm to cover up exactly how intelligent he was and seemed to enjoy playing with people.
She wasn’t the woman he wanted to try that on and it was apparent he’d figured that out rather quickly.
The smile vanished and he reached over to grab a toothpick from where the holder sat alongside the salt and pepper shakers.
Instead of chewing it, he rolled it in his fingers. He was tactile and it showed.
“Why me?”
“Why not you?” Catori countered and then patiently waited for his answer.
“Let’s be blunt,” Daegan said, pinning her with his blue eyes.
“You’ve obviously read my file. I’m not known to follow orders I don’t like.
I was transferred out of my unit and into a range PMI billet because I had a difference of opinion with my Ops O.
When I detached he shit-canned my career.
I was given an adverse fitness report so that I couldn’t reenlist. I’m not the sort that Red Starr HRT would be looking for. ”
“Really?” Catori asked, catching a glimpse of the anger that anyone would have in his position.
Daegan had been reassigned from his unit to serve out his time as a primary marksmanship instructor at the base range.
He’d only been a civilian for less than a year, but she figured to him it had felt like a lifetime. “And you would know that how?”
“Look, I’m not a machine that someone can program.
I use my head. I think, Ms. Starr. I don’t regret making that shot against my commander’s orders.
I took out the target with no other casualties.
That was my job and I did it.” Daegan tossed the toothpick back onto the table and readied himself to leave.
“I appreciate that you would consider me for your team, but you’ve obviously made a mistake. ”
“I don’t make mistakes, Daegan. I don’t believe in mistakes.
With that said, I might miscalculate from time to time.
We learn something new every day, just as you’re about to.
” Catori picked up the toothpick and held it out for Daegan to take, not continuing until he did so.
“First, call me Starr. Second, I want a team of operators who do think. Using your head is the only way to ensure that you’ll get out of these missions alive.
Nothing ever goes as planned, and if one of my men hesitates for a second, when that eventually happens all of your lives are forfeit.
I admire your smarts and your gut instinct. Last time. Interested?”
Daegan didn’t react at first as he digested what she was offering.
When a smile broke out over his face and his blue eyes sparkled, she knew he was hooked.
There was an edge about him that suggested he was an adrenaline junkie.
As much as he loved his family, as his dossier indicated he wouldn’t be satisfied for long working behind a bar.
“Where and when?”
This was the type of negotiation Catori liked.
In and out, fast and easy. She quickly recited the same spiel as she had with the other two men, following it up by stating a letter of intent was waiting for him in his email.
She also gave her forty-eight hour time limit on her proposition and that should he accept, the day and time he should report to their home base.
“You don’t need to wait two days, Starr.” Daegan slid out of the booth and held out his hand, for which Catori returned the gesture. “My answer is yes. I’ll meet you in San Diego on the first of August.”
“Welcome to the team, Daegan.” Catori walked toward the bar, seeing that Callum hadn’t warmed up during her visit.
After hearing what Daegan was going to say, she doubted that she would be Callum’s favorite person.
That was between the brothers. It was time that she got on the road, and glancing at her watch she was pleased to see she was thirty minutes ahead of schedule.
“If you need me beforehand you’ll find my number in that email. ”
“I have no doubt you have mine.”
Catori left Daegan at the bar to sort out his family affairs and exited through the door of the bar.
Humidity hit her in the face as she continued to walk to her car.
She hadn’t bothered to roll up the top, seeing as there wasn’t rain in the forecast. She wasn’t a foot away when she caught sight of something moving in her peripheral vision.
“You’re not from around this area.” A man in a black ripped T-shirt and a pair of cargo shorts was leaning back against his truck with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
She wasn’t sure if it was to look cool or if it was simply a bad habit.
He was one of the good old boys who had been playing pool, and from the empty bottles she’d seen along the rail, he’d started his night early.
From his license plate she could say for certain that his name was Lloyd.
Catori knew being ahead of schedule was just a fluke. “Want me to show you around?”
“No, thank you.” Catori casually looked around, seeing if this guy’s friend had decided to join them. It appeared that it was only she and the drunk, so that should make what she had to do relatively easier. She estimated more time to exit civilly. “You have a good evening.”
Catori took a step toward her car the same moment that Lloyd moved away from his truck and placed himself between the two vehicles.
She gave a half smile at his attempt to intimidate her and then immediately threw a punch to his throat while using the other hand to grab his balls.
While he struggled to breathe, she grabbed his shoulder, and using both arms for leverage pulled him close so he heard every word she said.
“You don’t want to fuck with me, Lloyd.” Catori tightened her grip on his less than average manhood, causing his face to become a darker shade of red and his eyes to widen.
“When I let go of you, you’re going to move out of my way and allow me passage to my car.
If you don’t, I’ll have to pull out my weapon and your balls really don’t want that. Do I make myself clear?”
Lloyd tried to nod, and although the action was more stuttered Catori figured it was a good enough answer.
She slowly released him, waiting for any indication that he would be dumber than she assumed he was and actually try something more.
He stumbled back a few steps and then turned, quickly making his way around the front of his truck.
Catori pulled on the handle and then slid into the driver’s seat.
Looking into her rearview mirror, she saw that Daegan was just inside the doorway of the bar, a look of amusement on his face.
Although he was closing in on thirty years old, there was something youthful in his appearance that made her feel older than her years.
She might actually hole up in a hotel at the first exit she found. Tomorrow would come soon enough.