Chapter Nine
Cliff
Thomas looked at the caller ID and shook his head ‘yes’ to us. Then he answered as he got up and headed to the back of the house to speak in private.
When Thomas came back into the living room, he said, “That was my boss. They have come up with a plan. They have already reached out to the FBI agent assigned to the case. Agent Jerry Sparks will be here in about three hours. When he gets here, Derrick, he will want to meet with you and your team. The rest of us will wait for further instructions from Agent Sparks when they get back.”
“Have they gotten any information on where she is?” I asked.
“If they do, they won’t tell me. I asked the same question. If they know that they are not telling me. They know that if they give me that information, I am going now, with or without them. I would make my own plan,” Thomas replied.
“This is driving me insane,” I said as I hit a wall with my fist. “I can’t keep just sitting here.”
I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I turn my head to see Charles with a very concerned look on his face.
“Come on, Bullet. Let’s go take a walk,” Charles said.
“I am fine,” I said through my gritted teeth.
“No, you are not, and a lot of this is my fault,” Charles said.
“It’s not your fault she has been kidnapped. It’s her sons,” I said as I felt my face getting red with anger.
“But it is my fault that you two never got to be together like you should have. Now come on,” Charles said.
I didn’t want to take a walk, but I knew that Charles was right. I needed to get out of here and get some fresh air before I did something that I knew I would regret later.
When we get outside, we start walking through the neighborhood.
“Listen Bullet, I know you love Charlotte, and I am so sorry that when we graduated, I go so mad about the two of you. If I was more mature you know I would have seen how much the two of you loved each other and wouldn’t have stood in your way. You have missed out on so much,” Charles said.
“You know I don’t hold any grudges, and I am not mad at you anymore. We can’t go back and change time,” I said.
“No, we can’t, but you can start from today.
Look, I see your pain and hurt about the time you missed, and I know that is helping to fuel your anger right now.
But taking it out on Thomas is not going to help.
In the long run, it will make things worse.
Charlotte would never blame him for this.
She would know that he is doing his job and that he never intended for anyone to come after her.
Now, she will be mad that he didn’t tell her he left the Marines and took a job with the CIA! ” Charles said with a laugh.
I know he is trying to lighten my mood with that last comment. But it really isn’t helping.
“I don’t mean to take out all my anger and frustrations out on her son.
I know she would not be happy with me for that.
Hell, I don’t even know if she feels anything for me now, but I do know that I will never forgive myself if something happens to her.
I can’t let anyone hurt her without at least telling her that I still love her and if she doesn’t feel the same, I understand, but I want her in my life, even as a friend,” I tell him.
“It is none of my business when it comes to your feelings for each other. I should have taken that stand then, but I promise you that no matter what happens between the two of you going forward, I will not stand in the way. I called you to help find her because I know you still love her, and you would make sure she got home. I never in a million years thought her kidnapping had anything to do with Thomas,” Charles said.
“I know. I am glad that you called me. You know that I would do the same for you, Sue, your daughter, and her family. You guys are my family. You are all that I have,” I replied.
“Just try and keep an open mind. The last few days have been stressful for us all, and when Charlotte gets home, and she will come home, things are going to still be a little stressful,” Charles said.
“Yeah, I know she is going to have a lot to deal with. I will not add to that. I will be here as long as she wants me to be here,” I said.
When we walked back in the house, I walked up to Thomas as told him I was sorry and extended out my hand. He took it and said he understood.
Agent Sparks was in the living room with Derrick and Thomas when we got back. He introduced himself and told Derrick that they needed to set up that Zoom call with the rest of his partners and that they would be back.
Two hours later, Derrick and Agent Sparks returned with the rest of Agent Sparks’ team. They said that the remaining Seals and Bounty partners were on the next flight in to assist.
“I think it would be best, Thomas, if you and Captain Shepherd stay here until we get back. But I know there is no way I can stop you. No one would be able to stop me if I were in your shoes. But I will say this, and I mean it, stay out of the way or I will cuff you in a vehicle,” Agent Sparks said.
“We are leaving out of her at dark thirty. Wolf and the Seals, along with NCIS and the rest of the guys on the assignment with the CIA and FBI, are making their move tonight on the bigger picture so that we are all taking everything down at the same time.”
At midnight, we all gathered our equipment and headed out the door, including Charles.
When we go to the house where they were holding her, all of the Seals and FBI surround the house. Charles, Thomas, and I stayed back at the vehicles. Not being in on the action is driving me crazy, and as I look over at Thomas, I can see he feels the same way.
We hear and see the smoke bombs go off, and hear them when they stormed the house. A few gunshots go off, then nothing for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, we see her come out of the house with escorted by Derrick and Ava.