Vanished... Without a Trace 18/24 (Adult)
This is a moden day, Young Riders/Without a Trace crossover written by me andshantyrfan. All of your favorite characters (and a few not so favorite) are here, and alive and well. The non familiar characters don't belong to us (with the exception of the resort staff and the name of Tag's youngest daughter), they belong to the creators of Without a Trace. For those that aren't familiar with this story, it was inspired by this clip Kid and the Breakfast of Champions
Chapter 18
BTag and Lou slept late into the next morning, both too exhausted from the night’s activities to do much else. Tag was the first to wake, and decided to check his email for the information Jack had sent. None of the information was new to him and Jack also informed them they still needed to find the rest of the passageways still available. Tag felt bad that he and Lou were neglecting the reason they were there, but he wouldn’t have changed a thing.
After Lou woke, they took a quick shower, dressed and headed back downstairs to continue their surveillance. They were able to locate several more hidden passageways that had been marked on the blueprints, but didn’t dare try to enter them until the warrant came through.
After an hour of searching, they decided to gamble some more, to make it look like they were actually on their honeymoon and not there to spy. Tag was surprised at how good of a poker player Lou was, but then again she was still full of surprises to him, and each one he discovered made him love her more.
For some reason Tag looked up and his breath caught in his throat as he thought he saw a ghost from his past walking right towards him. It can't be, Tag thought shaking his head. I haven't seen him in twenty years. And what would he be doing here?
As the other man came closer, he couldn’t help but stare at the gentleman at the poker table. He looked so familiar, but yet couldn’t place the face. He nodded in greeting as he walked by, and decided when he got back to his office, he’d learn what he could about the guest.
“There you are,” Boggs snapped as the head of his private security team entered his office. “Did you get lost on your way here?”
“No, sir. Was just checking things throughout the casino on my way in. Making sure there were no problems.”
“Were there?” Jed shook his head. “Look, Jed, I'm not paying you to goof around! You were supposed to meet me here twenty minutes ago. I have some special guests that need your protection and Wicks wasn’t happy when you weren’t here to meet with us. If you like your job then I suggest you be where I tell you, when I tell you. Is that understood?”
Jed groaned at the thought of having to watch more of Wicks’ ‘friends.’ Most of the girls he was assigned to watch were scared, underage runaways. He hated to think what Wicks did with them, but it was none of his business; he was paid to watch them, not get involved. However this job was getting to him. He never dreamed what he was getting into when he took the job as a security officer all those years ago. He couldn’t believe they’d hired him so young and inexperienced, especially considering his slightly blemished criminal record. Little did he know that his record was why they hired him. Once he found out what went on behind the doors of this establishment, it was too late for him to get out.
Jed headed towards the back office and sighed as he heard very young voices coming from inside. He knocked and patiently waited to be invited in.
“Enter,” Wicks called out and then nodded when Jed entered. “It’s about time you showed up, I’m a busy man.”
“I apologize sir, I know that.”
“Don’t let it happen again. Now these two lovely girls,” he gestured to the two playing in the corner. “Belong to my fiancé. She hasn’t been feeling good the past few days, and I just don’t have the time to bother with them.”
Jed nodded relieved that at least these girls weren’t alone with him. “Anything special I should know about?”
Wicks shook his head. “Just make sure they're treated well. Charlotte is the oldest and this little one is Emma. They pretty much keep to themselves so they shouldn’t be any trouble. Just keep them happy. Is that understood?”
Jed nodded and turned to watch the two girls. They both had blue eyes that reminded him of his mother and awoke long buried memories of his past. Their innocent faces brought back memories of his baby brother. He’s all grownup now, he thought. I hope he turned out better than I did, for Mama’s sake.
“Girls,” Wicks said bringing Jed out of his thoughts. “This here is Jed and he’s gonna be spending some time playing with you while your mom is resting.”
The girls eyed the stranger and then went back to playing as Wicks left his office smiling. As he walked through the casino, he saw the Monahans playing at the poker tables. He remembered that earlier one of security officers informed him they’d been seen around several off limit locations. Determined to speak to them, he headed their way.
Lou tensed as she noticed Wicks walking towards them. She clenched Tag’s arm and leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Wicks is heading our way, let’s get outta here.”
Tag looked up and saw him coming and nodded. The couple grabbed their chips, putting them in their pockets for later use and headed quickly towards the elevators.
“Excuse me,” Wicks called out to them. “Rob? Colleen? Can I speak to you for a moment?” He asked catching up to them.
Tag and Lou stopped and turned. Lou held on tight to his arm and Tag was afraid that if she didn’t loosen her grip, she might draw blood.
“Is there something we can help you with?” Tag asked trying to hold his urge to kill the man in front of him for what he had done to Lou.
“Actually, there is. It was brought to my attention earlier this afternoon that the two of you have been spotted outside some secluded, private areas.”
Lou paled at the thought of them being found out, but Tag acted quickly. “We’re sorry about that, but you know how newlyweds can get.” He pulled Lou very close and nibbled on her neck. “We were just trying to find a secluded spot if you know what I mean,” he said wiggling his eyebrows.
Wicks nodded in understanding and smiled at the pair who was obviously so happy with each other they couldn’t keep their hands off one another. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“We won’t,” Lou said quietly. “We’re sorry to have caused you any trouble,” she said without waiting for another word and grabbing Tag by the arm as she turned back towards the elevator.
Tag had to pull Lou back to get her to slow down. “Colleen, darling, you need to slow down. He can’t hurt you anymore,” he said as they finally stopped at the bank of elevators.
“I can’t believe you told him that,” she said blushing.
Tag smiled and looked down lovingly at her. “Well I can’t help it if I can’t control my urges,” he said grinning from ear to ear as the elevator door opened. As they entered, Tag noticed Wicks was still watching them and he placed an arm on either side of Lou’s head and kissed her passionately.
Lou lost herself in his kiss and was determined to forget all about Wicks watching them. As soon as the door shut, she jumped up wrapping her legs around his waist.
Tag moaned and thanked God they were alone as Lou started tearing at his clothes. “Lou, wait,” he pleaded. “We’re almost to the room.”
Lou shook her head as she reached down to undo his pants. “I need you now,” she whispered huskily in his ear as she started grinding against him.
Tag slammed against the wall of the elevator, not realizing he hit the emergency stop button as he slid straight into her receptive body. He growled in pleasure, thankful there were no barriers under her tight skirt as he slammed her against the opposite wall and drove up into her repeatedly in a hurried frenzy. It wasn’t long before he let out a harsh groan of masculine satisfaction as he flooded himself into her, crying out over and over his love for her.
Lou held on tight as Tag emptied himself into her. She buried her face in his neck, not wanting him to see the disappointment in her eyes.
“It’s a good thing I didn’t know you weren’t wearing underwear before now, or I don’t think I would’ve made it to the elevator,” he joked as he set her down. He was surprised to see her turn away from him. “Lou? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she lied. “I’m fine.”
Tag turned her to face him and lifted her chin with his finger. As soon as he saw her eyes, he knew. “Oh God, Lou, I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “Why? You have no reason to be sorry.”
“Yes, I do. I should’ve gone slower… Taken time to…”
Lou shrugged and tried to chuckle so he wouldn’t see how upset she really was. “I can’t expect to enjoy it every time. Especially when the song playing lasted longer than you did,” she said grinning at him.
“Is it any coincidence that “Love in an Elevator” was playing?” They both chuckled. “I promise, Lou, later I’ll make it up to you,” he grinned seductively.
Lou just nodded ashamed for feeling the way she did. After seeing Wicks, she wanted to forget about everything he’d ever done to her. Instead, the encounter left her feeling like she was fourteen all over again.
Tag watched Lou and grew worried. He realized the elevator wasn’t moving and chuckled as he realized the emergency stop button had been pressed. He pressed it again, wanting it to hurry so he could take Lou back and make it up to her. As the elevator jerked back into action, Tag tried to put his arm around her and pull her close. Lou shrugged it off and hurried out of the elevator as soon as it reached their floor.
Lou hurried and unlocked the door as she and Tag entered. “I’m gonna go take a shower,” she said grabbing a change of clothes from the dresser.
Tag crossed the room and smiled at her as he pulled her into his arms. “Want some company?”
Lou shook her head and pulled away. Tag sighed as he heard her lock the door and his cell started to ring. “What?” he snapped as he answered it.
“You don’t sound as chipper as you did a few minutes ago,” Cody joked.
“Cody, what are you running your mouth about now?”
Cody chuckled. “Next time you two decide to take the advice of the song playing in the elevator, make sure your wires are off. Or at least let Jack give you wires with cameras.”
Tag groaned as he realized Cody had heard them. “Is there something important you wanted, Cody, or are you just calling to annoy me?”
“Calm down, Tag, I’m happy for the both of you. Some of us were even making bets on how long before she’d start to close in on you.”
Tag chuckled. “Cody, seriously, what do you need?”
“There are some issues with getting the warrant. Several judges don’t think there’s enough evidence. Jack wanted to know if there’s anything the two of you know or something you can do to help nail the bastard. And if you have anything on Wicks, even better. Wipe them both out of the picture.”
Tag heard the shower cut off and sighed. They had the evidence to nail Wicks, but he refused to use Lou the same way the government had tried to. She was older now, there was more at stake, and he’d leave the decision up to her.
“I’ll talk to Lou, Cody.”
“She does know something doesn’t she? What is it?”
“Goodbye, Cody,” Tag said hanging up his phone as Lou walked out drying her hair.
Lou stopped at his words as realization dawned on her. “Oh, God, the wires! He and Jack heard everything didn‘t they?”
Tag nodded and pulled her into his lap. “Feeling better?” he asked nuzzling her neck.
Lou groaned, wanting to lose herself in his love, but thoughts of Wicks kept running through her mind. She pulled back. “What else did Cody want?”
Tag refused to let her get away from him, and wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. He wished she would open up to him, tell him why she’s suddenly so distant, but didn’t want to force the issue. Figuring it had to do with Wicks; he decided not to tell her what Cody mentioned. “Nothing.”
“Didn’t seem like nothing to me. What are you supposed to talk to me about?” Sensing his hesitation, she cupped his face. “Tag, what is it?”
“Jack can’t find a judge to issue a warrant,” he said quietly.
“We told him Boggs had judges and lawyers and politicians in his pocket. What does that mean for the mission?”
“Jack wanted to know if there was any concrete evidence we could use against him… or Wicks.”
“I see,” Lou said turning away. She knew what kind of evidence Jack would need, and she was the only one who could provide it.
Tag rubbed her back, his heart breaking as he watched the emotions pass over her face. “Lou, I’m sure there’s another way. If we can show that Wicks lured Teresa…”
Lou shook her head. “No!” she snapped and then shook her head. “I’m sorry, I just don’t want Teresa to have to go through anything like I did. I don’t…”
“I wasn’t suggesting that. Lou, I’m not gonna force you to do anything you don’t want to. I hate what you went through as a child, and I know how hard it is being back here, so I’ll go with whatever you decide.” Tag twirled a strand of damp hair in his fingers before pushing it back behind her ears. “I love you, Lou.”
Lou looked at him in awe. She would never understand how someone like him could love someone like her, but for now, she’d take whatever he’d offer. “Ditto.”
~~ *~* ~~
Tag spent the rest of the afternoon making things up to Lou. By the time they finished, there were very few places in the suite that had been left untouched; including, against his better judgment, the Jacuzzi.
“Lou?” Tag asked as he laid on his side next to the fireplace, watching her resting. He knew she was awake and he gently tickled her side to get her attention.
“Again?” Lou said squirming as he tickled her. “Haven’t you had enough?” she joked seductively.
Tag blushed and kissed her lightly. “Of you? Never. Are you hungry?”
“For you,” she said pulling his head down to kiss him passionately.
Tag broke free of her hold and smiled. “I meant for dinner. I know I worked up quite an appetite,” he said wiggling his eyebrows.
“What did you have in mind? Room service?”
Tag shook his head. “I was thinking maybe we should go downstairs and eat. You know be seen out some more.”
Lou nodded hesitantly. She knew the later they went out, the better the chances of running into her father and Wicks while they were doing something illegal. “Okay,” she said getting up and walking towards the dresser.
Tag groaned as he watched her wiggle her way across the room. He was finding the hardest part about this assignment was focusing on it and not on her. She turned and grinned seductively before heading for the shower, and he immediately jumped up to join her.
~~ *~* ~~
“I’m glad we came down here for dinner,” Lou said gazing lovingly at Tag across the table. He reached out and took her hand.
“Me too,” he said distracted. During dinner he came to the realization that all he wanted in life was to spend the rest of his life with her, but he knew it was too soon to say anything to her. For one thing, her logical mind would want everything figured out as soon as possible- where they’d live, how the children would react, and more. For another, she’d think he was rushing her, and maybe he would be; his divorce wasn’t even finalized yet.
“Is there something on your mind?” Lou asked knowing he hadn’t heard a word she said.
“I’m sorry, I was just thinking about something,” he said rubbing her hand gently.
“Anything you want to talk about?” she asked curiously as Tag shook his head. “Well if you’ll excuse me, I drank too much water,” she said standing up, smiling as he stood up with her. She couldn’t believe there were still men out there that did that kind of thing. He held open doors for her, pulled her seat out before she sat down, and stood when she did. Each small gesture made her fall more and more in love with him, and for the first time in her life, she was seriously imagining a future with someone.
After Lou left the table, Tag pondered at least broaching the subject of marriage when she returned. He kept repeating what he wanted to say over and over when he was interrupted.
“This place could use a whole lot more people with smiles on their faces like yours.”
“Thanks,” Tag said as he looked up. He knew instantly that his earlier suspicions had been correct. “Your name Jed?”
“We met?” the man asked. He knew they had, he just couldn’t remember how.
“Reckon we might’ve,” Tag answered smiling, completely forgetting about his cover.
“I’m afraid I don’t recall.”
“You recall having a little brother tagging along when you went skinny dippin’ with the Tompkins girl down at the creek when the heat came up?”
Jed looked at him for a moment and then a huge smile spread across his face. “Tag?” he said shocked, he had never imagined he’d see his little brother again. “I don’t believe it. Look at you. You finally got some meat on you!”
Tag stood and hugged his brother. “What are you doing here? After you ran off, I never thought I’d see you again.”
Jed sat down at the table next to his brother and smiled. “I never thought I’d end up here that’s for sure. How about you? Are you still living back on the ranch?”
Tag shook his head. “After ma died, I moved to New York for school.”
“Dad?” Jed asked watching as Tag nodded, understanding what he meant.
“Got drunk one night and beat her…”
“And how is that different from other nights when we were growing up?”
“This time he beat her to death,” Tag elaborated. “A week before my high school graduation,” he said quietly.
“I’m sorry,” Jed said shaking his head. “I didn’t know.”
Tag shrugged. “It was over ten years ago.” Tag took a few moments to compose himself. Even now he found it painful to talk about it. “So, how’s life been? Married? Kids?”
Jed chuckled and shook his head. “Nope, haven’t allowed any to rope me in. You? Anyone special in your life?”
Tag nodded. “Three.”
“Three?” Jed laughed. “Never thought you’d grow up to be a womanizer.”
Tag shook his head. “Not like that. Two of them are my daughters; you’re nieces. Charlotte is ten and Emma is four.”
Jed felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. He thought back to the two adorable girls he was now responsible for and realized they looked just like his brother. He’d thought the last name and their eyes had been just a coincidence, but now he knew the truth, and it sickened him to the core. “And their mother?” he asked already knowing the answer.
“We’re getting divorced. She left me for another man,” Tag said looking away.
“And the third woman in your life?”
“She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. She’s…”
Jed looked up as he heard someone approaching and stared in awe as another long forgotten face stood behind his brother. “Penelope?” he asked astonished. She looked completely different, but he would never forget the face that haunted his dreams for the longest time.
“Jed?” Lou covered her mouth with her hands as she gasped and started to tremble. She needed to sit and fast. Their cover had just been blown, and she was wearing the wire and Jack would soon hear. “Tag?” she looked at him questioningly.
Tag watched the scene before him puzzled. “You two know each other?”
Both nodded. “Jed came to work here shortly before we left,” she said quietly as she began furiously scratching at her chest area where the mic was positioned. She hoped Cody and Jack would hear nothing more than static.
“You worked here?” Tag asked, realizing too that his urge to reunite with his brother had just blown their cover. “I thought you were just another guest.”
Jed nodded. “Nope, I‘m the Head of Security now.”
“How do you two know each other?” Lou asked, again scratching.
Tag looked at Lou and suddenly realized what she was doing. She was trying to distort the feed that Cody and Jack would be listening in on. “He’s my brother,” he answered quietly.
“Brother?” Lou asked shocked. No one, including him, had ever mentioned he had a brother. Not only that, but his brother was one of the few people that had known what Wicks was doing to her, but did nothing to stop it. “I didn’t know you had a brother,” she snapped. Especially one who you knew making contact with would blow this operation, she thought.
Tag reached out and took her hand. He could see the pain and hurt in her eyes and felt bad knowing he was the one who caused it. “Jed left when I was barely older than Charlotte. I didn’t see him again until earlier today.”
“Tag,” she started. “Maybe we should take this somewhere else.”
“Why?” Jed asked. “Is there a problem?”
Tag nodded. “Come up to our room and I’ll explain everything.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” Lou said worried. “Considering the circumstances of why we’re here.”
“Lou, it’s all right,” Tag said trying to reassure her. “Maybe he can help us.”
Or hurt us, she thought. “I don’t know,” she said starting to chew on her lower lip. I guess we either trust him or cancel the operation. Besides, he may be our best bet on getting the kids back.
The trio headed towards the elevators. As the doors started to shut, Tag thought he heard Charlotte’s babbling voice and put his arm out to stop the doors. His heart fell as he saw his two little girls walking towards the restaurant with Naomi and Wicks; who were arm in arm. Lou saw them too and had to pull Tag back as he lunged forward.
“Tag, stop! You can’t… Wait until we get to the room,” she said scratching furiously at her chest hoping he’d get the point.
“She’s right,” Jed interrupted. "I don't know what you two are up to, but if you go storming into that lounge after them, you'll end up dead and then how are you gonna stop him from hurting your girls.”
Tag turned at Lou and Jed, fury burning in his eyes. “Wait?” he yelled. “That bastard has my daughters! How could Naomi… She said she was involved with a man named Simon. Why didn‘t you say something?”
“Tag,” Lou pleaded. “I swear I didn’t know. You never told me his name, and even if you had, unless you told me his last name I doubt I would have put it together. I knew him as Lyle,” she said quietly looking away from him. “But his full name is Lyle Simon Wicks.”
Lou’s heart was breaking at the thought that Naomi could subject the girls to that kind of person. She knew exactly what Wicks was capable of, and it scared her to think what he would do to the girls if given a chance.
As soon as they reached the room, Lou excused herself and went into the bathroom to remove the wire. She knew Tag was worried, and he should be, but she didn’t appreciate him treating her as if it was all her fault. Isn’t it though? She thought. If you had just turned over the proof fifteen years ago then he’d be behind bars.
Back in the living room of the suite, Tag was trying to calm down. He didn’t mean to snap at Lou like he did, but he was worried about his daughters.
“Did you have to be so hard on Penelope?” Jed asked.
“She goes by Lou now,” Tag snapped.
“Still did you have to be so hard on her? None of this is her fault. I know you’re worried about your girls...”
“Of course I am! That monster has them!” he cried and then looked towards the bathroom where Lou was. “But I’m also worried about Lou,” he said quietly.
Jed nodded and went to knock on the bathroom door. “Penelope? Are you okay in there?”
Lou tried to regain her composure as she heard Jed's voice on the other side of the door. See, even Tag blames you, she thought. He couldn’t even come and check on you himself. She should’ve known that Jed of all people would’ve recognized her. When some of Boggs’ enemies threatened his family, Jed was assigned as Lou’s personal bodyguard. They became close friends. Although they never spoke of it, she knew he was aware of her affair with Wicks, but he did nothing to prevent it from happening. She wondered if they were making the right choice by confiding in him. She sighed, knowing the only other option was to cancel the operation.
“Sure,” she said trying to sound nonchalantly. “I’ll be out shortly.”
Jed turned and went to sit back down at the table. “You should be worried. I don’t know what she’s told you about her past, but it wasn’t very pleasant.”
Tag nodded. “I know. She’s told me everything.” Probably more than you even know, he thought.
“I don’t know why she chose to come back here,” Jed said shaking his head. “I was afraid she wouldn’t survive what she’d been through. Not even after her mom got her away. I’m sure it can’t be easy for her.”
Tag nodded. “There’s a reason why we’re here,” he said quietly, wondering how much he should say without Lou in the room. “Jed? If you knew what Wicks was doing to her, why didn’t you do anything to stop it?”
Jed sighed. “I didn’t know what to do. At first I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t until I saw them on one of the security cameras... I was scared to confront Wicks, after all, I needed this job badly, and he’s a dangerous man to cross. He wasn’t my boss, but I knew enough about what was going on around here to know he was even worse than Boggs. So I told the only person I knew she could trust.”
“You told my mom?” Lou asked finally emerging from the bathroom. “That’s how she found out?”
Jed nodded. “I cared for you, and couldn’t stand to see him hurt you. In just the few months I’d been here, I saw and heard about how much you had changed. I know you were once a spoiled brat, but what he turned you into wasn’t right either.”
“Thank you,” she said before kissing his cheek and then sitting down on the other side of the table.
Tag felt a pang of jealousy as he watched her kiss him. He knew it meant nothing, but it still hurt. He was also disappointed she chose to sit as far away from him as possible, but after seeing her red eyes, he knew he was the only one to blame.
“Lou, I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean...”
Lou shrugged him off. “Don’t worry about it. It was nothing,” she said quietly looking away from him.
Tag reached out and grabbed her hand across the table. “I am worried... worried about you and it was something.”
“It’s all my fault,” she said quietly, fighting back the tears she felt forming again.
“God no, you’re so wrong, Lou,” Tag said getting up and squatting in front of her. “You were just a child.”
Jed nodded. “Lou, you’re being too hard on yourself. He had you brainwashed. There was nothing you could do.”
Lou shook her head. “Really? My life was ruined because I wasn’t strong enough. And how many other lives did my weakness destroy because all I cared about was having fun and hurting my parents no matter the cost? I was a selfish and spoiled brat who didn’t care about anyone or anything.”
“Are you like that now?” Jed asked. Lou shook her head. “Then it’s not your fault.”
Tag lifted her chin with his finger so she was forced to look at him. “He’s right you know.” Lou just shrugged again and Tag knew to let it drop for the time being.
“What do we do now?” Lou questioned looking at Tag. They both knew their cover was blown since Jed knew who they were.
“You can start by explaining why ya’ll are posing as a honeymooning couple known as the Monahans,” Jed said. “I don’t even think Wicks or Boggs believes you are crazy enough to come back here even for Jeremiah and Teresa.”
“You know about them?” Lou questioned, her mouth falling open.
Jed nodded. “I’m the Head of Security now. Of course I know when the big man’s kids are here.”
Lou took a deep breath relieved he didn’t know everything. “Are they alright? If Wicks has done anything to Teresa.”
“They’re fine. Boggs saw the way he started to brainwash her and he won’t let him near her. Besides, the next day, Wicks’s fiancé showed up with the girls and he’s been busy every since. Funny how he doesn’t care about what happens to other people’s daughters...”
“He should’ve cared about what happened to Lou,” Tag said. “Too bad he didn’t keep Wicks away from her.” Tag shook his head and then he realized what Jed had called Naomi. “Fiancé? They’re engaged and we aren’t even divorced yet?!” Tag saw Lou flinch and wished he’d kept his mouth shut. “I didn’t mean it like that Lou.”
Jed chuckled. “Well little brother, what were you mumbling about in the restaurant earlier?”
Tag blushed not realizing Jed had heard him practicing his speech on telling her how he felt. He looked Lou in the eyes and smiled. “How I’d love to spend the rest of my life with you and how much you and the twins already mean to me.”
“Really?” Lou looked down at him astonished. She wanted to believe every word he said; that he truly did want to spend the rest of his life with her.
Tag nodded. “And I am on bended knee,” he said smiling as he remembered their conversation about Buck.
“Um,” Lou muttered. He's not seriously asking me to marry him is he? “Do you really think this is the time to be discussing this?”
He shook his head in agreement. Although he knew she was right, this wasn’t the time to be talking about their future, a part of him was disappointed to see the look of panic that came over her when he brought up the subject. He quickly reminded himself of how long it took for her to completely open up and for them to finally make love. What was I thinking bringing up marriage so soon? She can’t even say she loves me yet. He went back to his seat at the table and scooted his chair next to hers. He smiled as she reached for his hand and squeezed it.
“So,” Jed started. “What are you two doing here? Are you here just to get Jeremiah and Teresa back?”
“Not originally,” Lou answered as she looked at Tag. “I guess we have no choice but to trust him or abort the assignment.”
Tag nodded as Jed looked at them curiously. “Abort the assignment?”
“Lou works as an undercover officer for the NYPD. I’m… I work for the FBI; usually as a Tech Agent. We were sent to take Boggs down and a few days before the mission was to start, Jeremiah and Teresa went missing.”
“And Wicks?” Jed asked.
“We didn’t know he was going to be here,” Lou said quietly. “The latest information I had on him said he was working almost exclusively in New York these days. I’d been waiting for this for so long, and then the second day we were here…”
“I almost called the whole thing off when I saw her reaction to him,” Tag said defensively. “And this was before I knew what he had done to her.”
“But then all the planning and research I’ve been doing would’ve been in vain.”
“Research?” Jed asked.
Tag nodded. “You should see the files she has on them. She’s been hoarding them for years.”
“Most of them were my mom’s,” Lou said solemnly. “She took them with her when we left and when she was killed...”
Jed shook his head. “I’m sorry. When I heard, all I could think about was how your mom was a wonderful woman, and that she didn‘t deserve to die that way. She loved you very much you know.” Lou nodded. “She only wanted what was best for you.”
“Jed, I know we’re putting you in a tight spot like this,” Tag sighed. “Boggs and Wicks are your bosses, but you can’t tell them you know who we are or what we’re doing here. If it was just me, that’d be one thing, but my girls are in danger now.”
Jed nodded. “Trust me. I may have failed you as a brother,” he said looking at Tag before looking at Lou, “And failed you as a friend, but as long as those girls and your brother and sister are here, I’ll risk my life to make sure they stay safe.”
“Thank you,” Tag and Lou said simultaneously.