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  “Best we can figure is they clued into the fact that they had a tail and let him out along the way. Likely during one of the many turns they made where we had no way of seeing the doors to their conveyance.”

  “It’s called a limo, lads,” Mercury said. “Did you get the plates?”

  “We were supposed to pick up plates?” Eric muttered over James’s shoulder.

  “He means the doodads on the back that identify the owner of the car,” James clarified. “Yeah. We sent them to Helen so she could start the process. She said she’d give it all to you as soon as she had anything.” Helen was their tech person, who had an unusual interest in odd T-shirts.

  Gaius was practically vibrating at Hector’s side. Reaching over, he laid light fingers to his friend’s arm. “Calm,” Hector reminded quietly.

  “They lost the man who betrayed us and nearly killed Emily,” Gaius growled under his breath.

  “And they’ll find him again. Eric is very good at tracking people. You know that, Gaius. Getting wound up and irritated will only make life more uncomfortable for everyone. Not everything goes exactly as planned, remember? Eric will pick up his trail eventually, and we’ll bring him back for questioning.”

  “He’d better,” Gaius grumbled.

  “If he doesn’t, I’m sure Mercury will send James back to Miami as soon as he’s done assisting Jason. Breathe, old friend,” Hector advised.

  Gaius glared at him as he made a huge production of taking a deep breath and letting it out.

  Rolling his eyes, Hector threw a look to the ceiling. Gods, it’s like dealing with small, temperamental, snotty little children some days.

  “James, I need you to fly to Seattle and meet up with Jason. We’ve had a report of an incident there that requires investigation. There isn’t a lot at the moment, but he’ll brief you on what we do have when he arrives,” Mercury was saying. “Eric, keep looking for our rat. I want him found, alive, and brought back to the Mountain.”

  “Define your parameters of ‘alive,’ if you would, please,” the big redhead asked with a grin.

  “Breathing and not about to die without medical attention. Broken bones, blood, and bruises are always permitted. He does need to be ready for questioning on return, though, so attempt to keep from knocking him unconscious.”

  “Copy that, boss,” Eric said. His gaze shifted, and he gave a solemn nod. From the corner of his eye, Hector saw Gaius return the move and knew that Eric was making their fellow guardian a promise. He wouldn’t return without the man responsible for the attack on Gaius and Emily.

  “You have your assignments,” Mercury said. “Get to them. We’ll talk again in four days’ time, unless we have information to pass on before then. Anything you have, get it to Helen promptly.”

  Turning to face the table once the call was disconnected, Mercury looked at them one at a time. “Jason, you have a flight leaving in two hours. You’d better get packed and moving.”

  “Right,” the large man said. Getting to his feet, he gave them all a quick bow and left, shaking Mercury’s hand on the way past.

  “Alex, get some sleep. You look ready to keel over.” Not exactly an exaggeration.

  “I think I will. Gentlemen.” He gave them a bow before leaving as well.

  “And you two.” Mercury pinned them with looks. “Get back to your women and look after them. You’re on duty here until further notice, unless the shit hits the fan again. We need to be ready to move if Seattle turns into something bigger than it appears. Until then, you’re on R&R. Go,” he ordered.

  Hector hesitated, though he was ready to jump up as Gaius just had. “What about the tapes?”

  “From the sanitarium?” Mercury asked.

  “Yeah. Have we found any proof that the suicides were anything more?”

  Gaius settled back into his chair, as he had a semi-vested interest in the answer. He’d been there, helping Hector and Riley get back to the Mountain stronghold.

  “Not yet. Helen’s gone through the entire first event and seen nothing out of place. She’s working her way through the second apparent suicide, but it’s slow going. She has to check each frame, one at a time. We all know how quickly the monsters can move, so it’s a necessary evil.”

  “Not the answer I was hoping for,” Hector admitted.

  “I know. I’ll get you anything we find as soon as we find it. I’m heading back up there to lend a hand. I may not know a lot about computers, but I can sit and watch for the monsters. Now, get going. You both look like you could use some sleep.”

  That was good enough for Hector, and apparently, Gaius, given how quickly he was up and out of his chair again. They headed out of the war room and went their separate ways in the labyrinth of corridors after sharing a grim look.

  The thought of seeing Riley had Hector picking up his pace, his mood lightening. He’d only been gone an hour, but that was an hour too long.

  The End

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