Chapter Four

It was a strangely quiet group of men that arrived at Team 7's office that day. Nate came in only to find that Josiah was already there, with coffee already brewed, indicating that he'd been there for some time. Nate was followed by Buck Wilmington who had hurried through his morning routine hoping to allow some extra time to try to reach Chris. JD arrived next and went immediately to Buck's desk to find out if Buck was successful in reaching the missing leader. The four men all were huddled together. When Vin Tanner arrived at the office his eyes wandered to the closed door of Chris' office.

"Hey Vin, we haven't heard from Chris, did you happen to hear from him?" JD's obvious concern for the missing man was evident in the worried tone of this voice.

"No, kid I didn't. My guess is Chris is holed up somewhere licking his wounds, trying to find out who the enemy is and what kind of game they're playing. He'll show up when he's ready."

Buck and Vin shared a glance, that told each other when Chris showed up, they'd both be there for him. The opening of the elevator door caused the five men to all look up. Spotting Elizabeth stepping from the elevator they began to break up and head for their respective desks.

"Good morning gentlemen, glad to see you all made it." These words were spoken before seeing the vacant desk of the undercover agent. "Is Agent Standish working on a deal and I just haven't been informed or is there another reason for his absence?" The tall blonde's left eyebrow rose as she spoke.

"Ezra keeps his own hours, he'll be in later." JD told her, the edge to his voice evident, bordering on insubordination.

The eyebrow raised further, and a withering glance was thrown at the youngest member of the team.

"Agent Dunne, if you..."

But she was cut off by Josiah, who had read the signs and saw that JD's anger was about to land him in hot water with the still untried newly appointed supervisor.

"Agent Everly, you wanted me to bring you up to date on the ongoing investigations, I have those files ready for you and we can go over them anytime you like."

Elizabeth stood still glaring at JD, who was beginning to feel like he'd seen that look somewhere before, by someone standing at just that spot, who looked, amazingly enough just like she did. Josiah rose and stepped towards Elizabeth drawing her attention away from JD. She looked at the man who now stood between her and the rest of the men. Realizing the man's purpose she acquiesced, turned and went into Chris' office. Josiah followed her and closed the door.

"Agent Everly, I don't know if anyone has asked you this or not, and I don't mean to pry into your personal life, but are you, do you happen to be related to Chris?"

Josiah watched the pretty blonde's face and was quite surprised to see a smile, that grew into a laugh. A delicious, silvery, feminine laugh, something totally at odds with the almost masculine pantsuit and shoes in which the woman was attired.

"No, Josiah, I'm not, although I have to admit, Director Travis asked me the same thing. Are we really that much alike?"

"Yes, remarkably so and it throws me everytime."

What she would have said next was left unspoken as there was a knock on the door. Walking back around the desk and brushing by the large agent she opened it and was greeted by two men in dark suits, obviously the two expected IA men down from DC.

"Agent Everly?"

Yes? And you are?"

"I'm Agent Jerrolds and this Agent Millsaps, we're here to conduct the on-site investigation of Agent Larabee."

David Millsaps had been in Internal Affairs out of headquarters in Washington for almost four years now, Mark Jerrolds his partner had only been there for two. Millsaps had transferred to Washington from Denver around the time that Chris took over Team 7. Most of the men assigned to the Denver district knew Millsaps and all thought he was exactly where he belonged, in IA, because he always seemed to take such pleasure in someone else fucking up. Probably because he had been so good at it himself when he was a field agent. He hadn't been well liked when he was in Denver, but he was accepted as one of the guys.

"Please come in." Looking at Josiah she told him that they would continue their conversation later. Sanchez left closing the door behind him. Buck and Vin were deep in conversation at Buck's desk when Josiah re-entered the squad area. Looking all the world like two kids caught up in mischief they visibly relaxed to see that Josiah was by himself. The older man headed in their direction, looking around to see if Ezra had yet arrived.

"Have you reached Chris yet?"

"No, the cell's still turned off and his answering machine is picking up at the house." Wilmington's concern was obvious in his voice.

"Where's Nate?" Josiah asked.

"Went to pick up Ez at the motor pool. Ezra had to drop off that UC vehicle to have the bird-dog replaced. When I checked it out yesterday it wasn't transmitting properly and I didn't want to risk losing him."

"What do Dumb and Dumber want in there?" the blue eyed counter-sniper asked.

"They just said they were here for the on-site, guess that means interviews and such."

"Well maybe we can find out just what the hell is going on. I feel like I'm having a bad dream and nobody's told me what's scaring me." Buck rested his head in his hands with his elbows on the desktop.

As JD walked back into the squad room from the outer office the door to Larabee's office opened. The two agents along with Elizabeth stepped out into the room.

"Agent Dunne, please go with Agents Jerrolds and Millsaps, they have some questions for you."

"Is that an order?" the young man asked.

"Not at this time, but I can make it one, if I need to. Do I?"

JD looked past her to see Josiah give a slight nod, indicating that JD should go along with the agents.

JD huffed, but followed the two men down the hall to the interview room. The remaining three men went back to their desks.

"Agent Dunne, please be seated and make yourself comfortable. I'm Mark Jerrolds and this is David Millsaps. We have a few questions to ask you. Before we do I'd like to advise you that you don't have to answer these questions, however, your refusal to do so could result in your being suspended and even terminated."

"Go ahead, I don't have anything to hide, and neither does Chris Larabee." JD's posture and tone screamed his anger at the situation.

"Agent Dunne, you've been assigned to Team 7 for how long now?"

"A little over a year."

"And in that year have you ever been privy to Agent Larabee's personal financial arrangements?"

"No, I mean, I know Chris is pretty frugal, but I don't know how much money he has if that's what you're asking."

The older agent, Millsaps, who appeared to be the lead leaned down and peered across the table at JD, "That's exactly what we're asking. Does Agent Larabee appear to live outside his means?"

"Chris, no way. Chris doesn't seem to spend money at all. I mean he does most of his own work around the ranch, he doesn't date a lot, he goes out with us guys sometimes but that's about all. I mean, gee he lives a pretty quiet lifestyle. Why? Where are you guys going with this?"

"Does Agent Larabee gamble?"

"What? Gamble, you mean like casino's and such?" seeing the nod from Millsaps, JD responded, "no, I mean he'll bet with us on a football game or a hockey game, but we don't bet more than fifty bucks on any one game."

"Any other expensive habits that he may have?"

"Look I've played along with you guys so far, but I'm beginning to think maybe you're just fishing for something and I don't want to be the bait."

"Agent Dunne, JD, can I call you JD? Let's just get this over with and drop the bullshit. Do you have any knowledge of Chris Larabee accepting bribes to facilitate the smuggling of illegal weapons outside to United States to it's enemies?"

Stunned JD leaned back, before sitting straight up in the chair. "Chris? You think Chris took money? Are you people crazy? Chris Larabee would put his own family in jail if they broke the law. I mean you know who this man is don't you? You know he was a SEAL, and he's been Agent of the Year twice. I mean good grief, they killed his wife and son and you think Chris took money from some of these s.o.b.'s? You're so far off base, hell you're not even in the right ballpark."

His outburst was interrupted by the door opening and Elizabeth stepping inside the room. Looking around, her glance took in JD's flushed, angry face and the two other agents. Surmising that the interview had already taken place, she told JD he could return to his office. Millsaps and Jerrolds exchanged glances before the older of the two stood and thanked JD for his help. A blank look flitted across the young man's face before he rose and walked dazed back to the squad room. As he entered he started towards Buck's desk but observed that the man was on the phone. Taking his seat at his desk, JD turned to his computer and began to type furiously.

Back inside the room a very quiet, very angry Elizabeth Everly looked at the two men from Washington, "Don't you ever question one of my men again without my presence or my permission. Is that understood?"

"I thought you knew we were going to interview him, you told him to come with us."

"Don't pull that crap with me Millsaps! You know damn good and well you were supposed to wait for me to get in here! Don't let it happen again. Understood?"

"Sure." with that the two men began reviewing their notes. Elizabeth continued to stand in the center of the room watching them before finally turning and leaving the two men alone.