Chapter 9
MCAT Office ~Monday ~ October 30th
Talking to Nathan had not accomplished much. Jackson still blamed Tanner for what had happened to Paul and only reluctantly had agreed to Vin's terms for his return to work. The protection detail on Rain and Terrell would remain, but Nathan did not want anyone telling him what he could or could not do. His priority was finding the men responsible for the attack on Roberts, with or without MCAT's assistance.
Vin had spent Sunday doing some heavy thinking following his discussion with Nathan. After closing himself up in his home office for several hours and making numerous phone calls to a few trusted former associates, he had discovered that the RMR had put out the word they were looking for an experienced weapons specialist. They were also making plans for something big in the near future. Thinking over all the available options, he made a decision. He and Kelli discussed it thoroughly and with her support he was ready to move forward on it, if Orrin approved. After their talk on the phone he was certain that Travis would, and things would be moving fast in the next forty-eight hours. Several early morning conversations had set events into motion; all he needed to do now was talk to Director Travis and update him on the status of his proposal.
Tanner stopped at Gunny's desk on his way out of the building. "Gunny, I need you to move the scheduled team meetin' from noon to three o'clock. I'm headed over to Director Travis's office, and I may be gone a while."
"Yes sir, will there be anything else?"
"Yes, when Buck returns, tell him I need an hour from him before the meetin' starts." Tanner continued on toward the exit.
"Vin, wait up." Nathan intercepted Tanner before he could leave. "I want a big part of this one Vin. When do we start putting the heat on the RMR?"
"Nathan, we'll discuss it at the team meetin' this afternoon. I'm on my way to see Travis and don't have time now to talk about it."
"Sure Vin, but I bet that you'd make the time if it were Buck asking." Nathan retorted, before he stormed off.
Captain Tanner shook his head and opened the door feeling the cold blast of air that rushed inside. Vin shivered, pulled his coat tighter around him and walked out to brave the chill. He was afraid it was going to be colder inside than it was outside before long.
Travis's Office
Suzanne smiled when Vin walked in. "He's waiting for you Captain." Vin entered the Director's office, set a folder on Orrin's desk and then sat down to wait while his boss read the contents.
Orrin read it through and then looked up at Vin. "I know that you told me last night that you and Kelli have discussed this. But are you certain that you are prepared for the consequences?"
"Yes sir. Kelli and I have talked it over and we know it will not be the easiest choice. But I am convinced that it is the best one under the circumstances."
Travis knew that Vin Tanner did not react blindly without thinking about his actions and he was certainly qualified to take on this mission. He would feel a helluva lot better about it though, if Larabee was available to come back to work. But Chris still had almost four weeks to go on his suspension and then he needed time to reconnect with the unit. If Chris were here and the rest of the unit was healthy again they wouldn't need to look at an alternative plan. Orrin looked at the papers in the folder again on the pretense of thinking over Vin's proposal, but he already knew he would agree to it.
Vin waited patiently for Travis to consider his proposal. He was certain that the Director would come to the same conclusion he had. The MCAT family had been through enough over the last few months and there was no reason to paint a big red bulls-eye on them again. Specifically, he knew that Nathan would not let it go and accept protection for himself. This was a way to hopefully keep Jackson and his family out of the line of fire, but they were understaffed and Chris would not be back for another month. Now was not the time for the unit to take on another grueling case.
One man could take on this investigation and leave MCAT out of it. Vin had considered the options and it all came down to one conclusion. He knew that with his background in covert military ops, he was the one man available that was best qualified for the job. Admittedly he would prefer that he and Chris were on the same page again and that Larabee was here to work it with him, but this mission could not wait for that to happen.
Sighing deeply Orrin realized that Tanner was waiting for an answer. "It is obvious that you have given this a great deal of consideration Vin. The Director part of me agrees with you, but the other part of me is worried. Nevertheless, I am going to agree to your proposal, with a few additions of my own. Are you certain you want to leave MCAT this way?"
"I thought about it and I believe the only credible reason for my leavin' would be for me to move on to another position." Vin then asked the question he most needed answered. "You are going to give Chris his command back, aren't you?"
"Larabee will be back, as long as he has met my requirements and he will face a six month probation period." Travis pulled a large brown envelope out of his drawer that he had prepared after speaking with Vin earlier, and handed it to Tanner. "Your new position is explained in these papers. It says that you will have a six-week training period at Quantico and then be assigned to the Homeland Security office here in Denver commanding your own unit. If anyone checks up on Vin Tanner it will be confirmed that he is in Virginia until December fifteenth. Today is your last day on duty here and I have officially waived your thirty day notice. Do you have your new identity set?"
Tanner took the envelope that held the papers that would officially explain his abrupt departure. "Yes sir. I contacted a few people I know and Dusty Slater now has a completely verifiable background." Vin handed the information to Travis. "You'll find all the details you need in that file, I have everythin' I need to keep Dusty goin'; just don't ask how I got it. The identity is rock-solid. While Vin Tanner is in Virginia, Slater will be infiltratin' the RMR as a weapons specialist. The only people that will know differently are you, Kel, and I'll tell Buck this afternoon. All my reports will come through Kelli and she'll pass the information to you. MCAT will not be involved officially in any way."
"I do have my reservations about this Vin, and I am giving you an order now that I expect you to heed. If you feel at anytime that your cover is at risk, you are to hightail it out of there. If I feel at anytime that you need assistance I will activate the unit. Are we clear on that?"
"Yes sir."
"I also want you to include Standish on this. "Travis held up his hand to stop Vin's protest." I understand why we need to keep the rest of the unit out of this mess and as good an agent as Kelli is, she is still emotionally involved. I want Ezra backing her up, and she will not meet you without informing him of where she is going and when she is expected back. Standish will also be second in command under our new Captain Wilmington, so he needs to be aware of our plan."
Vin had no argument to offer, because truthfully he would feel better knowing that Kelli had a backup. He was confident that she would handle whatever was necessary to be his contact, but she would also have her hands full with the kids. Neither he nor Kelli wanted to lie to the children, but in this case, the less they knew about what their daddy was really doing, the safer it was for them. "I'll tell Ezra and Buck together then."
"When you make your announcement to the team, lay it all on me. It might make it easier when they find out that MCAT is being pulled off the investigation concerning Paul and Nathan's attack. As far as the unit is concerned, I have arranged for the FBI to take over the case and they will keep me informed. Of course, they will do nothing, but it will make the team feel better. I also have several cold cases that you or Buck can assign that will keep the unit busy for a while."
Taking the additional folders from Travis, Tanner inwardly cringed. He knew all too well how these assignments would be received, but that was going to be Buck's headache, not his. "If you hear any unusually loud disturbances about three fifteen, just ignore 'em. That will be me or Buck being bombarded with protests from the rest of the team." The Texan grinned.
Nodding his acknowledgement, Orrin became serious. "Son, I want you back in one piece. Do NOT have me tearing up half of Colorado looking for you. I want the bastards that attacked Nathan and Paul as much as you do…but not at the cost of your life. If anything and I do mean anything changes and you need MCAT do not hesitate to call in for reinforcements." Travis stood up and extended his hand to Vin for a handshake. "You take care and stay in touch."
"Yes sir, but don't worry too much. Kel has already told me that if I get into trouble that she'll hunt me down and drag my butt home. I have no doubt that she would do just that."
"You tell her, I'll help." Travis smiled as he watched Vin walk out of his office. Protecting MCAT and the agents that worked here was a priority and he knew it, but he hated that men like Tanner had to walk into hell to do it. "God speed, son." Orrin spoke softly, yet Vin heard him just as the door closed.
MCAT Office~2:00pm
Talking to Travis had been easy compared to the conversation Vin was going to have with Buck and Ezra. They knew him too well to accept that he was completely okay about taking on this mission alone. Before meeting his brothers, when he worked by himself he did not realize that with a team like theirs it could be so different. Now he knew what it meant to know that his back was always covered by men he trusted. He had come to depend on the bond that he and Chris had shared too, and it was going to be damn hard to get use to it not being there.
A loud rap on his door was the only notice he had before Buck and Ezra walked into his office. Wilmington took the chair on the right side of Vin's desk, while Standish took the one on the left. Tanner mentally prepared himself for the arguments that he knew were coming.
"We're here; I suppose you want to go over the case, right?" Buck stretched his legs out to get more comfortable.
"Actually Buck, we have a lot to cover and we're short on time. So I reckon I'll just dive in. Today is my last day at MCAT, and you Captain Wilmington will be actin' commander until Chris returns. Ezra will be your second in command." Vin dropped his bombshell and waited for the explosion.
"Are you fucking serious?" Buck exclaimed, staring at Vin as if he had suddenly sprouted two heads. "You can't just up and leave us on short notice like this! Chris won't be back for another month, and MCAT needs you, regardless of what anyone else might think."
"Mr. Wilmington is correct, Captain Tanner." Ezra said quietly, studying Vin.
Tanner didn't seem in the least bit upset by this sudden turn of events, and in that Standish knew that there was something else going on. Vin had worked just as hard as the rest of them to make MCAT what it was, and regardless of whether the decision to leave was amicable or not, he would be showing some inkling of what he was feeling. Instead, Vin was giving him and Buck the equivalent of Tanner's poker face, and if Wilmington hadn't been too upset by their friend's words, he would have seen it too.
"Perhaps it would be wise if you would enlighten us with whatever else has you exhibiting that look of apathy, Vin." Ezra leveled his gaze on Tanner. "I believe that I'll have to call your bluff."
Standish's words stopped Buck's tirade. Wilmington turned a sharp look at Tanner and saw that Ezra was right. "Damnit Vin, I'm getting too old for games. Tell us what's going on, and give up the pussy-footing around."
Vin took a deep breath and began. "Officially I am leaving Wednesday for Quantico for six weeks of trainin'. When I return, I will have my own command here in Denver with Homeland Security."
"Unofficially...you are doing what?" Buck prodded.
"Unofficially what I say is stayin' in this room. Other than you two, only Travis and Kel will know the truth." Vin made sure they understood that before he continued. "Vin Tanner is going to disappear for a while and Dusty Slater is going to try to infiltrate the RMR as a weapons specialist. I plan to find out what happened to Abbott and the identity of the men that attacked Nathan and Paul. My cover is rock solid and will hold up under scrutiny."
"You're going in alone?" Wilmington's voice was incredulous. "Are you crazy, Vin? That informant today said word was already out that they were looking for a more seasoned weapons expert, but they were going to check and double check the background of anyone before allowing them in. Do you know how quickly things can turn ugly if they catch on that you're a fed?
"I am certain that Vin has considered the bodily danger to himself if his undercover ruse is discovered, Buck." Standish said. "The question we need to be asking is how can we be of service?"
Buck looked first at Ezra and saw that he was serious and then to Vin who seemed to be waiting for his acceptance. "Aw hell, you know we'll cover for you, but …Vin, are you sure this is necessary?"
"It is. MCAT is not in any position to become a target again. That's the reason Travis had us workin' in the shadows on this case to begin with. Even with Mark coming back to work this week, we are still understaffed. Ezra is not a weapons expert, and although he is the best undercover agent I know, he has little experience with military operations. I do, however, fit the profile of what the RMR is lookin' for. Besides, truthfully I don't think the team is ready for a repeat of the last assignment. Make no mistake in assumin' that it wouldn't happen, because as sure as 'm sittin' here I know it would. You do too, Buck."
"Damn." Buck said, knowing that Vin was right. MCAT was not operating at one hundred percent yet and any damage taken would be disastrous.
"Very profoundly put, Buck," Ezra responded.
Wilmington shot Standish a glare.
Standish ignored it and addressed Tanner instead. "I am assuming that by revealing your intentions to go undercover and infiltrate the RMR that Buck and I are going to be involved to some degree in your plans. Am I correct?"
"Yes and no. Buck, you have been promoted to Captain. You'll run things here. No one is to know where I really am. The director will tell you if anythin' comes up that you need to deal with as far as 'm concerned. Ezra, Kel is my contact. Travis wants you as her backup. She is to tell you if she has to meet me, where, when, and for how long. Other than that, y'all will not be involved; she'll give my reports directly to Travis".
"Now Vin, you know we can't agree to that. You need…"
"Buck, I need you to take charge until Chris is back in command. Kel is gonna take off the rest of the week and be back on Monday. The unit is gonna stay busy with these cold cases Travis dug up and will not be investigatin' the RMR or the attack on Paul and Nathan. The FBI will be takin' the lead on that case. Now either I can tell 'em that at the team meetin' or you can. After that you, me, and Ezra are gonna go over the current work on this desk and then I am out of here. This office is yours Captain Wilmington."
This was not what he wanted, but he would do his job as the new Captain. Shaking his head and sighing deeply, Buck reached out his hand. "Give me the damn case files. I'll give them their assignments, but you have to break the news to the unit about the investigation first, and then you have to tell them you're leaving."
The Texan laughed. "They'll be so angry with me you'll sail through those assignments, Bucklin."
"Vin, I gather that you have your cover already arranged. As your brothers, what can we do?" Ezra felt a sense of dread fall over him.
"We are not tellin' the kids anymore than the basic fact that I'll be away from home for a few weeks of trainin'. Watch out for my family, keep Kel out of trouble, and Ezra, if you would make certain all my affairs are in order in case…"
"You are coming back! " Ezra reacted and then composed himself. "I assure you that all is in order and we will take damn good care of your family until you return."
Buck had another burning question. "This official new position is not genuine right Vin? You do plan to come back to MCAT when this is over don't you?"
Tanner hesitated before he answered. "Let's get through this and when it's over… ask me again." Looking at his watch Vin noted that it was almost time for the team meeting and stood up. "Y'all ready to face the mob?"
"Don't worry Vin; we've got your back." Buck smiled. "We'll make sure you at least get out of the war room in one piece."
MCAT War Room 3:00pm
Tanner, Wilmington, and Standish were the first ones in the room. Together they presented a united front, all of them knowing that the next thirty minutes would be tough to get through. When the team found out that they were being pulled off this case, there were going to be more than a few unhappy people in the room. The race issue itself was enough to provoke strong emotions, add to that, the fact that two of their own had been targets of an attack and you had all the elements for a volatile meeting.
Agents filed in and sat waiting for Tanner to begin, expecting to hear a plan for the new case.
Vin stood up. "First off, 'm gonna give you an update on your teammates. Paul is still in ICU listed in critical condition, but stable. Mark Westin will be returnin' to duty before the end of this week. Rafael Cordova will be out for another two weeks, Katrina Santos will be back next Monday and Greg Ramsey will return the followin' week. I also want to welcome Alex to the team, Sandoval is a new member of the unit and y'all can introduce yourselves to him when we finish here, I spoke with Ross Anderson last Friday and reminded him that there was a place for him on JD's team when he was ready. He said he would think about it, but he still has several weeks of physical therapy to get through first. I expect Commander Larabee to be back somewhere around the first of December."
Pam smiled. "That is all good to hear."
"Yeah it is." Vin decided to just plunge in. "As of today MCAT will not be handlin' the investigation into the attack on two of our agents. That case has been handed over to The FBI and they will be keepin' Director Travis advised of their progress. Agent Jackson, we will however continue to maintain extra protection for you and your family."
"Wait a minute Vin!" Nathan jumped up. "That should be our case! It may not be important to you, but as a black man that was targeted, it sure as hell is important to me! You are supposed to stand up for us Captain Tanner. Why didn't you?"
"What makes you so sure he didn't?" Kelli snapped.
"I think we all know that Vin never wanted this case in the first place." Nathan retorted. "Maybe if one of us was white we might pursue it, but two old black boys gettin' hurt is not a case for MCAT status."
Buck jumped in before Kelli had an opportunity to unleash her obvious anger on Jackson. "Nathan! That was uncalled for. You know as well as I do that Travis has the authority to pull us off any damn case he chooses to."
"Perhaps our Director deems this to be an assignment that hits too close to home, and he prefers a more objective investigation. Given the quantity of raw emotion that I am observing in this room at this moment I find that I must concur with his evaluation." Ezra stated calmly.
"You would." Nathan huffed and sat down.
"If we're not working on this case, then what are we going to be doing? JD questioned.
Josiah sat silently and studied the agents in the room. The body language he was seeing told him that there was more going on here than a change of assignment. The fact that Nathan was the one that was most upset was telling him that his friend's issues ran deeper than the question of who would be investigating this case. Mallory and Justin had not joined in the intense exchange of words and seem to be okay with waiting for more information. Buck and Ezra were definitely unifying with Vin, and Kelli apparently was barely holding onto her anger with Nathan.
"We'll get to that JD in a few minutes. I have a couple more announcements first." Tanner waited for their attention. " Special Agent Buck Wilmington has been promoted to Captain."
"All right Buck!" JD grinned as congratulations followed around the room.
"Starting tomorrow mornin' he will also be actin' Commander of this unit until Chris returns. I have been offered and have accepted a position with Homeland Security as commander of my own unit. I leave Wednesday for six weeks of trainin' at Quantico, Virginia. Today is my last day here at MCAT." The Texan did not have to wait long for a reaction to his announcement.
"What? You can't be serious?" JD exclaimed. "You can't just leave us Vin. What about the new house you just built? What about..."
Josiah reached out for Mallory's hand and she gladly gave it. "JD..." he started in a calm voice.
"Don't JD me," the younger agent snapped, clearly upset at this newest turn of events. "I know things are bad right now… especially between you and Chris, but Damnit, we're your family too and you can't just walk out on us..."
"This is a career decision, JD, not a family one." Vin told the younger man quietly. "I'm not givin' up on the family. I don't know how things are goin' to work out with me havin' to commute to Virginia and all, but Kelli, the kids, and me aren't leavin' Larabee 7."
Kelli met her husband's eyes across the table and offered him her silent support, knowing how much it was costing him to keep up with the facade he was creating.
"We will always be family, no matter where we are all at." Josiah said, hoping to provide some comfort for JD, as well as himself.
"Kel will be stayin' on with MCAT, but she is takin' a few days off to help the kids adjust to me being' gone, and I'll be back in Denver in six weeks. I do regret however, that I'll be missin' the girl's birthdays, as well as Terrell's, and Thanksgivin'." Vin sighed. "The only real difference is you won't see me here everyday."
JD swallowed hard to dislodge the lump in his throat that had formed at Vin's earlier words. He didn't know how Vin could possibly think that they would let him go, but he was family, and he realized that Vin's mind was made up. There was nothing he could do to prevent it from happening, but he didn't need to make things harder on Vin either.
"If your mind is already made up, I guess there's no point in trying to change it," he said softly. "Just so long as you and Kelli and the kids stay in Denver, you won't get any more arguments from me. Try to relocate altogether and you're going to have a fight on your hands."
Nathan had sat back in his chair, his heart racing, and his mind volatile. He couldn't believe that they were just going to hand the case over to someone else to deal with, and that Vin was walking out on the team altogether. He rose suddenly; his chair falling back onto the floor with a clatter that effectively drew attention to him. He moved toward the door without saying a word, but Tanner's voice halted him in his track.
"Like my decision or not Nathan, I'm still your commandin' officer right now and you will stay until this meetin' is over." Tanner challenged Jackson.
Nathan turned slowly around and locked eyes with Tanner across the room, as the rest of his MCAT teammates watched tensely to see what would happen next. Slowly he made his way back to his place at the table, bending down to lift his chair back up to its rightful position and sat down. "I'm almost glad that Buck is going to be in charge because maybe it will mean that someone else's feelings are going to be taken into consideration before cases are discarded."
"You don't think that Vin considers anyone else's feelin's but his own?" Kelli exclaimed, her temper flaring. "You don't know what the hell you are talkin' about Nathan! Vin's..."
"Kelli."
The one word elicited from Vin was enough to remind Kelli of how close she had been coming to disclosing her husband's true agenda, and she hastily swallowed back her anger. She settled into her seat, staring daggers at Nathan as she waited for the meeting to continue."
"The subject is now closed for discussion." Tanner turned to Buck. "You wanna give out the assignments, Captain?"
Buck gave out the case assignments and then dismissed the meeting. Nathan left quickly, but Pam, Justin, JD and the others stayed around to offer Vin well wishes on his new position. As soon as he could, Tanner escaped to his office, or rather Buck's office. Wilmington and Standish followed, and for the next hour Vin updated them on current paperwork, said his goodbyes, and attempted to prepare himself for whatever laid ahead.
Then it was done….time to leave. Tanner walked out of his old office and smiled when he saw Kelli waiting for him. Vin was surprised…this was a helluva lot harder than he thought it would be. When they reached the outside door he turned for a last look around. Standish tipped his imaginary hat to him and grinned.
Journal Entry~ October 31st~ Reclamation
Grace and I have stayed busy the last few days. I am not sure what Linda has been doing, she sure in the hell has not shared whatever it is with us, but it probably involves spending money. I feel as if we are worlds apart from one another, hell maybe we always have been and I refused to acknowledge it. Something has to give soon though, because it is damn hard to live this way.
Last night at my meeting we had a new guy come in and I suppose I saw myself as I was the first time I walked in to that room. Angry, defensive, and just plain pissed at the rest of the world for having to be there. This young man though reminded me of Vin when I first met him…not the drug part, but he had that same me against the world look in his eyes that Tanner did eight…no nine years ago. I supposed that is why I made a point of talking to that young man after the meeting and letting him know that the first time is the hardest and it does get easier. When I had finished my little welcome, I looked up and saw Colonel Mike nod at me and I would have sworn that he smiled, but he never smiled so it must have been the lighting in the room.
As of today I have made my amendments to each one of my brothers, except for Vin. I couldn't bring myself to approach him before now, and I hope that I'm not too late. I said such awful things to him...accused him of so much. I can't help but wonder if too much time has already passed and he won't be able to forgive me. But I have to try…November is a new month... my new mission…talk to Vin and clear the air between us. Tomorrow will mark the beginning of a renewed friendship for us, hopefully one that will bridge the chasm that lay between me and my eldest daughter, too.
Chris closed his journal and marked November 1st on the calendar.
