Chapter 11
It was the real Vin Tanner that had spent the night with his wife last night and they enjoyed a wonderful morning; however as he dressed to leave he became more of Dusty Slater with each article of clothing that he added. On one hand, Kelli was glad to see Vin so disciplined and focused on his mission; it meant that it was less likely that anyone would think he was a Federal agent. On the other, she found herself missing him before he was even physically gone. The cabin was back the way they had found it, Dusty's GMC was packed and Kelli had her keys in hand ready to leave.
Vin and Kelli walked out the front door into the cold and for a moment the silence between them was awkward. Dusty Slater turned to the beautiful redhead beside him, but it was Vin Tanner who reached up with one gloved hand to cup Kelli's face and stare deeply into her blue eyes.
"I love you Kelli Lar'bee Tanner. Don't you ever forget that." he told her hoarsely, before he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Kelli fought to keep her composure, knowing that if she lost control of her emotions, Vin would lose his as well. "I love you too, Vin Tanner. Always remember that you are a good man, a loyal friend and brother, the best damn husband in the world, and a father with a family that loves you."
"I will." Tanner whispered softly, leaning his forehead against hers for several moments before he drew back and together the two of them walked down to the driveway. It took both of them several attempts to walk away, but finally Kelli turned toward her truck. Vin watched her get into the vehicle, before he moved to get into the GMC.
Kelli's fingers trembled as she inserted the key into the ignition and pulled the vehicle out of the driveway so that Vin could back the GMC out. She watched through her rear view mirror as Vin waved at her, before he stepped on the gas and sent the truck into motion down the road in the opposite direction. It was only then that Kelli managed to do likewise, her heart beginning to pound in her ears the more seconds past by and Vin wasn't with her.
She wasn't sure how far she made it down the road, before her resolve not to cry broke, and she had to pull the truck over to the side of the road because she couldn't see through the blur of tears. She leaned forward onto the steering wheel and wept.
Vin had not made it far before he slammed on the GMC's brakes and brought the vehicle over to the side of the road. He wanted nothing more than to turn the truck around and speed after Kelli, take her into his arms and hold her forever. He had known it was going to be hard to leave, but he had not figured on his heart being ripped out of his chest in the process.
One would have thought that he had never gone undercover before, but he knew that wasn't it. It was the fact that he was going undercover in unknown territory without anyone he trusted to watch his back, something he had not had to do in over nine years, thanks to team seven. That presented the very real possibility that he may not make it out of this mission alive. That prospect may not have bothered him all that much before, when he was alone, but it was damn well different now. Yet, despite the threat of bodily injury or even death to himself, Tanner knew that he couldn't walk away from what he was about to do. He couldn't let these radicals get away with what they had done to the missing FBI Agent...to Paul...and to Nathan. Regardless of his being on the outs with Jackson, the man was his brother in every sense of the word and he would be damned if he was going to let anyone hurt someone he loved and get away with it.
*Ok Mistress Fate, it's up to you, but whatever you have planned for me, please keep my family out of it and safe.*
Travis's Office~ 10:00am
Chris had been pacing in the outer office for twenty minutes, waiting for Orrin to finish his phone call, when Suzanne stood up and drew his attention. You can go in now Commander Larabee."
Chris didn't need anymore prodding from Travis's secretary, but strolled into the office and closed the door behind him. This was the moment he had been waiting for, a chance to have an early return to MCAT. *Stay cool Larabee. Do not lose your temper…yet*
"Chris, you're looking good. What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Travis asked amicably as both men sat down facing one another.
"Me returning to work," Larabee told him, getting directly to the point." Hear me out before you say anything Orrin...please."
"All right." the director agreed.
"I know that the ninety day probationary period is not over yet, but I'm ready to return to work. I have obtained written recommendations from my psychiatrist, NA counselor, and my sponsor detailing the progress that I've made and all stating that they feel that I am ready to resume my command."
Director Travis took the papers that Chris passed to him and read each one. He had been getting a few reports on how Larabee was doing and he was pleased to see that he had made good use of his time off. He looked up and saw the old Chris Larabee that he knew so well, but he also recognized the spark in the Commander's eyes that usually meant a headache for him.
Chris waited with bated breath as Travis read the recommendations he had presented to him. He needed to come back to work. He needed to be in the know of where Vin went and why.
"These letters say a lot Chris, but you tell me why you think that you are ready to return to MCAT." Travis waited for a response.
"Because this is where I belong."
Orrin recognized the confidence and sincerity in those few words, no excuses, no pleas for sympathy, just one honest statement. "IF I defer the remainder of your suspension, you will still be facing a six-month probationary period, Chris. One slip with drugs for any reason and I would have no choice but to terminate your employment."
"I understand Orrin and you would be right to do so. I assure you that I will not slip, I may still have a few personal challenges to meet, but the threat of using drugs again is not one of them. I intend to continue with my NA meetings. I will stay in touch with my sponsor, and if you want me to, I'll submit to random drug testing."
Travis nodded, "Very well, you'll have your chance Chris. Commander Larabee, consider yourself reinstated to duty, but before you pounce on me with whatever it is that is going to make my head hurt, there are a few changes that you should be aware of. The director proceeded to update Chris on those changes, starting with their new boss and continuing through the explanation of shadow ops and confidentiality statements. "Captain Wilmington can fill you in on the newest agents and applicants. There is still a lot to be done before the first of the year, and that is when I want this unit fully operational, with all personnel in place."
Hearing about the changes in operational procedures explained a lot to Chris. Why no one discussed MCAT around him and why Buck found it so difficult to explain Vin's absence. The shadow assignments did concern him, and although he was certain that he already knew the answer he had to know.
"Where is Vin?"
Orrin opened his desk drawer and pulled out a file, handing it over to Larabee. "The only people besides me that are aware of what it contains are Kel, Buck and Ezra." He gave Chris time to read through it and waited for the explosion that he knew was coming.
Chris stood up. "How in the hell could you agree to let him go into that hellhole alone! I understand that the unit is not ready for the trouble that this kind of case could produce, but to send Tanner into the same group that may be responsible for another undercover agent's death with no backup, and no way out if he gets into trouble. Damnit Orrin, you should have called me, I would have gone in with him!"
"I know." Travis said softly. "That is why I did not call you. There were only three people that possessed enough experience with this type of mission to take on this assignment. Tanner, Wilmington and …yourself, with Vin out, I needed Buck here and regardless of what you think Chris, you need time to readjust before you go under again.
"You may be right about that, but I sure as hell can supervise this type of mission. Have you run his cover to see what CASSIE shows? What kind of deadline does he have before he is forced to abort? What extraction plan is in place in case he runs into trouble? How often is he expected to check in? Have all the members of the RMR been identified and screened? It only takes one person to recognize him as Vin Tanner and he is a dead man. Just who in the hell is setting this up for him? Do we know?" Chris stopped ranting long enough to take a deep breath and Orrin jumped in.
"All good questions Chris, and unfortunately I do not have answers for all of them. You know what Tanner may be facing and I had to trust Vin that he knew too. He assured me that his contacts were reliable. Now that you are back in charge we may want to handle this differently. I know that you routinely handled this type of assignment in your Navy Seal days. The only requirements that I have is that at this point MCAT cannot be officially involved in anyway, and that I stay informed. I set it up that Kelli would give Tanner's reports directly to me, if you decide to oversee this mission, she can report to you. If you are ready to step in, I'll transfer controlling authority to you."
"Damn right I'm gonna oversee it! "
"You might want to talk to Kelli before you start the inquisition on Buck. She will be back this afternoon and should have more information to add to what we already know." Orrin stood up and shook Chris's hand. "Welcome back. Do you want me to announce your return or handle it your way?"
"My way may work better." Chris started to leave, but turned around. Thank you Orrin." He then left the Director's office and pulled out his cell phone as he walked across to the MCAT office.
"Max, I'll pick Grace up after five, give her a hug for me, and tell her that daddy is going back to work."
Rocky Meadows, Colorado
It was shortly after noon as Dusty Slater drove down the main street of the small town of Rocky Meadows. He had no problem finding 'Bubba's Bar and Grill'. It was the only business in town that had more than three cars parked in front of it. Dusty parked next to an old Ford pickup that had a back window covered in decals proclaiming the right to bear arms, membership in the NRA and a symbol he recognized as belonging to one of the white supremacy groups. He knew he was in the right place so he set his hat on his head, climbed out of his truck, and lazily made his way inside the bar.
He stood just inside the bar to allow his eyes to adjust to the dimly lit interior. The air was filled with a mixture of cigarette smoke, perspiration, warm beer, and fried onions. Immediately to his right was a row of pool tables with scratched surfaces and worn linings, there was a cluster of small circular tables with a few stools nestled in the corner. To his left was a small area in which a couple more of the small tables and stools were located, and on the chipped wall beyond them was a dartboard. Alongside the same wall was the bar, which he estimated to be about eight feet long. More stools were lined up beside it. Behind the bar was a large mirror covered with gilt, with rows of shelves on either side of it filled with an odd assortment of alcohol bottles in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
To the back of the room there were a couple of doors which he supposed were the supply closet, office, and restrooms. In the same area was a small dancing floor and a jukebox that looked as if it had just been plucked out of a junkyard. There were at least a half dozen or more patrons that were lined up at the bar, playing pool, dancing in the back to an old Kenny Rogers's song or shooting the breeze. All movement seemed to have ratcheted to a stop the moment Dusty entered through the door because he suddenly found himself the center of attention. He did not let it faze him. He strolled confidently up to the bar and gruffly asked the bartender for a Budweiser.
The bartender slid the beer down the bar and Slater grabbed it without spilling a drop. "We don't get many new faces around here. You lost or something, Cowboy?"
"Why? I got a sign on my forehead that says lost?" Dusty smirked.
"No, just asking. I like to know the people I serve in here; you see I'm kinda particular about the company I keep."
"You ain't alone on that." Slater said, as he took another long swallow of his beer.
"You see, I'm Bubba Jones and I own this place. Like that sign says, 'I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone'. More importantly, I'm not afraid to back it up. I only serve white bread, if you get my drift."
Dusty pushed his hat back and looked the bartender in the eye. "Bubba, "he drained his beer. "On that we agree… seems to always be a coon or two that wants ta make like friends and yak at ya."
Bubba smiled. "You've got trouble with coons too?"
"Ain't we all? They seem to be multiplyin' faster than jackrabbits. "
A few of the men at the bar burst out laughing. "Jungle bunnies are bound to do that. They'd be populating the whole damn country if it wasn't for folks like us doing something about it." One of the men said. "You won't have to worry about their kind around here."
"That's for damn sure." Bubba agreed. "We have to stand up against the tyranny of our government and let them know that we aren't going to just sit around and do nothing while they tear this great country down by allowing coons and greasers to overpopulate it, take our jobs away from us, infiltrate our race and stomp on our rights."
Slater nodded his head in agreement. "I heard tell that there was an openin' fer an exterminator around these parts."
A sudden tenseness filled the bar area in reaction to Dusty's words. Another man, one who had been following the conversation, but hadn't joined in, spoke up. "Where did you hear that?"
"Word gets around when ya got the right connections." Slater said," Was told that I needed to talk ta a man named Anson about the position."
"That so huh, and who are these 'right' connections?
Slater cut his eyes to the man and drilled him with a steely blue glare. "That's my damn business."
"It was just a question."
"I don't like folks meddlin' into my affairs."
"It pays to know who you're dealing with. You got a name, Cowboy?"
"Slater… Dusty Slater and judgin' by the way these fellows are lookin' at ya for direction. I reckon ya must be Anson."
Anson Ricter had already heard about Dusty Slater. Word came up from Texas that the man was headed his way and looking for a place to light. He studied the man in front of him and then nodded. "I've heard about you. We should talk. Why don't you step into my office? Bubba send us a couple more beers over." Ricter turned to walk toward the back table, expecting Slater to follow him.
Dusty did not move immediately, he was aware that every man around the bar was waiting to see what he would do. There was not a one of them that dared to ignore Anson Ricter when he spoke, yet this Texan seemed unfazed by the ordered 'invitation' to join the man. Slater looked at Bubba. "I'll take that beer; let the man know that if he wants ta talk to me, I'll be over there till I finish it and then 'm out of here." Dusty threw some money on the bar, took the beer and ambled over to a table by the window. He sat down and stretched out in the chair that would put his back against the wall, so he could observe everyone in the room.
Bubba cleared his throat. "Anson, the cowboy…"
"I heard." Ricter had stopped walking when Slater started talking. It rankled him that this man was challenging his authority in front of his friends, but Karl had been impressed by what he had read about this Slater fellow and insisted that they follow up with him. Anson did not want to have Karl Chambers breathing down his neck so he decided to bluff his way through this. He laughed. "Cowboy's been here fifteen minutes and he has his own office." He nodded to Bubba and changed direction.
Anson sat down in the chair opposite to Slater. "You seem to have a reputation that has preceded you. Tell me how much of it's true."
Dusty shook his head and smiled. "Hell, ya probably know more about me by now than I do, if ya have done yer homework right."
"That may be, but we are a long way from making a decision. You need to answer a few questions; we have to complete a background check on your references, and then you will be expected to …"
Slater pushed his chair back and stood up. "Yer wastin' my time Anson, I'll be catchin' up on my sleep at that motel right outside of town. Ya want me; I'll be there 'til noon tomorrow." Dusty just nodded and then disappeared through the front door.
Ricter could not believe that the man walked out on him. Slater did not even ask for the job or try to sell himself with tales of his accomplishments. Damnit the man should have been full of questions like all the others that wanted in with the RMR. Instead he acted as if he didn't care one way or another. Anson knew he would have to give a report to Chambers and even though he did not like this Dusty guy, he was certain that Karl would want to meet him.
MCAT Office
Chris walked in the front door of the MCAT office and all activity ceased as he purposefully made his way through the bullpen to Gunny's desk. He did not see Josiah or Nathan and he knew that JD was wherever CASSIE was. Buck and Ezra were not in sight either, but the other faces he recognized, and curtly nodded to as he walked through.
Standing directly in front of Ms. Montgomery he asked. "My office?"
Gunny grinned, stood up, and came around to the front of her desk, "This way sir." She directed him through the door closest to her station into an office that was twice the size of the one he had occupied at the Federal building.
Larabee stood in the middle of the room and looked around. Everything seemed to be situated just as it would be if he had arranged it himself and the massive oak desk was one he would have chosen. It had felt like his office since the moment he had stepped inside. "You did well, Gunny."
"Sir, I only took care of your files. Captain Tanner personally selected the furniture for you and ordered that it be grouped specifically this way. Your office was completed before his was sir. Sorry, I suppose I should say Captain Wilmington's office, but I have not gotten used to Captain Tanner being gone."
"It's okay; change takes time to get used to. I want to see Captain Wilmington and Agent Standish ASAP. Send out an office memo notifying the team of the change in command, and schedule a team meeting for tomorrow morning at nine. I also want the latest medical reports on our injured team members and all pending personnel applications. Oh, and get me Sandoval's records and have him in my office at three."
"Yes sir, if you need anything else…"
"I remember." Chris grinned." Use the intercom."
"Welcome back, sir." Gunny left to carry out her orders while Chris tried out his new office chair. Checking the desk to familiarize himself with the locations of everyday items, he stopped when he slid out the middle drawer and he found an envelope with his name scrawled across the front of it. Recognizing the handwriting, he momentarily hesitated before opening it to silently read the enclosed letter. When he had finished he slipped it inside his jacket pocket and sighed deeply.
*Damnit, Vin, we should have talked sooner. You always believed I would be back, even when I didn't. I may be late coming around to what is important, but I promise, no more shutting you out. Now that I'm back I'm going to make certain that your ornery ass gets home in one piece. You have a family that needs you and a brother that wants you back in his life.*
A short rap on the door as it opened announced the arrival of Buck and Ezra. Both men entered with solemn expressions on their faces and sat down quietly, expecting to face a raging black storm.
Chris gave each man an intense glare before he spoke. "Buck…my return has nothing to do with your leadership abilities. I am confident that you would handle MCAT with the same commitment you give to every other assignment that you have taken on, but it's time for me to reclaim my command. I need MCAT and being around you guys probably more than you need me and now you are stuck with me."
"I don't mind at all Chris. Welcome back." Buck was too emotional to say more.
"Indeed, your presence is most welcomed Commander and may I say well-timed." Ezra stated, relieved that his brother had found his way back to them.
Larabee acknowledged their welcome with a nod and continued. "I understand why you could not tell me what was really going on here, but now that I know the truth about Vin's whereabouts we have work to do. Travis has given me controlling authority over his mission, and the three of us are going to figure out a way to give that stubborn Texan some support and backup, whether he wants it or not."
"Damn, it's good to have you back at the helm again!" Buck grinned." What do you need me to do?"
"You Buck, are going to catch me up on the last three months and bring me up to speed on the current status of MCAT. You have an hour to accomplish that." Chris turned to Ezra. "Standish, I understand that Kel is Tanner's contact and that you are her backup. I'll talk to Kel, when I pick up Grace. In the meantime, I want a full report on Tanner's current status and circumstances and I want it immediately. Then I want you to discretely rattle your own sources and find out who in the hell is helping him… and why. We won't trust the safekeeping of Vin's life to anyone, except us.
Ezra stood up to leave and smiled. "Consider it done." Standish then left to make a few phone calls.
"Buck, let's get started."
Larabee 7~5:30pm
Kelli had managed to stay busy since she had returned home and only thought about Vin a few dozen times…an hour. She was doubly surprised to find Max watching Grace, and to hear that Chris was back at work, but was pleased to hear that it had come about. She could not help but wish that he had come back sooner though, if he had, maybe Vin would still be here instead of out there alone. It was going to be a long night for her and even then she did not expect to hear from Vin until late tomorrow afternoon.
"Uncle Chris is here!" Jason yelled drawing his Mom's attention.
Andi beat her brother to the door and giggled when Chris tickled her. "Hello munchkin, "he squeezed Jason's shoulder, "Hey pard, how you doing?"
Jason shrugged. "Okay I reckon. Did you know that dad is gonna be gone for six whole weeks?"
"Yeah, I know, but we're all going to get through it just fine." Chris spoke to Jason, but he was looking at Kelli. "Your dad will be home before you know it."
Max walked in to announce that dinner would be ready in fifteen minutes and to let Chris know that Grace was asleep.
"Thanks Max, I'll let her sleep a little longer. I need to speak with Kel for a few minutes."
"Jason, Andi, you two go wash up for dinner, okay?" Kelli smiled when she saw Jason leading Andi by the hand to go and do just that.
"I'll go check on dinner." Max excused herself.
Larabee wasted no time. "Kelli, we need to talk."
Kelli nodded. "I heard that you're back with MCAT, 'm glad."
"It's good to be back, but that's not what I wanted to talk about. I need to know everything you know about Vin's mission. Travis gave me the authority to oversee it and I plan on him coming home safe and sound." Chris pulled the letter out of his pocket. I also need to know if you knew about this." He handed it to her to read.
"I don't need to read it; I was there when he wrote it." Kelli stalled, trying to decide how much to say." It's a resignation Chris, plain and simple."
"I know that and there is nothing simple about it. What I don't know is why."
"Vin gave it a lot of serious thought. He believes that it will be best for everyone and that it's time for him to move on to somethin' else."
"That's bull Kelli and you know it. This is written more like a …he doesn't think that he's coming back from this assignment does he?
Sighing deeply, Kelli began to explain. "We both knew goin' in that there is that possibility; he figures his chances of makin' it out are about fifty-fifty. He just wanted to make sure that you had your command back without anyone questionin' if he planned to return to MCAT to challenge you for it, and that you…" Kelli choked up. "That you knew that he had no hard feelings about anythin' that happened in California. You are his brother by choice, and he loves you Chris, it was important to him that you know that in case…"
"Don't even think it! Vin Tanner is going to make it out of this alive and well! I intend to see to that and make certain that he returns to you and the kids. Then I'm gonna kick his ass for even thinking that he could leave MCAT. You can also count on the fact that one way or another he and I will work out our personal problems if we have to beat the shit out of each other to do it."
Kelli only nodded and then went over to her bag to retrieve the paperwork on Dusty Slater. "This is what I have, I was gonna give it to Travis in the mornin'; but…" She handed the papers to Chris. "Vin should call me before six tomorrow evenin' and he'll let me know then when his next contact will be. I only know his former associate by the name Raven, and he is to send me any information that he thinks should be passed on to Vin"
"How are they to contact you?"
Patting the cell phone attached to her belt Kelli explained. "This cell is clean and untraceable, it's the same as the one Vin has and he is the only one that will be callin' me on it. Raven will only make contact if absolutely necessary and through e-mail. Vin has some kind of cyber block software on his computer that will decipher encrypted messages for him, so it will be a secure contact. There is also a safe house available if Tanner runs into trouble, and… has an opportunity to get there. The rest of what you need is in that paperwork."
"We'll make it work Kel."
"Yeah," she took a deep breath. "You want to join us for dinner?"
"I'll take a rain check on dinner, though. Grace and I should be leaving." Chris went in and picked Grace up from the port-a-crib and then returned to the kitchen area. "We'll see you in the morning Max. Kel, you call if you need anything." He then headed home. It was time to tell Linda about his return to work.
Linda was waiting to confront Chris when he walked in the door. "Just where in the hell have you two been all day?"