Chapter 25
"Travis wants MCAT to move, we'll still base here in Denver, but from a different location." Chris received the response he expected. Six men tried to speak at one time and no one was being heard. He gave them a minute to get it out of their system.
"Enough! We're not talking about today or tomorrow either for that matter, Travis wanted us to be aware of his plan, that's all." Chris clarified.
"Just what in the hell is his plan?" Buck groused
"First and most importantly, he has promised that we will have no more fluff cases or clean-ups." Larabee let them digest that information. "However, we will continue to get the ugly ones. We can expect some assignments to take us out of the country and an intense focus on domestic threats. To quote our director,'Home-grown terrorism has always been here and it's not a good idea to turn your eye away from what's happening at home'. Our current case has given him food for thought, the threats against MCAT and our agents, as well as our extended families concerns him a great deal."
"As well it should." Ezra voiced.
"I agree Ezra. While watching us train he came to the conclusion that we should not be so exposed. Who we are and how we do our jobs should be more private. I have a feeling that there may be more to it than that, but for now it's enough to know that he is thinking about it. Orrin is looking into some places we can headquarter out of and have our lab as well as own training facility. I told him we could not even consider a move until this case is finished."
"It not enough," Vin spoke softly. "We need a place that we can be out from under even the director. A safe haven, if one of us runs into trouble on a case."
"What are you proposing Vin?" Josiah was very interested in his answer.
"MCAT has been a target from day one of its existence. Any place Travis finds will still be known to other government agencies and can be found. I think we also need our own private area here on the ranch and a contact point for emergencies."
JD saw the direction Vin was going with this. "We need it for the same reasons we added a CASSIE contact for Chris and Vin here at the ranch. Shit happens and it usually happens to one of us."
"That is a coarse analogy JD, but you are correct in your conclusions. We already have a makeshift firing range on the property. Why not expand on that and have a training facility accessible on Larabee 7 with a back-up contact point? If the worst were to happen and our offices or undercover identities were compromised we could endanger the entire unit by not having a safe environment to shelter in until help could arrive." Ezra's mind was already thinking of the possibilities.
Nathan huffed. "Money for one thing, it cost big bucks to put something like that together."
Josiah answered. "That may be a challenge, but not an impossible hurdle. I've witnessed the mental fatigue a case like this one brings on and having an alternative place to work off stress would be beneficial."
Ezra was mentally reviewing the available resources for the project. "It is feasible. I am certain that adequate funding is accessible."
Chris had listened to all the comments and saw the wheels turning in their minds. "We will pursue this idea then, but we won't act on it until after we finished our current case. I don't like it that the unit will be spread so thin and we will have to cover so much area. I want our minds on getting out of this one intact and succeeding to stop at least this trafficking syndicate."
"Amen to that brother." Josiah expressed what they all felt. "Let's close this out and join our families for a fun afternoon and some great food."
The next two hours were full of family enjoyment and a great meal. Tired babies napped, while the older children took delight in the beauty of the day, their parents relaxing close by. Vin and Jason teamed up against Buck and Caleb for a rousing, yet amusing game of catch. After that, Uncle Ezra instigated a seemingly endless game of tag with all the kids, much to their delight.
"You go Ez, wear 'em out. "Buck cheered him on after the young boys took off for the monkey bars after Standish. He knew that the more the children ran, the better they would sleep tonight, and he had plans for some adult time with Inez later this evening.
Linda made certain that Chris stayed with her and Grace as much as possible. She had to share him enough with work and had no intention of letting him spend more time with his brothers than he did with her.
Josiah sat next to Nathan waitin for an opportunity to converse with him alone. Within a few minutes Rain took Terrell inside to put him down for a nap and Sanchez decided that now was the time to confront his brother about his obvious anger. "Nathan, something on your mind is clearly troubling you. Is there anything I can do to help?
Nathan immediately turned on him. "Yeah, you can mind your own business!" Jackson jumped up and left Josiah shaking his head in disappointment.
Josiah watched his old friend relocate to a spot well away from the other members of the family. Since Sanchez was leaving tomorrow, he could only hope that Nathan would work through his anger and find a solution for his problem.
Vin sat with his back against a tree; Kelli next to him and one worn-out little puppy, the children had already named Tracker, curled up in his lap. "Damn, I'm glad this move is over, now maybe life can get back to normal. I feel as if I've been split in two for the last three months between workin' over here and livin' over there.
"Actually we have one more thing to bring in. It's at Buck house now. Tanner you chill and we'll be back real quick." Chris said mysteriously. He, Buck Josiah and Ezra left with no explanation. They returned twenty minutes later, requesting that Vin and Kelli come over and see what they had brought.
"We wanted to do something special for a housewarming gift and we decided to go in together and buy this." Chris stood aside and showed them the new pool table they had bought for the recreation room.
Vin laughed, he knew that they all had been trying to find a place for a pool table for the longest time. The problem was that no one had room for one until now. "Seein' that it's a gift, I guess y'all get to have the pleasure of settin' it up and then we'll have to try it out."
Buck grinned, "All right! We'll have it set up in nothing flat."
Kelli laid her hand on Vin's arm. "You go ahead with them. I have somethin' I need to do."
The brothers worked together to set up the billiard table and had fun during the process. Jimmy Buffet songs blared from the stereo, the beer was cold and Ezra directed the operation. Standish was done with the labor end of business for the day, besides he always thought he was better at supervising any way.
Chris looked at the finished project. "Done, rake 'em up Buck."
One hour of play turned into two and Vin realized that he hadn't seen Kelli since they had started. She love to play pool and he figured she would be here demanding her turn. Tanner's senses told him that his redhead was not close by and his gut said that he needed to find her. The Texan decided to let the guys continue their game without him, while he went to look for her.
Gunny was the first one that he ran into. "Have you seen Kel?"
"I believe if you check out your old house, you might find your missing spouse."
"Thanks Gunny." Tanner knew that the kids were well supervised and took off on foot back to their old place.
The house was cleaned and almost empty, ready for Max to move in next week. Vin found the object of his search in their former bedroom sitting on the floor. With her arms wrapped around her raised knees and her back against the wall, Kelli was so lost in her thoughts that she did not realize Vin was in the room. He quietly slipped in and sat down beside her.
Kelli looked over and smiled, "Hey Tanner."
"Hey yourself, what are we doin'?" He did see the journal in her lap and had a good idea, but he wanted her to tell him. Kelli was strong in so many ways, but her deeply buried insecurities about belonging surface occasionally and when they did her emotions were fragile. She managed to keep her vulnerabilities well hidden, to everyone except Vin.
"I'm tryin' to figure out how to close this chapter in our life. It's a lot harder than I thought it would be. I feel the same way I did when we left the cabin after we were married."
"We only left the cabin temporally; we've been back many times, Kel"
"I know, but we won't be comin' back here, at least not to live. "She sighed. "We made a lot of memories in this house. I remember the first time you brought me here; it was a turnin' point for us and a big change for me. You wouldn't let me hide my emotions anymore and look what happened."
"We'll we must have done somethin' right, because amazin' things happened baby and every day is better than the last one."
Kelli leaned against him and he put his arm around her. "I know we have to move forward, but when I think about this place I think about all the great moments we had. Right over there was where our rocker was, you proposed to me while we sat in that chair. The first time we made love was in this room. And this is where you taught me all the ways to love you. If these walls could talk…"
Vin laughed, "Baby, if these walls could talk Max could never look at us again without turnin' red in the face.
"You're probably right, but Max is full of surprises. I do love havin' her around, don't get me wrong, but there is still a lot about her that she keeps concealed"
Vin reached over and pushed back her hair. "Maybe that's why you two get along so well. You both keep your innermost feelin's out of sight and put your strengths in the forefront to cover them. But … we're changin' the subject. I want to hear why you're sittin' in an empty house, alone, when you have a houseful of family just up the hill."
"I love this place Vin; it was home for me, you and then the kids. I've tried to close out this chapter in my diary, but I'm not sure how… How do we say good-bye to our home?
The Texan wasn't sure how to explain to her that it was only a place, nothing more, that there was no good-bye. Then it came to him, he reached for her journal. "May I?" With her permission he took the pen and began to write.
Kelli sat patiently and watched him as his bold script added to her last passage. When he was finished he handed the journal back to her and waited for her to read it. Her tears flowed freely as Kelli read the words that Vin had written
Down the road of life's journey that we walk together, the roof of our love
houses the home for our souls
We shall never be tethered to a solid foundation and need only the strength of our memories on which to rest
Permanent walls will not anchor us, but provide a mast to guide our spirits through the unlocked doorway of our hearts
Our bodies may dwell in many places, but our eyes are open windows, inviting our desires to enter with the morning light
While passion slips in the keyhole with the silences of the night, transporting us across the winds of time
The past will sleep, while destiny's path awaits our footsteps…
"Walk with me Kel, our future is waitin' for us." Tanner stood and offered her his hand. She took it willingly and stood with him in the room where they had started their amazing journey together. The Texan brushed away her tears and whispered softly, "Wherever we are baby …is home." Capturing her mouth with a gentle kiss that was filled with tenderness and passion, Vin left Kelli with no doubts about where their home was and always would be.
Larabee 7~Sunday morning ~6:45 am
Chris approached the barn and was surprised to that the Pony, Peso and Dancer were already in the corral. He smiled to himself when he sensed the reason for it and entered through the open door.
"I didn't expect to see you here this morning Vin."
"Mornin' Chris," Tanner continued to spread hay in Pony's stall as he spoke. "After everyone left last night, the kids crashed and so did we. I left 'em all sleepin' this mornin' and I've been here for a while."
"I can see that." Larabee grabbed another pitchfork to help. I called Walter when I got home and he said that he was interested in the job, but he needed a few days before he could give me a definite answer. I told him to take until the end of the week to think it over. If he says yes, then you'll have to give the approval for what he does.
"He'll be here by the end of the week anyway, to meet Jason and Andi."
"How did the kids manage the first night in their new rooms?"
"Jason had Caleb with him, so he was fine. Andi invited Max to have an 'overnight' with her and we left the intercoms open in case there were any nightmares." Vin laughed. "I think all of 'em were too tired to dream, period. They played hard yesterday, hell even the pup was still asleep when I walked over here this mornin'."
"I'm amazed that Max wasn't up at the crack of dawn, putting everyone to work unpacking."
"Why do you think 'm here? I saw her 'to do' list on the counter, and decided this was easier. I'll let Kel deal with Max."
Chris chuckled, "You think Max and Gunny learned how to be bossy or that it's a family trait?"
"My bet is that it's hereditary." The Texan grinned. "I think though that Max has met her match with Kel. Your daughter can be a mite bossy herself at times. Wonder where she gets that?"
With a straight face Chris answered. "It must be a recessive gene; she didn't get it from me."
"That is a load of bull Lar'bee and you know it. Kel is so much like you in disposition that it scary sometimes. I just can't figure out why it took me so long to realize it."
"You know what they say Vin, love is blind. Are you complaining?"
"Hell no, Lar'bee temperament I can handle and It's a good thing I can, 'cause Andi is showin' all the signs of being just like you and Kel. Fortunately, Jason and I are patient men."
"Remind me of how patient you are the next time you tear into someone that gets on your bad side." Chris smirked.
Vin hid his smile; it was good to hear Chris in a lighter mood. The events of the last few weeks had been weighting heavy on his shoulders and Vin was concerned about him going undercover. There was one thing though that he had to know for certain.
"Chris, this is the only time 'm gonna ask this, but I have to know. You're takin' a big gamble going under on this case. I hope the reason behind your decision is not some deep-seated guilt about not bein' there for Kel when she needed help. That was a different time and a different place."
Larabee was quiet for so long that Vin was not sure he would get an answer. Finally Chris responded. "I have to admit that when this situation came up I saw a way to make up for not being there for Kel. I guess some part of me still feels that way…but hearing those tapes, and after researching the information Josiah gave me…It became more than that. A small part of me though, had doubts about why I needed to do this and then this morning everything clicked into place…it wasn't just Kel I was fighting for, it was all the kids like her and Caleb that need someone to be on their side. This morning, I knew for certain that I have to do this for them and for me…I couldn't face myself in the mirror if I did not at least try to make a difference for some of those kids that are still out there."
Tanner nodded his head; he had guessed that Chris was attempting to make up for a part of the past that he could not change. But he understood how easy it was to get caught up in a desire to help the other children in the same circumstances. "Fair enough, you just make damn sure you make it all the way back. I don't like the fact that I can't be there to cover your ornery ass."
"It's a dirty job Tanner, but someone has to be in charge and on this one…you're that someone. I'll be fine."
"I've a good mind to low-jack you butt, so you don't get lost." Tanner grinned at the look on Larabees' face. I wouldn't want to lose you out there."
"No low jack and you can't sew my name on the inside of my clothes either. I'm not even gone yet and you're starting to act like an old mother hen."
Buck walked in and drew both men's attention; effectively put a stop to the teasing.
"Damn Bucklin, you look as if you been rode hard and put up wet. Didn't you sleep at all?" Vin was alarmed by Buck's appearance. Wilmington still wore the same clothes he had on yesterday, had dark circles under his eyes, and obviously had not shaved since Friday.
"Buck?" Chris too did not like what he was seeing.
"It's started. I hadn't been home ten minutes last night when Rick Carson called to tell me that they were moving the kids. They brought the new ones in, stashed in a boxed u-haul truck, no windows, very little air and a helluva big lock on the outside door. They unloaded the new batch and then the bastards loaded the 'old' merchandise into the truck and took off to their next stop. Kellerman and Womack followed them to Phoenixwhere the same process was repeated. I hadGarrison and Wright pick up the trail and they are shadowing the truck now. The rental traced back to Fort Worth, the driver used a fake ID with a bogus address. I went down to the office and ran it and listened to the tapes…it's all so damn disgusting!"
"Where is the truck now?" Chris could only imagine what Buck had heard.
"Looks like it headed to Vegas, I have another team driving in that direction to meet up with Kellerman. If they do drop in Nevada, he and Womack with stay there while Wright and Jacobs follow the truck. We'll leap frog the units until we can mark as many of the stops as possible. Once we have gone as far as we can, we'll shut down the house here in Denver for good!"
"You should have called us Buck; you didn't have to do this alone." Vin spoke softly.
"The task force is my responsibility." Buck kicked the slats on the front stall. "It was…Those sonsofbitches laughed when they described to Keats how that had tested the merchandise. Gang raped is a more accurate term and then Keats took his turn. You could hear screaming in the background when…shit, I want those bastards to suffer."
Chris walked over and laid his hand on Wilmington's shoulder. "They will Buck. I promise you they will." Larabee knew his old friend too well. Buck had a heart of gold and listening to the sordid details of rape and abuse every day was taking a toll on him. "Go home, get cleaned up and hug Sarah and Maria. Then meet us back here in an hour and we'll go back to the office together to work out a plan for the raid."
"We'll need a female agent once we get those girls out. I don't think a male agent will get very far in questioning them. Cynthia is on her way with Brett to intercept Kellerman and Womack. Selina is here, but she's not an agent and has no experience with interrogations. It's a helluva time for Kel to be on suspension." Buck doubted that any girl in there would show trust to another man for a long time.
"Then it's a good thing that I know her boss, I think I can pull some strings and override that suspension. "Chris grinned. "You will have your partner back before we move in and take those bastards down. Now go home, you're a mess."
Buck nodded. "Thanks, I'll see you guys in an hour."
Once he was gone, Vin put up the tools and commented. "Looks like this week-end just got shorter, Cowboy. I'm sorry; I know you wanted to spend time with Linda and Grace before they leave for Louisiana."
"It can't be helped Vin. In a way I'm glad because at least now we can take some action. You call the team in with the exception of Josiah. Let him know what's going on, but he stays on stand-by status only, his flight leaves at five in the morning for California and he needs to be ready for it. Inform Kel that her suspension is postponed indefinitely; I believe she got the message about wearing her vest. Make your arrangements for the kids and then meet me at the house in an hour. Prepare for some long hours, this is only the tip of the iceberg." Chris sighed, "I need to goand tell Linda our plans have changed…again."