Skye cuddled in closer to Bobbi feeling very content. She had woken in the middle of the night and had made her way to Bobbi's room climbing into bed with her. Bobbi had simply mumbled and pulled the little girl into her arms, both falling back to sleep.
Bobbi tightened her arms around her little sister. She'd been awake now for a little while just thinking.
Mostly she was thinking about her conversation with her grandmother. Meema was right, she thought. It was up to her to set this right, to talk with Audrey and set the conditions of their relationship. She would be sixteen soon, and as everyone had pointed out – even if the case went to trial, she would get a say. The judge would take her opinion seriously since she was older. If, as Melinda thought, Audrey was just waking up to what she missed and wanted to be part of her life – then she'd have to do it on her terms. That meant that Bobbi would in no way ever not live with her family. Cause Phil, Melinda and Skye were her family. Along with an assorted number of others, Lian and William, Maria, Izzy and Vic, and Hunter and Natasha. She had a bunch of good friends as well and knew exactly what she wanted to be in the future. She wanted to follow in her mom's footsteps.
And sure, Audrey could be part of her life. But only part. She laid there and tried to remember mom type things Audrey had done over the years, but in each memory, it was the picture of Melinda who came to her. Melinda held her when she was sad. She took care of her when she was sick. She marched to the school when that jerk teacher was being a sexist pig. She taught her how to defend herself. She picked her up whenever she fell, both literally and figuratively. She did talk to her about the birds and the bees and was brutally honest and yeah that conversation was a little embarrassing, but it still was kind of endearing too. It might have been the only time Melinda had actually blushed when talking about sex.
Bobbi grinned as she also remembered the countless times her stupid parents would embarrass her. Even when she had friends over, they would kiss, touch each other affectionately and have that weird eye talk thing with each other. Her friends would good naturedly tease her, but a few would also pull her aside and tell her how nice it must be to live with parents who actually loved and cared for each other. Melinda played it as a game, finding utter delight in embarrassing her, and Bobbi adored her for it, although she'd never ever admit it to her.
There was no doubt this was her family. Her goofy dad who would nerd out at some of the weirdest things, her mom who loved her fiercely with her actions, and her new little sister who brought such joy to everyone. Yeah sure Skye had issues, but who didn't? A little sister had been all she had ever wanted and finally her parents had brought her the best sister ever. Add to that grandparents who accepted her as theirs even before her parents said, 'I do', and two special aunts who took her in as their own immediately, spoiling her much to Melinda's faux annoyance.
Bobbi smiled and nudged the little girl. "Hey kiddo. Wakey wakey."
Skye opened her eyes and stared at Bobbi. "Watcha doing in my room Bobbi?"
"Ha. My room goober."
Skye yawned and stretched turning to look around and grinned. "I don't 'member getting here."
"You jumped on me last night. Literally. And from now on if you want to sleep with me, wear socks. Your feet are like ice cubes."
Skye giggled.
Bobbi tweaked her nose. "Come on, let's see if mom's awake yet to do Tai Chi." She pulled the blankets off and after both used the bathroom, they stood outside their parent's bedroom door.
Bobbi placed an ear next to it listening, not hearing anything, she then slowly turned the doorknob. It wasn't locked but Bobbi was taking no chances, and she slowly opened the door keeping Skye behind her, glancing quickly to make sure the only thing going on in the bed was sleeping. She looked further and saw only one body lying in the bed and at just that moment Melinda spoke from behind them.
"You two are up early."
Bobbi screamed and Skye screeched. Melinda stood behind them with her shoulders shaking as she laughed.
"Good grief mom, I about had a heart attack." Bobbi glared at her. "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that.
Skye just laughed and tugged on Melinda's arms to be pulled up. Melinda obliged and lifted her up pulling her close. "Ready for Tai Chi little one?"
Skye nodded into Melinda's shoulder, quite content to snuggle for a moment.
She pounded on the bedroom door, "Phillip, we're all up. Breakfast in thirty minutes. Don't forget my parents are here. "Let's go!"
They all heard a thump, and a muffled groan, then, "yes dear."
Melinda smiled. "I woke him twice before and he fell back to sleep each time. Thanks for the scream Bobbi. Come on." She turned to head to the Bonus Room.
After Tai Chi, they all gathered downstairs to eat breakfast. Phil made pancakes and sausage with home fries. Lian and William had joined them. After eating, Melinda went off with the girls, as they all had to get ready. The girls had school and Melinda was dropping them off before she headed to work. Phil didn't have a class on Mondays until ten o'clock, so he was doing the dishes with William's help.
Melinda entered the kitchen, waiting for the girls. Lian walked into the room all dressed and holding her coat.
"Mom? Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes. To your dojo. I want to see how well your business is. And I haven't seen Akela for a long time. It will be good to catch up with her."
Melinda stuttered. "But- but mom – I – I have a lot of paperwork to get done before Thanksgiving. New class schedules, inventory, instructor schedules, and I teach four classes on Mondays."
Skye and Bobbi came into the kitchen and grabbed their lunch boxes from Phil. Phil handed them to the girls while watching Melinda nearly panic.
Lian just rolled her eyes. "I know you will be busy. I don't expect you to entertain me. I can watch your classes, talk with Akela and your other employees. Better than sitting around here watching him snore." She pointed to William, who just shrugged.
"Mom."
"Melinda."
Melinda sighed dramatically which caused Bobbi to giggle. Melinda turned to her. "Please go get in the car. Buckle Skye in, okay. Come on mom. I need to drop the girls off at school first."
It was nearly eleven and Melinda was wrapping up teaching her adult women's beginner class. Her mother was sitting in the visitor chairs making Melinda nervous. This was her second class of the day, and after this she had two and a half hours to do paperwork and eat lunch. Then she had two more classes and after that had to pick up Skye from school. Phil had a late class, that started at four o'clock and after it ended, he would pick up Bobbi from basketball practice. She said goodbye to the women, some headed to the gym to work out, and others to the showers. She walked over to her mother.
"So Akela and I usually get lunch about now, if we don't pack anything. What are you hungry for?"
"Doesn't make any difference to me."
"There's a deli a few blocks from here that delivers, the menu is in my office." Her mother watched as Trip and Wanda warmed up their two classes in the large room and Pietro took his smaller advanced class to one of the smaller rooms.
"That's fine. You have a good business here Melinda. It is very busy."
"I have loyal customers. It helped that law enforcement started sending people here after I bought it. And it seems people really want to learn how to protect themselves these days."
"All the trophies your students have won are helpful, yes? As well as your own?"
Melinda walked toward her office ushering her mother along. "It does help." They walked into the office where Akela was already sitting at her desk.
"Hey boss. I made a copy of the master schedule and added in those two new classes you wanted for yourself and gave Carol eight new ones plus those ten you are handing off to her. And I was able to add in a couple more night classes for Pietro. Most of the backlog of customers on the list are now in a class that will be starting this month. We still can give Carol a few more classes if we need to, or if more people join during you holiday specials. You'll need to look it over of course."
"You got the couple new beginner kid's class in there. Great. Thanks Akela. You're the best."
Akela raised her eyebrows at her then looked at Lian. "Hey, Lian. What do you think of this place. It's been a couple years since you visited."
"It's quite impressive. Lots of new work out equipment and so many classes coming and going. And this clean office. I take it that's your doing. Melinda said there is a deli menu?"
"Yeah. Here you go." She grabbed it from her drawer and passed it to her.
"Akela keeps the place running. She's the organized one. Makes sure I don't forget to pay my bills, and reminds me of my duties of the day, and keeps everything where it's supposed to go."
"Oh my goodness. Another compliment. That two in less than five minutes. Are you a pod person?"
"Oh shut up."
"Ah that's better. So the usual Lin? BLT on wheat toast with mayo, and iced tea?"
"Yeah."
"I'll have the same," Lian said.
"Okay. I'll call it in. Should take about half hour to get here. Oh and Lin, you told me to remind you about that appointment you have tomorrow. In the city."
"Right. You and Trip and Carol still good with taking over my classes?"
"Yes. No problem."
"What appointment Melinda?" Lian looked at curiously.
"With Audrey. I'm taking Bobbi and the three of us are going to talk this out."
"Bobbi didn't mention it last night when we talked."
"She doesn't know yet. I need to talk to her tonight after dinner. Don't say anything to her please. I called Audrey yesterday and asked her to meet before this goes any further."
"I offered to go along but Lin said no." Akela added.
"Because we need to show Audrey that she's not the enemy here."
"Even if she is." Akela smirked.
"Bobbi needs to make this call. I just need to get them together on a neutral platform free from distractions."
"You're her mom Lin. Audrey has never been that for Bobbi."
"Yes. But Audrey brought her into this world. And for that I am grateful. Maybe she doesn't deserve a second chance, maybe Bobbi will break all ties with her – but that needs to be Bobbi's call."
"This is exactly what I told her last night. I'm glad you are seeing it the same way. I can go with you if you like?" Lian spoke up.
"Let's see what Bobbi says. I actually think the less people there, the better. I'm only going to support her."
"Well, here's hoping it gets solved before Thanksgiving. Oh Lian, are you cooking for Thanksgiving cause it's been ages since I had your dumplings and pork buns." Akela looked at her hopefully.
"Of course. I will make those and more. Phillip will make the more traditional turkey and fixings, right Melinda?"
"Yes mom."
"Who all is coming for your dinner Melinda?" Lian asked.
"Well there's you and dad, the four of us of course, Akela, Maria, Pietro, and Carol. Oh and Izzy and Vic, with their two kids, Lance and Natasha."
"No Wanda?" Akela asked.
"No, she is going to be with her new boyfriend, Scott and his family. Jane and Don are having their parents who are flying in from California so they won't be joining us this year either. Trip is flying out Wednesday to be with his mom and grandmother. The rest of the employees have families close by."
"So you are shutting down for a few days?"
"Yes. Wednesday we are only open till noon and we reopen on Monday next week."
"And for Christmas week?"
"The gym will be open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Less hours the whole week, only noon to seven o'clock , and I asked for volunteers to work and I'm paying them time and half. Tess, Ben, Pietro and Carol were happy to take shifts. Akela and I will have to come in a couple days to do paperwork. And Pietro and Trip and Carol are teaching a few of their evening classes. New Year's Eve and day we are also closed. Akela you're teaching a couple classes too, right?"
"Yes, just the beginner one so they don't forget or fall behind. As you are with Skye's new class and the one after with older kids."
"Skye is learning martial arts?" Lian asked.
"Yes, Her choice. She wants to. She's been doing Tai Chi with me for a few weeks now. And Bobbi has also joined us. You should join us tomorrow mom."
"I may just do that."
"I need to call in the deli order. First I'm going to see if anyone else wants something." Akela left the room.
"Mom I have work to do."
"Fine. I'll go watch a class until the food arrives."
"Thank you." Melinda watched as her mom made her way to sit and watch Wanda's class. She dialed her phone. She spoke into it when she heard the line pick up. "Just confirming our appointment for tomorrow Nick."
That night Melinda did talk to Bobbi and Bobbi agreed to meet with and try to talk to Audrey. They were leaving early in the morning as Melinda planned to arrive at the agreed upon restaurant at eight in the morning. Melinda had also planned to meet up with Nick Fury afterward. Phil would be taking Skye to school and picking her up. Bobbi would miss school and basketball practice, but Melinda figured it was for a very good personal reason. Akela had everything covered for her at work.
Bobbi was quiet on the car ride. Melinda didn't press her. She pulled up to the restaurant just on the outskirts of the city and parked her SUV.
"We are about a half hour early. You want to wait here or in the restaurant?"
Bobbi shrugged.
"How about we go in and grab a table and get some tea?"
"Okay. Melinda?" Bobbi turned to her. "No matter what she says, please don't leave."
"Not a chance. But I'm also going to stay quiet and let you two talk. Unless I feel I need to step in, okay?"
"Okay. Can I have a hot chocolate instead of tea?"
"Whatever you want. Come on."
They were sitting in a booth. Melinda sipping on her second cup of tea and Bobbi reading over the menu when Audrey walked in. She spotted them and walked over to them and sat in the open booth seat across from them.
"Good morning,' Audrey volunteered amicably.
Melinda greeted her. "Good morning Audrey," Bobbi simply nodded at her.
The waitress, seeing another person sit down, wandered over immediately." Hello. Can I get you something to drink? And are you ready to order or would you like a few more minutes?"
"I'll have coffee, Audrey answered, "And I know what I want if you two are ready to order." She looked at them.
Melinda nodded. "I'll have the three-cheese omelet, with wheat toast, bacon, and hash-browns."
"That sounds perfect. I'll have the same. Oh and um – a large chocolate milk too please." Bobbi added.
The waitress nodded at them both and then looked over to Audrey. "And you ma'am?"
"I'll have two poached eggs in a cup, and the fruit plate."
"Okay. Your order should be up shortly."
Melinda nudged Bobbi while Audrey drank some coffee.
"Oh, so how are you doing?" Bobbi managed to get out.
"Fine. How are you?"
"Good. Everything's good."
"How is school, your grades?"
"Good, mostly A's, only subjects I might get lower than that are my two science classes But still, I'm doing good. How's the orchestra?"
"We are doing well. The tour over here in the states will last another month leading right into Christmas."
The conversation continued in the same manner, both talking about non personal subjects until the food was brought to them. They talked about things like the weather and current events while they ate. Melinda watched as Bobbi devoured her food, even with serious issues hanging in the air, the girl could still eat. After finishing, she ordered a cinnamon bun and another hot chocolate, while Melinda had another cup of tea, and Audrey had her third coffee refill.
"You wanted to talk about this court proceeding I have filed." Audrey stopped beating around the bush.
"Yeah. Why are you doing this? You know how much I wouldn't like it."
"I'm worried about you. About your future. About your life."
"Then maybe you shouldn't have left."
"Bobbi." Melinda chastised. "You said you'd listen. Be open minded. Not accuse."
"Sorry." She looked back at Audrey. "You don't have to worry about any of that. I'm fine. I'm perfectly safe, I am where I want to be, and my future is mine to choose."
"Your future? I can give you so much opportunity for your future. So many different kinds of things to see and participate in. Much more than you have now. There is a private school that would give you so much more than the public school you now attend."
"You mean elite private school that costs a lot of money. With snobs and assholes. No thanks. I like my school. I like my friends. I like where I am now. And for your information my school is rated one of the best public schools in New York."
Audrey turned to Melinda. "I know you and Phil can't afford it. But just because I can doesn't mean you shouldn't encourage her to attend one of the best schools in the world. Royalty have attended it."
Melinda held up her hands. "Not my call. It's Bobbi's. And Audrey I told Bobbi to listen to you, how about you listen to her too? You aren't really listening to her. Not hearing her. You should already know that money and things like that are not your daughter's focus. She is not going to be persuaded by offers of material things. That's simply not who she is."
"And you know so much better who she is than I do?"
"Yes. I do. I know what motivates her. I know what she values and what and who are important to her. Maybe you should learn those things too."
Bobbi grinned. "She does. I talk to Melinda all the time. She listens. She understands. She supports me. Look, I don't want to fight. I just want you to understand this. Phil is my dad. Not just cause he adopted me but because he raised me after you left even though I wasn't his biological kid. Through all the good and bad and ups and downs, he has always been there for me since you brought him into our lives. Whoever supplied the DNA part to bring me into this world, is simply a sperm donor."
She paused and took a deep breath. "Now I'm going to say this as nicely as I possibly can. Melinda is my mom. You gave birth to me and she and I are grateful to you for that. I do want you to be in my life, but you cannot just waltz into a courtroom and say that you should get me to be yours because of the regrets you have now. It doesn't work that way. Melinda took care of me for most of my life. She tucked me into bed every night, she held me when I had a bad dream, she put bandaids and kisses on my childhood scrapes and cuts. She took me to sports practices, has seen nearly every game I've ever played since I was in peewee leagues. She helps me with homework, she taught me to stand up for myself. She taught me how to defend myself, and she taught me to respect myself. She laughs with me, has cried with me, plays pranks on me, totally loves to embarrass me and I love her for it. She sets rules and expects me to follow them, and when I don't there are consequences. She is by all definitions – my mom. Cause that's what moms do."
Audrey sat still not saying anything and then Bobbi continued. "That's not to say that your role is not important in my life. It is. You did teach me about the arts, and about some finer things I otherwise would not have gotten to experience. You took me to many cool places and let me see so much of the world. You gave me what you could. I appreciate it. I really do. But Phil is my dad, and Melinda is my mom. Skye is my sister. Melinda's parents are my grandparents and her two best friends are my aunts. Family is not defined by blood but rather by – by just – by just being together. I love them all so much. My life is here. It's always been here and even when I go off to college and live on my own – my family will always be my home that I know I can always come back to."
Melinda smiled and pulled Bobbi to her side for a hug. "I'm so proud of you."
Bobbi looked back at Audrey. "This court petition is not something you will win. And if by some crazy fluke you do get custody of me until I am eighteen, I will forever hate you for it, and the moment I turn eighteen will be the very last time you ever see me. The judge will ask me where I want to live, and I will say with my mom and dad and tell him exactly what I told you just now. Now if you want me in your life at all, how about you drop the court case, and we can talk about what role you can be in my life and what role I can be in yours? Cause Melinda reminded me that you are not a bad person, and you did do a lot for me over the years."
"I missed so much." Audrey spoke quietly. "I guess it's too late."
"It's too late to go back and have what has already been Audrey. You cannot change the past. I know that better than most. But it's not too late to move forward." Melinda answered her.
Bobbi took Melinda's hand and squeezed it. She then spoke again looking back at Audrey. "I want to spend time with you. I do like going to concerts, and the theater. I enjoy those things okay, I'm just not good at any of it. I sucked at music lessons, acting is not my thing, and I'd rather wear jeans and a T-shirt than a dress. I love martial arts and basketball and honestly, they are art too, in their own way. They take talent and I think I'm pretty talented at both. I want you to watch me play a basketball game and watch me participate in a martial arts event. I want to talk to you about my plans for the future, and about my boyfriend and my new little sister who I love and adore with all my heart. Can we do that? I don't need for you to take me to Disney World, or Paris, or Hawaii to spend time with you. We can spend time together here. We can do things here and we can talk here. Yes, I can visit you too. But not when I have stuff to do here. Not only when it's convenient for you but rather when it works for both of us."
"You've grown up quite a lot the last year Barb – Bobbi." She sighed. "I've been at a crossroads lately. It's been a long time coming but after this tour I'm leaving the Sydney Orchestra. And Andre'."
"I'm sorry."
"No need to be sorry. It's a new start. For me. I guess I thought it could be a new start for us."
"It can be. You just went about it all wrong. With me. With us."
"I suppose I did. I look at you and Melinda and see what I could have had. I guess I thought I could force that."
"Clearly you can't. My relationship with Melinda is always going to be different than one I have with you. But that doesn't mean our relationship can't be a good one too. So does that mean that are you moving from Australia?"
"I am. I just haven't decided where yet. I have three job offers. The National Symphony Orchestra in DC, Boston's Symphony Orchestra and Chicago's."
"You're moving back here? To the US."
"Yes."
"Boston's closest."
"It is. I have two more weeks to decide. Want to take a trip to Boston with me?"
"When?"
"This weekend. I have three days off, Sunday through Tuesday. We play tomorrow night in Philadelphia, Thursday through Saturday we are along the east coast ending in Atlanta. I could fly back up here on Sunday morning and pick you up?"
Just then the waitress came to the table and handed them their check. Bobbi looked at Melinda who shrugged.
Bobbi spoke after the waitress walked away. "I'll talk it over with dad and Melinda. I'll call you later tonight."
"Okay. We are flying out tonight to Philadelphia. The flight leaves at seven."
"I'll call before then. I have off from school from Thursday to next Wednesday so it will probably be okay."
"And I'll call my lawyer when I get back to the hotel."
"Thanks." Bobbi smiled at her. "Thanks for listening. I'd like to have a new beginning."
Audrey smiled. "Sounds like a plan. I've got this. She had the restaurant bill in her hand. "She nodded at Melinda. "You can leave the tip." Then she looked at Bobbi. "See you soon, I hope." She made her way to the cashier and they watched as she paid and then walked out of the building.
Melinda turned to Bobbi, "you good?"
Bobbi nodded. "I feel like a huge rock has been lifted off my chest. Thanks for being here for me."
"Always."
Melinda pulled up to the intersection. She glanced over at Bobbi. "I shouldn't be too long. Maybe an hour or so. You can stay in the waiting room, maybe work on your schoolwork."
"Sure. No problem."
"Afterward we can go shopping. You're already called out of school for the whole day. My classes are all covered. There's no need to rush home."
"Okay. So this meeting it about your business?"
"Yeah." Melinda didn't elaborate further and drove through the intersection, then turned into the parking garage. She parked and the two rode the elevator to the street walking the two blocks to the office building. Going up the elevator to the ninth floor, they got off and Melinda walked to an office door with the words Insight Investors on it. She entered with Bobbi and Bobbi sat in the waiting area while Melinda went up to the receptionist to announce her arrival. After doing so, Melinda sat down next to Bobbi and waited. Soon she heard her name called and the receptionist walked her to the office. She entered the room and the receptionist left.
"Well I'll be damned. You look even younger than last time I saw you Agent May."
"It's not Agent nor May anymore Fury."
The man stood and came around the desk offering his hand. "No it isn't, is it. How are you Melinda?"
She took his hand. "Good. How have you been sir?"
"I'd be better if I didn't keep losing some of my best agents. Did you know Koenig retired?"
"Which one?"
"L.T. She's out of the field at least. Going to teach at Quantico. You know you could have done that too."
"No thanks. I'm good. My dojo is doing well."
"Right. How is everyone?"
"Akela's good and no she's not coming back either. I have no idea what I'd do without her. Phil is good. Bobbi's good., she's out in the waiting room. Speaking of – she is seriously considering joining up in the future."
"If and when the time comes – I'll write a recommendation."
"I may hold you to that."
"I thought you didn't want your kid to follow in your footsteps."
"Maybe I've reconsidered. She gets to choose what she wants to do with her life. And she's still not completely sure but she knows it is going to be law enforcement of some sort. Of course, Maria is trying to pull her in that direction after she attends college."
"She would. Where does she want to go to college?"
"The Academy."
"Just like you. Air Force Academy. Serving. Then the FBI."
"Apparently. She could make it. She very well could get in. Great grades. Volunteer. School leader. Basketball varsity. Track team. Junior Martial Arts championships."
"Sounds like the perfect candidate. Just like you were. Why don't you sit down?"
"You found something more, didn't you? Something bad?"
"We found something, is right. We found a lot of somethings. It took a while to get everything. I wanted to check on some things oversees before meeting with you."
"Well thanks for keeping me in the loop," she said sarcastically."
"We did. Okay we did in a roundabout way. Maria kept telling you we were working on it. She also said you were going through a lot with your new kid, and with Bobbi. You need me to do some heavy leaning with that?"
Melinda smiled. "It's taken care of. I think anyway. And yes, it's been a bit chaotic with personal things. But I am still very capable of compartmentalizing. So I'd appreciate being kept in the inner loop from now on."
"Fair enough. I've been coordinating with Don who has been putting a lot of time in on this, as well as with Mike at the agency. We have a team working on this. It's bigger than just your girl. Here's the file." He plopped down a thick folder. "When you told me that files were missing from a kid's folder and that it seemed like a kid's home was shady I thought you were watching too many conspiracy videos. But what we found connects to a previously dead in the water one from about nine or ten years ago."
Melinda picked up the file. "You have a quick synopsis for me?"
"Sure. But before you look at that file, I want to discuss something with you. I want you to work the case. Kind of an undercover thing. I can temporarily have you come out of retirement as an expert consultant."
"Nick."
"Melinda. We could make a lot more headway with someone inside. You'd have plenty of help. And backup."
"I can't. I have a family now. They need me."
"It's deep Lin. People in this have very deep pockets. We think it could be trafficking. Potentially Abuse. Potentially a dangerous cult of rich, high profile people. People who are used to getting away with everything. A lot of shady people."
Melinda's breathe caught. "Is Skye involved."
"Her mother was. Pretty sure her father may still be. Oh and Izzy and Vic's new kid. She had a redacted file too. Someone very much wants their past as well as at least ten others to disappear."
"Someone at the FBI." Melinda's concluded.
"Yes. There and other places. Marshall Corporation. St. Agnes and the foster and adoption agencies that are affiliated with them. We have at least one mole in the FBI, probably more, and who knows how many elsewhere. Even our investigation, as covert as I am being, got noticed. More files are disappearing. The coverup for whatever is being covered up, runs very deep. And we think all of these places are in the thick of it all."
"Undercover where?"
"Your old office. You've been gone long enough that most wouldn't know you. For those who do, you're just consulting. Lots of retired agents consult, so it's a normal thing. Put you on a totally unrelated and non-dangerous case, while you have access to everything and everyone."
"Is Skye in danger? Are the kids in danger?"
"We don't think so, at least right now. Whoever or whatever hid those files, is dangerous. It's far more than that though." He paused and then sighed. "Melinda. Those kids. In the school shooting."
She gazed over at him.
"Did you know they were fostered out of St. Agnes? The older two were brother and sister, and the younger boy their real cousin. All being raised by two people who have literally disappeared. Five months after the shooting they were gone."
"Are you saying somehow they are connected to Skye?"
"No. I mean maybe. But most likely inadvertently. We just don't know yet. Some of the kids fostered out on the list of redacted files, are missing. Like that case from nearly ten years ago. Oh and the boy, the seventeen year old who survived at the school. You know he was being held at that facility upstate, the Illuminate Institute. He escaped two years ago. He had to have had help. It was a transport mess up. We are pretty sure it was done on purpose, that a mole caused him to escape, it looks like he had to have had help. And then he just disappeared."
Melinda's fists clenched as she took in the news. "What are you thinking Nick?"
"Honestly, I have no clue. We are speculating it's cultish or trafficking of some sort. But details are sketchy at best. But in the midst of everything, we keep coming back to the Marshall Corporation, specifically a couple of their subsidiaries."
"Fuck." Melinda sat down throwing the file on the desk. "I didn't think it was going to be this. Going to be this bad. I was thinking a couple of payoffs, some internal corruption and trying to hide mistakes to stay on the state dime. Not a damn conspiracy. Fuck."
"So you in then?"
"Nick, I have a family. I run a business. I can't."
"You were always one of the best Lin. One of my best agents. Whether you were running an op, going undercover on a mission, or just investigating, you always got the job done."
"Not always."
"That was a hard call Lin. Anyone of us would have made the same one. You know that."
"I should have seen it sooner."
"No one saw it sooner. You did your best. What you had to do. You saved Phil's life, your own life, other agents and police and students and teachers."
"Funny isn't it? How you can wake up one day and every single thing in your life is changed by three in the afternoon."
He gave he a knowing look. "Just read over the file. Hell have Phil look it over with you. Talk it over. You'd need to be at the office for a couple hours a day to make it work."
"When?"
"Not till the new year. It would make little sense to bring you in over the holidays. Besides, we are still gathering information. And we need to set up your cover well, the case you will supposedly be consulting on. And we have to get others set up undercover as well. We've already started but you know that we have to tread cautiously with big operation like this."
"Meanwhile you guys will continue to work the case from other angles while you set everything in motion?"
"Of course. But you know the less you know about those angles, the better."
"Do I know anyone else going undercover?"
"You know I can't give you that answer right now."
"Is Skye in any danger? Is Natasha?"
"At this moment based on what we have, no."
Melinda stood up and grabbed the file again. "I'll read the whole damn thing. I'll make a decision in a few days. But I want to have Akela in on this if I say yes. As my soundboard. Maybe working her old contacts."
"Okay. I need an answer by Friday night, so we can go with a new plan if you say no."
"Same number?"
"For now."
"Who else has seen this file?"
"Mike. And Don. He's going to bring Maria and Izzy in and get them up to speed. All except for the part about you. That's your call. You can tell them if you want after you decide."
"So no one else."
"A few have certain pieces. But yes. Those who have the whole picture are very limited."
"Good. It's always better that way. I'll be in touch."