Chapter 34
A soft breeze blew in from the ocean as two dark SUV's pulled up beside the large beach house on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The occupants stepped out of the vehicles, stretching from the long drive as they surveyed the awesome scene before them. Behind the massive, elegantly-styled house on the well-manicured lawn, they could hear the ocean as it crashed against the shore.
"Recently seized in a raid," Elizabeth 'Liz' Grobin answered the unspoken question of how the F.B.I. could afford something like this. "Actually, about 9 months ago and it's clean," she said, leading them to the front door.
"We're using it as a safe house until this case goes to trial, then it will be sold," Michael explained, opening the door for the others.
"Liz led the raid on the house," Amber boasted to the others. As the rookie on the team, she still had a lot to learn but her zeal for life was contagious.
"Only the F.B.I. part of the raid," Liz corrected, setting her bag down in the spacious living room. "D.E.A. was lead on the case," she explained, running her fingers through her brown hair, the sun from the large windows glinting off the blonde highlights.
Leaning against the back of the sofa, Liz watched the others slowly familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. At 5'1", the green-eyed brunette was the shortest of the agents on this assignment, but when appointed team leader shortly after 9/11, she easily gained the respect of everyone she worked with.
Liz and Michael had met at Quantico and became fast friends moving up in the Bureau together. While the others were more interested in the amenities of the house, she noticed the 6'4" Texan assessing any weak points. She knew the light grey suit that stretched across his broad shoulders as he moved hid the true cowboy underneath, forever wanting to assess the 'lay of the land'.
On the other hand, Charles was much more laid back as he stretched his long legs out on one of the two sofas in the living room, casually flipping through the old magazines left on the table. Probably used to beach houses, Liz smirked, remembering he grew up in southern California spending most of his teen years on a surfboard. However, one of the most decorated agents in the bureau, his passive attitude didn't extend to his F.B.I. duties.
Two months out of the Academy, Amber concerned Liz the most. Normally quiet and reserved, the younger woman's need to prove herself sometimes got her into trouble. With a tendency to charge into situations before thinking, she'd spent more time in their supervisor's office than behind her own desk. Liz hoped this assignment would give her a chance to reign in the young rookie.
"Wow, this place is fantastic," Danni exclaimed, turning from the big picture windows that looked out onto their private beach.
"It's bigger than anything I've ever stayed in before," the lovely Ms. Kersting admitted. "That kitchen is as big as half the house back home."
"And Annie thought they were going to take us to the Maryland State Mental Hospital," Danni joked, plopping down on the couch across from Charles. "See you didn't need all those jackets and sweaters you brought," she grinned cheekily.
"Yeah, but I'm glad I brought a couple of swimsuits too," Annie retorted, flipping her blonde tresses back over her shoulder. "It pays to be prepared."
"She always wanted to be a 'boy scout'," Craig muttered loud enough for everyone to hear, earning an amused glare from his sister.
"Okay, people," Liz called as the laughter died down. "Let's get the sleeping arrangements set up and then another road trip…at least for some of us," she announced.
"Road trip?" Craig questioned, leaning on the back of the sofa behind Danni.
"I thought we just finished the road trip?" Annie inquired, tearing herself from the view of the ocean to join the others.
"Well, this is for something a little more important," Liz looked around. "Food!" she declared when everyone continued to look at her with confused faces.
"Ah, for that, I'd volunteer for another outing," Charles smiled, lazily unfolding himself from the sofa. "Would you like to join me, Ms. Wilson?" he asked, his dark green eyes dancing mischievously as he eyed at the tall blonde standing next to him.
"Sure," Annie grinned, somehow feeling as if she was accepting a challenge, a dare if you will.
"Great! That's settled," Liz clapped her hands together before grabbing her bag from the floor. "Let's go get our rooms then," she turned, leading the others out of the room. None of them noticed Charles and Annie hadn't moved, their eyes still locked together as a silent but intense rivalry began.