Chapter 37

What a season 6 finale. Jandy was beautiful. I love how Mandy showed up just at the right moment to help Jason grieve. I have such good vibes about Jandy moving forward honestly. And how about that ending! Jason confessed to his TBI and the team, as well as other operators, all backing him. Dave hinted to a big brotherhood moment at the end, and it came through. The possibilities for season 7 are so open. I honestly have a mess of thoughts over it but first let's get renewed. I do have good vibes that season 7 is coming as well. So sorry for the delay in the story updates. Hopefully, I can get back to some schedule of doing them. Enjoy!

Joe was driving as Mandy went over information on Jose Rojas. When Sarah had said the company, he worked for was Synergy Enterprises, she felt chills run through her. In her recent research, she'd tried to find out anything and everything about the company. She hoped no one had noticed her moment of worry back in the mobile command.

"Anything interesting about the guy?" Joe asked.

"He's some sort of developer at the company," Mandy answered.

"What does Synergy Enterprises even do?" Joe wondered.

"Big conglomerate company, meaning they kind of got their hands in anything and everything," Mandy said. "Even have some contracts with the government including the defense department. From what I've read, they're a big contractor for a lot of the war out in the middle east we've been fighting."

"You sure seem to know a lot," Joe raised an eyebrow.

"What? I keep up with all this," Mandy shrugged it off. "Can't take the spook out of me. Anyways, I'm expecting to be stone walled by these guys. You know how these big corporations get when you start questioning their employees. From what I have read, Rojas is high enough up to have quite a bit of inside knowledge of the company."

"Great, so we'll be met with a sea of lawyers," Joe groaned.

"Probably. Gonna be hard to secure warrants I'm guessing too. Who knows who they are connected to," Mandy sighed.

"How are Jason and the kids after this morning?" Joe asked.

"Good so far. For Jason, he's worried about Emma and the aftermath. Told her to call me if she needed anything."

"Yeah, we try to protect the ones we care about from all the evil of the world," Joe sighed.

"And sometimes in the process, that means we're just protecting ourselves," Mandy replied thinking back to a conversation she and Jason had back on Gucci deployment.

"Very true. Any word on the woman shot?" Joe said.

"Nothing from Jason. He said he'd let me know. He texted me earlier Bravo had turned up and was waiting with the husband," Mandy smiled thinking of the guys supporting someone they didn't even know.

"And what about you?" Joe followed up.

"What about me?" Mandy asked, confused, as Joe gave her a look. "Look, I'm good. Am I shaken? Sure, a little, but right now we need to stay front side focused."

"We're all here if you need to talk," Joe said. He'd seen the brief moment of recognition on Mandy's face of the company name.

"Thanks," Mandy said, turning to look out the window.

Jason sat and watched the team play with Brandon and his father. The guys are all being funny and letting the little boy be a child during such a stressful time. He smiled thinking about his own kids at that age. He'd missed a lot because of the job and war but looking back he treasured the precious moments he did get.

"Is this what it's like for you?" Emma said sitting down next to him.

"What?" Jason asked as he turned to look at Emma.

"When you get spun up? Is that what it's like?" Emma asked fiddling with her fingers.

Jason sighed sadly as he looked at his daughter, "To a degree, yes."

"You didn't even flinch. You and Mandy just dived right into the action," Emma said as her hands trembled a little in Jason's.

"Oh Emma," Jason said pulling her into him and squeezing her close. "Wanna know a secret? We're all a little scared in the moment."

"I just froze," Emma said shakily as she cuddled into Jason's embrace.

"No, you were brave and listened to what we told you to do," Jason reassured her. "See that little boy over there, you took care of him during one of the worst moments of his life. You kept him grounded despite not knowing what could happen."

"Will I be okay?" Emma said, pulling back and looking at her Dad with tears in her hands.

"Yeah, you will be. Look, dealing with trauma like this isn't easy, but if you need to talk, I'm here and so is Mandy or anyone for that matter," Jason reassured her.

"I love you Dad," Emma said as she cuddled back into him.

"I love you too," Jason smiled.

The two sat there in silence taking comfort in having their moment together when a doctor came into the waiting area. Everyone stood up and gathered around Brandon and Eric looking anxiously at the doctor.

"How's my wife?" Eric asked cautiously as the doctor looked at the guys. "Please, whatever you have to say you can say it in front of them."

"Your wife made it through surgery. We fixed up her thigh. She's stable and headed to recovery for observation. Once she's set up, you can see her," the doctor explained as Eric let out a cry of relief and thanked the doctor.

Eric turned and hugged Jason, "Thank you, thank you for saving her."

Jason stood still not knowing what to say or do. Once Eric pulled away, he just shook his head and smiled. "No choice in duty," he said causing the team to shake their heads.

"Hi, how can I help you?" a smiling woman at the front desk to the building asked as Mandy and Joe approached.

"Agents Ellis and Jackson from the FBI. We'd like to talk to someone about an employee of yours that may have been involved in a crime this morning" Mandy answered.

"I'm sorry, who is this in regard to?" the secretary asked.

"Listen, we'd like speak to whoever is in charge around here," Joe interrupted.

"I'm sorry but without any specifics, I can't help you," the secretary frowned.

"Look, it's an ongoing investigation and this person is currently wanted. Just get me anyone in charge towards the top of the food chain," Mandy said as her irritation started to rise. "And if you don't, I'll personally start searching for someone floor by floor. Don't even mention getting a warrant, because if needed, I'll get you one."

"I'm sure we can help you in any way needed, Agent Ellis," a voice suddenly said behind them. "I'm Mark Henley, one of the development department's managers."

"Mr. Henley, thank you for meeting with us," Mandy said shaking his hand. "Is there somewhere we could talk?"

"Yes, right this way," Mark said leading them to an elevator. "How can I help you?" he asked as they walked into his office.

"We're here about an employee, Jose Rojas. We believe he was involved in the market shooting from this morning," Joe said as Mandy looked around and observed.

"Jose? Shooting?" Mark asked, surprised. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, one of the shooters was shot and left a trail of blood we were able to trace back to him. When was the last time you saw him?" Joe asked.

"Umm, a couple of days ago. I had a meeting with him and some others to go over some new plans. Why would he be shooting up a market?" Mark asked.

"As I'm sure you're aware, Jose had a brother who was serving jail time," Mandy stated. "However, he died while in prison. The guy had quite the life of crime. I'm sure your HR department found all this out when you ran background checks on him."

"I don't have access to those kinds of things," Mark shook his head. "Are you saying he is in a gang?"

"How about you just stick to telling us what you know," Joe said.

"He's a hard worker and very smart. As far as I know, he kept to himself. We never had any issues," Mark answered.

"Can we talk to his coworkers? See his work area?" Mandy asked.

"I'm sorry, not without a warrant," Mark smiled tightly as Joe and Mandy looked at each other.

"Just how far up the food chain is Jose Rojas?" Joe asked.

"He worked on some of our top projects here at the company. I'm sorry I can't help much more," Mark said.

"Listen, a woman was shot this morning and fighting for her life because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If something happens to her or anyone else for that matter and I find out you're holding out on us, you won't be prepared for the hell I'll rain down on this place," Mandy threatened.

"Are you threatening me?" Mark asked.

"Oh no, she's telling you exactly what she's gonna do. She doesn't make threats. Trust me, you don't want to know the things she's done for her last employer. This place is nothing compared to the evil of the world she's dealt with," Joe smirked.

"Excuse me," someone said entering. "I'm a part of Synergy Enterprises legal team and I'm going to have to end this conversation."

"Oh, don't worry, we were just leaving," Mandy smiled sweetly. "Think I got just what I needed," she added with a smirk as she and Joe walked out of the office.

"Just like we thought," Joe said as he started the car back up. "Stone walled. Something is definitely up. Pick up anything in his office?"

"He knows Jose better than he led on," Mandy replied. "Few group photos of them working together. Judging by the looks on their faces, they knew each other well."

"Think he wanted to talk more but was afraid?" Joe asked as he drove.

"Maybe," Mandy shrugged. "Seems like he's torn. We should see if we can get cell phone records and find out if any communication has gone on recently with anyone suspicious. We're gonna have to do this fast," Mandy said as she looked at the side mirror. "Cuz we have a tail."

"What?" Joe asked looking in the rearview mirror. "That was quick."

"Knew I felt someone watching us. Just drive back to our mobile command. Let them tail us for now. Gonna need to come up with a way of communication too," Mandy said as her phone buzzed. "It's Jason, he said the wife made it and is being moved to recovery," she told Joe.

"That's good. If it weren't for you and Jason acting fast, she'd be dead," Joe replied.

"Just hope we can find some justice for her. You know what doesn't make sense in all this though? Why is the company worried about Jose possibly being mixed up with gangs?" Mandy wondered.

"Maybe the company uses ties to gangs," Joe threw out there.

"Nah, company seems way too sophisticated to deal with sloppy gang bangers," Mandy shook her head.

"So then why is Synergy Enterprises going all shields up on us," Joe asked.

"Cuz from my experience, a company like that is involved in dirty deeds they don't want to be found and Jose is either directly or indirectly involved. For our case purpose, we don't care cuz we're focused on the shooting right now," Mandy sighed.

Joe looked over at Mandy and saw that something was bugging her. There was something personal tied to this company. If Mandy was hiding something from him and the others, then it meant it was big. He knew Mandy and what she'd done serving this country. He also knew that if she was in danger, she'd keep it to herself and work the problem to protect those she cared about.