Two
James kept close watch on Mike for the next several days. The older British man knew it too. Mike knew James' intentions were pure. During those several days, Mike made no mention of his wife and James did not hear anything from Gilles. After a full week elapsed, James felt confident enough to ask for the name of the wife since Mark and Seamus had no luck in their investigations. They could not access Mike's personal file without the proper clearance.
James sighed, rubbing his temple for a moment. He had stopped in the hallway, his pursuit after the older man temporarily halted. The bastard knew how to speed walk to avoid conversation.
Once again, James continued and kept a light jog until he managed to get within arm's reach. "Dammit, old bloke! You wait here!"
"I'm not an irresponsible child for you to keep tabs on, Porter." Mike nearly growled as he whirled around with a dark look in his eyes. "I am a grown man. I don't need you to nanny me."
"Listen here, chap. I am your brother-in-arms. We protect our country, its men, and each other. "You've been avoiding us in conversation-"
"Because there is nothing to talk about." The older man interrupted.
James frowned. "Look, mate. I am not asking for a lot. All I ask if for you to tell your story about your wife and perhaps you'll be more at ease."
Mike gave James a hard glare, eyes narrowed. When he looked away and had a contemplating look, James thought Mike would consider telling his story.
Finally, the greying man sighed. "Fine. Let us grab tea first."
James nodded. "Of course, mate."
The courtyard was nearly vacant by the time Mike and James arrived. Tea in hand, they moved towards one of the benches that sat alongside one of the four gravel paths. Both men leaned forward as they sat. James took a sip of his tea; the bitterness of it was delightful. Mike held his cup between his hands and the heat warmed his fingers.
"Where to begin?" The question Mike asked was more to himself than to his comrade. Before the younger man could answer, Mike continued. "I met my wife as a young lad. My college mates and I went to buy tea and crumpets at a small café. I had never been there myself, but when I saw this beautiful waitress, I kept going back. Her eyes were a soft green, skin so bright. Her hair was voluminous and such a light brown. When her eyes met mine and she smiled, I looked like a drooling idiot." He paused to sip his tea.
"We began our courtship several months after. I didn't finish my studies because I was called into duty. She waited for me and when I came back, I proposed. On our wedding day, I damn near cried when I saw her in her mother's dress. She was an absolute angel." James smiled a little as he watched the older man lighten. The moment was short-lived, however. "I made her a promise. When my duty came to an end, I would not re-enlist. The damn Iran-Iraq war became real and I could not turn my back to the incoming war. I re-enlisted. My dear wife told me that she wouldn't wait for me again. I left and so did she."
James swore he hear Mike sniffle, but the older man was quick to hide it. "Several months later, I receive a letter in the mail and I found out that during our last coupling, she conceived. My wife told me to never search for her or our child. I was not going to meet them. My child would know of me, but I would not know of them. I have not a clue as to if I have a lad or lassie. Would they want to know of me after all these years?"
There was a momentary pause as James took a sip of his tea. "Mate, for you, we will find them. You need it. You deserve it." Mike only shook his head, raising his cup to his lips. "What, mate?"
"If I could not find them, what makes you think that you can?" Mike asked.
"Trust us, Baker. We will find them." James assured.
The older Brit ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "I trust you runts."
James chuckled. "We love you as well, you old bloke."
The smile Mike produced was considered a small victory in James' book.
"All we need is a name and a picture. If she is as beautiful as you claim, we will find her quick." said James.
Mike took a moment to think before a hand slid into his pocket and he pulled out his wallet. A finger wriggled into the hidden slit and he held the small picture in the palm of his hand. The older man smiled. "Here she is. My beloved Susie. Her maiden name was Parker. Susan Parker."
James observed the small photograph. He thought to himself that Mike had landed himself a gorgeous wife. The younger man pulled out his cell phone and took a quick picture. "There. Knowing Seamus, his massive hands would destroy the picture just by touching it."
Mike chuckled. "You runts and your technology."
"It serves its purpose." James replied. He tucked the phone away as Mike stored his small photograph. "Thank you, mate."
The older man did not say anything in return, slowly sipping his tea quietly. They sat in silence for the next several minutes. James was waiting for Mike to add anything else. However, Mike was thinking. He was wondering how his comrades would be able to find his wife if he was unable to. The young blokes were troublesome, but they were smart. Perhaps they would have better luck because of advancements in technology. His comrades were not in anguish like he was.
Somewhere in the pit of his gut, he hoped they would find Susan. Like James said, he needed it.
Mark was all over his computer as soon as James sent him the image of Susan Baker.
He caught up with his mates in their dorm room, all of them crowding around Mark's laptop computer.
"You know," Mark started as he gave his comrades a brief glance. "I would work a little faster if you weren't crowding me."
"You'll be fine, mate." Seamus said with a clap on his shoulder.
Mark gave him a quick glare before giving his laptop an undivided attention. "Either way, it will take twenty-four hours for the computer to process her facial recognition across all of the European database. If she cannot be found, I will have to do a facial recognition across the all the reaches of the Earth."
"Hopefully, that will not be the case." James said.
"If she's made her appearance known, the search will not take long." Mark added. "While we wait, the Director wants us to meet the new Spaniards. I shall leave this running and it will notify me as soon as we've had a positive scan."
"Alright, mate. Swell job." James gripped the youngest member's shoulder. Mark offlined his screen before standing, prompting the SAS members to head out their dorm.
Mike met with his comrades along the way to the conference room. He was expecting more attention and conversation from the other three males, but they only greeted him in a friendly manner.
The conference room was large enough to house the many special operations operatives. The room was dimly lit, several rows lined up on an inclined floor. The SAS members took their seat on the second row right behind the GIGN towards the left of the conference room.
Once all the operators were seated, Director Six introduced the male and female pair standing beside her.
Mike noticed Eliza Cohen, who was seated adjacent to the SAS members, lean back in her chair with crossed arms; simultaneously, Elena Alvarez narrowed her eyes at the Israeli-American. The elder member returned his focus to the front of the room. After the Director left the room, the two new members intermingled with the others. Mike saw fit to introduce himself and his team.
Elena nudged her counterpart when she saw Mike approach. The Spaniard male looked in the direction Elena had thrust her jaw.
"Welcome to Team Rainbow." said Mike, his hand outstretching for the other to accept.
"Thank you." replied the male, shaking the hand offered to him. "Ryad Ramirez Al-Hassar."
"Mike Baker." the older man gestured to the three SAS members alongside him. "These are my mates; James Porter, Mark Chander, and Seamus Cowden."
The three gave their own greetings.
"Gran placer conocerlos a todos. (Great pleasure meeting you all.)" Ryad said with a nod. He turned towards his comrade.
"Elena Maria Alvarez."
Mike went to shake her hand; his intention was to greet her with a feminine handshake. Instead, Elena thrust her hand forward until the skin between their thumbs and forefingers met. When she shook his hand, Mike held it firmly.
"I am no stranger to a man's handshake, señor. I was raised with it." Elena said.
"You are the first woman I have greeted with such a firm handshake." Mike commented as he lowered his hand to his side.
"I never had a feminine role model growing up. My papa raised me."
Ryad clapped her shoulder, gripping it tightly. "He did a fine job."
Elena smiled.
The meet and greet lasted well over an hour. The older men in Team Rainbow welcomed Ryad into their "circle of the older generation," as Dominic had put it. The German Operator was also put in his place after an attempt to flirt with the Spaniard female. In order to cover his wounded pride and ego, Dominic nervously chuckled and delved further into the conference room.
Marius and Elias had a laugh.
Mark chuckled himself before he felt a vibration in his pocket. One quick glance was all that he needed before he tapped James' shoulder. "Mate, I've found something."
James nodded. "Go on, mate. I'll stay here with the old bloke."
Mark gave the older man a single nod before he turned towards the entrance of the conference room. He touched Seamus' shoulder along the way; without exchanging words, Seamus got up from his seat and he followed the younger male.
Once out in the hall, Seamus asked, "What have you found?"
"A match. Hopefully, the profile fits what we are looking for."
"As do I, mate."