"This is the day I was to recruit Agent Walker," she said and she placed the cellphone in the holder so they could hear the conversation.
"Now what?"
"You're going to need some help."
"I'll ask Owens to help me."
"Nope. I'm going to need him,"
"No!"
"He's the best."
"He's retired!"
"We need him."
"I don't care. I promised him I would never contact him after he nearly died. Again."
"Then I'm going to have to bring her in."
"You wouldn't."
"I would."
"You really are an asshole."
"Does that mean you'll do it?"
"I have no choice."
"I went to see Agent Walker, but he refused to help us," she said as she pushed the button.
"Do you have any more conversations?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"Yes," she said and pushed the button after she found the right conversation.
"Guess he said no."
"Yeah."
"Then we'll have to bring her in."
"That's not going to happen."
"Why not?"
"She's no longer in the picture."
"Care to explain?"
"Fine. I'll talk slowly. They broke up three weeks ago and she went back to Ireland."
"He told you this?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sure he's telling the truth?"
"Yeah."
"Dismissed."
"I had to lie or he would have brought in Agent Walker's fiancé," Eunice said as she pushed the button.
"Do you have any more conversations?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"Yes, Sir. This was right after a conversation I had with Agent Walker," she said and she found the right conversation.
"I was talking with him."
"Did he agree to work with us?"
"No. Want to know why?"
"Why?"
"He thinks we just kidnapped his boss, her friend and their kids."
"Why would he think that?"
"Gee. I don't know. Maybe to lure someone out of hiding."
"He knows about…? About that!?"
"Yeah. He does."
"What did Agent Walker know?" the woman with dyed red hair and gray eyes asked.
"The Saints," Eunice said as she hit the button and she looked at the shocked looks on their faces.
"Agent Walker knew about the Saints?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"Yes, Sir," she said.
"How did he know?"
"I don't know Sir," she said then she pushed the button.
"Did he say what happened?"
"They were at a birthday party when this guy showed up. Turns out they know the guy and he wanted them to go with him."
"And that leads back to us how?!"
"There were two other guys with him. And they were placed in vans."
"Vans?"
"Come off it, Smecker. I know you took them."
"Bullshit!"
"Where are they!?"
"He didn't answer me," Eunice said as she pushed the button.
"Anything else?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"Yes, Sir. I have one more conversation. This takes place while we were going to Warren's compound," she said and she found the conversation.
"I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"He's going to be there. I want his photo sent to all agents so he doesn't end up a victim of friendly fire."
"How did he find out?"
"That's classified."
"Can't promise you anything."
Eunice pushed the button then removed the cellphone from the holder and she placed the cellphone back in her purse.
"Let us talk about Sam Warren's compound. Did you know the Saints were there?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"No, Sir," she said with a shake of her head.
"She's lying!" Paul shouted.
"Do you have any evidence?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"No," he said with a sigh.
"Did Agent Walker know they were there?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked as he looked at Eunice.
"No, Sir," she said. Eunice scanned their faces with her eyes as she waited for someone to say something and the with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes cleared his throat.
"According to the reports… Agent Walker, Warren and the Saints were together when agents found them. Do you know why?" the woman with dyed red hair and gray eyes asked.
"I do. I believe Agent Walker had found Warren and confronted him about the whereabouts of his boss, her friend and their kids. As for the Saints? They might have been there to eliminate him because he was an underboss," Eunice said.
"Are you saying they just happened to be in the same place at the same time?"
"Yes, Ma'me," she said.
She scanned them with their eyes as they whispered to each other and the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes sat back in the chair.
"The autopsy report states Warren was shot in the head," the man with blonde hair and blue eyes said.
"Yes, Sir," Eunice said with a nod.
"But not in the back of the head. Isn't that what the Saints are reported to do when they eliminate someone?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Which means it was Agent Walker who eliminated Warren?"
"I cannot answer that, Sir. Only Agent Walker could comment on what happened."
"Agent Walker is dead."
"Yes, Sir."
"What happened after Agent Walker and the Saints were shot?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"Agent Smecker called for a med evac. Agent Walker and the Saints were placed in the helicopter and taken to the hospital," Eunice explained.
"Did Agent Smecker go with them?"
"No, Sir. I did."
"Why did you go with them? Agent Smecker was the agent in charge," the woman with dyed red hair and gray eyes asked.
"He was, but I wanted to make sure they arrived at the hospital."
"Did you think he would have taken Agent Walker and the Saints somewhere else?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"I wouldn't put it passed him," Eunice said as she glanced at Smecker.
"Objection!" Edward shouted as he stood.
"Sit down, Mister Burke," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said.
"According to the reports, the hospital was placed in lockdown after Agent Walker and the Saints arrived," the man with blonde hair and blue eyes said as he looked at the reports.
"Yes, Sir."
"Were you able to talk to any medical personnel after their arrival?" the man with dark skin, black hair and brown eyes asked.
"Yes, Sir. But I was unable to ascertain their condition due to me not being a family member."
"Did you identify yourself as an FBI agent?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said as he frowned and placed his hands on the arms of the high back chair.
"I did."
"Where was Agent Smecker?"
"He was at the hospital."
"Did he inquire about Agent Walker or the Saints?"
"No, Sir. He was arguing with the head of the hospital about the lockdown."
"My client has explained about his conversation with the head of the hospital," Edward said.
"Yes. We know that, Mister Burke," the man with blonde hair and blue eyes said.
"I was able to find out about Agent Walker's condition after I returned to headquarters," Eunice said.
"How were you able to do that?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes asked.
"I called the hospital and pretended to be his fiancé."
"Is that how you were able to find out about his death?" the man with dark skin, black hair and brown eyes asked.
"Yes, Sir. I didn't learn about the death of the Saints until I saw the autopsy reports."
Eunice scanned them with her eyes and the with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes sighed.
"Be seated, Agent Bloom," a man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said then he looked at Smecker. "Agent Smecker, do you have anything to add?"
"My client has nothing to add, Sir," Edward said.
Eunice noticed how the people were looking at each other as the woman with dyed red hair and gray eyes whispered to the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes and he nodded.
"It has been decided, seeing how this is an ongoing investigation, that Agent Bloom and Agent Smecker are to be held for further questioning," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes and Smecker's eyes widened.
"Sir, I would like to submit an objection to the evidence Agent Bloom summited. Those conversations were recorded without my client's knowledge or consent," Edward said.
"We will take that into consideration," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said. "Dismissed."
The FBI agents walked to Smecker and Edward as Smecker and Edward stood and the FBI agents stood on either side of them. The FBI agents led them to the door as the other FBI agent opened the door and they left the room.
Eunice looked at the other FBI agents, but none of them moved to her and she looked at the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes.
"I guess you're wondering why you weren't escorted out of the room," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said and she nodded. "When you were offered reinstatement into the FBI, you made a deal."
"Yes. I did. My reinstatement for Agent Smecker's arrest," Eunice said.
"Unfortunately, he was able to talk his way into being released."
"He told me that. I still don't understand what happened."
"That is under investigation," the woman with dyed red hair and gray eyes said.
"I also don't understand why I was assigned here."
"It was your second chance," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said.
"My second chance?"
"We needed to see if you had the commitment to finally bring down your former commanding officer."
"And it appears you did," the man with blonde hair and blue eyes said.
"What we didn't expect was you informing Agent Walker about what was going on," the man with dark skin, black hair and brown eyes said.
"To be honest," Eunice said with a small smile. "He contacted me first."
"He did?"
"Yes, Sir. He needed some information about someone who works at his boss' ranch."
"Were you able to get him that information?" the man with blonde hair and blue eyes asked.
"Yes, Sir."
"Was this information have to do with Sam Warren?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Does this information have to do with his ex-wife?"
"Yes, Sir."
"We did investigate her. Turns out she had nothing to do with her ex-husband's criminal activities."
"We also know she was Agent Walker's employer," the man with dark skin, black hair and brown eyes said.
"Then you understand why Warren wanted to take her and her children," Eunice said.
"We do believe he was going to try and make her sign over the ranch and, maybe, their children over to him. We don't know why he took her friend and her children," the man with dark skin, black hair and brown eyes said.
"More leverage."
"I believe you're right."
"Then I believe I need to inform you about something. I believe Agent Walker and the Saints were able to find his boss, her friend and their children."
"How do you know this?"
"I received a text from his fiancé."
"And she told you?"
"No. I able to text with Agent Walker's boss and her friend. I wouldn't be able to if they were still with Warren."
"Have they been brought in for questioning about Warren and what happened?" the woman with dyed red hair and gray eyes asked.
"Not yet."
Eunice watched as they whispered to each other and the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes slid something across the table. Eunice picked up a small stack off photographs when she looked at the photographs of Connor talking with Lisa, of Annie talking with Connor and Murphy, Connor and Murphy talking with Diego and some others of Connor and Murphy and she sighed.
"How did you get hold of these?" Eunice asked.
"They were found at Warren's compound. We think someone sent them to him," the woman with dyed red hair and gray eyes said.
"Did you know the Saints were at the ranch?" the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard gray eye asked.
"No, Sir," Eunice said and hoped her face or eyes didn't betray her.
"We investigated the fiancé. It turns out she is their sister," the man with blonde hair and blue eyes said.
"May I ask a favor?"
"What sort of favor?"
"Please leave her alone. She just lost not only her fiancé, but her brothers."
She watched as they whispered to each other and the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes placed his elbows on the desk while steepling his fingers.
"We have no reason to bother her any further," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said.
"Thank you," she said with a sigh.
"Dismissed," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said and the FBI agents walked to Eunice. They walked to the door when Fred opened the door and he gave her a sympathetic look. "Agent Bloom?"
"Yes, Sir?" she asked as she turned to look at him.
"We're going to need your phone."
Eunice opened her purse when she removed the cellphone and she handed the cellphone to Fred. Nodding, Fred watched the FBI agents lead her out of the room and he closed the hallway. Eunice saw Smecker, Edward and the other FBI agents waiting by the elevator as she and the FBI agents walked closer and she saw the anger in Smekcer's eyes. The elevator doors opened as they walked in the elevator car and she stood next to Smecker as the elevator doors closed.
Houston – a few hours later - Eunice's apartment
The door opened when Eunice walked inside the and she flicked the switch on the wall to turn on the lights. She closed the door when she walked to the kitchenette and she placed her purse on the kitchen island counter. She went to the refrigerator when she opened the refrigerator door and she removed a plastic container. She opened the top of the plastic container as she looked at the cold pasta and the cold pieces of chicken that she had made for dinner the night before and she placed the plastic container on the kitchen island counter. She removed the wine glass from the cabinet when she poured some white wine into the wine glass then she walked to the drawer. She opened the door as she removed a fork, closed the door then walked to the kitchen island. She started eating as she thought about the meeting with the head office and a small pang of guilt moved through her.
"Fuck it. He deserved it," she whispered then she took a long drink of wine. After she finished eating, she rinsed out the wine glass before placing the wine glass in the dishwasher then she closed the dishwasher. She washed out the plastic container and the lid when she placed the plastic container and the lid in the drying rack. She walked to the couch when she opened the drawer in the small table near the couch and she removed the cellphone. She sat on the couch when she looked at the cellphone. She pushed the button as the screen came on and she looked at the photo of her and Diego. They smiled at her as Eunice smiled and she leaned back against the cushion. Her mind went back to the elevator and she could still see the anger on Smecker's face.
"I can't believe you did that," Paul said.
"Sir? I suggest you stop talking," Edward said as he glanced at her.
"Why? What more can she do to me?"
"I can do a lot," Eunice said, softly.
"What does that mean?"
"Sir….," Edward warned and the elevators doors opened a few minutes later. They left the elevator car as Eunice noticed the white tile flooring, the white walls and ceiling and the soft humming of the overhead lighting filled the air. They walked down the hallway when they came to two iron doors and an FBI agent was sitting behind a bulletproof/shatterproof glass.
"Please stand behind the line," the FBI agent said after she pushed the speaker button and Eunice looked down at the red line painted on the floor. The Iron doors opened when an FBI agent walked out into the hallway and Eunice noticed the small metal detector in his left hand. "Please extend your arms."
"Sir," Edward said as he looked at Smecker and Smecker raise his arms out to his sides. He watched the FBI agent scan his body front and back then moved away and Smecker lowered his arms.
"I didn't say lower your arms," the FBI agent said after she pushed the button and Smecker raised his arms. The other FBI agent searched him as Smecker sighed and rolled his eyes. "Lower your arms."
"Follow me," the other FBI agent asked and the FBI agents surrounding Smecker escorted him down the hallway. Eunice watched the FBI agent open the iron door with a small slot with a sliding shield and the FBI agents stood back while Smecker walked in the cell. The FBI agent closed the door then moved the sliding shield in place and a cold chill moved through Eunice.
"Please stand behind the line," the FBI agent said after she pushed the button. Eunice walked to the red line painted on the floor and the other FBI agent walked back down the hallway. He stood in front of Eunice as Eunice looked at him and she sighed. "Please extend your arms."
Eunice raised her arms out as the FBI agent walked closer and scanned her body front and back. He moved away as Eunice sighed and she looked straight ahead.
"Please keep your arms raised," the RBI agent said and the other FBI agent searched Eunice. She glanced over at Eric while he glared at her and she gave him a blank look. "Please lower your arms."
Eunice placed her arms down as the FBI agents surrounded her and they walked into the next room. She had glanced over at Fred before the FBI agent opened the iron door with the sliding shield and she walked in the cell. She heard the low thud as the iron door was closed and she looked at the cell. The over-head lights made a soft humming sound as she looked at the security cameras in the corners of the room and she headed for the bunk to the right of the room. She looked at the toilet in the corner when she removed her shoes and she stretched out on the bed.
She must have dozed off when she heard the low thud of the iron door being open and she sat up on the bunk. She watched Fred walk in the cell as he smiled and she wondered what he was smiling about. He placed his right index finger against his lips as she placed her shoes back on then she stood up. They left the cell as she looked at the iron door to Smecker's cell then they headed back into the hallway. They walked down the hallway to the elevator Fred pushed the button as the elevator doors opened and they walked in the elevator car. She wondered where they were going as he pushed the button and the elevator doors closed. They stood in silent when the elevator doors opened and she saw they were in the lobby. They headed for the front door as they walked outside and he led her to her car. Fred handed her purse to her as Eunice opened her purse and removed the car keys. She wasn't sure if she should get in the car as Fred smiled and lightly shook his head.
"It's not going to explode," he said with a grin.
"That's what they all say," she said as she unlocked the door after turning off the car alarm and she opened the driver's side door. She got in the car when she looked at Fred and he leaned on the door. "Why am I allowed to leave?"
"The higher ups let you go," Fred said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah," he said with a nod. She closed the door as he slightly moved back and she started the engine while holding her breath. She had closed her eyes, but nothing happened and she put the car in gear. She backed the car up then headed for the front gate and she showed the guard her ID card. He returned the ID card after checking her information and he pushed the button to open the gates. She drove the car by the gates then down the road and she held her breath again. When nothing happened, she breathed out and she strummed her fingers on the steering wheel.
"Guess I better check the place," Eunice said as she stood and she walked to the desk. She opened the top desk drawer when she removed the small scanner and she scanned the apartment. She walked back to the desk a few minutes later when she placed the small scanner back in the drawer then she walked back to the couch. She sat down when she picked up the cellphone and she pushed the button. She put the cellphone on a secure setting when she looked through her contact list and she pushed the button. She looked at the text screen when she sat back against the cushion and she looked at the screen. She knew she shouldn't send a text, but she had to know if Diego, Connor and Murphy were alright. She typed on the keyboard then looked at the screen and she sighed.
Hello.
She pushed the button as she waited then a soft buzzing sound came from the cellphone.
Is this Agent Bloom?
Yes. Who's this?"
The one who likes Connor.
Where is Diego's fiancé?
She's at the hospital.
Why aren't you there?
They only allow one person to stay at one time.
"That makes sense," she said then typed on the keyboard.
How are they doing?
She waited when the soft buzzing sound came from the cellphone and she looked at the screen.
She told me not to tell you.
I'm just trying to help.
Yeah. You helped them right into the hospital and almost the morgue.
"Whoa," she whispered and the cellphone made a soft buzzing noise.
Sorry. She's upset.
Are you the one who likes Murphy?
Yes.
I am truly sorry about what happened.
I know. But that doesn't make things easier. My little girl wants to know if her papa is going to die.
Murphy's her father!?
No. But she thinks of him as her father. I had to tell her he wasn't going to die. Even though he nearly died on the operating table. I hate lying to her.
"I bet," she whispered when the soft buzzing sound came from the cellphone and she looked at the screen.
I need to know something. Are you going to arrest Connor and Murphy?
Who is this?
The one who likes Connor.
No. They're not going to get arrested. As far as the FBI is concerned? All three of them are dead.
I don't believe you.
"I don't believe me either," she whispered.
Are they going to take my ranch? Our kids?
"Shit," Eunice whispered.
No.
Eunice looked at the screen as she waited for another text and she hoped whoever It was hadn't ended the call.
Do you blame Diego for what happened? Or Connor and Murphy?
She waited when the cellphone made a small buzzing sound and she looked at the screen.
No. We blame Sam and that Smecker guy. And you.
Eunice blinked her eyes a few times then she sighed.
You know about Smecker?!
Connor and Murphy told us about him.
I'm talking with the one who likes Murphy, right?
Yes.
Again. I am sorry about what happened.
You will be if something happens to any of them or us.
"Guess I'm talking with the one who likes Connor," she said with a sigh.
Is that a threat?
It's a warning from their uncle. He called. We told him about your part in what happened to them. He said if you got in contact with us to remind you his brother wasn't the only one who was a Saint.
The screen went black as she realized they were deleting the texts and she sat back against the couch. She thought for a few seconds when her eyes widened after she remembered who Connor and Murphy's father was and she sat up.
"Holy shit," she said and a cold chill moved through her.