Looking up from his coffee, Angel's lips curled into a gentle smile as Amanda entered the café. However, upon noticing her posture, he frowned with sympathy. She looked exhausted and deflated, and he surmised her day hadn't gone well either. He waited until their eyes met, then put the smile back on his face and waved her over. Her tired features lit up with a matching smile when she saw him. Navigating through the busy tables to the booth he had secured in the far corner, she slid comfortably into the seat opposite him.
With a short laugh, she shook her head in mock disbelief. "I still can't believe you were already in town when I called you."
He shrugged, chuckling. "Cassie would tease that it's the magic guiding events. She used to say that coincidence was just fate in disguise."
"How is your sister, by the way?" she asked, lifting her purse strap over her head and setting the bag on the cushion next to her.
"She's doing well." He took a sip of his coffee. "Business is good. She's thinking of expanding to a second location next spring."
"That's awesome. I remember how excited she was to open her first shop. I'm glad it's working out for her."
"So am I."
It wasn't a clipped answer, but she sensed he wasn't in the mood for pleasantries anymore. Still, she wanted to know how he was doing.
She met his eyes. "And how are you? Honestly?"
He shrugged. "Could be better. That's why I'm here. I needed to recharge."
"I haven't seen you in a while, since you've only had regional cases with lost kids and domestic issues, but did something happen?"
He nodded solemnly. "I'm sure you've heard about the murder-suicide involving the father and daughter in West Virginia?"
"Oh, God…" Her face paled as she leaned back against the booth. "That was your last case?"
"Yeah." He lowered his voice, staring into his coffee. "Cassie doesn't know, but I broke down in the van when she told me the news. I haven't had an episode that severe in years. Started to think I had my PTSD under control. If it wasn't for—"
He went silent and took a drink.
"For?" she prompted, leaning forward slightly.
"—For Cassie on the phone with me, I might have broken the steering wheel."
She raised an eyebrow at that explanation. His hesitation hinted that he'd stopped himself from saying something completely different. She decided not to pry and spoke apologetically. "I'm sorry I called you then. If you need the time?"
"I'm fine," he assured her, meeting her gaze. "Hot tea and a sister's ear are nature's remedies."
"Okay. If you're sure, 'cause I need you at your best for this."
"You know I am. You have my full attention." He leaned forward across the table. "So, what can you tell me?"
"So far, not much," she began, leaning forward to match his posture. "We didn't find anything in town today, but that was to be expected. Tomorrow, we start searching the grids along the wharf and tracks leading south, while a second group heads north and west. What I do know is that a black van was seen leaving a party with a girl, heading this way from Baton Rouge."
She reached for the small white container of artificial sweetener packets, selecting a couple while glancing at him. "That reminds me, I saw yours today when my group canvassed around Cassie's shop. I had to take the lead and pretend to run your plate so I could cover for you."
"Shit. Sorry." He ran a hand through his hair, looking chastised. "After your call, Cassie and I immediately got to work researching everything we could online. I forgot about the van."
"Isn't that unlike you? You think of everything," she teased softly.
He smiled slightly in response. "I'm not infallible, you know."
"It's fine." She placed her elbow on the table and playfully shook the packet at him. "Just, don't drive it around for now, okay? It's off our list, but the local police will still stop every suspicious van while the search is active."
"Right. I'll see about borrowing Cassie's car for the time being." He reached out and plucked the packet from her fingers. "Sorry again. I know it's an ironic choice for a rescue vehicle, but it serves me best for my missions."
"I know it does, but I remember telling you once before that your preference of transportation would give you trouble." She smirked. "So I'm glad I knew you were in town and I could take care of it."
As she finished speaking, one of the baristas approached their table.
"Welcome to Café Espresso. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Just a simple black coffee, please," she replied without looking up.
"Anything to eat? We have an excellent—"
"No, thank you," she cut in sharply, finally making eye contact with the server. "Just the coffee."
The barista's smile faltered slightly before she turned and left without another word.
Angel watched the server leave, opting not to opine on Amanda's curtness. He shifted his focus back to her, waiting for her to speak, and she did.
"Ironically," she picked up as if there had been no interruption, "while we know what to look for, they've been quite effective at avoiding our searches."
"That suggests they could be approaching from a different direction." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Probably taking back roads and lying low when traffic is busy. Or they've switched transportation altogether."
"That's what frustrated me about the SAC and the by-the-book protocols he had us follow today. I had tried to get you on board in an official capacity, but the damned pissing contests are in full swing down here."
"You? Complaining about rules?" He grinned. "After busting my balls so many times about FBI procedure?"
"I have to follow those policies," she huffed. "There's a lot I do for you behind the scenes that you may not be aware of."
His expression softened. "I know, and I appreciate it."
"The thing is, you get results, Angel. That's all that's ever mattered to me. That's why I called you. Those kids need you." She paused, her voice softening. "I need you."
"Then let me do things my way, okay?" He leaned forward again, his eyes intense. "My methods have been getting results, and they work better when I'm alone."
"Look, Angel." She matched his lean again, bringing their faces just inches apart. She dropped her voice to just above a whisper. "I still don't understand how those intimidation tactics work on people like this. So far, you've only had to deal with one or two individuals, and they've been amateurs and opportunistic attacks. This is different. I trust you and your incredible ability to think through all the options, but we don't know much about Bible, and this isn't some random pervert out to fuck a kid. Call me if you find anything. Please?"
He knew she was right, but he couldn't risk Charlie being discovered. Even though it meant lying to Amanda, a decision that never sat well with him. "Okay, I promise —whatever I find, I'll call you. If I don't need to act and the FBI can handle it instead, I'll be fine with that."
No, he wouldn't be, and she knew it, but she had to trust him for the sake of the children. "Okay, good."
She stopped as the barista returned, setting a large tan ceramic mug down in front of her with more force than necessary. "One black coffee," the server announced with a strained smile. "Have you decided on anything else today?"
"No," she replied curtly, not looking up from the mug.
"Okay." The smile dropped completely, and the barista turned away with obvious irritation.
"Shit." She sighed as the server retreated. "Gonna have to tip extra."
"You are tense," he observed with serious concern.
She reached for the cream and sugar with jerky movements. "You think?"
He took a sip of his drink. As she finished fixing up her coffee, he made a tentative promise, hoping to ease her concerns. "Amanda. Listen. Someday I want to tell you about everything. I really do. I have always trusted you, but for now, what's going on with me is something I need to handle on my own, okay?"
"I don't need to know your tactics." She wrapped both hands around her mug. "But I want to. I'll wait and won't push, but I hope it won't be long in coming."
"I'll try." It was the best he could offer.
She took a careful sip of her coffee so as not to burn her tongue while letting the moment linger, then resumed with an important reminder.
"As for this mission? You damn well better call me. Don't go in on your own. If this is as big as we think it is, Bible has stepped up his game. He could have some serious muscle involved."
She set her mug down with a soft clink.
"He used to focus on weapons, drugs, and merchandise overseas. Bringing his so-called business to the States is new. What's even worse is how well-connected he seems to be and how he manages to stay completely off the radar. He has power, and while you're capable—"
She trailed off.
He picked up the thought, his own mug halfway to his lips. "I haven't had to deal with anything this large since the service. I know. We dealt with crime bosses during our tours, but it wasn't until the incident that I witnessed anything as cruel as what Tag did. What he tricked me into doing."
"Don't." She reached across the table and gripped his free hand. "Don't think about that. Stay focused in the now."
"Don't worry, I am." He squeezed her hand, grateful that she was still a part of his life in some way.
An awkward silence fell between them. She took a long sip of her coffee to clear her mind while he did the same, both lost in contemplation.
Finally, he broke the quiet. "You said the grids would move along the tracks tomorrow?"
"Both north and south of the quarter, yes." She nodded, setting her mug down.
"We have other units scouring different cities, but I'm confident we're in the right area. We're focusing along the river, observing the barges and ships coming in and out, and boarding some to check their manifests."
"Proactive," Angel agreed.
She nodded. "If Bible is transporting girls overseas, there are abandoned warehouses along the shore that would serve as prime hiding spots to hold them before loading them onto a ship."
"And yet your SAC starts dead center in the city," he muttered. This search pattern seemed off to him.
"By-the-book," she clipped. "A book I want to hurl in his face. Hard!"
"Now you know how I feel." He winked. "Procedure makes sense in the forces and law enforcement, but what I do can't have those chains."
"And that's why I called you." She winked back. "So, what's your plan?"
"I think you're right about the river, so I'm going to start there." Internally, he was glad Charlie was already searching that area for him. Her senses would pick up things even he might miss. "I'll let you know what I clear so you can expedite your search and cover more ground."
"Sounds good. Text me the blocks you cleared before I start in the morning. I have enough influence at my rank to pick and choose my assignments. That's how I was able to clear your van." She winked again and continued, "So I'll take the grids you haven't cleared."
"Deal."
"But Angel?" Her expression shifted. "We expect Bible to want to move the girls soon, and we're only going to be able to stall so many ships without any warrants."
"Understood." He checked his watch: half past six.
Time had flown with her, as it always seemed to do, which meant that Charlie was probably finishing her own search and would want to check in. She hadn't tried to call through the earpiece, probably because she knew he was with Amanda, but he needed to get her a phone so she could text him more discreetly. After one last sip of coffee, he slid out of the booth.
She raised her eyebrow. "You're leaving?"
"I need to get back to the shop, organize my gear, and ask Cassie for her car. It's less than two hours before sundown, and that's when I'll head out."
"Right." She mentally slapped herself—this was business, not a date, and business had concluded.
She took a long sip of her coffee, wishing she had asked for it in a to-go cup. However, she hesitated to disturb the barista, whom she had already annoyed with her attitude.
Grabbing her purse, she pulled out a twenty and placed it under the cup, hoping it would serve as an apology. "Let me walk you out, at least."
After she paid for her coffee at the register, they left the shop and stepped into the warm early evening light. Seeking shade, they moved under a nearby awning.
He glanced around, scrutinizing the crowd of tourists moving about, and muttered quietly, "Your SAC's efforts wasted time, you know."
"A lot of the shit that we have to follow isn't conducive to saving lives. Too much fucking bureaucracy."
He recalled what that felt like. It was part of the reason he chose the path he was on. "That's what I'm here for."
"And I truly appreciate that." Stepping closer, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Go. Do your thing. Let's take this fucker down!"
He took her hand and gave it a final squeeze. "We will. If I find them, I'll call you. Otherwise, I'll text you when I finish canvassing." With that, he dropped her hand and jogged off through the crowds.
Amanda stood there as he disappeared among the tourists. She knew in her heart that any call she received would probably come long after he had taken the initiative. She accepted the risk if it meant the difference between life and death for the children. But what troubled her was the nagging suspicion that the 'we' he had mentioned before… didn't include her.