Page 59 of Operation: Return

“I don’t expect any less. I have every hope they will be caught and they’ll have to pay for everything they did, whether it’s here on earth in a court of law followed by jail, or when they are judged after death. There is no escape from judgement.”

She nodded, ready to start. Cole would need them to act quickly. “How do we get Frank in here?”

Just then, over the walkie sitting on Brendon’s desk, Dominic’s voice came over the airwaves clearly. “To all the Guardians, Frank Hoskins is to report to Brendon Ruse’s office in the main building immediately.”

“I think that’s how we do it. He’s still employed by Dominic. Hopefully, that works. Dominic has my phone number to text me if anything goes wrong or I can let them know if we don’t see him. They can’t act until Frank is here. I assumed it would take them longer to prepare. They must have been ready.”

“They probably had everything prepared when they went for the trade.” Erica had wondered where Trace had gone, but hadn’t asked. She’d forgotten to tell Cole that Trace could speak if he really wanted to.

She opened her mouth to tell Brendon when the answer came over the walkie. “I’ll be there in five.”

Frank’s voice hit her like a thunderbolt. That was the voice of the man who took her son. In five minutes or less, she would have to act like she didn’t know what he’d done.

“Are you going to be alright?” Brendon asked. “If you want to leave, I understand. I just have to keep him occupied long enough for Cole and Dominic to get in there and get Pete out. I hope it won’t take long.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll sit back and let you do most of the talking. I doubt Lacy would do much besides take notes if this were a real questioning session about his fraudulent history.”

Brendon took out a notebook. “Here, feel free to take notes if that will make you feel like a better actress.”

She took the pad and pen he offered, suddenly nervous and wanting to talk about anything but Frank and what they had to do. “Can I ask you what happened? Cole said you were their secret weapon. Have you always been,” she hated sounding so cold, “in a wheelchair?”

He snorted. “No. I was injured while deployed about six years ago. I was actually part of the National Guard, so I was able to take classes while I was serving. Then I was called into active duty. I hadn’t finished my degree in counseling psychology before I left, so I wasn’t in any counseling capacity there.” He shifted slightly and his arm muscles bunched. She hadn’t noticed until that moment how strong he had to be.

“We got in a tight spot. I got shot and my spinal cord got nicked. My legs are useless from just above my knees down. It doesn’t stop me though. If I want to ride a horse, I ride a horse. If I want to drive, I go out to my special car that is outfitted for me and I go. There’s literally nothing that gets in my way for long.”

She’d assumed people in wheelchairs wanted to be out, to be able to walk. To be ‘like everyone else’. Maybe some did, but Brendon didn’t seem to. He seemed to see his body as his and life as a challenge. “You’ll have to forgive me. I thought you were on Wayside to heal.”

“Most people think that way when they first meet me. I’ve done my healing. Now I’m living.”

Someone knocked on the door and Brendon told them to come in. Erica took a deep breath as a man in the same all-black military style fatigues came in and stood in front of Brendon.

“Frank Hoskins, reporting for questioning.”

Erica held in her gasp of worry. Did he know why he was there?

“At ease. You can sit if you’d like.” Brendon motioned to a chair that would put him in front of her, preventing her from having to watch her every move and breath.

Frank sat down, though he didn’t relax and waited for Brendon to make the first move.

Brendon picked up a stack of papers and tapped them on the desk. “We were looking over the security information sent over by the Guardian office and there seems to be an issue. I’m hoping you can clear it up.” Brendon stopped, giving Frank time to ask anything.

Frank kept silent, and Erica’s stomach knotted as unease filled her. Frank was armed. Probably well-armed. As far as she could see, Brendon wasn’t. If Frank would pull a gun, what would Brendon do? If his weapon was in his desk, Frank would be faster on the draw. And where would she go? Could she dive fast enough to get away from bullets flying.

“Erica? I know you’re under a lot of strain right now with your son missing. Do you need a drink of water?” Brendon indicated a small refrigerator along the wall that she hadn’t noticed.

Had she been breathing hard or looking scared? She had to control her thoughts or she’d ruin this mission for Cole, which would mean Pete could get hurt. “I’m sorry. I’m more than a little worried, but taking notes for you is helping me to deal with my worry.”

Frank didn’t turn to her, or say anything. Wouldn’t a normal, not guilty person say how sorry they were? She went to the fridge and pulled out a water so they could get back to talking and not focusing on her.

“I requested a second copy of your security information, thinking some files had just crossed in the email, but Copper—I’m assuming that’s the woman in the office—sent the same faulty file a second time.”

Frank waited momentarily as if by waiting he could control the conversation. “Copper is my cousin, yes. She’s worked for The Guardians for a few years and helped me get hired. What do you need to know?”

“Your file is the same as one of the other men on your team. Identical. That just doesn’t happen. Even two men who started at the same time and in the same training camp wouldn’t necessarily end up following the same path. So, why don’t you tell me a little about your history so I can confirm your security clearance to work here. Government red tape, of course.” Brendon smiled, but Erica read his look as more of a challenge for Frank.

She slid forward in her chair to make pretending to write easier, but she wanted to hear what Frank would say when questioned so directly.

Frank crossed his arms and shrugged. “I don’t see why I’m the only one in here. Why are you assuming that it’s my file that’s made-up? If you requested the information twice and got the same thing both times, I’d say that proves it’s accurate. I have better things to do than sit here playing whose line is it anyway.” He stood.

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