Page 76 of Hot Zone

“I do. Now sit down and help me eat all this food.”

“Fine, it’s not like I have anything else to do today.” Mika pulled out a chair and took a seat.

“So, Gator, you said you go wherever you’re needed. What’s the most interesting place you’ve been?”

“For this job, I’d have to say it was probably a job we did in South Dakota. A guy out of Austin hired us to go with him to Sturgis. He was debuting a new prototype motorcycle engine, and he wanted it guarded twenty-four-seven.”

Mika’s face visibly paled, and I wondered what the deal was, but before I could say anything, Gator continued.

“I’m not a big motorcycle guy, but it was interesting to see how this town morphed from a little nowhere town to this super busy place with people everywhere. It’s almost like the place just exploded out of nowhere. Then the rally was over, and everyone left, and it was this sleepy little town again.”

“It’s scary. There are so many people there, and they’re just everywhere,” Mika said quietly.

“Oh, you’ve been to Sturgis?” Gator asked.

“Once, years ago. I wouldn’t want to go back, though.”

Gator laughed. “Yeah, I could agree with that. It’s one of those things that if you aren’t a biker, once in a lifetime is probably enough.”

I looked over at my friend, trying to figure out what he wasn’t saying, but I didn’t want to push him here at the tea table with people around.

“So, how did you come to work for Three Bears Tactical?” I asked, changing the subject.

“I’m actually one of the owners. Me and two of the guys that I served with started up TBT.”

“Oh, so you’re one of the bears then?” Ziva asked.

“That I am. Me and my friends Hawk and Wolfe.”

“Gator, Hawk, and Wolfe, huh?” I asked.

He chuckled. “Yep, and together we’re the three bears.”

“Somebody had a sense of humor,” Mika said.

“That would be Wolfe. He was actually our commanding officer when we were in the military, and the security company was his idea. We’re just glad he brought us along for the ride.”

“So why Vesper?” I asked.

“Wolfe’s from here.” He took the last bite of his sandwich, balled up the wrapper, and put it in his bag. “Thanks for lunch, Mars. What time will you be leaving today?”

“The shop closes at five, so I’ll be leaving shortly thereafter.”

“Sounds good.”

Chapter 23

Samuel

Fox wanted to take the pictures to the lab, and I wanted to run by the station and check in on things, so we agreed to meet at The Spotted Dog when we’d both finished.

The guys were all sitting around the table eating what looked like chili, and for a second there, I regretted telling Fox I’d meet him for lunch because Keith’s chili was delicious.

“Hey, guys, how are things?”

“Good, Chief,” Andy said. “You gonna join us for a bowl of chili?”

“Not today. I have to meet Fox.”

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