Page 26 of Maverick

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Listen to me, all of you,” said Cam. “You are some of the brightest minds I’ve ever known, and we’ve known a lot. Your age is inconsequential at this point. However, your safety is not. It is our ultimate concern and responsibility. The agency has already listed Katelyn as a possible traitor and terrorist. If they find her, they will take her, and we may never see her again.”

Mav pulled Katelyn closer to his body, holding her protectively as Eazee did the same with Chelsea. Neither man was about to allow them to go off on their own. If the agency found Katelyn, they would find a way to drag the information from her about the others.

“Listen, I think Riley, Suzette, and I need to draw more blood and really look for traces of whatever was injected into their brains. While AJ, Hiro, and the others are searching closed archives of the agency about the program, we need to be sure there aren’t others out there that need our help.”

“What about Thomas?” asked Luke. “I mean, did you scan his brain as well?”

“We did,” smiled Riley. “Thomas was born a genius. There is no evidence of his brain having been injected with anything. He was simply targeted because of his grandfather’s connection to Russia.”

“In fairness,” said Thomas, “I’m a good bit older than all of them. If something was injected, it’s possible that it’s disappeared by now.”

“If that were true, whatever it is has long-lasting effects. You haven’t lost any abilities. You seem to gain them,” said Suzette.

“That’s true,” he nodded. “What about things like headaches or eye or ear strain?”

“Never,” said Katelyn.

“Me neither,” said Chelsea.

“Nope,” said the others.

“That’s good. It’s not affecting those parts of the brain. I guess we all stay here, close to home, until they can find out who was responsible for this program,” said Cam. “I think we need to try and find that school and see if the building is still there and whether or not anyone is inside.”

“I want in on that,” said Mav.

“Us too,” said Pax and Brax, walking back toward them. “We’ve done what we needed to do in Guyana.” The two men gave a nod toward the senior team. It was taken care of, and hopefully, Deanna would be okay now.

The loud screech of two male peacocks made everyone giggle as the senior team just stared at Irene. She had a big grin on her face, nodding at them as if they understood not to push her on this.

“There’s nothing more to do this evening,” said Luke. “Enjoy the amazing meal prepared for us, enjoy time with our family and friends. We’ll tackle this, together, in the morning.”

That seemed to make everyone relax as they gathered to talk about the pleasant change in the weather. Mav walked toward Pax, Brax, and Saint to see what they had to say about their trip.

“I’m going to find her,” said Pax.

“Brother, she wanted time alone. Give her that. She was a fucking mess. Her wounds are healing, but she left before they could get her to the pond. She might not want anyone to see her,” said Brax. Pax just shook his head and walked away.

“What’s that about?” asked Mav.

“Deanna Trehorn.”

“Deanna? The girl we went to school with?”

“The same. She’s beautiful. All grown up, but the Gray Wolf team was working a case involving her and the death of her parents. Two bastards got hold of her and beat her half to death. She was in our clinic, staying here, but hadn’t gotten to the pond yet.”

“There’s still time,” said Mav.

“She left, brother. Told Faith she needed time away to think and heal,” said Brax. “Pax is beside himself.”

“She told Faith,” smirked Mav. Saint and Brax nodded. “If she told Faith, where do you think Faith might have suggested she go?”

“Fuck me,” laughed Brax. “Should I tell him?”

“Give him a couple of days. Maybe he’ll figure it out himself, and maybe she’ll have time to call us and say she’s okay to come back. What’s she like? I haven’t seen her in years.”

“Prettier than high school and sweeter, if that’s possible,” said Brax.

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