Page 95 of S.O.S. Mizzay

“Hello?”

It was his mother’s voice, and of course she sounded hesitant. Clearly this phone wasn’t yet set up with caller ID. Baskins had thrust the brand-new device into his hands at the office, where the entire team had been debriefed. The phone, along with a driver’s license that had his real name on it, an actual credit card that also said Sawyer Blue, and a bank account statement—sizable and in his name as well, thanks to Chuck—had instantly restored his identity and autonomy to him.

In the next few days, Cobble would take the rest of the cash he’d amassed over the past few years—that he’d kept hidden in several old pieces of luggage in his safehouses—to the bank, adding it to his first legit account as an actual freaking adult.

Cobble could only imagine the teller’s face when he came in with stacks and stacks of bills.

“It’s me, Mom,” Cobble stated gently, hoping she recognized his voice. He’d choked up immediately when she’d answered.

“Sawyer?” she squealed. “You’re calling me directly? This isn’t being routed through Chuck or Ms. Andriopolos?”

“Call her Andy,” Cobble instructed with a hitch to his words. His parents didn’t know about their relationship yet, but it wouldn’t be long before he filled them in.

“Okay,” his mother readily agreed. “But what’s happening?”

He hadn’t thought he’d get so emotional. “It’s over, Ma. Over.”

“Over?” she repeated dumbly. “You mean…? What is it you mean?” she asked in a tone that held so much hope.

“The case,” he clarified. “El-Umar is in custody, one person from the DOJ and two from the FBI have been…taken care of.” Now was not the time to say that a pair of them were dead. “I’m almost free and clear. As soon as I testify, which could be in as little as a couple of weeks, I’m free to go wherever I want, and my first order of business will be visiting you.”

Just saying the words made Cobble feel lighter.

“Are you still in hiding until then, or can we… Can we come and see you? Wait. Wait Your father just came through the door… Sheldon! It’s Sawyer. They’ve got the people who were trying to find him, and he’s…” A sob wrenched up from his mother’s throat, and he could picture his dad coming over to comfort her.

It only took a minute before his father came on the line.

“Sawyer?” His father’s normally strong voice sounded more than a little emotional. “Is this true? You’re finally free?”

“Almost, Dad,” Cobble told him. “As I let Mom know, there’s still the matter of a couple trials to get through, but what I didn’t tell her is that I’m no longer on lockdown. I’m currently staying in a place just south of Boston, and as long as I remain in the area, I don’t need an escort to go anywhere, and…I can use my real name again.”

“That’s…so wonderful, Son,” his dad choked out, then laughed. “Hold on. Your mother is chirping in my ear.” There was a moment of whispers before he got back to Cobble. “Uh, apparently, we’re coming to see you. Tomorrow,” his dad said, still sounding a little incredulous. “I’m putting you on speaker.”

Cobble didn’t hesitate. “That’s awesome. I can’t wait to see you two.” He rattled off the address, then said, “But just to let you know, we’re kind of pinched for space right now where we’re staying, so I’ll find the nearest hotel and book you a room. Come to my address first, then we’ll check you in, together.”

“We?” his mother said, tearily. She sniffed. “Do you still have someone there watching out for you? Chuck? Or Ms. Andriopolos? Uh, I mean Andy?” she said somewhat confusedly.

Cobble preferred to tell them face to face how his relationship with Andy had grown over the past five years, so for now he simply grinned to himself and answered with a partial truth. “Yeah. I do. And it’s Andy.”

There was silence until his mother gave a choked laugh. “Am I right in thinking there are a few things we don’t know yet?” she asked.

His mother was too smart.

“There certainly are,” he admitted. “But Mom, you’re going to love her.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Cobble had dreamed about this day for years. He stood on the steps of the courthouse building with Chuck on one side of him, Andy on the other, and Nik Andriopolos following directly behind. Baskins was already inside, and the director was positively gleeful that things were about to come to an end.

Cobble’s family had wanted to stick around for the trial—as had Andy’s who’d also come for a prolonged visit—but other than letting Andy’s attorney brother, Nik, stay to represent Cobble during the proceedings, they’d convinced the rest of them to go home. Andy and Cobble had promised both factions a long visit once this was all over.

Rory, too, had become Cobble’s newest champion, and wanted to be there to “kick that mofo in the behind”, but Andy had nixed it. Rightly so. Cobble felt as protective of Rory as he did, Andy, and wasn’t going to let any scum of the earth get eyes on his new…daughter. Yes, Rory was as cheeky as Andy, and had started calling him “Dad”.

But right now…

Damn. Cobble was pumped. He was finally having his time in court, testifying against El-Umar. The trial of Fleischerman wasn’t until next week, butthatwas going to be a short affair; a going-through-the-motions hearing. The despicable agent had already told them, through his attorney, that he was pleading guilty. Fleischerman was no idiot. He knew the bureau had all of Oliphant’s damning records, and it would be a colossal waste of time for him to fight the charges. He’d be receiving the harshest of sentencing for being a traitor to the country.

Chuck had not only gotten all the dirt on the dishonest pair, he’d also found alotof interesting things while going throughthe dead agent’s hard-drives. One of those “somethings” had been plaguing Cobble since the ambush at the UN office, and he was damned thankful he could now put the unknowns in his head to rest. Chuck had shared intel, filling in Cobble’s blanks from that day.

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