Page 16 of Ethan's Command

“Yeah,” Brooklyn said coldly. “Sure. As soon as you catch the guys who tried to grab him.”

Peterson shifted uncomfortably. “Right. Okay, in the meantime, let me know if you notice anything else unusual.”

Brooklyn opened her mouth but caught sight of Ethan shaking his head. She closed it again.

“We'll be in touch," Ethan said and then placed a reassuring hand on Brooklyn’s back, ushering her toward the door. “We’ll figure this out,” he said quietly. "There's no point in arguing with him. He doesn't believe you and no matter what you tell him, you won't change his mind."

Brooklyn didn’t answer. She stared straight ahead, her jaw tight. Ethan escorted her toward the door when he heard a familiar voice call his name. He turned to see Nova Martin approaching briskly.

“What are you doing here?” Ethan asked, surprised. He knew as a DEA agent she usually operated out of a different office.

Nova gave him a tight smile. “There’s a…problem I’ve been asked to help with." She nodded toward Brooklyn. “Hey, Brooklyn. How are you doing?”

“I’m okay,” Brooklyn replied, her voice steady but subdued.

“Sorry to hear about what happened to Liam. That’s really tough,” Nova said sympathetically.

Brooklyn nodded politely. “Yes, it is, but we’re managing.”

“That’s good. I know Ethan is keeping an eye on you guys. You’re in good hands with him and the rest of the boys,” Nova said with a brief smile. Brooklyn gave a small nod but didn’t comment.

“Anyway,” Nova continued, turning to Ethan, “can I chat with you for just a second?”

Puzzled, Ethan nodded. “Sure." He turned to Brooklyn. "Why don’t you give me a minute, and then I’ll walk out with you?”

“No need,” Brooklyn said, shaking her head. “I’m going back to work. Maybe I’ll catch up with you later.” With that, she disappeared out the door.

Great,Ethan thought. That’s not going to be helpful at all. He wanted to talk to her about their next steps and now she seemed pissed with him.

He sighed to himself as he turned back to Nova. “What’s going on?”

Nova glanced around before gesturing for him to move closer to the corner near the door. “This morning, I got a phone call. The two guys who were in Halawa Prison on Oahu for the drug ring—my former boss and his accomplice? Someone shanked them. They’re both dead.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “What do you think is going on?”

“I think someone’s tying up loose ends,” Nova replied, her voice low.

“Makes sense, I guess,” Ethan said but he was completely puzzled why Nova would be sharing this with him. “Why are you telling me this?”

“You remember that plate number you asked me to check?” Nova asked.

Ethan’s gut tightened. “What about it?”

“The vehicle is registered to a company—one we know is a front for the Yakuza.”

“Your former boss was Yakuza?” Ethan asked incredulously.

She shook her head. “I think he had contacts within the Yakuza. I think they did business together.”

“And now you think the Yakuza had something to do with the kidnap attempt on Liam.”

Nova nodded. “I know it seems far-fetched, but…” She hesitated, then sighed. “You know as well as I do that sometimes kids get involved in all kinds of crap.”

Ethan’s chest tightened. “There’s no way Liam is involved in anything to do with the Yakuza. No way.”

“I’m not saying he is,” Nova said quickly. “But why would the Yakuza want to go after him?”

“No clue,” Ethan said, frustration creeping into his voice.

---