Page 60 of Soldier, Tailor, Spy

The soft gasps around them, along with the rapid clack of shutters and flashes, drowned out whatever was being muttered behind them. Asher didn’t appear flustered one bit. He spoke carefully and with consideration. He opened the notebook, past the photos of those suspects the team were about to hunt down or already were, and onto the files behind them. “Deputy Director Digby has been running secret operations through the FBI for several years. With the support of former Senator Lincoln—or in this case disgraced former Senator Lincoln—Deputy Director Digby used his authority to not only begin an undercover investigation into R.O.O.T. but to also use the ex-wife of one of my commanders to infiltrate a business. In that time, the agent placed into the situation, not only joined the ranks of our organization after specific instructions made by Deputy Director Digby, but sexually assaulted my team member’s ex-wife, was married to another person and also devised a plan to steal a baby from said team member’s ex-wife. With a little digging, it was found said agent also failed multiple mental health evaluations and his performance reviews were substandard as well. This person was ripe for the picking when it came to disgrace former Senator Lincoln’s plans along with Deputy Director Digby. As you’ll note throughout the file, the evidence and planning is all laid out in the emails and text messages. There are countless statements to the fact that former agent Oscar Madison wasn’t well liked by his fellow agents, nor was he easy to work with.”

“Also, the fact my colleagues had to go into hiding once again, and our security system having to be retooled, should be a lesson about power and how those within the government and their federal agencies allow it to go to their heads.” Asher folded his hands in front of him. “It is my recommendation that not only should Deputy Director Digby be fired, but also Director Fines be removed as well. You still have snakes in your garden, ladies and gentlemen. You have been told repeatedly over the years to clean house. You’ve refused. This is now the situation we are in. Redacted copies of the evidence have been sent out to the press. Maybe with a little more public interest and public scorn, some of you will do what should have been done when we first brought Senator Lincoln and his dealings to light. Now, you’ll have no choice.” A small smirk tugged at Asher’s mouth as he stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, we have more pressing matters to attend to.”

“Commander Rainer,” the lead senator said, “you can’t just walk away. We have questions for you. For both of you.”

“We’ve answered your questions multiple times over the years. You have what you need in that folder sitting in front of you. Now it’s time for you to do your job.” He glanced at Jake. “Ready to head back?”

Jake nodded, then held up a finger. “Just so you know, my wife’s medical bills and mental health bills will be paid by this governing body or else I will sue, and you won’t like what happens next.”

The gavel slammed against the hardwood as loud chatter filled the chamber, while Jake and Asher walked away. They’d said what needed to be said. Asher was right. They had everything. R.O.O.T. spoon fed them the evidence and information. Now, it was their turn to do their jobs. As they stepped outside, Jake and Asher were mobbed by reporters. The questions were mixed, as several media personalities spoke at once. He was tired of talking. All Jake wanted was to go home and be with his family. He was sure he’d have to return to the Hill, but until then, he was going to go home, make love to his wife and play with his kids. Because that was all that mattered to Jake.

His family and his friends.

Ginger stood at the stove. She’d been surprised when Mr. Yamamoto placed a tablet in front of her at work. The scene from Senate Chambers as first Jake, then Asher spoke, stunned her into silence. They’d put themselves and the team on the line to protect their family. They outed members of congress sitting and not who were probably responsible for everything the team endured from the beginning. She’d stood there watching as Asher basically told the committee to shove it, then walked away, Jake right beside him.

They were officially the talk of news organizations everywhere. The media chatted about Ginger, about Jake and the kids. They spoke about everything Asher had sacrificed over the years for the government, then they talked about the consequences of having agencies investigate other entities without proper oversight. By tomorrow, Ginger had a feeling more heads were going to roll and several sitting congresspeople were going to be well on the way to being censured by their peers.

Oh well, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

“So, what are we making tonight?” Paisley saddled up beside her while Savannah and Fawn played in the other room.

“Well, for the kids, I thought we could do short-cut chimichangas and for us, I thought we’d do more of a shepherd’s pie with a red wine reduction.” Ginger pushed the onions, carrots and peas around in the cast-iron skillet. “If you’d like to help, we need potatoes peeled and cut.”

“Then I’ll get started,” Paisley said with a small grin. “You know, it’s pretty interesting having you here. I’ve heard stories. Of stuff with Jake.”

Rae snorted as she sat at the table behind them, rolling up the small flour tortillas filled with the chicken mixture for the kids’ dinner. “I expected something different.”

“Oh?” Ginger glanced over her shoulder. “What’s that?”

“Well, I figured you’d be a real bitch,” Rae said with a laugh. “Glad to say that’s not the case.”

Ginger snickered, adding the raw hamburger to the mixture of cooking vegetables. “Well, technically, I am a bitch. It’s why Jake married me.”

“So, how are things going with the surly bastard?” Rae pressed. “You guys finding a way through?”

Were they? The simple answer was yes, they were. The harder answer was how? How had they been able to reconnect with such ease? There were so many days she berated herself for falling for her ex-husband after losing her husband. Then she thought about everything Oscar did to her, and her children, and, well, there was no love there. Convenience came to mind more often than not. She missed Jake. She got sloppy, found someone she thought could fill the void Jake left behind and in the end, it almost died because of her stupidity.

“She’s thinking a little too hard,” Paisley said, dropping a potato into the pot Ginger had put out for her.

“The answer is complicated.” She shrugged. “Yes, we are finding our way, but we also have obstacles. I’m sure both of you understand that.”

Rae hummed while Paisley nodded. “My mother was a genuine piece of work.”

“I was almost killed in a massacre,” Rae added. “Mateo was kidnapped, Jaqueline was looking for her brother, and Bexley, well, she was pawn we used to lure her father out.”

“You’d think R.O.O.T. would get bored saving lives,” Ginger deadpanned, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“One day,” Rae said. “I have a feeling Asher is moving people into place so that one day he can become the figurehead without so much of the stress. He’s getting old, you know.”

All three of them laughed.

“Don’t let him catch you talking shit behind his back,” Ginger teased. “If you think Jake is a dick, Asher is worse.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Rae said with a roll of her eyes. “I’m married to him.”

“So, how long have you known everyone, Ginger?” Paisley’s open curiosity eased Ginger back into the family. It was weird being the only wife in the very beginning. Then again, she’d been pushed out of her position as a wife. Now, coming back, it was as if she were the newbie and not the other way around.

“For as long as Asher has had R.O.O.T.,” she replied before draining the meat to begin the red wine reduction. “I guess you could say I was here first. Now, it appears Rae is the head bitch in charge.”

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