Page 50 of Always Been Mine

Down boy.

It took him a few more minutes to finish the repair work. When he straightened up, he saw Beatrice on the phone with a frown on her face. Doug’s face was also unhappy. What wasgoing on? It was a Saturday; surely dignitaries and politicians could give her a break.

Her voice floated up to him.

“No, Brian, I don’t believe that person has been vetted by either BSI or by me. Can you delay them until I get there?”

Brian. Gabe racked his brain. Brian Haines was a guy on Senator Mendoza’s security detail.

“Zach should know how this should be cleared with Ed, Nate, or Travis.” Beatrice walked toward Gabe. Her face was etched with frustration. “I can’t make that call. Look, is Zach Jamison there? Can I talk to him?”

She was now standing close to him. Gabe wanted to hug her, but he was a bit sweaty. She appeared to be on hold; their eyes met. She shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“Zach? . . . What’s this I hear about this excursion to the Cloverleaf Junkyard? . . . A lead about what? . . . I don’t . . . Wait . . . Damn it.”

Beatrice put her phone away and went straight into the house. She was rifling through her purse.

“What’s going on?” Gabe asked. Doug came in behind him.

“I’m not sure, but I don’t like it,” Beatrice muttered. She eyed him contemplatively. “Are you up for a trip to the Cloverleaf District? We can’t waste any time, because the senator is already en route.”

“I’ll go anywhere you want, but is it your job to get involved?” Gabe asked. “I understand once you’ve handed over security, you’re done.”

“I can still get involved, especially if I’ve overlooked important details.”

“They didn’t put this person down as a contact, Bee,” Doug answered. “Their protection is as good as their honesty on that questionnaire.”

Gabe pulled off his sweatshirt together with his undershirt. Beatrice’s eyes widened at the sight of his naked chest. Hewould normally tease her, but now was not the time. He quickly proceeded to the laundry room to pull a clean shirt on.

“Doug, I want you to continue trying to contact Nate or Travis. I know Ed is on a job somewhere in Europe, so it might be harder to get a hold of him,” Beatrice said. “Travis may be out of town with Caitlin. I’m not sure.”

“I’ll handle it,” Doug assured her.

Beatrice was already out the door. Gabe cursed and went after her. In a few long strides, he caught up with her and held her back.

“What?” she snapped.

“Easy, killer,” Gabe said calmly. “The senator may be running roughshod over his security, but you are listening to yours. I have my reservations about heading blindly into the Cloverleaf Junkyard, but it’ll be remiss for you not to give a damn. So we’re giving a damn, but you stick close to me. No going off half-cocked. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Tight as a tick, babe.”

“All right, jeez, let’s go!”

Gabe nodded briefly, steering her to his vehicle as he bleeped the locks.

Minutes later, they were on their way.

9

The gateto the junkyard was wide open. The chain and lock holding it closed hung undamaged on one side, which indicated that both parties had contacted the junkyard owner. It was a relief not to deal with breaking and entering charges, although she had dealt with these scenarios on more than one occasion. The place was a well-known neutral ground for warring gangs from the Cloverleaf District. Still, there had been instances when the meets deteriorated into violence.

Beatrice was able to contact Brian Haines again to get confirmation for where the meeting was taking place in the junkyard.

“What you got?” Gabe asked when she got off the phone.

“They’re on the north side of the junkyard. The man they’re meeting is a relative of Senator Mendoza and was a longtime informant whom they haven’t heard from in a year. At least that’s the explanation Zach had told Brian.”

---