Page 69 of Sticks and Stones
“We’re aware. Corbin is family to us. We came here and knew no one. His family invited us in, and gave us some stability. When I’ve needed Corbin, he’s shown up. I’m going to return the favor. Ethan and I are both on the same page with that sentiment.”
Gabe got it.
They would play the game.
“Okay, Agent. You’ll owe me one. Start working the trafficking case. Chase it down, and see where it leads. I’ll contact the commissioner and see if I can get Corbin’s assault case yanked. I’ll do the dance, but like I said, it’s going to cost you.”
No shock there.
“What’s the price?” he asked.
Gabriel went there after considering it. He had LaRue in DC, and what he needed was to stabilize the other cities.Phillywas problematic. While the Director of the FBI thought disbanding agents all over the place hurt, it didn’t.
They needed people in these cities who worked the tough cases.
“If you agree to the deal, the two of you will be staying inPhiladelphialonger than two years. In fact, you’re staying until it’s cleaned up. At the rate you’re closing cases, and the metrics coming in, that’s about three years, give or take. The only time you can leave is if I have a case that needs you both out of the area.”
Well, fuck.
Of all the deals to make, that was exactly the one GeneDIDN’Twant.
Ethan wasNOTgoing to like this.
Not.
At.
All.
Gabe warned him. The last thing he wanted was for them to come back and say they hadn’t agreed at a later date.
“Think about it. I’ll see what I can do,” he said, knowing he had them on this.
If anything, Cantrell and Blackhawk were good agents, and they believed in Justice. That meant utilizing them.
He had few people under him that he trusted, and that were covering the rough cities.
Elizabeth LaRue.
Salem Dane.
Ethan Blackhawk.
Gene Cantrell.
They were his power players.
Ironically, they were all partnered up. Well, not Salem. Director Moore had a literal boner over the woman, and was making her jump through hoops for some reason. She was currently inSeattle.
“I’ll call you later when I figure this out,” Gabe said. “Oh, and I’m sorry about your canceled vacation toPuerto Rico. You can reschedule.”
With that, he hung up.
Greyson sighed.
“Well, you just screwed the pooch there. He’s going to own you and start claiming you and Blackhawk on his taxes as dependents at this rate. Did you miss the‘give or take’part? It’s definitely going to be‘take’. You can bet your ass on that one.”
Oh, he was aware.
