Page 31 of The Soul of Archer
The two men stood and left. Danny climbed on his bike and followed his brother-in-law. About ten minutes later they pulled into Gabriel’s Cafe. They were quickly seated and had ordered their beers. After giving their orders to the waitress, it was Ethan who spoke first. “You looked like you were in serious thought back at your office Danny. What’s going on?”
Danny let out a slow breath, “I’m getting tired E.”
“Tired?”
“Yeah. I’ve been in the Agency for a decade, hell a little more than that now. My mentor once told me when I see the edges of the bigger picture blurring it’s time to walk.”
“And you’re seeing that?”
“Yep. After this case with the Malconi’s I’m done. I’ve already turned in my papers.”
Before Ethan could speak, their beers arrived. “So, what will you do?”
Danny took a swallow before he answered. “I don’t know, hadn’t really thought about it.”
“I might have an idea.” Ethan said, “You could join Blackout.”
Danny was floored. He could practically feel his eyes widen in surprise. “Come work for you?”
Ethan shrugged as he took a drink. The waitress showed up with their food and once she walked away, Ethan spoke. “Why not? You’ve got skills that would be useful, especially to Alpha team. Look, when you came home last year, Krista mentioned that you looked tired. I agreed and said if you ever wanted out, you had a place with Blackout.”
“And what do your guys say?” Danny asked.
“I’ll ask them tomorrow morning, but I don’t see them having a problem.” Ethan answered.
“Well, talk to them and let me think about it. I'll have an answer after this case. Okay?” Danny replied.
“You got it.” Ethan grinned.
As they ate, Danny rolled the proposal around in his head. It would be a nice change of pace, not to mention he would be home every night and he did like the guys at Blackout. It could be a good change and he would be working with Ethan. He would think it over and after the raid in Houston he would have his answer. For now, he just needed to focus on nailing the Malconi’s and protecting Alora.
***
Lance and Alora sat on the sofa watching the baseball game. It was Houston versus L.A. Alora was cheering on the Astros. “Oh, come on! That wasn’t a strike, it was high and left.”
Lance laughed, “So I take it you’re an Astros girl?”
“You bet your ass I am. Every year on opening day until I left for college, me and dad were there right behind home plate. When they made it to the series in ’05 I was so hoping that would be the year they finally won a series. But hey, there’s always this year.” She beamed.
“I’ve always been a Red Sox guy, but when half my family is from Boston, I kinda have to be.”
“I will admit the Red Sox are a good ball club, but I will always go for my ‘Stros.”
Lance draped his arm around her and tucked her into his side. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He caught a flash of headlights from the window a second before the first sound of breaking glass. On instinct, Lance shifted his grip on Alora and had them both on the floor between the sofa and coffee table just as gun fire erupted. Under him, Lance felt Alora reaching for something.
“Ethan! Get over here! Someone…yes that’s fucking gunfire!” she yelled, making Lance smirk despite the flying bullets.
The shooting stopped, and he vaguely heard tires peeling out and a car roaring off. Slowly, he stood then pulled Alora to her feet. He turned her face left and right and started checking for any sign that she was hurt. Nothing. Sighing in relief, he pulled her into his arms. “You okay Alora?”
“I’m okay. You? You hit or anything?” she nodded.
“No, I’m fine. I guess Ethan is on his way?”
“That’s what he said. I’ll call 9-1-1. I’d say call your team, but I bet Ethan already has.”
