Page 71 of The Flame of Carson
“Ooh-rah.”Lance agreed.
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Stacey sat in her chairin her office just staring out the window of her office.That morning she had been in the meeting between Ethan and Chase about adding the men from Charlie team to the security detail in the building.After Ingram had slipped that bomb into Jerry’s office, it was decided to increase the security of the building once it had been reopened.Among those changes were the metal detectors and the mail screening.All deliveries and mail came through a different entrance and were thoroughly screened before continuing to its recipient.
‘Who is this guy and WHY is he after Gage?Has Ethan even broached this with Gage?’she thought.
“Um, Stacey?”
Stacey turned in her chair, “What is it, Judith?”
“There are two FBI agents are out here.They say they would like to speak with you.”Judith answered.
“Are their names Harker and Fortner?”
“Yeah.”
“Send them in, they’re friends of Krista’s and mine.”Judith left the office and Stacey pushed out of the chair, taking a slow calming breath.When Harker and Fortner walked in, she nodded for Judith to close the door and greeted the men.“Hey Jimmy, Cain.What brings you guys by?”
“Well, Jimmy and I were thinking after we talked with Danny this morning.”Cain started.
“He told us what Gage thinks is going on.That he’s the target I mean.”Jimmy added.
“Okay, with you so far, but what can I help you with that?”Stacey questioned in confusion.
“Stacey, has Gage mentioned anyone who might have a grudge against him?We’re excluding anything dealing with Malconi’s and the Lobo’s since they wouldn’t single just one person out from Blackout.”Cain stated.
“Not to mention, their grudge would extend to the DEA and HPD.”Jimmy added.
Stacey sighed heavily, leaning against the front of her desk.“I was just thinking the same thing.I was wondering if Ethan has talked to him about it.Did Danny tell you what happened when Gage and Tony met with that hacker?”
“Tony did when he was meeting with Elias last week.”Jimmy sighed.“Stacey, we know that Ethan is wanting to keep Gage at a distance here but with this new shift that may not...”
“May not be possible.Yes, that’s what I’m worried about.”Stacey finished for him.
“So, the question here is, how do we get a potential grudge list from Gage and STILL keep him out of this?”Cain asked.
Stacey pushed off her desk and walked to her window.“That’s the million-dollar question.Have you guys talked to Ethan?I mean, they’ve been friends for over a decade and partners for nearly as long.Wouldn’t Ethan know better than me?Hell, me and Gage haven’t even discussed anything dealing with his time in the Marines, let alone what he does for Blackout.I know he collects information for Blackout, but that’s about all I really know.”
Jimmy and Cain looked at each other as she turned around and faced them again.It was Cain who spoke again.“In that case, we’ll head over to Blackout and talk to Ethan.”
“No, not Blackout.Since Gage is still on desk duty, he’s stuck at the office.I would suggest finding somewhere else.Especially if you guys and Ethan really do want to keep Gage out.You guys meet there, and Gage will know.”Stacey said.
“You’re right.”Jimmy nodded as they both stood.“After we meet with Ethan, do you want us to keep you informed or let Ethan do it?”
“Let Ethan.If he thinks I need to know, then I want to know.”Stacey answered.
“You got it.”Cain said.“Stace, I get this is hard for you and Gage.I want you to know that if there is anything to find tech wise, Elias and Tony will find it.And if you or Gage need anything, you know you guys can call us too.”
Stacey smiled softly.“Thanks Cain, Jimmy.I appreciate that and I think I can speak for Gage too when I say thank you.”
The two men waved and left her office.Suddenly feeling exhausted, Stacey dropped heavily into her chair and leaned her head back and closed her eyes.Ever since Gage’s panic attack, the tension had been building inside her.Then with this asshat blowing up Gage’s house, it had only intensified.A soft knock on her door had her sitting up straight and opening her eyes.“Yeah, come in.”
The door opened and Chase walked in.“I catch you at a bad time Stacey?”
“Hey Chase.No, you didn’t catch me at a bad time really.What’s up?”Stacey replied, straightening in her chair.
