Home to Stay (The Long Road Home #2) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,71
a glass of wine, so thanks for the invite.”
Paula smiled, the first one that reached her eyes since she’d stopped in for a chat. Pushing off from the doorframe, she nodded. “Okay, good. I don’t have to stay late today, so we can meet at the little place around the corner from me at about five.” She lifted her hand in a little wave and turned to walk back down the hall.
Before Lucy had a chance to consider Paula’s change in attitude or her invitation, she could hear her class returning and stepped to the doorway to greet them as they came in.
“Do you miss it?”
John sat with Bray, who’d volunteered to be his first surveillance partner after most of the others had left for the day. Looking up as Bray settled into a seat in front of a bank of monitors, he cocked his head to the side. “Miss it?”
“The Forces? Your team?”
With someone else, John might be tempted to offer a flippant answer, but Bray came from the same background. He sighed as he leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees. For a moment he dropped his chin and studied his boots as he pondered the question. Finally, he lifted his head and pinned his friend with a direct gaze. “Yeah… sometimes. My team had been together for a while, and we could anticipate each other’s movements. Hell, we could almost finish each other’s sentences. They were brothers. and being forced to leave was like having my damn arm ripped from my body.”
Bray pinched his lips together and nodded. “I hear you. I know you think I can’t relate because I left willingly, but I can. I used to lay awake at night, so scared I’d made a mistake I thought I’d piss myself. Never had such self-doubt.”
“I heard about what happened. Man, you were the medic when your team got hit. Bray, no one could ever second guess that you needed a break before you broke.”
“I was a lucky fuck though. I was contacted by Mace. He was friends with my former commander. He told me his vision and how much he needed a medic among his Keepers. He assured me that I would be mostly security and investigations like the others, but just like Drew is our pilot, I’d be able to use my medic skills when needed.”
“Seems like we both ended up in a good place.” John rubbed his chin, a smile playing about his lips.
“Hell, yeah. Mace is picky about who he employs, so the group is tight. He has no time for egos or someone who’s out to play civilian-soldier. He only wants those of us who can do the job and understand the Keeper mentality.”
An easy peace settled inside, and John grinned as he nodded toward the screens. “So, you ready to teach me the task of monitoring surveillance feeds?”
Bray grinned in return and then pointed out the various screens in front of them. “We don’t man the security twenty-four-seven. For a few of our clients, mostly government officials who want an added layer or clients that can afford our level of security, it’s the systems Mace provides. We farm out some of our security feeds to companies that Mace deems worthy who specialize in watching screens continually. We also monitor local law enforcement chatter. Mace wants to make sure that we know what’s going on in our own backyard, so to speak.” He chuckled. “That’s how he met Sylvie. We stepped in to help her when the local police didn’t take her seriously when her son witnessed a murder. There was no body, but Mace was convinced he was telling the truth.”
“No shit?” John shook his head in disbelief.
“Seriously, that’s how they met.” Bray turned back to the monitors. “Mace likes to have someone here at night, especially if we have someone in the field. So, that’s why we each take a night every other week. Now, for our active investigations, we’ll have some surveillance in place and can go back to review when needed.”
“Like Lucy’s place?”
“Yep.” Bray pointed to a screen. “This is on her place.” He pointed to another one, adding, “And here is Paula’s. These others are more current investigations or newer security clients.”
John leaned closer to the screen and stared at the front of Paula’s townhouse. “I thought her place would be trendier. She lives in a decent townhouse but the location is crap. What’s that tall chain-link fence connected to?”