at their tech guy. “Your mission today is to go through each piece of technology in this space. I want you to start in the server room, and then go through everything that has a blinking light. Here’s a list of equipment,” he said, handing it over.
“Do you think there’s a breach?” Brackish asked, excitement lighting his eyes. He was hoping for a problem because he had no doubt he’d not only be able to fix it, but go after anyone who came even close.
“No, I don’t think you’ll find a thing, but this will be a routine task. As good as you are, there are others just as hungry out there. Maybe they’re good too, and they just haven’t been found,” Chad told him.
Brackish scoffed. “Not a chance,” he said, his lips turned up in a cocky smile, not even remotely worried. “But I’m on it anyway, Chug. By the way, here’s my list,” he added, handing over a two page list of groceries, and a list of some needed electronic components.
Chad looked at the list and laughed, at first softly then full-bellied. The rest of the team looked quizzically at him as they waited to find out what was happening. Brackish didn’t lose the cocky grin.
“I should’ve known you already had your assignment,” Chad said when his laughter stopped. Brackish pulled out an identical copy of Chad’s list . . . from his top-secret server.
“You have a new assignment,” Chad said. “Secure my computer so even you can’t get into it.”
Brackish’s eyes widened and he rubbed his hands together. “Now, that’s an assignment,” he said, utter delight flashing in his eyes.
“I’m glad to bring you joy,” Chad said with a roll of his eyes. It was going to be difficult to stimulate this team member. He was going to have to put some real effort into it.
“Now that we worked through that,” Chad said before focusing on Eyes, then Sleep, then Smoke. “You three will make your way through the areas where we know drug use is the highest. I want you to go from South Park to Rainer Beach to Othello, Beacon Hill, and then Yesler. You’ll have no problem finding people to talk to if you blend in. This is an info-gathering mission — not a takedown. I want names. I want ringleaders. I want information. And I want something to sink my teeth into.”
“I like my mission,” Smoke said. “Do I get to smoke a doobie?”
Eyes and Sleep chuckled. Chad rolled his eyes knowing that he used the word doobie as a nod to the slang for the older generation, which Chad was put into.
“Why don’t you keep yourselves safe, and if you do buy drugs, store them for analysis. Also, if you get caught purchasing drugs, you’re a citizen. We’ll get you out, but your names are your names, and it’ll go into the system until we can clean it out,” he added.
“Yeah, that’ll take me two point three seconds,” Brackish said. “Police computers are the biggest joke known to man.”
“Nice,” Sleep said, fist bumping Brackish. “Guess I can break any laws I want since it will all just disappear anyway.”
Chad tried to keep his smile away as he sent a firm stare at Sleep. “We won’t be clearing any records of stupidity, only if you’re caught while on assignment.”
“Ah, you’re no fun. I guess that hooker and cocaine night is off limits,” Sleep said with a sigh.
It only happened for a moment, but Chad saw the look of pain flash through Sleep’s eyes. He covered it quickly with another joke that made their team laugh. Chad wondered how long it was going to take before Sleep went after the girl he’d left behind. He had a feeling it wasn’t going to be long at all. They might just have their first team wedding. He wondered if Avery would be able to handle the men. Though she wouldn’t know what they really were, she’d definitely know them.
These guys wouldn’t just work together, they’d become best friends, leaning on each other for everything, standing in at weddings, becoming godparents, and standing by each others sides at funerals. They’d be closer than blood. They’d be brothers.
Chad had a feeling Avery was just the girl for Carl, aka, Sleep. He had a feeling she wasn’t only strong enough, but loving enough to handle the isolation a career like this could bring to a spouse.
Chad looked next at Smoke. “You’ll also have some time in Holly Park. We’ll