Keys clacked, and intermittent chatter filled the comms.
Liam focused on his task. Several of the emails made him cringe. The blatant threats and vulgar words twisted his stomach. How could anyone do this to Raven? He had to look away for a moment. “Rafe, you got anything interesting yet?”
“I’ve got a couple of STRIKE members that make me itchy.”
“What?” Raven pushed from the table and stood.
He clasped her hand, worried that somehow Rafe’s comment triggered her.
She smiled. “I’m just grabbing a snack and water bottles for all of us.”
Liam nodded.
“So, who?” She called over her shoulder as she ambled to the kitchen.
“CIA Agent Noah Stone sent a few interesting emails to Deputy Director Walsh. Then there’s Harry Bateman from Homeland Security, who has had a few expensive purchases lately.”
“How do you know that?” Liam pinned Rafe with a glare. “You aren’t doing anything illegal, are you? We need the evidence to stick.”
Rafe waved a dismissive hand. “Pfft. No. Found it online. No hacking involved.”
“Good.” They couldn’t mess this up. Raven’s life depended on it.
“That covers the CIA and DHS. What about the rest of the task force? DEA and ATF? We also pull in others as needed that aren’t part of the core group.” Raven’s voice drifted from the kitchen.
Liam pinched the bridge of his nose. “So, enlighten me. My head is still foggy. STRIKE is headed by FBI Deputy Director Walsh. You’re FBI and the task force analyst. Stone is the representative from the CIA. Bateman is Homeland Security’s.”
“Griffin Hale is DEA, and Tessa Lang is ATF.” Rafe’s gaze bounced from Liam to the kitchen. “Didn’t mean to overstep.”
“I just wanted the information. I don’t care who answered.”
“Fine by me, too,” Raven called from the other room.
Rafe chuckled.
“The task force is small and encompasses multiple agencies. We reach out to others when necessary for specializations.” Raven set three water bottles on the table and took her place in front of her computer. “Tessa is married with two kids. Her brother died in action several years ago. She’s determined to avenge his sacrifice. Her words, not mine. Harry is a special forces veteran who saw action overseas. I highly doubt either one would compromise our troops.”
“Got it.” Liam considered her words. “Let’s not leave anything to assumption. I want a full report on each member.”
“Copy that.” Rafe gave Liam a chin lift and returned his attention to his screen.
The throbbing in Liam’s head chose that moment to double its assaults. He lowered the laptop screen halfway and removed his sunglasses. Pushing his fingers into his eyes, he prayed the intense pulsing would stop. “I’m snagging more Tylenol. Be back in a minute.”
“Liam, you should take a break and close your eyes for a minute.” Raven’s caring voice did funny things to his heart.
“Maybe in a while. I want to get through those threats.” He made his way to the medic kit, found the packet of medicine, and swallowed the pills dry. He checked his watch. The three others had been out too long. One of them needed rack time. “Charlie Four, Charlie One.”
“Go ahead, Charlie One,” Boone responded.
“Grab some rack time.”
“Copy that. I’m?—”
“Charlie Four?”
“Standby.”
The hair on the back of Liam’s neck stood at attention. “Charlie Four, status.”
