It was a field.
Not only was it a field, but it was a field with a warehouse on it. The place had once been a business, and Callen had bought it to build apartments on it for the people they’d dragged out there.
The teardown hadn’t begun yet, and the dilapidated warehouse was just sitting there, waiting for its removal.
What better place to house the person who started this all with his sickness?
Now, he had to know.
“What are you going to do?”
She didn’t mince words.
As Raphael stood there, his body blocking hers, she shared what had been done so he’d understand.
Plus, she’d ask the bigger favor.
This might be a deal breaker. Not only was she going dark side, she was asking her by-the-books man, who actually wrote the FBI books, to break the law with her.
As her partner in crime.
“He raped her and did disgusting things to her body. He did it on purpose to break Caspian, and to break me. I need you to not only get those bodies there, but I need you to lie on the report for me. I want her cleaned up, and I want her presentable for when Caspian does see her. I need you to help me save his life because he’s going to go after him and then eat his gun.”
There was silence.
She could hear the ticks on her watch. That’s how silent the call, and reservation was.
It took about five seconds for her to wait, when she couldn’t anymore.
“Christopher…”
He stopped her.
“You don’t know me that well, do you?” he asked, catching her off guard.
Oh, boy.
Immediately, she began apologizing. It was one thing for her to break the law, but to ask him…
“I shouldn’t have asked.”
He stopped her.
“No, you shouldn’t have because that’s a given. Caspian is my family, too. Those Marines have protected us, our kids, and the people we love. I’ll fucking lie like a goddamn rug to protect him. You just get Rayna here. I know a few people in the area. I’ll have a makeup artist who works on deceased people come and clean her up. He won’t see what was done to her. We’re both going dark side. I’m your ride or die, and have been since the day I fucking met you.”
At his words, there was relief, and the tears came.
“He took her eyes and brutalized her,” she whispered. “He was a million times worse on her because he wants Caspian to hate our fucking guts. It’s a fate worse than death to see your kids hate you for something out of your control. He knows I value being a mother overEVERYTHINGbecause I lost my own.”
Oh, no doubt.
Only, they needed to stay on task, or this was going to get a million times worse.
So, Chris was to the point.
“FOCUS. He wants this. Listen to me, Elizabeth. I’ll get you the bodies, and I’ll get them to that warehouse. I’ll help you, and we’ll finish this. He’s not winning. I’ll carry you over the fucking finish line, if need be, but we’re ending this here and now. He’s gone too far by touching our family. If you think Ivalue a crime scene over your heart, or anyone we love, then, I’ve not been clear the last twenty-five years!”
She sniffled.
