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“I can answer that,” said Doc. “He was privy to our replacement of Al Zaabi’s feeds.”
It now made sense that Onyx wasn’t in attendance, and if he didn’t yet know what Doc had just told the rest of us, I was glad he didn’t hear it here first.
Tank pushed his chair back, rested his elbows on his knees, and hung his head. I gave him a minute, and when he looked up at me, I nodded.
“I may be in the minority here”—he looked around the room—“but that asshole has to suffer some repercussions. He used information you showed him thecourtesyof sharing with him to interfere in an op, where we came damned close to losing an asset. What we did lose was the opportunity to interrogate Al Zaabi. The cost of which we may never know. How many lives might have been saved?” He shook his head and looked down at the floor a second time.
“You’re not in the minority, mate,” said Zeppelin. “In fact, I’d wager everyone in this room agrees with you.”
“You can add my name to the list of those who do. However, I cannot speak about repercussions presently.” I looked over at Merrigan, who nodded.
“Anyone else?”
“I haven’t received a briefing from Shere today. Have you?”
Zeppelin referred to the city where the command center of the joint task forces of the UN Coalition Against Human Trafficking was located. Zep was the commander of the Swiss unit, and Magnet was the commander of the Albanian team.
“The last report I received said they were not successful in Egypt,” I responded.
He nodded. “I’ll follow up at our conclusion.”
“Copy that.” I looked around the room. “Anything else before we move on?”
When no one responded, I split the team into three groups. The first—Tank, Blackjack, and Atticus—would remain on Luisa Reeve’s detail, most likely in Napa. The second—Tryst and I—would transition to Jada Yáñez’s detail in the event whoever was working with Al Zaabi had also targeted her. Unless something transpired in the interim or Ares needed the three men he suggested to provide support for another op, the third group—Zeppelin and Magnet—would return to Shere.
“Once we know exactly what Ms. Reeve’s and Ms. Yáñez’s plans are, we’ll work out relocations.”
When I adjourned the meeting, Doc, Merrigan, and Tryst remained behind.
“I want you to know I’m closely monitoring the situation with Onyx. He’s a live wire, which is completely understandable. However, he’s made some threats we need to neutralize,” said Doc.
“Tryst, what would you think about Jada going to your ranch for a time?” Merrigan asked.
He ran his hand over his beard. “There is a reason I named it the Healing Place. I would certainly be in favor of it as long as Jada is comfortable.”
“Onyx did suggest she stay with Blanca and him in Canada Lake,” said Doc. “Like Tryst said, the decision is hers, but I don’t see that as the ideal, especially at this time of the year.”
Tryst’s brow was furrowed.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“The two have never been close. With the anger I feel coming off him, I would not recommend such a move.”
“Another option is she goes to her mother’s. She’s been living there while she attended school,” Doc added.
“What about Zin?” I asked.
“Please elaborate,” said Merrigan.
“They have been in a relationship, albeit a secret one, for quite some time. It’s clearly out in the open now. Do you think she’d want to stay with him?”
Merrigan nodded. “That would be another option. Of the four, my personal opinion isEl Lugar de Curaciónis the best place for her, but as Tryst said, it will be Jada’s decision.”
“If there is nothing else, Merrigan and I need some mom-dad-and-kiddo time.”
Tryst smiled. “I envy you. Enjoy.” He turned to me. “Would you like to join me on a walk? It is a beautiful day for it.”
We wanderedbeyond the vineyards and up a hillside. At its crest, there was a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree view of the Pacific Ocean. “I bet the sunset is spectacular here,” I commented when he led me to a bench.
