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“Owens wanted me to go up on the container where we boarded and come down on the far container. I did what I was told. They greased the ladder on that one. I didn’t have a hope.”
Cass’s face paled. “That’s just bullshit. I can’t believe… I mean, I believe you, but holy fucking shit.”
“Yeah. It sucked. To be honest, I thought they might finish the job, but the boatswain who was driving the RHIB saw the whole thing and called in the cavalry. They airlifted me to the hospital.”
Tac rubbed his hand. “Brother, I don’t know why you’re not in jail. I’d have killed the son of a bitch.”
His heart lifted. These people, this team, got it.Got him.They were his people. A wave of relief swept through him that was so fierce he almost teared up. He drank more beer to calm his damn stupid emotions.
“I thought about it, Tac. I really did, but then I’d be the same type of asshole Owens was. I tried to get proof, but my gloves mysteriously disappeared and the container was long gone. The recording of the comms on the training session was also wiped clean. Owens was good. He tied up all the loose ends. I had no way to prove what he did and no witnesses who would come forward. I could say what I heard all I wanted, but he’d just claim I banged my head and wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Well, someone took him out for you,” Jace said. “I can’t say as I’m heartbroken about it either. Fucker deserved what he got.”
It made Dane feel good to know his team was with him, but even better to know that he wasn’t imagining how horrifying the whole thing was. He wasn’t overreacting. He was, in fact, underreacting.
Cain set his empty beer bottle on the table. “We need to find the motherboards first, but after that, we need to find out who killed Owens. He was involved in some serious shit. We need to make sure that comes to light. I don’t want that asshole buried as some kind of hero.”
“I agree,” Dane said, and he did. “But he’s got two kids and a wife. I want to find out what the hell he was into, but let’s take it one step at a time. Just because he was a complete pathological asshole doesn’t mean his wife and kids should suffer for it. I want everyone in the Coast Guard to know what he did. His team, as well, if they were all in on it. I want their reputations to be crushed, but I don’t want their families to end up being collateral damage. You know what I mean?”
Cass looked at him with a skeptical expression on her face. “You are way nicer than I am.”
A grin sparked across Dane’s face. “I don’t think that’s saying much.”
The guys cracked up as she punched him in the upper arm, but she had a smile on her face, so their joking was clear.
“Thanks for telling us what happened,” Tac said. “I appreciate the trust, brother.” He paused for a second and rubbed his damaged hand once more. “I know we just came together as a team about three months ago, but I have to say, this is the best team situation I’ve ever had, and that makes me appreciate it all the more.”
“Ditto,” Jace said. Koa nodded.
Cass thumped her bottle on the table. “Agreed,” and then took a big swig of her beer.
“You are the first people I’ve ever told what really happened,” Dane admitted. “I couldn’t agree more, Tac.”
Cain piped up, “We’re a good team. Now we have to show our worth to Bertrand by finding those motherboards and figuring out what the hell is going on.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost dinnertime. Knock off, go home, and get some sleep. We’ll catch up downtown tonight and see what this fucker was hiding in his Candyland.”
“Who’s bringing food?” Jace called as he patted his flat stomach.
Koa shook his head. “I will. Do you ever stop eating?”
Jace patted his non-existent belly some more. “Nope. I need to keep my strength up.”
The group broke up, and everyone started heading out. After Dane gathered his stuff together, he stopped by Cain’s office. “Got a minute?”
“Sure.” Cain gestured to the visitor’s chair.
“I was wondering if we could go over the drills from this morning. I have a couple of thoughts I want to run by you.”
“You sure you don’t want to go home and chill?”
“I will in a bit, but like Tac said, this is a great team, and I want to make sure I’m doing my best to keep it that way.” He was number two. Cain’s backup. He took that very seriously.
Cain studied him for a moment. “You need to get your back working better.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m doing what the doctors told me but, fuck if I can get it to loosen up.”
“Harlow said to tell you to find a Pilates instructor.”
Dane blinked. “Your girlfriend said what?”
