The Sharps Unleashed, page 20
“You think you’re clever, but you’re not.”
“And you think you’re a ‘righteous angel of justice’, but you’re not.”
He finally looks at Grace full on with narrowed eyes and his mouth pinched in a sneer.
“Oh, did I touch a nerve? Yeah, I found that name in a journal you kept on one of your computers. It was just randomly typed between paragraphs, as if you were having to remind yourself of what you are, despite the horrible things you were doing. Was that your own personal form of brainwashing so you could follow through with this?”
“You do not define me.”
“No? Then who does? Who did you allow to define you? Who did you give that power to? Because as far as I can tell, you never allowed anyone to define you before you decided to turn on your country.”
“No one defines me, but me.”
“See, that’s where you’re really lying to yourself. I would have agreed with you, up till this switch in your personality. But ever since you came into all of that money, you’re a completely different person. It’s sad that such a brave hero could put a price on his soul and then fight so hard to destroy everything he risked his life to protect for fifteen years. What’s even more pathetic, is it wasn’t even that much money. I mean, five-hundred-thousand dollars? Come on, Michael, some people get paid more than that just to make pornos, and no one has to be blown up for that. So, who made you choose to blow up countless civilians, instead of doing a ‘too hot for the barracks’ video?”
Michael actually releases a small laugh and shakes his head while looking at his lap. He quickly clears his throat and looks up at Grace with narrowed eyes.
“You are really wasting…”
Robin walks in and jerks a thumb for Grace to come out, saying, “Hey, we got one of the others to talk. He’s spilling everything – names, accounts, the whole nine-yards. We don’t need to try to cut a deal with this guy anymore.”
“Great.”
Grace stands up and quickly collects her papers back into her folder and grabs her coffee cup. She tips the cup towards Michael in a “cheers” motion and gives him a smile.
“Don’t worry, we’ll talk again, but we no longer need you to solve this case. We’ll have you brought back to your cell soon.”
Grace gets to the door, and Michael calls out, “Wait. That’s it?” She looks back with a small smile and shrugs a shoulder. “We just need names, and we have someone willing to give them, so I have nothing more to discuss with you right now.”
“You never offered me a deal, but you offered someone else a deal to talk?”
Robin leans in around Grace, and says, “No, we didn’t have to. He was smart enough to know being cooperative will gain him favor for a less severe sentencing.”
They start to walk out, but he calls out, “Wait! ”
“Look, you didn’t want to talk, and I respect that. Now, we have work to do and you have a cozy concrete cell to get back to. Good day.”
“Andrew McGlynn! The guy I’m working for is Andrew McGlynn!”
Grace and Robin walk into the room with pinched brows and stand opposite of Michael on the other side of the table. His chest is heaving and his face is blotchy with terror.
“He’s with Homeland Security, but he’s basically on my same level. He’s just a recruiter for recruiters. There are others. That’s why I agreed to join up. The plan was to cause enough chaos and distrust in the system that we could overthrow the government. If the country was in turmoil, the American people would be looking for real heroes to step up and make things right. That was going to be us. We were going to use one of their favorite tactics against them – we cause the conflict, then clean up the conflict, making the people think we saved them from the bad guys. We aren’t really the bad guys – they are – the government is. We just needed to become them for a short period of time to get them out of a position of trust and power.”
“Who else is at McGlynn’s level?”
“I don’t know. The chain is protected by the recruits only knowing about their recruiter. Now, what deal are you going to offer me for talking?”
“We don’t make deals with terrorists.”
Grace and Robin walk back to the door with him calling, “Wait!”, but they don’t listen, and just leave him screaming, “Wait!”, multiple times.
As they close the door, Hodgins holds up a hand, giving both of them a high-five with a giant smile on his face.
“Fantastic work! I’m so goddamn happy to bring that son of bitch down. I already have our guys in DC out to snatch that bastard up. ”
“Something about this doesn’t add up.” Hodgins looks at Robin with a shaking head, and says, “Are you about to shit on my parade, Sharp?”
“McGlynn is the one who sent the report about the missing big-rigs. Why would he send us looking for trucks involved in a major plot he was in command of? It doesn’t make sense.”
“Unless this is one of his ‘preemptive’ schemes that got out of control and he needed help to bring it down, without admitting his department had something to do with it. This could be a bigger plot to give Homeland Security more power – you know, create a risk of rogue soldiers becoming terrorists, which would require a bunch of bullshit laws to prevent.”
“Give me a minute.”
Robin goes back into the interrogation room, and Michael sits up straighter with a look of relief.
“Give me another name.”
“What? I told you who I was…”
“Yeah, see, I don’t buy it. Plus, it doesn’t match up with the name the other recruiter gave us.”
“Then they’re lying! That is the guy. I’m telling you the truth.”
“Ok, tell me the names of the other recruiters at your level. If you can match the names we have, then maybe I’ll believe you.”
He quickly rambles off eight names, four of whom they haven’t discovered on their own yet.
“You know, I still have this nagging feeling you’re holding something back. I just don’t really feel like you give a shit about the horrible position you’re in.”
“George Harvey is the guy I report to directly, and he said he reports to Andrew McGlynn. He told me he was confiding McGlynn’s name in case this went bad so we didn’t go down alone.”
“Tell me more about George Harvey.”
“He’s an active captain in the army. He’s in DC right now.”
“Any other names you want to supply?”
“I don’t know any others.”
“Ok, nice chat. We’ll talk again soon.”
Robin walks out, and Hodgins curses, saying, “Goddamn it, Sharp. You know that son of bitch probably just fed him McGlynn’s name to protect himself. Did you have to ruin my day?”
“Well, you could still bring him in for questioning and at least have a moment of pleasure from watching him get all angry and huffy.” Hodgins laughs as he pulls his phone out. “Oh, you know damn well I’m doing that. Nice work. Let me get someone out looking for Harvey.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Grace steps up behind Robin and wraps her arms around her waist while she presses her lips against her neck, just below her ear. Grace palms her hands over Robin’s defined abs, over her breasts, and down her sides to rest on her hips.
“You look incredible.” Grace smiles at Robin in the mirror and gives her another soft kiss on the neck. “Thank you. I finished steam ironing your shirt. Are you done in here?”
“I am.”
With a happy grin curling her lips, Grace pulls Robin out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. She unbuttons and unzips Robin’s tuxedo pants, and then helps her into a white button up collar shirt. While looking into each other’s eyes, and smiling, Grace buttons Robin’s shirt and tucks it into the waist of her pants. Her smile raises as she teasingly runs a hand between her thighs before buttoning and zipping Robin’s pants. Grace slips a silver, blue, and black paisley tie around Robin’s neck, and expertly ties it and tightens the knot before adjusting the shirt collar. She then puts a matching vest on Robin, her shoulder harness with her pistol, and then tops it off with her black blazer.
“Damn, you make a tuxedo look good.”
“And you make that silver dress look unbelievable. You really are stunning. ”
Grace smiles and leans in to press her lips to her wife’s. They share a sweet slow kiss for a few minutes, but as Robin is tightening her grip and trying to lead her to the bed, Grace pulls back with a giggle.
“Later, babe. Here, let me put your belt on, and then we should go.”
Grace slips a black leather belt through the loops of Robin’s pants, then takes her hand and tugs her out of the bedroom. Robin slips her cellphone, badge, and wallet in the inside pocket of her jacket, and Grace grabs a small clutch purse that matches her dress.
Robin helps Grace into their Hummer on the passenger’s side, and then gets in the driver’s side. They share a short kiss, and then Robin pulls out of the garage.
The Hummer had sustained several gunshots in the showdown with the homegrown terrorist group, “Hell Storm Task Force”, but all of them were just cosmetic and the autobody shop was able to repair it pretty quickly.
Typically, the police ball is held in a special banquet room in City Hall, but since it was blown up, the ball is being held in the banquet room of the local Marriot Hotel.
As they enter the room, they’re greeted with applause, warm smiles, and several officers and their dates move in to greet them.
“Garcia, it’s good to see you. And…” Robin extends a hand to his date, whom she’s never met before. “I’m Carla, Ricardo’s girlfriend.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Robin, and this is my wife, Grace.” Carla shakes Grace’s hand with a broad smile, and says, “It’s nice to meet you both. I know you’re probably sick of hearing it but thank you for what you did. I have family in Chamberlain, right where they were planning to bomb, so it really means the world to me that you were able to stop them. ”
“Well, thank you, but I’ll never tire of hearing that innocent lives were saved.” Carla smiles at Grace and nods once. “Well, thanks again.”
“Sharp!”
Officer Brandon Newton and his wife Rebecca walk over with broad smiles. Robin extends her hand to him, but he yanks her into a tight hug. He pulls back with a silly smile and then pulls Grace into a hug.
“You are very uncharacteristically affectionate tonight.” He laughs at Robin’s comment and shrugs a shoulder. “I’m just happy to be alive.”
“He has also had a few drinks from the open bar.” They laugh at his wife’s comment as she leans in to shake their hands with an amused smile. “It’s good to see you again. That dress is gorgeous, and Robin you are looking very hunky in that tux.”
“Hey, now, don’t go getting the hots for the town heroes and sneaking off to a room tonight!”
They laugh as Rebecca playfully smacks Brandon on his chest and she loops her arms in his, looking very happy.
“Come on, let’s all go get a drink. It’s on me.”
They laugh at Brandon as he turns to lead them inside with a big cheesy grin on his face. Grace loops her arm through Robin’s, and they follow Newton and Garcia and their dates to the open bar, which is crowded with other couples talking and laughing.
“What are you drinking, Sharps?”
Robin looks to Grace to answer, and she gives Robin a cute smile before saying, “Champagne.”
“Oh, so fancy. I’d expect some hard shots of moonshine or something for two tough ass women like you.” Rebecca playfully smacks Brandon’s chest again and rolls her eyes with a laugh. “Behave and order the drinks.”
“Sure thing, babe. Kiss me first. ”
She releases a cute giggle and gives her husband a short kiss. He swoons dramatically and pretends to be out of breath before he rests a hand on the bar to order glasses of champagne for everyone.
While they wait, the other officers around them pull them all into a lively conversation for several minutes about how nice everyone looks, the open bar, and the great food.
Once everyone, including the other couples that were already huddled around the bar, all have a glass of champagne in hand, Newton clinks his wedding band against the glass to get everyone to settle down.
“I want to make a toast.” He raises his glass with a goofy smile, and says, “Us men like to bitch and moan about our women making us get all fancied up in suits and go out dancing, but I gotta say, I’m not hating this moment, and it’s not just because I’m feeling buzzed from the booze. I mean, look at my gorgeous wife! Ok, don’t look that closely, boys!” He gives the men a fake scowl, making everyone laugh, and his face transforms back into a bright smile. “I’ve never been happier to get all gussied up for a night out with my wife. We take this shit for granted till we’re really faced with a major life or death situation, and that’s pretty damn stupid. Anyway, here’s to never taking life for granted anymore. Cheers!”
Everyone echoes, “Cheers!”, and clink their glasses together before taking a sip. After Brandon pulls his glass down from his lips, his wife pulls him into a passionate kiss, with the crowd awarding them with applauses and cheers. Rebecca laughs against her husband’s lips, and pulls back with blushing cheeks, and brushes her curly brown hair behind her ear.
“Starting the party without me?”
Robin turns to see Eric walking up with a broad smile and a beautiful girl on his arm, whom she’s never met. She and Grace turn to greet them, and Eric immediately pulls Robin into a tight hug, then gives Grace a quick loose hug.
“Robin and Grace, this is a good friend of mine, Evonne Saunders. She’s an officer over at my old precinct in Harrington. She’s on the ropes for a possible transfer to the precinct to fill one of our posts, so I brought her so she can get to know everyone.”
Evonne shakes their hands, and all of them exchange the sentiment of, “Nice to meet you”.
“So, what’s it like working for the FBI?” Eric smiles at Brandon and rubs the top of his head, brushing his short dirty-blonde hair forward. “Well, I’m not actually working yet. I spend most of the day in training and classes. The rest of my time is spent observing Robin and Grace do interrogations for this terrorist case.”
“Are you enjoying it?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Good. So, Saunders, how do you feel about being transferred? Your buddy here was a miserable jack weed for the first month after he came to work with us.” Eric laughs and shoves Brandon’s arm. Evonne, just smiles and shrugs a shoulder. “I’m fine either way.”
While the rest of the group gets into conversation about Evonne possibly transferring, and talking about who the other transfer might be, Robin leans in to whisper in Grace’s ears, saying, “You look amazing.”
“Thank you, so do you.”
“I’m wondering how much you’re going to glitter under those chandeliers above the dancefloor.”
“Are you asking me to dance?”
“I think I am.”
Grace grins and places their empty glasses on the bar before pulling Robin out to the center of the dancefloor, with her hips switching slowly in a beautifully alluring way. Robin is so fixated on watching the sashay of her wife’s hips that she nearly collides with her as she stops and turns to face Robin.
Robin pulls her in close and leads Grace into a sexy tango to match the music that is playing. Grace’s smile widens as Robin pulls her thigh to rest against her hip, and pulls her backwards, sliding her across the dancefloor.
They dance for a few minutes, and as Robin dips her, Grace pulls her down into a passionate kiss. As they stand upright, the room erupts in applause and Grace releases a small happy laugh.
Grace presses in close to Robin, and they continue to glide and sway to the music. Grace hums against Robin’s ear and neck, as she inhales her scent, and kisses her neck.
“I love dancing with you.”
“Me too, babe. It’s nice to see how happy everyone is tonight.” Grace hums in agreement against her skin. “Guess what.”
“You’re going to make us pie later?” Grace laughs and nibbles Robin’s ear. “You really love my pie, don’t you?” Robin grins as she kisses Grace’s neck, and whispers, “I’m addicted to your pie, and I’m going to feast on it when we get home.”
“Yes, you are.”
“So, what’s the real news?”
“Hodgins approved us to have a vacation next month. How do you feel about going to California for a week?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Robin lifts Grace’s head from resting against her neck and pulls her into a kiss for several moments. As Grace slowly pulls back, she gently kisses Robin’s lips a few times, and then brushes her hand over her wife’s cheek with a smile.
“Are you ready to mingle again?”
“Sure, why not? ”
Grace gives her another kiss, and then pulls her off of the dancefloor, and back to Eric and the other officers.
“Where’d you learn to dance like that, Sharp? Are you trying to make the rest of us look bad in front of our women?” Robin laughs a little at Brandon’s question and shrugs a shoulder. “I’m just naturally this fucking hot. Get over it.”
All of them laugh hard and Grace gives her a kiss on the cheek while laughing.
“I’m just kidding. We took ballroom dance classes for our wedding, and we enjoyed it so much that we always try to squeeze in classes when our schedule allows. It’s just something fun to do together.”
“That’s so romantic. Brandon, I want to do that.”
“Ok, sugar lips, kiss me.”
Rebecca laughs and gives her husband a short kiss. He smiles brightly and pulls on her hand, pulling her out of the group and to the dancefloor. The other wives and girlfriends pull on the men’s hands, tugging them away from the bar and out to the dancefloor.
Robin and Grace turn to watch, with Eric and Evonne sliding up to stand close to them.
“Aren’t you going to dance?”
Eric looks at Robin, and then towards Evonne, trying to figure out how he should answer. Evonne gives him a small smile and offers him her hand.
