Page 53 of Special Agent Joseph

“No doubt. Look, he’s expecting the trucks to arrive later today. Says we’ll be unloading around ten in the evening.”

Suddenly, Sheila answered her phone and the look on her face made all three people in the room stop. Once she hung up, Megan was the first to question her. “What? Something’s wrong.”

“They found the agent we had at the loading dock in Los Angeles. He’s been shot and is in critical condition.”

“Jesus. What happened?” Megan sat before her legs gave out.

Sheila’s head lowered. “Because we didn’t know that Vinnie would be back in the game, we placed Agent Stokes undercoverto get information about the shipment. Guess Chen’s people caught him checking the manifest and asking questions. Dammit. It was his first covert assignment. The young guy only has a few years under his belt with the Bureau. I hope he pulls through.”

Tom Kramer turned to Joe. “Which makes me wonder about your involvement. This is all new to you, my friend. We’ve been trained to handle this type of a drug bust—”

“Hey. Don’t even go there.” Joe interrupted and then turned to Sheila. “Vinnie wants me to check out the facility and make sure everything’s in place later. Christ if I know what that means, but Jie is coming with me, so I’ll fake my way through it. I’ll contact Megan to let her know what I find out, then meet up with you guys later.”

Acting professionally, Joe nodded at Megan and then left the office with three sets of eyes following him.

Sheila was the first to speak. “I want Joseph… shit… I mean Joe protected at all costs. The idiot is suffering from amnesia and has likely forgotten everything he ever learned about the job, not to mention his side engagement with Vinnie. Now he’s putting himself in a shitload of danger which he has no fucking idea about. I’m not expecting Chen Bao or for that matter Vinnie to give up easily, therefore once we appear, they’ll know who the culprit is that set them up.”

“Agreed.” Hearing her boss’s words, Megan couldn’t stop the fear rampaging through her body any more than she could stop her heart from flipping over from Joe’s last grin. “I’m thinking I need to pay Vinnie a visit to see if he has more news on Lucia.” When she saw Sheila jerk, she added quickly, “Hey, he only knows me as her bodyguard. I’m an interested party who’s been on the inside this whole time.”

“Not a good idea, Megan. Leave things alone. If Vinnie calls, that’s different. Otherwise, let’s lay low and give Joe room to work the angles.”

Not liking the restriction but agreeing with the order, Megan swore under her breath before answering. “Fine.” Taking her leave, Megan rushed to catch up with Joe. Pulling him aside, she talked low. “What happened to you last night? You never got back to me.”

“I know. Sorry about that. I had to stick with Vinnie. The man was in dangerous shape, talking crazy shit, wanting to form a gang and go after Bao. Jie called me to help settle him. Once I sat with him, he rambled for hours until he passed out. By the time I left him, he’d drunk himself into a stupor, and we got him into bed. Sorry I didn’t call but figured you’d be sleeping by the time I got free.”

“It’s okay. I guess I was just worried.”

Joe touched her cheek with a gentle hand. “No need, darling. I have a lot to stay safe for.” Lightly bumping his forehead against hers for a second, he pulled away. “I need to get back out there. See you later.”

She kissed his mouth quickly before he could take a step. “You better.”

Chapter Thirty-nine

Lucia hurt bad. The recent bout of nausea had been brutal. She’d upchucked until she figured her stomach lining was a ball of flaming flesh. Rather than leave the bathroom, she’d collapsed by the toilet, knowing she’d be needing the facility again and again.

Her body shook with chills, and her head screamed its fury over being deprived of the shit it needed to feel better. Sweating, crying, goosebumps breaking out, twitching from side to side, she screamed again for someone to help her.

Surprisingly, this time the door opened revealing a large Chinese man who brought her clean clothes, more towels, bottles of fresh water, and another dose of medications as if they were the answer to everything she suffered. After the first time this happened, she’d slapped his hand away, begging for different drugs. He’d left her alone for hours after that, and she’d learned her lesson. If she behaved, he would treat her better. So, nodding her thanks, she took his offering and gladly accepted hishelp to get back to the side of the room where there was a small cot.

For the first time since they took her prisoner, he brought a tray of crackers and a small array of cheeses. And he spoke which he’d never done before. “Eat if you can. Drink water. Is important.” He pointed at the pills. “Good medicine. You need.”

Trembling uncontrollably, Lucia nodded, not even bothering to beg anymore. All the other times had been useless and when she cooperated, he treated her nicer. Instead, she asked in a small, shaky voice, “C-can I see my g-grandfather soon?”

“Yes. Tonight. You eat. Then sleep.”

Lucia nibbled on a cracker, waiting to see if it stayed down. Then she drank water slowly, again praying it wouldn’t bring on more puking. When everything seemed to be working properly, she took the medicine and again waited for a relapse that never happened.

Feeling well enough to rid herself of the stinky clothes she wore, Lucia had just enough strength to pull off the gown they’d put on her. Weak and nauseous, she replaced it with clean garments before she slowly eased herself down in a fetal position. Clutching the warm blanket in her arms, cuddling it close, she prayed for God to help her through the nightmare. Finally, she slept.

Chapter Forty

Heading back to his car, Joe got a call. “The boss needs you here. Come now.”

“On my way.” Joe had been tempted to drop Jack off at the house before he went to Vinnie’s place, but something made him hesitate. Since finding the drugs while searching for Lucia, the dog stayed glued to him, insisting he be allowed to travel with Joe. Earlier, intending to go to the office, he’d headed for the vehicle and Jack had rushed him. Hearing the soft whine from his pet, Joe didn’t have the heart to leave him behind. As if Jack had decided he was back on the job, Joe couldn’t look into those beseeching brown eyes and say no.

“Fine. Come. But you’ll stay in the car.”

Deciding the anxiety in Jie’s voice had to be dire, Joe decided to drive straight out to the mansion, taking the dog with him. This time, he left Jack outside of the car in the shade with the order to stay. Once he got inside, he looked for the familiar butler who tended to hover.

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