Page 37 of Joshua's Mistake
“Thank you, Will. Always such a gentleman,” Wanda said. She didn’t stand up. “Glad you finally got here, Josh. I couldn’t locate the others on the island. I’m sure they know I’m looking for them, but if an agent doesn’t want to be found you know how that goes.”
Joshua nodded.
Wanda continued. “You know Jess and Parker.”
Joshua said his hellos to the two men he’d worked with in the past. Parker Phillips was a good by-the-book agent with considerable intuition. He always knew what was coming. Jess McMean was multitalented. He was also a loose cannon. He didn’t always play by the rules though that might be just what this war needed.
Wanda said, “This is Brady Cummings, Lon Granger and Piper Martin.”
“Nice to meet you all.” He shook each one’s hand. “This is Tessa Clark and when you hear the full story you may not want to stay.”
As soon as he mentioned Tessa’s name the room brimmed with both intrigue and trepidation. Joshua immediately noticed the intense stare coming from Jess. A bubble of jealousy brimmed in Joshua’s gut. He was pretty sure it was the first time he’d ever felt the emotion. He didn’t like it.
He also noticed Tessa had blocked her mind from the crowd. Smart girl.
Joshua told them the entire story. He briefly explained what had happened to
Tessa’s team and then the events in New Jersey. Then he said it. “I have to tell you Troth Banta appears to be behind all of this.”
“Are you out of your mind?” This from Brady Cummings. “That guy is crazy. He’ll kill you both. I’m out.”
Cummings started toward the door. Parker and Lon were both getting up to go with him. Jess narrowed his eyes at Joshua, but didn’t move a muscle, while Piper pulled her dark hair back into a ponytail and leaned against the fireplace mantle.
Joshua didn’t know her, but he liked her already. He also noticed Will never looked away from the slim brunette. He’d have to ask his friend about that when there was more time.
He would have let them leave, but Tessa had other ideas. “He’s gathering.”
The wordgatheringstopped the three men in their tracks.
“What do you mean?” Parker asked.
“You know what she means,” Jess said.
Lon moved back into the room. “Are you telling us Banta is stealing the psi abilities of other agents? Is that even possible?”
“I’ve seen him do it. He stole the aura of one of my men. I didn’t know what he was doing at the time, but it’s the only explanation. He’s learned to gather and he’s killing agents to gain their abilities. If we don’t deal with him now we may not get another chance. He’ll be too powerful. You can go if you want. I understand you’re afraid of Banta. Joshua and I are in his sights. He’s after us. You can all stay off the radar at least for a while. No one will blame you for running.”
Joshua couldn’t help the swell of pride he felt for Tessa. She had played it perfectly. Everything she said was true, but she’d played on their sense of honor and courage. Two things men in their positions were very keen on.
All three moved back into the room though Lon looked as if he might change his mind at any moment.
Jess smiled at Tessa.
She blushed.
Joshua’s temper was getting away from him. Maybe they didn’t need McMean after all.
Jess said, “I thought Banta was in prison. Didn’t your brother have an issue with him a while back?”
“Will?” Joshua said.
Will stepped forward, his eyes scanned the room, stopping briefly in the direction of the fireplace and then moving on. “After Josh’s sister-in-law bashed in Banta’s head…”
There were a few snickers.
Will continued, “He was taken to the Treadwell Federal Penitentiary, maximum security. He remained there until about two months ago.”
“How long was his sentence?” Piper had a low, scratchy voice.
