Page 74 of Joshua's Mistake
She walked forward until she stood next to him. “Sorry, I know you wanted to take him alive, but I wasn’t sure how long Rain could hold him off.”
Joshua looked over at Rain, whose dark skin was pale from exertion. She cradled Jess in her arms and he was already looking much better. “We’ll find out who he was working for in Washington some other way.”
Wanda and the other Psi Agents from Key West filed out and hovered around Trip’s body. Joshua had no idea what had possessed his friend to take such a risk, but he also accepted that if Banta hadn’t been weakened by taking Trip’s aura they might never have defeated him. Trip was not a stupid man. He and Jess knew the risk and they also knew they would likely be killed.
If Tessa hadn’t let her walls down Jess might have died too.
“You took a big risk to save Jess,” Joshua said.
“I was too late for Trip. It happened too fast. Banta had him drained in an instant. I wanted to save them both.”
“Trip’s most prevalent psi power was telekinesis. Banta already possessed that. It was a familiar vibration and must have been easier to absorb.”
She looked over at Trip’s body. “Do you think he gets his aura back now that
Banta’s dead?”
Joshua’s chest tightened. “I don’t know, beautiful. I sure hope so.”
Kane limped out from the hallway where they had entered. Blood darkened the right side of his uniform. The bullet must have clipped him just under the Kevlar vest. “The police have arrived.”
As if on cue sirens howled from outside.
Blake moved in from the opposite side of the piazza. “I’ve called for an ambulance.” Kane dropped into a chair. “That would be nice.”
Joshua and Tessa walked to the bridge that crossed the canal on the far side of the piazza. They made their way over to Kane.
Kneeling down to get a better look at the wound, Joshua confirmed it was a deep gash and would require a few stitches, but other than the loss of blood his bother would be all right. “I hate to say it, but I’m glad it’s the kind of wound a hospital can handle and we’re not flying you back into the desert.”
Kane laughed shortly and then gripped his side in pain. “Me too.”
“I’ll call Lena and tell her we’ll be home tomorrow morning,” Joshua said.
“Thanks.” Kane took his brother’s hand in a tight grip.
Their eyes locked for a moment. No words or telepathy was needed between the brothers.
Blake made his way over to the chair just as the police rushed in. The FBI men held the SWAT team at bay while the EMTs were allowed access to Kane, Jess and the dead.
Taking a few steps away, Joshua said, “Well Agent-in-Charge Blake, what are you going to tell these fine law enforcement agents?”
Blake shrugged. “That a madman and his hired army opened fire on the piazza. I’ll tell them the FBI had been investigating Troth Banta and it was a miracle only one good man died.”
“I suppose that’s the truth in a manner of speaking.”
“I heard a rumor you’re going private sector, Lakeland.”
“Good news travels fast.”
“The government still needs your talents.” It might have been the closest thing to a compliment Joshua had ever received from the FBI agent.
“My abilities will still be available to the United States but on my own terms. Now that I know there are people within the government who would condone what Banta was doing I can’t risk getting orders from nameless, faceless people. And if you want my advice, Blake, you’ll be careful too.”
“Can I assume, Ms. Clark, you will be leaving the agency as well?”
“That’s a fair assumption, Agent Blake.” Tessa never blinked an eye.
He couldn’t help the spark of joy that came from knowing she would come with him. She could get her old job back. She’d probably get a medal for killing Banta, who would no doubt be dubbed a traitor. Still, she chose a path that kept her close to him.
