Mastiff Security Offices

Los Angeles, California

 

Wren stood at the head of the conference table, looking around the room at all these big, burly men and women who were dressed in dark clothing with flak vests either over their dark t-shirts or sitting on the table near them. This meeting seemed more appropriate for a dark alley or a dusty warehouse than a clean, organized conference room.

“Does everyone understand what they need to do? I don’t want any mistakes out there. We only have seconds to get this kid back. If anyone misses a cue or whatever, it could throw the whole mission off.”

No one said anything. There were a few nods to her words, but nothing more.

“All right. Go check your equipment. We head out in an hour.”

Wren gathered her things as the team walked out of the conference room, leaving her in complete silence. She was a little nervous. They’d run a few operations in the first weeks the firm was up and operating, but Durango had been here to run point. This was her first big operation on her own. She didn’t want to let anyone down.

Andres wandered in just as she was about to go back to her office.

“Nice of you to join us.”

“I’ve been a little preoccupied.”

There was a heaviness about him that concerned her. She studied his face, wondering if something had happened at the county jail that she didn’t already know about.

“You up to this?”

“I’m fine. I want this over with.”

“What are you going to tell the gang?”

He rolled his shoulders as he slid his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “That I’ve been offered a better position with a Sur 13 gang up in Vegas. They’ll buy it, especially after the whole thing at the jail.”

“Whole thing?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Your source didn’t tell you?”

“My sources are a little limited right now. But I’m working on it.”

“There was a fight. A couple of Sur 13 guys jumped in and took the heat for me.”

“No kidding? Isn’t Sur 13 a pretty serious jail gang?”

“Yeah. They have a few groups on the outside. They control the flow of heroin to the northwest states. Isaac will be impressed.”

Wren nodded. “Sounds like you have it under control.”

“What about you? Everything planned out? The team ready?”

“We’ve gone over everything a dozen times. It should go like clockwork.”

Andres pulled out a chair and settled down, wincing a little as he bent at the waist in the process. Wren watched him, a trickle of fear turning into drips and drops.

“Are you hurt?”

He looked up. “Do you mean emotionally or physically?” He sighed heavily, trying to smile at his own joke, but not really pulling it off. “I’m fine. I just want this thing over with.”

“Well, when it is, you take as much time as you want. You deserve it.”

“Thanks.”

She walked past him toward the door, pausing to touch his shoulder. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

“Are you sure that deaf girl can protect my family?”

There wasn’t much to say to that. Wren patted his shoulder. “It’ll all be over soon.”

She left him alone in the conference room and locked herself up in her own office. All these doubts were bouncing around in her head, her fear making a list of all the things that could go wrong. One of the operatives could make a mistake and get someone shot. The kid who was the focus of this case could get in front of a bullet, destroying their reputation and, possibly, their future viability. The Varrio Nuevo Estrada could go after Andres’ family and get that precious baby killed. Or that pretty nanny who was so clearly head over heels in love with him.

It was a lot for one person to carry. But that was the job, wasn’t it?

Her cell phone rang, causing her to jump, as lost as she was in her own thoughts. She tugged it out of her pocket and realized Durango was trying to video call her.

“Hey, boss,” she said, forcing false confidence into her voice.

“I heard you have a big operation going down tonight.”

“Did you?” She hadn’t filed any reports on this, but then remembered he hired Stevie Wayne himself. Had she put in a call? “We actually do. We’re rescuing a client’s son from a street gang.”

“Tell me the plan.”

She outlined it quickly, over-explaining weak points that still worried her. Durango cut in a few times, offering gentle suggestions that were actually more helpful than she wanted to admit. She knew he had experience behind him, knew that he was a pro at all this. But she wanted to do it on her own so she could prove that he’d made the right choice in putting her in charge.

“Sounds like you’ve thought of every contingency,” he told her.

“I’ve tried.”

“I know the first operation of this magnitude can be nerve-wracking. But have faith in your operatives, believe that you hired the right people for the job. And believe in yourself, Wren. I know you can do this.”

Something about the way he said it, or just that he said it, made Wren’s concerns wash away. Or, at least, dim down some.

“Thank you, Durango.”

“You are the right person for the job. I have no doubt.”

“Thank you.”

He smiled, lowering his head slightly before the screen went dark.