Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) (41 page)

When he got hold of that FBI director, her ass was going to meet his boot. Pregnant woman or not, she was in deep shit.

This was his town, and he wasn’t screwing around.

This was the last straw.

                                       *    *    *

When Jaxon and Tony strolled in, everyone looked up. He didn't flinch, but the woman behind him did. In fact, Tony had to admit that he probably looked a little smug. From the looks on their faces, it was likely they all knew where they had been.

As always, Tony dropped his arm protectively around Jaxon’s shoulders, refusing to care.

“Elizabeth and Ethan, are you free?”

As their bosses, it was rare for anyone to call them by their first name while working. Their team only did that if they were giving them a subtle clue as to needing a personal talk.

This was obviously one of those moments.

She hopped down from the table, heading their way with Ethan not far behind them. “Sure, Tony, what’s up?”

“Can we talk in private?” he asked.

Elizabeth suspected that this wasn’t going to be a good talk. The one anthropologist looked worried, and that didn't bode well for her.

Ethan motioned to the spare work area.

Everyone watched as they headed there.

Inside the other room, Elizabeth dismissed her two agents. They were working, but she needed the space, and that was a commodity in the small concrete building.

When they were gone, Tony began, “Today something happened. It was unprofessional and crossed a line, so I’m going to ask for a favor.”

She didn't like the sound of that at all.

In all the years of working with the man, he’d never done one thing unprofessionally or come to think of it, ask for a favor.

“What happened, Tony?” she inquired. “How much trouble are you in?”

Tony wasn’t surprised she went there, so he told her everything, much to Jaxon’s horror. On the way there, he informed her that they needed to go to the boss with all the details.

They didn't have a choice.

She didn't have to like or agree with it. To her, Elizabeth was still a wild card. While Tony trusted and obviously loved her, she was still nervous about getting too close.

It was like the lioness on the plains of Africa. They were pretty to look at, but if you ended up on their radar, you were dinner.

Elizabeth might be pregnant, but that was just a veneer. Over the last month, Tony had told her the stories, and she was scared.

When he finished, Elizabeth sat on the corner of the desk, deciding how to handle this. Generally, between her and Ethan, she let him handle the lab staff. Unfortunately, Tony had called her out on a favor.

“This is a big one, Tony. You realize that, right?”

He did.

Staring down at the woman, Elizabeth watched her cringe. Well, at least there was remorse.

There was also Tony watching her imploringly.

Shit!

It occurred to her that she was to blame. Elizabeth had gotten soft. Damn the obligations of family and friendship. It was time to put her relationships first.

Focusing on Jaxon, she began, “I get why you punched out the doctor. If I found any woman’s body on or near Ethan or Callen, I’d go shit nuts too.”

“I’m sorry,” she replied.

Elizabeth sighed.

Jaxon relaxed when Tony squeezed her hand.

“I’m sure you are, Doctor. That being said, if I ever hear that you’ve sucker punched another person, while on duty, I’m going to make you cry. The only reason I’m even entertaining this kind of jackassery is because of the man beside you. This favor is courtesy of the man you love. Because he’s like my brother, I’ll let this go.”

He could have kissed his boss for the words she was sharing. It touched his heart because he felt the same.

“I need you to be very aware of one thing, Jaxon,” Elizabeth said, using the woman’s first name to make it more personal. “Despite what you may think, there aren’t fist fights in the FBI. If I can’t go around kicking the shit out of people, neither can you.”

Blackhawk grinned and had to hide it behind his hand.

“I’m going to assume that this was a one-time incident. From here on out, this is the official end of this discussion, am I clear?”

She swallowed. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I can guarantee that it won’t ever happen again.”

That was good enough for her. “By the way—nice ring, Tony. You picked out a great one.”

He grinned proudly.

Before he could say anything, there was a loud crash from the other room. It sounded like two rhinos tap dancing on powder kegs.

All four of them rushed in, only to find Callen being pummeled on the ground by two uniformed men.

He was doing his best to protect his face and ribs as they threw punch after punch.

The second Ethan saw that his brother was in danger, he didn't hesitate to jump into the mêlée. Without a thought, he slammed into the sheriff, taking him off his brother’s body.

They crashed into a morgue table.

Tools scattered.

Elizabeth stared in horror, as did everyone in the room. This was the worst timing ever.

As the Blackhawk boys kicked some ass, she couldn’t believe it was happening. Both of the men in her life were involved in a full blown fight.

In the morgue.

In front of the tech team.

And worse yet, in the presence of the woman she had just reprimanded.

Well, so much for no fistfights on FBI time.

Someone was up shit creek on this one.

There was no doubt.

~ Chapter Twelve ~

                Saturday Afternoon

Thankfully, the brouhaha didn’t last for long.

To say that the sheriff and his deputy were grotesquely outmatched would be an understatement. Once Ethan joined the fight, he leveled the playing field.

Everyone cringed as Ethan’s fist repeatedly found Sheriff Carlton’s body.

Yet, none stepped in to stop it.

When both local lawmen were flat on their backs, Ethan pulled his brother up from the ground.

“Are you okay?” he asked Callen, checking out his brother’s face.

“I think so.”

Elizabeth erupted. “Seriously? That’s your first question?” Elizabeth asked. “How about what the bloody hell is going on in here?”

She pointed at her ME. “What happened? You’re usually logical and concise, so tell me what this was all about!”

Chris was just as shocked as she was. “We were standing here joking about something, and in strolled the sheriff and his deputy. He threatened me, told us he was claiming the body back, and asked where that…”

He stopped, rethinking his choice of words.

“Continue, Christopher, and stop looking at Callen. I’m talking to you.”

Chris swallowed. “He didn't have complimentary things to say about you,” he stated. “That’s when it got out of hand.”

She pointed at Callen. “Who threw the first punch?” she asked, getting irritated. She’d just told Jaxon there were no fistfights in the FBI.

Her fingers were crossed as she prayed.

“I did.”

Well, that sucked.

Immediately, Chris interjected, “That’s not entirely true. The deputy went to move Callen out of the way using force. He put his hand on a Federal officer. That could be construed as assault. It’s how I saw it.”

Callen didn't flinch even as the blood dripped onto his shirt.

Elizabeth wanted to lose her cool, but she knew that this was her fault. She’d poked the sheriff by hijacking his body. Anything which happened after that point was meant to be aimed at her, not him.

Grabbing some tissues from Meredith, she handed them to Callen. “Your mouth is bleeding,” she offered.

He was still pissed. Whatever the man said about her, must not have been complementary. Callen was still seething, and he wasn’t one to hold a grudge.

Checking on Ethan, she found he was relatively fine, although he was rubbing his hand over his ribs on his right side.

“You’ve obviously lost your mind,” she said to the sheriff who was helping Deputy Trey Stephens off the floor.

“You stole our body!”

She shook her head. “I don’t see it that way.”

“Prove that these cases are linked. If you can’t, then she’s coming back with me!”

Elizabeth wanted to punch him herself. Before she could say what was brewing in her gut, Meredith stepped forward.

“Ma’am, I can solve this.”

She hoped so.

“We ran the semen found in her body. She was indeed having sex with the same man who killed our other victims. Plus, when we ran the collar and chain, we found some epithelial cells on the links. They, too, match the killer. We have the same person.”

“Well, that ends this conversation,” Elizabeth stated, moving toward the sheriff. “Pack up your sidekick and get the hell out of here. I will tell you that if I ever hear what you said to incite Director Whitefox’s anger, I’m going to likely be knocking you back on your ass. If even one word was defamatory toward their ethnicity, I will be shoving my boot so far up your ass, Sheriff, you’ll moo when you open your mouth.”

The man went to speak.

“Shut it. You even allowing your deputy to put his hands on a Fed has put you both in a very bad situation.” As if to prove a point, she asked a question, “Who here saw the deputy get into Callen’s personal space?”

They all raised their hands.

“Who here will testify to that?”

She didn't even have to turn around. Elizabeth knew her team would have their backs, just like she would always have theirs.

“You’re screwed, and not in a good way. Think of it more like getting caught with a transvestite in a back alley. You went in thinking one thing, and left walking funny.”

Blackhawk had to cover his laugh with a cough. Despite the situation, it was still entertaining. Ethan knew that in her own way, she was trying to defuse the situation.

“Okay, I’ll concede that the body is part of the case, but I want in.”

She laughed, almost manically. “You come in here and exchange blows with one of my staff, which happens to be my husband, and you think I’m going to sit here and say ‘welcome aboard’? You’re crazier than an old lady with a house full of hungry cats and only one can of tuna.”

The southern was out in her voice.

Merry leaned over toward Callen. “I have cats.”

He knew she was trying to get him to smile. It almost worked. There was no doubt in his mind that Elizabeth was going to be chewing on his ass next. He liked pain, but not that kind.

The sheriff closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll be the first to admit that this escalated. I’m sorry that my deputy touched your director. We came in here angry, because we heard about the press conference and the body being taken. It pissed us off.”

Elizabeth didn't care. While she wouldn’t belt the man herself, she needed to prove that sometimes she wasn’t the wild card. Here she was, calm as anything, and everyone else was out of their minds.

“We need to warn your townspeople. We have a killer with a preference and that needs to be shared. Besides, this isn't our first rodeo, Sheriff. I wasn’t going to come right out and say, ‘if you have black hair and blue eyes, run for your life’. Despite what you’ve seen, heard, or experienced with the FBI, I can tell you this team is top notch. My ME is impeccable, our techs leave no stone unturned, and our agents are damn good at their jobs. If anything, they’ll do right by these women.”

“I want in.”

She shook her head. “Yeah, not happening. I’m here to deal with a killer and save a few lives, not play babysitter to a bunch of grown men who can’t behave. If you want to whip it out and see who has a bigger dick, this isn't the group to do it with. We will have you for breakfast. By ‘we’, what I mean is ME.”

Then she headed toward the deputy. “If you ever touch one of my people again, I’m going to reach into your body, find your colon and give you a colonic you never saw coming. If you think I’m just some pregnant woman, let me tell you that I’ve broken bigger men than you.”

Sheriff Carlton shook his head when his deputy tensed. They were in enough shit. From here on out, they’d tread lightly. He’d let his anger get the best of him, and that was a dangerous thing.

“I’m serious, Director. We want in. As the law in this town, we have a right to ask to assist. I’m coming to you to ask for a little leeway. Let us help.”

She moved back toward the men. “You screwed up again. I’m just the one who runs this circus. The boss—well, he’s the man you were hitting in the ribs,” she stated.

Ethan grinned. He loved when she let him drive the crazy train. “Oh, look at that. It must be why I’m wearing the suit.”

The man sighed. “Please?”

“This isn't a game,” Ethan said. “We have four new victims and a grave with thirty bodies. This town is one hell of a mess.”

“We can help any way you want.”

“It’s up to the lead investigator,” Ethan stated, deferring this one back to Elizabeth. It was his signal that he was okay with whatever she opted to do.

Elizabeth caught his nod.

The ball was in her court.

“If you can bring something to the table, you’re in. If not, you’re on your own.” That was all she had to say about it.

He looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“If you want on the team, give us something that we don’t have. Why should we let you in, giving you all we managed to dig up? Tomorrow after the press conference, you need to deliver. If it’s good, you’re going to be part of our team.”

“And if it’s not?”

“Then you’re one hell of a lousy cop.” She paused before continuing, “Oh, and really bad at being a criminal. You can’t hide a body for shit, Sheriff.”

He got red at her dig. Working with this woman was going to be nothing but sheer hell.

“Like us or hate us, we have a job to do. We’re going to save the next woman from dying with your help, or not. If you get in my way, I’ll roll right over you.”

The man didn't look happy.

Elizabeth wondered if it was because the FBI just beat him down, or if it was because he had to work with a woman. At this point, it could be either.

“See you tomorrow.”

It was all he said before leaving. Once he was gone, she turned toward her team. “Doctor Armstrong, get on that skull. Doctor Magnus, you need to head to the site and babysit your bone geeks.”

“Alone?”

That made him nervous as hell. Doctor Seston would be there, and he didn't want a repeat performance.

“No. You can take Merry. She’ll keep you safe.”

They all looked over at the much smaller woman. It was amusing to think that their anthro needed a bodyguard, and that it was going to be the head tech.

“While there, Merry, poke around and do your techie thing. Just don’t let Doctor Magnus get spooked by anything… or one.”

He gave her a look, and she winked at him.

“I’ll go,” stated Jaxon. “I don’t mind.”

She shook her head. “Anyone who’s thrown a punch today isn't going out in the field. Think of this as kindergarten. You’re prohibited from going out to recess.”

Callen tensed at her words. Surely, she wasn’t going to punish him like a child…

“Seaton and Madden, be ready to meet us at the hotel around dinnertime. We want a report from you on all the people that we’ve come across. Unlike last time, we won’t be missing a single thing. Am I clear?”

They nodded, heading out.

Finally, she addressed the simmering temper in the room. “Callen, clean up. You’re a mess.”

He could tell she wasn’t happy. The tone of her voice was clearly indicative of the bad mood that was brewing.

“You get to watch the team. I don’t trust the sheriff won’t send one of his deputies to cause shit.”

“So, I’m being punished too?” he asked, his voice low and void of all emotion.

“No. Ethan and I have an interview.”

He didn't look happy at all.

“I told you. Fist fights aren’t allowed here in the FBI.” Before he could say anything, or point out that Ethan had been involved too, she was gone.

Ethan didn't know what to say. He was between the two people he loved most in life. “I’ll keep an eye on her, Cal. Hang out here. It’ll all blow over. I’ll text you when we’re heading toward the hotel. You can meet us there.”

With that, he headed out.

Callen stood there, angry, shocked, and a little hurt that his woman had walked away from him. He was defending her honor, and that pissed him off.

Chris strolled over and patted his arm. “I feel for you, Callen. It’s all those female hormones.”

“Yeah, I hope.”

For the first time, Callen wished she wasn’t pregnant. Instead, he wanted his rational Elizabeth back.

In the vehicle, he was wise enough to say nothing. There was a dead empty look on her face as she stared out the window. Finally, when he couldn’t take the silence anymore, he interrupted her thoughts.

“How mad are you?”

“A little.”

“At me?”

“No.”

“At Callen?”

“Yes. I know why he did it, but the timing was shitty. I had just lectured two of our staff about BS like this. I just need to calm down and let it go.”

Elizabeth had come a long way. Before having kids, she’d likely have been the one who dove into the fight to kick someone’s ass. Now, she was mellowing.

That might not be a good thing.

Blackhawk hated pointing out the obvious, but he would. “I was involved in that fight, so maybe you should be mad at me too.”

Elizabeth knew that Ethan was just trying to protect his brother. From childhood until now, he had always been the one to watch Callen’s back.

Only this time, they couldn’t excuse what happened.

“The only reason I’m not pissed at you is because you jumped in to save him, not take the first swing. I know that Callen has issues with physical contact, but he can’t go punching out deputies. Plus, didn't he just ask me to not shield him? He wanted to take the world on to keep me safe, and there are consequences with that.”

Ethan saw it from her perspective. Elizabeth had a point.

“I won’t be mad long. I just need some time away.”