Like Grownups Do (40 page)

“I’m not going to pull punches, guys. Washington is shutting us down. You know I feel like shit about it. I’ve made every argument I could think of. You two have done exemplary work—there’s no denying that. The Director has told me that most of our system is already slated to becoming integrated into personnel protocol; one field office at a time.

“The difference maker, of course, has always been the politics. The next election cycle is about to begin, and with all the publicity of late neither party wants to deal with the pressure that RCI creates,” Jack stood, and made his way back behind his desk.

“It’s the same old thing that we’ve been dealing with since we set up shop. The politicians are afraid for what they perceive to be a lack of control, and young people have
always
made them nervous. Remember, many of this current crop of politicians are former love children and hippies—the peace activists and the protesters that grew up tormenting that generation of politicians.

“The D.C. office has been under too much pressure to make us go away. This really only leaves me with one question,” Jack said.

He held up the two pieces of paper.

His eyes sparkled and a grin grew across his face.

“Would either of you gentlemen consider a career inside the FBI?”

Tom and Babe looked back and forth at each other, stunned. They could only manage one word apiece, that sounded sounding something like “Wuuu?”

“I received this memo yesterday,” Jack said.

“And I quote, ‘The Washington D.C. office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in conjunction with the office of the Director, hereby announces the creation of a new department known as Personnel Evaluation Technologies’ End-quote. The Director has authorized me to offer—” Jack chuckled.

“The Director has encouraged me to twist your arms to persuade you to accept the two newly created positions of Evaluation Technology Manager; training new and existing staff to utilize the methods begun by Research Technologies Incorporated. Most of the training will be done right here in Boston, with some occasional travel. What do you think?” Jack asked.

“What about Jordan?” Tom asked.

“And Millie?” Babe asked.

“Jordan is once again a member of the FBI. He’ll be staying in Washington, of course. He will be establishing a mirror organization there, beginning with the hiring of two or three young psychologists.”

“And Millie?” Babe asked again.

Jack looked at his watch.

“MG should be talking to Millie right about now. MG wants to go back to her design company and work with Rebecca. She needs to train her replacement. That will be Millie, if she agrees. And I know someone that would like to interest Miss Gerard in some traveling,“ Jack said.

“What kind of travel do workaholics do, Jack?” Babe asked.

“I have every intention of making, and then drinking, a toast to my career from a beach in the Bahamas, as my New Year’s resolution. Hopefully, this will occur just a few days after my retirement party,” Jack said.

“One more thing. The Director is referring to this new department as his ‘pet’ project. Personnel Evaluation Technologies? PET? It wouldn’t hurt to laugh when he says that. You know—like you get it.”

”Aw, man. We get to butt kiss like that? I can’t wait,” Tom said.

“Me, either,” Babe said. “But we’re going to have to help this Director Guy spice up his material.”

“Pull gently, boys,” Jack said. “The twenty first century is still a new thing for some of us, you know.”

Tom and Babe had lunch on Jack, who was thrilled to be able to put the tab on his expense account.

“We’ve reserved the banquet hall at Grill 23 for Friday night—all MG’s idea, and a good one it is,” Jack said.

“The three of you coming to work for the Bureau demands a celebration.”

“So MG said Millie is taking the job?” Babe asked.

“Yes. She said it was a ‘No-Brainer’. MG and I will pick up anyone that wants a ride on Friday. She’s volunteered to be designated driver,” Jack said.

“It’s like we can’t be trusted, Babe,” Tom said.

“I
know.
My feelings are so hurt that I’m probably going to have to get hammered,” Babe said.

Tom and Babe arrived back at their office to what was becoming a familiar sight, that being Millie bouncing on her toes. They went with the flow, and soon the three of them were bouncing around the reception area as Millie sang, “We’re going to The Show. We’re going to The Show.”

Babe asked MG to take him shopping for a new suit on Thursday. Jack came along. Babe made a joke about needing a haircut, and they ended up at Esteban’s salon where Babe received an expert cut from The Man himself. Esteban looked sideways at MG.

“Girl, what is different about
you
?”

He rubbed his chin and looked her in the eye. Then he looked at Jack. And back at MG. His eyes grew wide.

“Oh, my Lord. Miss MG and Mister Jack. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. You go
on
with your bad self, now, Mister Jack.”

He kissed Jack on both cheeks and literally smothered MG. While this was happening, Jack whispered to Babe.

“Have you been able to get in touch with Athas yet? The Director asked about him again this morning.”

“I really don’t know what to say. I think he’s gone,” Babe said.

“What do you mean, gone? The Academy is buzzing like a hornet’s nest waiting to get their hands on him and the President wants to see to him. What in God’s green earth are you talking about,
gone?
He can’t be gone.”

“Jack, we’ll get together as soon as possible, and I’ll tell you what I know. But you won’t like it.
I
don’t like it. And I’m not sure you’ll believe what I tell you. But I promise you one thing, Jack. I’ll never keep a secret from you.”

Jack put his arm around Babe’s shoulder as they watched Esteban assault MG in a way that few people would be able to get away with.

“That’s all I need to hear, son.”

Babe was about to open the door for Millie into the Grill 23 dining room when a barrel chested young man wearing a pig-tailed ear-piece beat him to it.

“Good evening Mr. Babelton. Miss Vandermeer. And congratulations,” the young man said.

“Thank you,” they said, looking at each other with puzzled expressions.

MG waved them over. Chad Henson, Marshall and Janine Gates, as well as Marshall’s parents, Donald and Billie, came in moments later.

None of them were sure exactly why they were there, but they had been invited by the FBI, and they didn’t know what to do other than show up.

Donald, Billie, and Janine looked on in amazement as a line of strange people hugged and kissed Marshall and his friend Chad. Janine looked at her in-laws and shrugged, shaking her head and moving her lips without saying anything.

They grew even more alarmed when this same group of people—some of whom were weeping a little—began hugging and kissing
them
.

Billie Gates looked toward her husband, who was completely perplexed. Donald Gates stood uncomfortably next to a weeping, thin, and very animated young black man with an enormous pompadour. The man also appeared to be wearing lipstick.

Babe hugged Klaus and Frieda Schroeder, and Lewis and Leo as well. There was hugging everywhere—some of it by people that knew each other.

Babe was watching the remainder of this procession with great amusement when a pair of nice smelling hands covered his eyes from behind.

“Hey, I would know those hands anywhere. Hulk Hogan, right?” he asked.

“She has really long nails, Babe. You sure you want to go there?” MG asked.

“I know your perfume, Millie. What’s up?”

“I’m going to turn you around. Try not to fall down, Bozo,” Millie said.

When Millie removed her hands, Babe was looking into the smiling faces of his parents.

“Surprise!” they shouted.

“Joshua. We’re so happy for you. The FBI. Oh, my,” Amanda Richmond said, taking her son’s face in her hands. She kissed him on the lips.

Robbie waited patiently for his turn. He hugged Babe tighter than he ever had and whispered into his ear.

“I’ve always been proud of you son, and certainly no less, today.” Stepping back, he said, “Wow, where did this come from?”

Babe laughed.

“Long story. I’ll have to check and see how much I’m allowed to tell. This is so great—you two being here. How did you—?”

“Jack,” they both said.

“Thank you for coming. I know that sounds like a line. But I’m really, really glad you came,” Babe said.

“Uh, Rick isn’t—”

“No, baby,” Amanda said.

“He isn’t—he’s not…”

“His sister is staying with him for a couple of days, Josh,” Robbie said.

Amanda pursed her lips, her eyes moist. She nodded.

Babe hugged them both at the same time.

No one let go for a while.

Jack tapped a spoon to his glass from behind the one row of raised tables.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if you please—let’s all take seats. If your name is on one of the tables on the riser, please sit there. Otherwise, make yourselves comfortable anywhere. If there are any complaints, please see one of the large gentlemen by the doors—the ones with the extremely powerful weapons.”

The crowd laughed.

Jack and MG sat at the center of the raised table flanked by Babe, Tom, Millie, Christie, Amanda and Robbie, Jordan and Samantha, and Rebecca and her new boyfriend, the cabinet man with the Popeye forearms.

Jack stood as the last of the guests were seated.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. I know this was arranged on fairly short notice and I appreciate each and every one of you making the effort to be here tonight.

“As some of you know and others will blissfully not know, the Boston office of the FBI has recently been through some very trying times. It’s the very nature of the job that we all signed on for, but we are only human. We witness suffering, and we suffer as well.

“But quitting is never an option. So we count on each other. In the midst of pain we build relationships that are based on trust, loyalty, a common goal, and love.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Jordan Blackledge back home to the FBI, and—please hold your applause for a moment—three more friends who are not new to our lives but are new members of the FBI family: Joshua Babelton, Thomas Reardon, and Millicent Vandermeer.”

The four new FBI members stood. They waved and blushed at the standing ovation. The man who had earlier opened the door for Babe and Millie crossed the room and whispered in Jack’s ear. Jack motioned for everyone to be seated.

“It seems that I’m not completely in charge this evening. If you would please stand, I would like to introduce the Director of the Federal Bureau of investigation and his good friend, The President of The United States.”

A murmur spread through the small crowd as the first of the Secret Service entourage entered the room. Everyone craned their necks looking toward the doors, although some looked back toward the other side of the room when they heard someone exclaim, “No
fucking
way.”

Babe and Millie would tease Tom mercilessly for a long time over that faux pas.

Robbie Babelton fanned Amanda with his napkin. She looked like she might faint.

Billie Gates reached past her husband, and past Janine She stood on tiptoe to grab her son by his ear, pulling him down to her eye level.

“You will
not
go straight home tonight, young man. You bring your big self to your momma’s house, because you have some explaining to do.”

“
OW.
Yes, ma’am,” Marshall said, wincing.

“Oh, baby. You better listen to your momma, Barry,” Janine said in a low, husky voice.

The Director and the President shook several hands on their way to the riser, where they greeted each person at the table. The Director attempted to defer to the President and sought out a chair. The President took him by the arm and the two men stood together between Jack and Babe. The President spoke.

“Good people of Boston, we do not intend to interrupt your celebration. But, John,” he motioned toward the Director, “and I go back a long way. We would like to join you in welcoming these bright, young people into our fold. They have been working behind the scenes helping us to evaluate our new recruits. And though some details remain to be revealed, this group has proven instrumental in a recent Agency matter of the utmost importance. This made John look good, and since I appointed him, they’ve made me look pretty good, as well.

“ Jordan, Millie, Joshua, and Tom—I salute you, and welcome.”