Reluctant Hero (The Dunamis Covenant Book 1) (30 page)

Agents Melanie Barlow and Jason Edison were back at headquarters after taking Tina home. The FBI forensics team so far had found over two hundred bullet casings and over seventy different locations with the remnants of blood. They had also found several larger caliber casings and remnants from at least three grenades. Most troubling of all were the two broken swords they found. In light of that information, they now began to suspect the missing trees were damaged during a large scale battle the likes of which hadn't been seen on American soil since the Civil War. Something big had happened in the Blue Ridge Mountains only a few days ago. Melanie learned that the Pentagon had been alerted and they were dismayed to find that there was no satellite coverage available for the day in question. Jason and Melanie had been given the lead in the investigation since they were the ones that had uncovered whatever it was. The current working theory was that two or more militia groups had squared off over what they considered prime territory should America fall apart. Jason and Melanie knew that was not the case, but went with it until they could get some evidence to the contrary.

Melanie had sent her mom and Tina on a two week vacation to the Virgin Islands to help relieve Tina's stress over the incident and keep her out of the limelight. In the meantime, she had been analyzing her sister's recording frame by frame. She didn't know much about video footage, but Jason had installed a program on her computer that was capable of enhancing and restoring video. Tina's video was a bit fuzzy, but she knew she could make it better. There was so much going on that she had broken it down into single frames and then split the frames into four quadrants. It was time consuming, but it could be the key to what happened. Tina still could not talk about it without breaking down in tears, so she wanted to give her a little space and distance before she brought it up again. Eventually, she might have to talk about it in front of the FBI and she wanted her sister to be seen as credible when the time came.

Jason walked into the room they were using to coordinate their efforts. He spotted his partner and trudged over to her with a tired look in his eyes. "So far, there is nothing on this Obadiah Jones guy. He's not in any of our systems under that name, and facial recognition has yet to find a match. So, he's either a happy woodsman roaming around, or he's part of whatever this is."

"I'm betting he's part of it somehow, Jason."

"Me, too." He handed her a cup of coffee and added."I'd just love to know how."

"Let's take a minute to go over what we know with the rest of the room, Jason." Melanie said before she took a sip of her fresh hot coffee.
One of the perks of having the same partner for six years is that he knows how I like my coffee: Columbian blend, straight black
. She savored the smell while waiting for him to begin. Several other agents perked up as Jason prepared to speak.

"I'll start big and work down to details." He looked up and she nodded. "We know that a large scale battle took place in the Blue Ridge Mountains two or three days ago. According to eye witness testimony, the battle was two days ago." They both knew who the eye witness was, but refrained from using her name for her own safety. "We know that well over a hundred trees were damaged in the fighting, then were cut down and removed to hide that fact. We know there was a massive cleanup job preformed, and that in a stunning coincidence, there was no satellite coverage available that day." He paused for a moment, "Now down to specifics. We know that there were machine guns, nines, grenades, heavy artillery, and swords used in this battle. The metal from one of the swords dates back to a Germanic forging process used over a thousand years ago. We know there was a dark haired, dark eyed man named Thomas, a college kid from Texas, and an older gentleman, not likely named Obadiah Jones."

"Thank you, Agent Edison," Melanie began. "Let's not focus on the actual battle for now, let's focus on the logistics it would have taken to pull something like this off. Those trees had to go somewhere, let's try and find out how they got them off the mountain. At least seventy people were killed or injured, probably a lot more. Those people have to be somewhere, let's check all of the hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics and vets in a hundred mile radius. Let's also check anyplace that looks like it's been dug up within the past few days. Let's try to trace the ammunition we found. Let's see if this has anything to do with the three million people more than normal that we currently have on the east coast. Whoever cleaned the crime scene did a masterful job, but the bottom line is that's it's impossible to wipe away a battle of that size. There's plenty of evidence left behind, let's follow it. Lastly, this man is wanted for questioning." She held up a picture of the man who called himself Obadiah Jones. Jason then sent his picture to the rest of the agents phones. "He calls himself Obadiah Jones, but it is doubtful that is his name. He was at the crime scene and behaving in a suspicious manner."

"How so, Agent Barlow?" An eager young agent named Diaz posed the question. She reminded Mel of herself six years ago.

"He was too nice!"

"Too nice?"

"Yes, he was at my crime scene and he was suspiciously nice."

"Some people are just nice, ma'am."

"That's true, Diaz, and if he's not involved, he'll be free to go, but for now, I'd like to question him further." She looked around the room at the eleven assembled agents and added, "If there are no further questions, let's get to it. The director wants answers, let's go find him some." The agents dispersed, each with their own assignment, and Jason handed her another fresh cup of coffee.

"Good briefing, so what are we going to be doing?"

"I have to show you the video, there are some things that... I just can't explain. It's not focused enough to make out faces, but the scale of the fighting seems to be a lot bigger than we thought and—"

"Come on, what?"

"And it looks like Tina may have been right about the paranormal stuff. I saw at least two trees flying deep in the background, and the amount of animals involved... some of those animals cannot be found in this country outside of zoos."

"So, let's check the zoos."

"Really, Jason, you think lions and tigers escaped local zoos, chose sides in some mountain conflict and then made it back to their cages before the zoo reported them missing?"

"Maybe."

"Only because you don't want to believe the alternative."

"Only because the alternative will get us fired and placed in psychiatric care. We should just show the Director the video. We know it's legit."

"We do, but he won't. Then they'll bring Tina in for questioning and she's not ready yet. No, let's go over it again and then get on to other leads."

"What leads?"

"College boys from Texas!"

*****

"How did the FBI get involved so quickly, Dad?" John was frustrated as he spoke.

"The girl. The girl we let go just so happens to have an older sister that works for the Bureau." Tor informed him with a sad nod.

"It's a good thing cooler heads prevailed and nothing happened to the girl." John said, thankful that Thomas had been awake to remind some of them that they were, in fact, the good guys.

"We cleaned the clearing pretty well, but there's no way to fully erase what happened there. We could have done a lot more, but the Agents got there early. I'm pretty sure they think I'm involved, but they had the girl with them and she was still scared so they let me go after a couple routine questions. Still, they can identify me." Jonathan looked back and forth between his son, Gunter and Tor while he spoke.

"The girl heard Jan call Thomas by name," John said. "She also got a pretty good look at me, Jan, Liam and Trevor. She can give all those description to the feds."

"Don't worry, John," Gunter began. "We knew that if it came to a large conflict, the government might get involved. I have covered all of Dondar's activity so that if they come looking, they will find nothing. Almost all of the light warriors involved are already either back home, in a hospital we own, or being prepared for burial in their home state. It will be very difficult to find anything that connects us, not to mention that we have several of our people in law enforcement that can hinder the investigation if need be. The Shadow Assembly, on the other hand, will have its hands full. They are based a lot closer to the scene of the battle than we are. It was good luck that the girl didn't see any of their faces."

"If they do catch up to us, we will have to tell them what happened." Jonathan said. Then his son's hand patted his shoulder.

"Dad's right, but we need to shield the younger ones if we can, especially Thomas and Abby. Life has dealt them enough setbacks and Thomas never asked for any of it. I suspect that aside from payback, the only reason he fought Devlin was to keep our family from looking bad."

Tor looked up and agreed, "I believe John's right. We've got to protect them."

"And Jan, Connor, Liam and Trevor," Gunter added. "If they catch up to us, some of us may be in for a rocky road."

Jonathan added, "This is exactly what Devlin wanted, except he's not around to see what happens. Now excuse me, gentlemen, I'm going to go find my wife." He turned and walked away when the conversation had ended.

Tor and Gunter turned and left as well, leaving John alone with his thoughts. He subconsciously rubbed his fingers around his bullet wound, and he hoped this wouldn't be one more thing to kill Thomas and Abby's dreams of a happy life. He vowed to himself that he wouldn't allow it. As soon as they were married, they would be spending a good deal of time outside of the country, where no one would recognize them and they wouldn't be asked to fight anyone.

"Agents Edison and Barlow, the Director will see you now."

Melanie looked around at the receptionist area to their boss's office and decided it needed a little more personality. More like a complete overhaul. This was the Director of the FBI for crying out loud and his reception area looked like it had stepped right out of the seventies. The only thing missing was the shag carpet. Jason stood and began walking into the Director's office so she stood as well. She found herself thankful for the distraction of the ugly orange reception area, knowing they were about to be reamed for not making any headway on the case.

"Barlow, Edison, come in, sit, please," he said.

All right, what's going on? He is being way too nice. He should be a lot angrier. Where's the other shoe?
Melanie was confused. Her tentative steps led her to a seat in a much more tastefully decorated office than the reception area would indicate.

"Thank you, sir," Jason answered, then he and Mel sat in the seats indicated.

"Let's get right to it." He said. "How's the case going?"

"Director Dixon, we haven't made much progress yet, sir. Every time I think we have a lead, it fizzles. Poor Diaz has had three or four good leads sputter out on her, and she's a great agent. I'm not giving up, but I suspect this is more of a long haul investigation than I first believed." Mel knew that answer wasn't going to sit well, but she figured she might as well just get it over with.

"That is a little disappointing; it's been over two weeks. Maybe we just overreacted, maybe there's not much to find because it's not as big as we thought." Neither Mel nor Jason could hide the surprised looks on their faces.

"It's possible, Sir," Jason began, "but I don't think so. I think it's more a case of the people involved being powerful enough to block all of our leads, which actually worries me more," he concluded.

"What do you think, Barlow?'

"I believe Agent Edison's theory to be closer to the mark, sir."

"I do as well, which is why I'm taking you off this case."

"What?" Mel couldn't believe her ears, not only wasn't she getting yelled at, but the director was giving them an out with no admission of failure. This was a very disturbing development. "Why, sir? We may not be very far along, but it's still only been two weeks."

"It has nothing to do with that, Agent Barlow, the Bureau has more pressing matters to attend to and I can't have two of my best agents tied up in something that may never be solved. Not to mention that you have eleven other agents tied up in it as well."

"We can cut the task force in half, Director!" Jason chimed in. "We understand there are other priorities, but we cannot ignore a crime of this magnitude."

"Crime? What crime? The only crime we have any evidence of at this point is illegal logging. We don't need thirteen agents investigating that. We don't even need six."

"Sir, you know that's not what happened!" Mel shot back, frustration evident in her voice.

"I know, but where are the bodies? Where are the guns that fired those bullets? For all we know, the loggers used some imaginative ways to bring the trees down."

"Sir?" Jason looked confused. "I know you don't believe that, what's really going on. This would usually be a meeting where you hand us our butts on a platter, but you're letting us off the hook. Why?

"Would you rather I chewed you out? Would you rather I rip you a new one?"

"No, sir, but I would like to know what's going on." This was one of the things Mel loved about having Jason as a partner. He was going to speak his mind no matter who he was talking to. She would never have had the moxy to speak to the Director that way. He looked like he was about to get mad, but then his face softened and he relented.

"The truth of the matter is, I've been ordered to close out this investigation and hand over everything we have to the NSA." Mel was practically out of her seat, but he waved her silent before she could speak. "And yes, I did fight for you guys, and no, it didn't work. Truth be told, I think your investigation has someone with a lot of power spooked. It is no longer within my ability to change this decision. It goes right to the top. I need all of your files packed up and ready for transport by the end of the day. I'm sorry, this in no way reflects badly on you two."

"But, sir..." Melanie was cut off before she could finish.

"Listen, Melanie, there really is nothing I can do. I can't stop you from investigating this further in your spare time if you want to, but we can put no more agency resources on this." He winked and then stood.

He must be serious. He called me by my first name in front of another agent. Director Dixon doesn't usually breach protocol, but he got my attention. He also let me know I could keep going if I wanted to. I wonder what Jason thinks?
"Thank you, Director. I appreciate you standing up for us. I only wish it had a different conclusion."

"Me, too, Agent Barlow. My secretary will see you out." With that he was off to another meeting.

Once they were out of the Director's office, she looked at her partner and asked, "So, what do you think?"

"Probably some big military contractors putting pressure on their favorite senator."

"He said the top, Jason."

"Yes he did, Mel, which means if we do keep up the investigation on our own time, we need to be careful that we don't disappear like all evidence of that battle."

"What are you saying, Jason?"

"I'm saying that I think we have to let this one go. Believe me, I know it's close to home for you, but we're in a no win. The Director wouldn't have offered us an out if it wasn't in our best interest. Besides, the case is officially closed."

"What do I tell Tina? Did she go through that whole ordeal for nothing?" Melanie knew she was being unfair, but she just couldn't let it drop.

"Mel, you know I would do anything to protect Tina, but the reality is that she's not in danger anymore. In fact, aside from being scared, she's unharmed. She's resilient, she'll get past this, and we should, too."

"Maybe if we show the Director our other evidence—"

"What, and end up in the nut house? No thanks! I need this job, Mel, and so do you. Besides, that would expose Tina as well."

"Okay, you're right." She hated to admit it, but at least for now they needed a strategic withdrawal. She would keep a copy of everything on a thumb drive in her safe deposit box and maybe take another look when the heat died down. "We'll put it in a box and walk away, Jason."

"You promise, Mel?"

"Yeah, consider it dropped."
For now,
she thought.

*****

The big day had arrived, the day Abby Fitzpatrick had waited her entire life for. Even though she spent the final two weeks before her wedding day in a hospital bed, she oversaw every last detail with the precision of a conductor with an orchestra. Thomas couldn't believe the intricate details involved. He should have expected nothing less for the one female in the Fitzpatrick family. After five brothers and twenty-three male cousins, Abby's birth had been the crown jewel in the Fitzpatrick family empire. There were flowers everywhere. Abby's dress was beautiful, but not exactly traditional. It was an ivory gown, sleek and cut to show off all of her best attributes. While there was a veil, there was no train. She had chosen her four brother's wives and Kendra to be her bridesmaids, but the maid of honor position was reserved for her very excited grandmother. Thomas had chosen Abby's five brothers to be his groomsmen, each escorting his own wife or fiancée. He had picked Trevor as his best man, because he had known him the longest. John was to walk his daughter down the aisle and Aunt Laura along with Uncle Pete sporting a new leg and crutches were to sit in the seats reserved for the parents of the groom. Abby's grandpa, who was licensed to perform weddings, was to lead the ceremony.

Thomas had seen the wedding dress, but he couldn't wait to see Abby in the wedding dress. Her long chestnut hair would flow and her green eyes would sparkle. He stood up front besides Abby's granddad, and tried to ignore the comments coming from the peanut gallery, also known as Abby's brothers. He could see that Trevor was a bit nervous, yet beaming with pride to be chosen as Thomas' best man, and the thought hit Thomas that throughout all of Asa's scheming, he had unintentionally brought four very important people into his life. Five people if you counted little Sarah who was about to replace Abby as the jewel of the Fitzpatrick family.

Thomas had been told what was going to happen at the wedding as if he had just been handed an itinerary to an important meeting. Marrying Abby, of course, was far more important than any meeting he had ever sat in. He was perfectly happy to stand there in his tux and let every other detail be the product of the sixteen years Abby had spent thinking about this day. The ceremony was to be short but heartfelt and the reception would be almost three hours later. After the reception, they would be whisked away by limo to a posh Manhattan hotel for two days of uninterrupted pleasure followed by a flight to California. They would then spend three days in wine country; although neither one thought they would see much of it. The bulk of their honeymoon would be in Hawaii, two whole weeks. As Thomas thought about all of this, he looked out over the crowd of almost four hundred fifty people. All of them were either Fitzpatricks or the families of the women married to the Fitzpatricks. He thought about how much Abby loved her family. It made him grateful to think he was just a short while away from being an official part of that family.

Just then, the lights dimmed and the bridal march began to play. Abby was walking down the aisle, escorted by her father. She looked radiant. He could swear she was glowing. He could see her beautiful green eyes right through the veil and he couldn't wait to feel those perfect lips pressed against his. Her dress was even more beautiful than he thought it would be, and she was spectacular. John put her hand in his, and the ceremony began. He couldn't take his eyes off the only woman he would ever love, and she couldn't stop smiling.

Before either of them realized it, her grandfather was pronouncing them man and wife. He gently took her perfect face in his hands and kissed her in front of everyone. They both turned and smiled at the crowd. The reception was a blur. Well wishes from everyone, lot's of kisses at the request of the crowd, some dancing, some eating and a fair amount of drinking were involved. When the limo finally arrived to take them to their hotel, they knew her family would continue to celebrate long into the night, but they planned to celebrate longer.

The next morning, Thomas woke up first and as he lay in bed, looking over the most beautiful woman in the world as she slept, he realized he had never been more content.
How in the world did I get so lucky
? he wondered. Then he kissed her shoulder and got out of bed. Before they knew it, they were off to Hawaii.

Two weeks in Hawaii went by too fast. When they arrived back in Staten Island, there was a big party waiting for them at Jonathan Fitzpatrick's house. There was also the news that William and Kendra had gotten married while she and TJ were on their honeymoon. Grams was more than happy to split time watching little Sarah with her favorite uncle, Trevor, while Kendra and William were away. After a few days of Fitzpatrick family holiday fun, they were off to their new home to begin their life together.

Jonathan had thought it best that Thomas and Abby spend some time outside the country until he was sure the FBI investigation had died down, and Thomas agreed. After all, they had his description and his first name. The family had purchased a home for them in Toronto. Thomas was able to put his Greg Jordan identity away for safe keeping when Jonathan handed him a clean passport and license with the name Thomas Jefferson Hunter. It was the first time he had ever had identification with his real name on it and somehow he thought that was the best gift of all. Abby, for her part, still had her real identification, only now it was amended with the last name Hunter. She beamed every time she looked at it. Abby gave Connor an extra long hug, and he made Thomas promise to take care of his Little Tiger. Thomas obliged, though he knew that in reality they would be taking care of each other.