Mrs. Gage laid her hand on Carter’s shoulder. “A word, John?”
He turned and looked up from his seat beside Angelo. “Sure.” He stood and followed her out the terrace doors to the side patio. “Am I being taken to the principal’s office?”
“Of course not, dear. I actually applaud your plan.”
“What?” He was stunned.
“It is ingenious. It allows several different people to travel together without questions as to their agenda. Venues can be selected that get you into places that would not otherwise be open to you to gather information for your government. I think it just might work.”
“I am hearing a ‘but.’”
She smiled. “But…I think we need time. Some of our people are fragile. Tired, if you will.”
“You?”
She laughed. “Never!” Her laughter always stirred him.
Putting those thoughts aside, he said, “You are probably right. I guess I sprung this on everyone out of the blue.”
“Now I am hearing a ‘but.’”
He looked at her and looked away as if considering. Mrs. Gage was a woman who could keep confidences. He turned back to her. “It was humiliating to get all the accolades and backslapping for bringing down that cabal several weeks ago. I tried to explain. They wouldn’t listen to me. They gave me all the credit for leading the team. But you and I both know I was not the leader. You were.”
“John, it took considerable effort on all our parts. I have deeply regretted those words I flung at you in pique.” She had told Carter during the last operation that he could not lead his way out of a wet paper bag.
He smiled. “It had merit, Gabrielle. Granted, this group is not my usual bunch of jarheads, but I know enough to know in order to lead, you have to command respect.”
“Command?”
“Garner? Earn? Whatever, but I do not have it with this group.”
Mrs. Gage cocked her head in genuine interest. “Then why bring us back together to propose another mission?”
Carter sighed. “That’s just it. I have watched how you interact with this bunch. These people are all formidable in their own right, but together they are amazing. I’m not sure they have any idea how much.”
“They don’t,” she responded quietly.
“And I want to be a part of it. The energy, the camaraderie, the feel of family.”
“John, you missed us.” Her voice was soft and teasing.
“And if you ever repeat that, I shall cut out your tongue.”
“I believe you would.”
He smiled back at her. He sat down at the patio table and gestured for her to sit as well.
“What do you have in mind, John?”
“Well, since I am now the golden boy at the agency, I was given carte blanche to put together my team. And then I realized I didn’t want to work with anyone else.” He paused, looking at her. “And again, not one word,” he added, pointing his finger.
His solemn look almost made her laugh. Mrs. Gage crossed her heart.
“So I told the committee I was going to put the team together and would report back in a week.”
“Doesn’t give us much time.”
“Us?”
“See, that’s your problem, John. You are always trying to go it alone. Now, let’s go back in there and sell this thing.”
* * * *
It took all her persuasive powers to even begin the process of winning over this crew. Carter knew enough to stay out of her way. She knew she would have to meditate later on all the barriers thrown up by various members of the team. Each element of resistance represented a personal struggle of some kind. She had resigned herself to the changes coming for her as well. She could no longer operate alone in her humanitarian or global rescue efforts. She was part of this team and they were now a part of hers. Despite her acquiescence to the idea, she knew it would chafe her at times as well.
She addressed the gathering. “My dear friends, I think I understand what our resistance is. We have been thrown into our last two missions by circumstances of fate. We did not plan it, but we were able to adapt and overcome.” She grinned at the Marines in the room. They grinned back. “Now we are being asked to commit to this work as a lifestyle. That requires a whole new mind-set and a different set of skills.” She could tell that her words resonated with them. “Personally, I think Mr. Carter’s plan is ingenious.” She took note of the look of shock on a few faces. She went on. “It offers us a solid cover and flexibility when needed. I think Mr. Carter will make a great temperamental producer/director.”
Carter asked, “What about you?”
“I will be playing a leading role, of course.”
Everyone laughed, as she had intended, and so it was that she was able to gain a group consensus to move forward. She then sent Carter on his way back to Washington. She knew it would take him some time to dot all the I’s. It was government after all and the bureaucrats loved nothing more than forms and rules. She would gladly leave him to those headaches. Well, him and Andy. Carter ordered him back as well. It rankled Judy to take orders from Carter, but she said nothing. He was her husband’s boss and she had to respect that at least. She said her goodbyes to Kenann, Granny, and Mrs. Gage in the guest room she shared with Andy.
“Are we sure about this?” Judy asked as she closed her suitcase.
Mrs. Gage had already said her piece. Granny stepped in to support her. “Dear, this is as good a plan as any. And Gabrielle is right. We have to commit. We are either all in or we go back to our former lives.”
Kenann laughed. “Granny, listen to you.”
Granny laughed with her. “I am amazed myself at the turn my life—our lives—have taken. But there you have it.”
Judy sighed. “I guess that’s part of my problem. It feels like all this is ruling our lives.”
Kenann grew serious with her friend. “Jude, do you want out? You can do that, you know. You don’t have to be a part of this. I know you love your nursing. It has to be your decision.”
“That is just it. What else would I do? Go back to working the graveyard shift in ICU? Wondering all the time what you all were doing? There is no way I can go back. This stuff is in my blood now.”
Granny touched Judy’s arm. “Precisely said. It has invaded the blood of all of us. So many factors have contributed to where we are now. Kenann moving into the duplex beside Danny Mac and getting abducted. It has brought all of us together in a way we could never have imagined or planned. I can’t help but think it is by God’s design.”
Judy cocked her head to one side. “Seriously? You think God works like that?”
“I do. He uses many resources to do His will. I think he will use us, too.”
Kenann remained sober. “Granny, I have killed people. Do you think that was God’s will?”
“That’s a hard one, dear, but I guess I have to say yes. As strange as our little band may be, we are warriors in our own right.”
“Here, here!” Mrs. Gage finally spoke. The women turned to her as one. “We most definitely are warriors, Moira. Judy, you may very well use your nursing in ways you never dreamed. Kenann, you have a surprising strength that comes out just when you need it most. Moira, your insight and calm wisdom are invaluable as we move forward. Come on, girls, this is exciting!” She raised her crystal goblet. “Let’s drink to our next adventure.”
Laughing, the women did the same. Judy grinned and finally resigned herself fully to her new fate. “Cheers.”