Debra Webb - Colby vs Colby

“You have a question, Detective Smith?”

Sam looked from Jim Colby to Smith. She’d picked up one of the reports from his stack and appeared to be studying it.

“I’m wondering how a private citizen in another state was able to get hold of an arrest record.” She dropped the report back onto the stack. “I don’t think I could have gotten it any faster.”

Renee Vaughn, another of Sam’s colleagues here at the Equalizers, stood. “I’m a former assistant prosecutor,” she said with a quick smile. “I know the ropes, Detective. However, if you take issue with our under-the-table contacts, I would suggest you take it up with the boss.” She aimed a wider smile at Jim Colby.

Smith held up both hands. “I have no issues with your tactics. I’m impressed, that’s all.”

The tension in the room reduced significantly.

Spencer Anders grabbed a gear bag. “We should head for the airfield. Wheels up in one hour.”

Sam picked up the remaining bag. “Let’s do it.”

LISA CLIMBED into the backseat of the SUV belonging to Jim Colby.

“The pilot’s sitting on ready,” Jim announced as he closed his phone and started the vehicle. “Victoria has Brett Call and Jeff Battles rendezvousing with us there.”

Lisa wondered why Jim called his mother by her first name. Perhaps it was an effort to keep the conversation on a strictly professional level. But it felt like more than that. The tension she’d noted between the two went deeper than a need to maintain professionalism.

The drive to the private airfield utilized by the Colby Agency took just over half an hour. Spencer Anders and Sam Johnson kept a running dialogue regarding the gear they carried and the possible technical problems they might encounter. Lisa didn’t mind that they left her out of the discussion loop. More than once she noticed Jim Colby watching her in the rearview mirror. She’d been with Sam Johnson since he’d learned of her presence in Chicago, so she was relatively sure the two men hadn’t talked privately. Maybe she was being paranoid, but she had the feeling that Jim Colby was suspicious of her.

Then again, his conclusions about her could have more to do with Victoria taking her case than with anything else. Time would tell, she supposed.

Once at the airfield, Jim followed the signs to Hangar 3. Another SUV, black like the one belonging to Jim, waited. The Lear jet sat on the tarmac, fueled and ready for takeoff.

Lisa unloaded as soon as the SUV was parked. She joined the others at the rear and handled her own bag. Both Anders and Sam carried their personal bags, as well as a gear bag. There was more they’d have to come back for, the additional weapons and more sensitive communications equipment.

As they strode toward the aircraft, the occupants of the other SUV emerged. Victoria Colby-Camp and three men, members of her staff, Lisa presumed.

“Detective Smith,” Victoria said as she approached, “this is Ian Michaels, my second in command, and investigators Brett Call and Jeff Battles.”

Lisa shook hands with each of the men. Ian Michaels had the dark, mysterious look of a true spymaster. Jeff Battles would blend right in on any West Coast beach with his surfer-guy tan and blond hair. Brett Call had the broad shoulders of a football linebacker, but the red hair and freckles gave him the appearance of the boy next door. Judging by what she’d learned about the Colby Agency in her research, there was probably a great deal more than met the eye with these gentlemen.

“Don’t hesitate to call on Jeff and Brett,” Victoria reminded Lisa. “The Colby Agency’s every asset is at your disposal.”

“Anything you need,” Jim Colby interjected with a look first at Lisa then at Sam, “I’m one phone call away.”

Something like fear flashed in Victoria’s eyes, puzzling Lisa for a moment, then she recognized it for what it was. Concern for her son’s well-being. Lisa considered the tall, well-muscled man in question. It didn’t make sense for Victoria to worry on that level. The guy certainly looked as if he could take care of himself in most any situation. But there was something more, beyond the obvious. Lisa had noticed it before.

“Sam,” Victoria said, drawing his attention to her. “Brett and Jeff are prepared to follow whatever instructions you feel appropriate for the protection of your family. I would suggest that Jeff tag around the university with your sister. He fits the proper profile.”

“Those decisions will be made en route,” Jim pointed out. Though his tone was cool and calm there was no mistaking his insistence on maintaining the lead.

Glad when the time came, Lisa was the first to go aboard the aircraft.

“Good afternoon, Detective Smith. I’m Race Payne, I’m your pilot.” The tall, slender man gestured to the seating area that had all the markings of an elegant conference room. “Looks like you get first pick.”

“Thank you.” This was definitely traveling in style.

“You may keep your bag with you or stow it in the luggage closet at the rear of the passenger cabin.”

She thanked him again and moved on to the seating area. Once she’d selected a seat close to a window, she dropped her handbag there and carried her overnight bag to the storage area. There was a minibar and a short corridor that led to the toilet and another door that was unmarked. She wondered if that was a private room or a store room.

“Private conference room.”

Startled, she turned to face Brett Call. “Oh, thanks. I wondered about that.”

Brett stashed his bags. “This is my second flight on the Colby bird.” He hitched a thumb toward the bar. “Would you care for refreshments?”

Lisa shook her head. “I’m good, thanks.”

Anders and Johnson had already taken their seats. Jeff Battles put his bag away and joined Brett at the bar for refreshments.

Lisa hoped it wasn’t going to be this “us against them” the entire flight. In some ways, they were on opposing teams, but the operation was a joint effort. Behaving that way would be in the best interest of getting the job done.

After settling into her seat, she watched the men who represented the Equalizers. They spoke quietly as they moved through a stack of papers similar to the ones they’d viewed in Jim Colby’s office. Hopefully, the two would be sharing that information with the Colby Agency representatives.

Deciding not to wait and see, Lisa spoke up as soon as Battles and Call had taken their seats. “Shall we start the briefing?”

Spencer Anders took charge. “Mr. Battles, you will be assigned to Mallory Johnson.” Anders provided a photo and background info sheet on Sam’s sister. “As Mrs. Colby-Camp pointed out, Mallory is a student at UCLA and you’ll fit in well there.”

Jeff took the photo and info sheet. “Will Miss Johnson be aware of my assignment?”

Sam shook his head. “I think it would be better if they didn’t know.”

Lisa was surprised at that. Was he purposely leaving his folks in the dark just so he didn’t have to see them? Would he even notify them that he was in L.A.?

“Your parents are retired?” Brett inquired.

“Yes.” Johnson handed photos and the needed info to Brett. “You might have a hard time keeping up with them on the golf course. Other than that, you’ll find their routine fairly mundane.”

“I’ll maintain a command post of sorts,” Anders added. “As soon as I have the location, I’ll notify the team.”

The team . That was a step in the right direction. Lisa saw an opportunity to take it one step farther. “We can use my place as the command post.”

All eyes turned to her.

“The location is central, quiet and out of the high-traffic areas.”