The Retirement

Kay and Justin exited the van by the side sliding door. When they did, they didn’t see Al Wiedenkeller stop, nor did they see the look of surprise on his face. Ellison turned around to see why Wiedenkeller had stopped in his tracks and followed his gaze to where the two young people were talking to DePalma. His jaw also dropped at what he saw. The two men looked at each other and together started to walk toward the van. Ryan saw this and opened his mouth, trying to say something, but Ellison pointed at him and then motioned for him to be silent by placing his finger on his lips. The look on Ellison’s face told Ryan it would not be a good idea to do other than directed.

Kay and Justin were unaware of the men behind them but sensed something by the expression on DePalma’s face. Kay wheeled around to find herself facing none other than the man who was her father.

“Daddy!” she said, clearly flustered. “I . . . uh, I—”

“Kayli . . .” Wiedenkeller stayed calm, despite noticing the gun and federal badge on his daughter’s belt. “Why are you here?”

Kay swallowed hard. “I’m working, Daddy. I work for Tom Mitchell.”

Justin didn’t turn around yet, hoping he would go undetected, but when Wiedenkeller turned his attention to him a second later, it was clear to Justin that he hadn’t accomplished what he’d hoped.

“And you!” Wiedenkeller said. “You work for Mitchell, too?”

Justin forced a smile, turning around. “Master Chief, I can expla—”

The rest of the sentence died in his mouth the second he turned around and realized that he was facing an unsmiling George Ellison. Justin snapped to attention, but that wasn’t enough to garner Ellison’s approval.