“Why don’t I feel like it’s over?” I ask once we’re out the door.

She leans back against the wall. “I think it’s a mix of everything. You were so sure Mazir was obtainable and close, you couldn’t take a breath without thinking someone was after you. And then the last few weeks were insane.”

“But how did we not see all this?”

“Let’s face it—he’s been doing this a lot longer than any of us have. Your father was on to him, but never got far enough to make the connection. But remember that Christopher is really good at his job. He was using an asset in Afghanistan to move things around, but he is Mazir. It’s why you couldn’t find him when you were there, because he was here. Plus, he was orchestrating a terrorist ring for God knows how long, Charlie.”

She makes sense. The whole story does. Christopher Asher isn’t an unknown. He has copious amounts of information to use as ammunition. He had many players and was making money selling arms. I remember the agents we lost from his antics. Any of us could’ve ended up taking the final bullet. I don’t know that I’ll ever feel completely at ease, but there’s a small sense of relief knowing my father can rest in peace. His death wasn’t in vain, and his killer will be dealt with.

“It just feels unfinished.”

“I don’t know, Charlie. I watched them take him away, and I’m not really settled. God only knows what will actually happen to him. I think you need to take a few days and let this sink in. Then come back to work. I miss my favorite pain in the ass.”

I snort. “Maybe. I still haven’t decided if I’ll come back to the agency.” I don’t need to tell anyone where my head is, and right now, I’m emotional. Mark and I need to talk. I laugh a little at the fact he’s already become a part of my decision making process.

“What?”

“That dumb man in there that I love. I need to talk to him.”

“Never thought I’d see the day.” She smiles.

“Me either.” We both nod. “I still wish I could’ve interrogated Christopher. I wish I could’ve seen his face.”

“Well, you have two things that are far more important to focus on now.”

“Yeah.” My hand automatically presses against my stomach. “He wants to marry me.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“I can’t imagine being without him, but I enjoy making him think otherwise.”

We both laugh. “I’m going to take care of some stuff at work. I have a lot of reports to fix, and I’m sure they’ll require statements.”

“Thank you for, well, everything.”

“You never have to thank me. I care about you more than you know. You’re my best friend.”

I pull her into my arms. “I’m lucky to have you. Call me in a few days.”

“You got it.”

I watch her walk away as I rest my back against the wall to give myself a minute. It’s over. At least the question part is anyway. There will still be whatever action is taken against him, which most likely will never be made public. There’s so much to be happy for. Mark is okay, we’re having a baby, I’m fine, and we have closure for my father. I can live again. I don’t have to psychoanalyze every detail; I can just be present.

I’ve finished cases before, but this feels different.

I turn to open the door when something presses against my back.

“Hello, Charlie,” a sinister voice gravels against my ear. “How about we have a little chat?”

I turn and lock gazes with a familiar pair of mud brown eyes.

I knew this wasn’t over.

Mark

Where is she? I know girls like to talk and all, but Jesus Christ, they’ve been out there a long time.

I decide after another five minutes it’s been enough time to have their girly time. I’ve gone long enough without seeing her face.

When I open the door, I stop breathing. Every fear I’ve ever known slams into me.

“Erik? What are you doing?” I demand. He’s holding a Glock to Charlie’s head. “Dude, put the gun down. What the hell are you thinking?” I step into the hallway, looking for any reason he would be holding a gun to my girl’s head.

My mind runs through a million possibilities, but none of them makes sense.

Erik has been a member of our company for over three years. He’s worked by my side. Something isn’t adding up.

“Listen to him, Erik,” Charlie says confidently as she catches my eye.

I’m not in any physical condition to fight, but there’s not a chance this motherfucker is walking out of here. I step closer, but he grabs her and pulls her back. I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but he’s not taking her anywhere.

“You’re both so arrogant. So self-righteous. Do you know what I’ve gone through?” he yells, pushing the gun against her temple. “What I’ve had to live through the last few years? How I’ve watched you all live your lives—fall in love—while I suffer?”

“Lower the gun,” I warn. A part of me wants to plow forward, but not while she’s in danger. “Why don’t you put the damn gun down and come inside?”

“Fuck you.” His eyes shift back and forth between us. This isn’t the Erik Long I’ve had in my life. This isn’t the same Navy SEAL who fought with us. No, this guy looks strung out. “This all ends today. You both are dead.”

His attention shifts back to Charlie. All I can think about is getting her away from him. There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell this will end the way he wants. No one is dead here but him.

I need to keep this conversation moving and get her the hell away from this madman who I thought was my friend. “Why are you doing this?” I ask.

“Did you really think all the problems you and your stupid friends have dealt with were just from my dad?” And the final puzzle piece snaps into place. He’s the fucker’s son. Well played, you dumb prick. “Who do you think fed him all the intel about where you were?”

“Erik,” Charlie says, and I glare at her. She needs to keep her mouth shut so I can handle this, not draw his attention. “Why would you involve yourself in this?”

My eyes don’t move from her. I hope she understands my message to lie low. He’s got a gun pointed at her head. The least she can do is be quiet and let me deal with this.

He laughs as his hand shakes.

“Easy!” I say. She winces.

Erik then turns the gun to me. “Shut up, Dixon. I’m calling the shots now. Not you, so if you want your precious girlfriend to be spared, then shut up.”

He has lost his ever-loving mind. “Fine,” I agree with my hands in the air. I manage to shuffle a little closer. “You’re in charge here, but if you hurt her, all bets are off.”

“Don’t threaten me. I’ll shoot you both before you can move.”

“Why?” Charlie asks again.

Of course, she doesn’t shut up. God forbid. I give her another look that tells her to stop.

“Why are you doing this?” she continues.

For fuck’s sake. We’re going to have a serious conversation about my facial expressions.