Chapter 22: Tension

Back in the van, the atmosphere was tense as the team assessed their injuries and discussed their next steps. Kasey and Markus, the voices guiding them from the surveillance van, scrutinized each bruise and scrape with a mixture of concern and frustration.

Markus's brow furrowed as he examined the finger marks on Edith's neck, his expression darkening with anger. "Who did this to you?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Edith in an attempt to downplay it said, “One of the guards got handsy, Montana handled it, I’m fine.”

Markus rolled his eyes, “I’ll kill him.” Zain placed a firm hand on his shoulder and said, “We can make murder plans later right now focus on the mission.

But as they continued to discuss the events of the night, Edith's anger simmered beneath the surface, her thoughts consumed by the betrayal within her organization. She couldn't believe that someone within the CJA would betray them like this, putting their entire mission at risk.

Zain, too, seethed with anger, his frustration mounting with each passing moment. He couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, knowing that his father had played a part in orchestrating this mission. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that he was being used as a pawn in his father's game.

As they talked, Kasey interjected with new information that only added fuel to the fire. "I did some digging into the CJA," he announced, his voice grave. "Turns out, before Cameron started the CJA, he worked for the government in pesticide testing."

Edith's eyes widened in disbelief, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "That son of a—" she began, her voice trembling with rage.

Before she could finish her sentence, she lashed out, punching the wall of the van with all her strength. Her knuckles split open on impact, blood dripping down her hand as she recoiled in pain. Edith joined the CJA to stop and prevent unnecessary and unsanctioned testing, nuclear, pesticide, experimental medicine, all of it! Now she's figuring out that her mentor, the man who has fought for her since she started, was a part of it. She gave another strike to the wall. Cian voiced his frustration, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Stop undoing my work!" he exclaimed, his tone harsh as he glanced back at Edith.

A firm hand was placed on her shoulder and she threw a punch. Zain caught her fist and twisted her around so she was sitting. “Stop. You’re acting childish, and letting your emotions get the better of you. You’re a special agent, act like it.”

She kicked him in the shins at that. “Am I acting childish? Screw off Callahan, when you stop taking orders from your daddy, I’ll stop letting my emotions be known. Y’know like a human would. It’s not my fault you’re a brat who can’t–”

“Will you stop!” Cian yelled walking in between the two. He pulls Zain to the opposite side of the van and sits him down, “Calm down,” he whispers, “next time don’t escalate the situation.”

He walks over to Edith and squats down to her, “We’re all angry, you understandably so, but you need to calm down and get your head on straight.” Unresponsive, she stared at the ground, listening as the van rumbled on. Markus came over and cleaned her hand, while Montana wrapped it. Montana remained silent, his expression unreadable as he listened to the conversation unfold. But his eyes burned with a quiet intensity, a silent promise that they would get to the bottom of this betrayal, no matter what it took.

–

Edith stormed through the corridors of the CJA headquarters, her footsteps echoing in the silence of the late evening. Her knuckles were still raw from punching the van wall, but she barely felt the pain as she pushed open the door to Cameron Jones's office without bothering to knock.

Cameron looked up from his desk, surprise flashing across his face at Edith's unannounced arrival. "Edith, what's the meaning of this?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Ignoring his question, Edith strode forward until she was standing directly in front of his desk, her eyes blazing with a quiet rage. "We need to talk," she said, her voice low but seething with intensity.

Cameron raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Of course, Edith. What's on your mind?" he replied, gesturing for her to take a seat. But Edith remained standing, her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she stared down at him. "I want answers, Cameron. I want to know why there's a mole in our organization, why someone betrayed us," she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.

Cameron's gaze softened, his eyes filled with sympathy as he regarded her. "Believe me, Edith, I want to know the answers just as much as you do," he replied, his tone earnest. "I never would have allowed this to happen if I had known."

Edith scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Either you're extremely unlucky or cursed, and I don't believe in either of those," she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Cameron's expression darkened, a flicker of irritation crossing his features. "I assure you, Edith, I did not know of this betrayal," he insisted, his tone firm. "But I will do everything in my power to find out who's responsible."

Edith's jaw tightened, her anger still simmering beneath the surface. "You better," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, they sat in tense silence, the weight of the situation hanging heavily between them. But then, Edith's gaze hardened, her determination steeling her resolve.

"And another thing," she began, her voice cold and unforgiving. "What's this I hear about your past work with the government? Pesticide testing, wasn't it?"

Cameron's eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by her question. "That... that was a long time ago," he replied evasively, his tone defensive.

But Edith wasn't satisfied with his response. "A long time ago, maybe. But it still raises questions," she pressed, her voice laced with suspicion.

Cameron sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I assure you, Edith, my intentions have always been in the best interests of this organization," he insisted, his voice tinged with desperation. "We'll see about that," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. Zain was waiting outside Cameron Jones's office when Edith stormed out, her expression still dark with anger. He fell into step beside her as she marched through the corridors, his brow furrowed in concern.

"What are you doing here, Calahan?" she asked, her tone not allowing stupid answers.

"You have the key to the hotel, and we're booked for three more days," Zain replied tersely, not bothering to look at her. Edith nodded silently in understanding, and they continued in silence until they reached the hotel.

Once inside their room, they both went to take a shower, each trying to wash away the tension of the day. When Edith emerged from the bathroom, she was dressed only in her underwear, her hair still damp from the shower. Zain glanced up from his laptop, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of her.

"Wood, what the hell are you doing?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of disbelief as he stood and walked towards her. "I think you know," Edith replied, as she met his gaze with a challenging look.

Without another word, Zain closed the distance between them, his hands reaching out to pull her close. Their lips met in a kiss, their bodies pressed together in a desperate embrace as they sought solace in each other's touch. Their anger and frustration melted away. 

As they tumbled onto the bed, their bodies entwined in a tangled mess of limbs, Zain pulled back, “What are we doing?” 

Edith rolled her eyes and said, “Calahan, shut up and enjoy the moment.”

fade to black.

K.M Strunk