He drew the box out of his pocket, opened it and set it in front of her. He said simply, “Be my wife, Anabelle. I love you so much.”
She didn’t cry. Instead, her eyes lit and she gave him her answer in a big, beautiful smile. Then confirmed it with, “I love you. I’ll marry you any time, any place.”
Oliver’s eyes moistened. He swallowed hard. “Soon, love. Soon.”
Chapter 10
A few days later, the team gathered together once again. This time, they had more concrete plans. As they waited for the FBI to arrive, Oliver spoke up.
“I have something to tell you all. It’s a good thing.”
Finn nodded. “Go ahead, buddy.”
“Anabelle and I are getting married. It’s going to be small, but you’re all invited.”
Heath clapped him on the back.
Finn punched his fist in the air. “Yes!”
The others reacted.
“You may not all be able to make the date because the ceremony is a week from Saturday.”
“Wow.” Juliet’s smile was broad.
“I’ll be there,” Finn told him.
The others, surprisingly, were free.
“My brothers are coming and my mother. It’ll be at Annabelle’s parents’ house in the backyard. Her mom is her matron of honor.”
Scarlet got up and circled the others until she got to him. Leaning over, she hugged him. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
Even Heath was grinning.
More good wishes were offered, then Heath checked his watch. “I’m going out.” He’d wait for the FBI agents at the front door of his studio, as arranged. Two of them came back with him.
“As you can see,” Heath said to the group. “My contact at the House of Representatives came through big-time. This is SpecialAgent Fara Rayburn and Special Agent Jack Stanton. They’re from the Behavioral Analysis Unit.”
Neither one these people fit the mold for typical FBI agents. Rayburn stepped forward first. Her brown hair fell to her shoulders and her navy suit sported a pink blouse beneath. “I’m the lead on the case. And if you’re not familiar with our unit, the BAU provides behavioral-based support to law enforcement for complex investigations involving violent crimes, terrorism, and other threats. Our profiling and psychology training help identify and apprehend offenders.”
Stanton picked up after her. “This investigation is unusual because it involves so many different crimes. That’s why we took it. First, we’re going to list the incidents, no matter how small, to see what’s left to solve.”
Rayburn set her computer on a table, booted it up and brought a power-point onto the white wall across from them. The screen read
Finn McKenna–car stolen, violent beating SOLVED
Heath Elsworth-private practice bombing SOLVED
Collective—Explosion in common area of the collective SOLVED
Cary Jacobs murder—SOLVED
Juliet Sullivan snake-UNSOLVED
Oliver Ricadi barbell UNSOLVED; mother’s fall UNSOLVED