Page 87 of Broken
Prescott
Though Prescott’s life was forever changed, having Jacqueline in his home brought him a sense of calm he never anticipated. All these months later, they were going to be together every single day.
How the hell am I going to keep my hands off her?
“Who knows about ALPHA?” she asked.
“Current and former employees, and a handful of people at the White House, FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security.”
“Outside of law enforcement, who knows the Operatives exist?”
“No one issupposedto know, but spouses or partners might.”
“Are all ALPHA employees full time?”
“No, some are brought in for mission-only work.”
“Are the criminals always taken out?”
“No. Sometimes, they’re arrested.”
“So, Ops testify in court?”
“Their testimony is recorded, their identities concealed, and their voices altered.”
“How could the ALPHA Killer have found his targeted Ops—Gloria, Bert, Hawk, and Addison?”
“He shouldn’t have been able to,” he replied.
“Well, he did. So, he either had access to ALPHA files or he paid someone who had access to those files. In Bert’s case, he knew his killer.”
Ethan’s voice floated through the baby monitor perched on the counter. “Mommy.” Then, he said something Prescott couldn’t understand.
The crib creaked.
“Your athletic nephew is escaping his prison.”
Seconds later, Ethan padded downstairs. Instead of heading in their direction, he walked into the bathroom.
“It’s the craziest thing to see him here,” Prescott murmured.
After Ethan peed, he called out, “Uncle Prescott, I can’t reach to wash.”
Prescott pushed out of the chair. “I gotta get some kid-friendly stools.” As he left the room, he muttered, “I need a damn parenting manual.”
* * *
Jacqueline
Jacqueline smiled.Despite the sadness that hung in the air, Ethan was in good hands with Prescott. He didn’t know it, but she did.
She was ready to examine the ALPHA missions of the four targeted Ops. Unsure how much work she’d get done with Ethan underfoot, she slid her laptop into her bag.
The boys made their way into the kitchen as she shouldered it.
“Do you live wif us?” Ethan asked.
“No,” she replied. “I live by myself in a different house.”
