Chapter 52: The End of Vargas
The sun had barely risen when chaos began. The news reached the New York office like a wave that shattered any semblance of normalcy: Rina Trenholm had been shot by a sniper in broad daylight. The attack had been calculated, executed with surgical precision, leaving the FBI team in shock.
Jubal entered the conference room, pale and red-eyed. He tried to maintain his composure, but his pain was evident. Rina was in critical condition in the hospital, and her chances of survival were slim.
"It was Vargas," Jubal said, his voice shaking. "He hired a sniper. This is revenge."
Isobel tried to calm the growing tumult among the agents. "We have to focus. Let's track the shooter and find out who else might be in the crosshairs."
Grant stood quietly in the corner of the room, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on the whiteboard. He knew Vargas was responsible, but he also knew that this man could not be left alive to threaten other lives.
That same day, Grant called Isobel for a private conversation. "I'll figure this out," he said, his voice firm and determined.
"Grant, this is not a covert mission," Isobel replied, her expression worried. "We can't act outside the bounds of the law."
"What if the law isn't enough to protect you? To protect the team? You saw what happened to Rina."
Isobel sighed. "I know, but if you do something outside the rules, it will fall on all of us."
Grant just nodded. He knew he had to act, but he also knew he couldn't involve anyone else.
Two days later, Rina Trenholm died in the hospital. The team was devastated. Jubal was like a ghost, barely able to concentrate on his work.
Meanwhile, Vargas seemed untouchable. His lawyers were protecting him, and any attempt to bring him to justice seemed doomed to failure. That same night, Grant disappeared without a word to anyone. OA was the first to notice his absence, but Isobel knew exactly what he was doing.
"Grant went after Vargas, didn't he?" OA asked.
"I don't know," Isobel replied, trying to hide the truth. "But I hope he doesn't do something that will compromise him."
Three days later, Grant returned to the FBI office as if nothing had happened. He seemed calm, but there was something different in his eyes, a coldness that hadn't been there before.
"Where have you been?" Isobel asked privately.
"Taking care of something that needed to be done," he replied, without elaborating.
Isobel stared at him for a moment, trying to read him. "Tell me you haven't... done anything that will harm us."
Grant smiled sideways, a mirthless smile. "Vargas was a dangerous man. Now he's not."
Before she could respond, a news story began circulating through the FBI's internal channels: Vargas had been found dead in an abandoned warehouse. The details were sketchy, but the scene was clear.
Vargas had been executed with a single gunshot to the head. There were no clear leads as to who was responsible, and the case was quickly dismissed as an internal dispute between cartel members. The team knew better, though.
"That was Grant," OA whispered to Maggie.
"We can't prove anything," she replied, though the look on her face made it clear that she believed him.
Jubal, for his part, was at peace for the first time since the attack on Rina.
"Whoever did this did the world a favor," he said, though he didn't mention Grant directly.
That night, Isobel confronted Grant again, this time at home. "You killed him, didn't you?"
Grant stared at her for a moment before answering. "Vargas deserved to pay for what he did. He was a threat to us all. You are safe now."
"Grant, this is not justice. It is revenge."
"Sometimes the line between the two is very thin," he replied, his voice calm but firm. "You know that as well as I do."
Isobel didn't answer, just hugged him. She knew she could never justify what he did, but she also knew that deep down, Grant had acted out of love and protection.
Rumors of Vargas' death spread quickly through the criminal underworld. Many believed he had been the victim of his own men, while others spoke of a ghost, a legendary figure who hunted those who threatened the innocent.
At the FBI office, no one spoke of what had happened, but the team knew the truth.
Grant Shawn had once again done what no one else would dare do. And, as always, he would bear the brunt of it alone.
Chapter 53: Reconciliation and Revelations
It was a quiet day at the FBI office in New York. Isobel Castille was reviewing reports when her phone rang. It was an unexpected call from her father, William Castille, who owned one of the largest luxury hotel chains in the country.
"Isobel," he began, his voice firm but with a hint of apprehension. "I need a favor."
The case involved a suspected human trafficker who had checked into one of the Castille hotels. The team needed access to guest records, security cameras, and possibly a room for undercover operations.
William, though reluctant to get involved in criminal investigations, gave in to his daughter's request. He knew Isobel was an impeccable professional and trusted her.
With the hotel's help, the FBI was able to set up a low-profile operation. Jubal, OA, Maggie, and Tiffany were in the field, while Isobel coordinated everything from the office.
"We have a visual on the suspect," OA reported over the radio. "He's in the hallway on the 10th floor. He's moving toward the elevator."
"Team two, stay alert," Isobel replied. "We need to capture him before he leaves the building."
After a brief pursuit through the hotel, the suspect was apprehended without incident. The operation was a success, and Isobel made sure to personally thank her father for his cooperation.
The next morning, Isobel received a text from William:
"Daughter, are you free for dinner tonight? I'd like to talk and straighten things out between us."
Isobel hesitated for a moment. Her relationship with her father was complicated; years of misunderstandings and unmet expectations had driven a wedge between them. But she knew this was an opportunity for rapprochement.
"Sure, Dad," she replied. "What time and where?"
The restaurant they had chosen was one of the most exclusive in New York, overlooking Central Park. Isobel arrived promptly, wearing an elegant black dress. William was already waiting, seated at a reserved table.
"Isobel," he said, standing to greet her. "You look beautiful. Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for the invitation, Dad," she replied, sitting down.
Dinner began with small talk, ranging from the operation at the hotel to updates on the Castille network. William seemed proud to have contributed to an FBI case, even if indirectly.
After a few toasts and main courses, William finally changed the tone of the conversation.
"Daughter, how are you?" he asked, looking her in the eyes. "Really. How is your life?"
Isobel smiled. "I'm fine, Dad. In fact, I'm great. My career is going very well, and… I have someone special in my life."
William raised his eyebrows, surprised and curious. "Someone special? That's great, Isobel. Who is he? When can I meet him?"
Isobel hesitated for a moment, but decided to be honest. "His name is Grant Shawn. He's also an FBI agent."
William looked interested. "Shawn... that name sounds familiar. Does he have an important position in the agency?"
"Yes," Isobel confirmed. "Grant is very respected. He was a former military officer, served in special operations, and worked at the HRT. He's a close friend of the director and is often called upon for important missions."
William was silent for a few seconds, processing the information. "He seems like an impressive man," he finally said. "And from what I can see, he makes you happy."
Isobel smiled. "Very happy, Dad. Grant is... amazing. He supports me, understands me, and I feel like we can get through anything together."
William nodded, looking relieved. "So, when can I meet him? I want to see for myself the man who won my daughter over."
"Soon," Isobel promised. "I'm sure you two will get along great."
The dinner ended with a sense of reconciliation. William seemed genuinely interested in reconnecting with his daughter, and Isobel felt more comfortable sharing her life with him.
As she walked home, Isobel texted Grant:
"Having dinner with my dad was great. He wants to meet you soon. Be prepared for questions."
Grant quickly replied:
"Looking forward to it. I want to impress my father-in-law."
Isobel smiled, feeling that for the first time in a long time, everything was exactly as it should be.
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