Love and the White Wolf - Book 2

16. Searching for Ghosts (Sexual content)

At the meeting the next morning James pushed Oeznik in his wheelchair into the office converted from living quarters. All conversation stopped as he then sat down and made an announcement.

"For those who don't know who this is, his name is Oeznik, just Oeznik. Sharon Carter tried to kill him by shooting him in the chest while he was waiting for me to come out with the dogs for their nighttime walk. Oeznik has worked with me in the past and has offered his assistance to this investigation. His inclusion on the team is off the books. He has promised to share everything he knows about Sharon Carter. Once he is declared medically fit he may decide to go his own way. He can go places we can't. He has contacts we don't have. I would like him to stay on the team after I give you the next piece of news but that will be up to you."

"Oeznik, I want to work with you, perhaps learn from you as Sarge has done. Will you work with me?" asked Brad.

"Yes, Sergeant Dixon, I would be happy to work with you and all members of your team. I am ... fond of Mrs. Barnes. I offer my help in order to keep her safe," replied the old man.

Everyone else nodded their assent to including Oeznik onto the team. Then James dropped the bombshell he had already shared with Brad and me.

"I will not be able to continue as lead investigator on this team after this meeting, but I will continue in an advisory capacity and attend meetings when I can," he said to the shocked faces of Zoe and Kyle.

Dr. Strange and Brad already knew and Oeznik showed no reaction at all.

"The attack on Friday night has severely damaged the Avengers structure such that the decision has been made to build a new one. I'm to be on the design team for the new structure and the demands for that will be too much. Something had to give, and this was it. Sergeant Dixon is taking over as lead investigator for what is now known as Avengers Investigation Unit, a permanent unit attached to the Security team. Zoe, I can see you're getting upset but understand this, Brad is a leader and a man that I trust will follow the vision I had for this investigation including your role in it. Gail will still be involved as a temporary analyst. I'm still the boss, I just won't be as involved as I had originally planned."

Zoe nodded and sat back in her chair. Kyle rolled with it. Brad cleared his throat.

"I will try to emulate Sarge's management style as much as possible," he said. "A lot of him has rubbed off onto me and I will do my best to validate the trust he has in me to do this job." 

He looked around at everyone, satisfied that he was accepted. 

"Now, that being said, we have to change the scope of the investigation somewhat," said James. "Sharon Carter is still being investigated but there is another player on the scene and it means I have to read you all in on a top secret file. You will not discuss this information outside of this room. It's a very personal matter for me and I will be telling you things about my previous persona, the Winter Soldier. I am not him. He was a separate controllable personality that was grafted onto my psyche because my real personality fought the bastards every step of the way. Remember that when I tell you the whole story."

He then told them his story, including his encounter with Solanna Santana, his discovery of his identity and fight to reclaim his place in society. No one said a word but all listened intently as he laid out what was at stake for him and me. Our lives, our freedom and the safety of our children rested on finding a way to locate and take control of the secret files on him, to stop Sharon Carter aka the Power Broker and Carlitos Chavez, and finally finding Theo James. When he finished he looked at Oeznik.

"I've told more than I meant to but there are things there that Baron Zemo doesn't know. Will you tell him?" he asked of the old man.

"Mr. Barnes ... James, I am in the employ of the Baron but I have not told him all of my secrets. I will not betray your trust by telling him yours," he said, putting his hand on James arm.