“Frank, did you know about this?”
“Sin showed me her evidence last night.”
“And you didn’t bother to tell me?”
“That was my idea,” she said. “I couldn’t take the chance that you might act in a way that would tip Smitty off.”
“Frank was right about you. Your ways are unorthodox, and you don’t like playing by the rules. But, you scrap and claw until you’ve uncovered every rock.”
“Is that an apology?”
Lancaster smirked. “It is what it is.”
She nodded. “I’ll take what I can get. By the way, nice move back there.”
“You’re not the only one who knows how to fight.”
As Sin and Frank walked the halls of the White House on their way out with Carmelita and Maria, he paused. “A special task force? How did Nathan come up with that idea?”
Sin shrugged. “I guess he’s smarter than he looks.”
69
That night, Sin met Frank and her team at the Capital Grill. By the time she arrived, the party was in full force. She entered to a round of applause. “By your drunken revelry, I guess Frank gave you all the news.”
“We need a moniker,” Garcia said. “Like the Suicide Squad.”
Every head turned. “Okay, maybe not the Suicide Squad but something.”
As the night drew to a close, Sin said, “I need to get some sleep. I’ll see you all in two days at Charlie’s funeral.”
“Funeral? What funeral?” Fletch said.
“And where?” Frank added.
“Where it should be. At Arlington National. He was a hero and deserves a hero’s send-off.”
Everyone raised a glass.
Sin was happy to see a great turnout at the funeral. She cried when Frank spoke of his heroism and laughed when Spanky told of some of his lesser known endeavors.
After the crowd filtered away, she approached the flag-draped coffin and placed a single white rose on top. “I miss you,” she mouthed. “You were more than just a friend, you were my hero and more of a father to me than you will ever know. I love you.” She wiped a tear from her cheek and joined her team.
“I’ve been thinking about Garcia’s idea,” she said.
“The Suicide Squad,” Deb said. “You can’t be serious.”
Sin straddled her bike and kickstarted the beast. “Follow me.”
Four hours later, everyone, including Frank had been inked. As they left the tattoo shop, Frank rubbed his arm. “Answer my calls, Sin.”
“Bye, Frank.”
Riding away, Sin looked down at her arm and grinned.
Task Force 0. We choose justice.
DOMINO EFFECT is dedicated to my father, Arthur A. Adduci who passed away on August 29th, 2019. His life was an embodiment of how to truly live — without judgement. He lived a life that was full of joy, a thirst for knowledge, and a love for family and friends.
I love and miss you, Dad.
To my wife, Sherri, for holding me up when I couldn’t hold up myself. For being my rock, my best friend, and my love.
To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom makes all things possible.
Acknowledgement
KR Thompson, thank you for helping me not only with the formatting of this and other books, but thank you for your inspiration. It was your writing that made me thirst to continue to write and especially in the YA Fantasy genre.
I am honored to call you my friend.
