by Carsen Taite
Peyton’s smile was tinged with sadness. “Thanks. You being here is a big help. Once this case is wrapped up, I’d like to have a little time to focus on my family and help plan my wedding. I only plan to get married once, and I’d like to do it right.”
Sydney returned the smile, but her happiness for Peyton was bittersweet since she’d stopped imagining a future with family and weddings for a while now.
“Are you okay?” Peyton asked.
“Sure,” Sydney lied. “I promise we’ll get things wrapped up in plenty of time for you to walk Lily down the aisle.”
“To that end, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Name it.”
Peyton raised her glass. “Take Tanner out for a drink and break the ice. The whole team can feel the tension, and it’s not conducive for us going forward. Once you two put the past behind you, it’ll be much easier for all of us to focus on Gellar. Okay?”
Sydney raised her glass and touched it to Peyton’s, willing to admit in theory at least that Peyton was right. The question was whether Tanner would agree.
Chapter Five
“So, why did you decide not to practice law?” Bianca asked.
Tanner looked up from the files spread out on the table in front of her and didn’t bother hiding a groan at the out of left field question. It had been two days since she’d confessed that part of her past to Bianca, and she’d managed to stuff it to the back of her mind. At Sydney’s urging, they’d decided to re-review all of the files from the Gantry and Vargas cases to make sure they hadn’t missed anything, but the task was boring since they’d been through everything so many times before. “Depends on what you mean by practice. I could argue that I practice law every day. I know the laws, I enforce them. Isn’t that enough?”
“Spoken like a true lawyer. Seriously, didn’t you ever consider becoming an AUSA or maybe even a defense attorney?”
“No.” Tanner kept the answer short because she wanted to steer far from any conversation that dug into the decisions she’d made in the third year of law school. She and Bianca might have become friends, but reliving the memory in her head was bad enough.
“Professor Radley had a guest speaker today. It was a special agent from the FBI, a woman. She was amazing. Did you know that a large percentage of the agents are lawyers?”
“Do you know where my umbrella is?” Sydney asked, rummaging through their bedroom closet. “I’ve been looking for it all day and I can’t find it anywhere. It’s supposed to rain tonight, and I don’t need the partners seeing me in sopping wet mode.”
“It’s in the front closet where you always keep it,” Tanner said, not bothering to hide the edge of exasperation in her voice. Tonight was the third night in the last two weeks that Sydney was headed out to attend a law firm mixer. Attendance had been mandatory while they’d worked their summer associate jobs, but now that the fall semester had started, Tanner had hoped Sydney’s focus would be back on their present lives and not just the future. “Did you hear a word I said?”
“Radley, special agent, FBI, closet.”
“Amazing.”
“It would be if I could find it.”
“No, your ability to spit out a particular set of facts and circumstances when I know you weren’t really listening to a word I said.”
Syd strode past on her way to the closet, pausing to kiss her lightly on the cheek. “It’s called multitasking, babe.”
Refusing to be distracted by the kiss, Tanner pressed on. “Radley told her I was the most promising student in her class, and she gave me her card.”
“Aha!” Sydney brandished the formerly missing umbrella and then feigned an embarrassed look at Tanner’s frown. “I heard you, I heard you. I’m just not sure why she felt the need to give you her card. What’s up with that?”
Tanner grabbed Syd’s free hand and pulled her toward the couch. “I need you to sit still for two seconds and hear me out.”
“Sounds serious.” Syd perched on the arm of the old sofa.
“It might be.” Tanner took a deep breath. She’d been so excited after she’d spoken with Special Agent Barlow that she’d been bubbling over with ideas about how to broach the subject with Syd, but now that the time had come, her excitement had turned to apprehension. “The agency is hiring, and I’ve been asked to apply.”
Syd’s brow furrowed. “Agency? What agency? Wait, you mean the FBI?”
Tanner heard the slight rise in tone and told herself it was natural for Syd to be surprised. Working for the FBI wasn’t exactly part of their big plan to take over the legal world, but she knew that once Syd had time to digest the news, she’d see how it was the perfect fit for her. Agent Barlow had already spoken with Professor Radley about her, and her military background had been a big plus. The agency was looking for more lawyers to join their ranks, and if she passed all the background checks and initial testing, she could start training right after graduation. “Yes, the FBI. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”
Syd reached out and stroked her arm. “Of course. And it’s great that they want you, but it’s not exactly what we had planned, right?”
“Sure, but—”
“I mean, you’d have to go off to training for months, and then you probably wouldn’t have any control over where you’re ultimately assigned. Not to mention the potential for danger. Not exactly the best environment for raising kids.”
Tanner’s head spun at the way Syd had just fast-forwarded their lives to a full-fledged family. “Slow down, babe. Next thing you know we’ll be planning for our as yet unborn children’s college education.”
“You laugh now, but it’ll be here before you know it.” Syd stood and leaned in for a kiss. “I think it’s great they want you. Who wouldn’t? You’re set to beat me out for the top spot in our class and you’ll have your choice of big firm jobs. I, on the other hand, better go hustle. I won’t be too late.”
Still clutching the umbrella, she grabbed her purse and keys from the table by the door and sailed out. Tanner watched Syd go, her earlier excitement fading fast, leaving behind a sense of loss. Silly since she had everything she could ever want: stellar grades, tons of opportunity, and a beautiful, smart woman who wanted to build a future with her. She reached into her pocket and pulled out Barlow’s card. She’d been flattered at the attention, and who could blame her? It was nice to be wanted, but Syd was right, that life didn’t fit with their plans. She started to toss the card into the trash bin they kept by the door, but just before it left her fingers, she clamped down and hung on. When she slipped it back in her pocket, she swore it was only a souvenir.
“Have I done something to make you mad?” Bianca asked. “I mean, I know you got in trouble for helping me out with Razor, but I thought we were past that. Jade thinks you’re the best person she’s ever met, and we’re both completely in your debt.”
Tanner forced her attention out of the past. “Sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately,” she lied. “But I promise it’s not you. I’d do the same thing all over again, I swear. And I’m glad you and Jade are happy, no matter what anyone else says.”
“You mean Sydney? I know she seems a little judgy, but you have to consider how all of this looks to her or how it would look to anyone coming in from the outside. Have you heard from Peyton yet about a plan to get into Gellar’s house?”
Tanner laughed. She was used to Bianca’s swift conversational turns, but they still left her spinning. “Not yet, but she sent me a text that she wants to meet after work, so maybe she’ll have something cooked up by then.”
“Keep me posted.”
“Sure.” Tanner opened a file and pretended to be totally engaged in hopes Bianca’s probing questions would subside. She needn’t have worried. What she saw would derail them both. She jabbed a finger at the papers inside. “Where did this come from?”
Bianca reached over and looked at the outside jacket and then glanced around like she’d just committed a crime. “Oh, yeah, I m
eant to tell you that I may have found a few additional files.”
Tanner shot a look at the door. “Found?”
“Borrowed might be a better word.” She lowered her voice. “Gellar has an appointment across town and Ida says he won’t be back until tomorrow. That one and,” she held up another file, “this one were in his desk drawer.” She hunched her shoulders. “It wasn’t locked.”
“Holy shit, Bianca.” Tanner grabbed the other file out of Bianca’s hand and flipped through the contents. Both files contained pages of handwritten notes along with 302s, official FBI witness summaries, but she didn’t recognize the handwriting on either, and the signatures on the 302s were impossible to make out. She skimmed the information and her excitement grew. “Have you read these?”
“Not yet. It was kind of a grab and go operation. I figured we could look at them together.”
Tanner shoved the paperwork across the table. “Brace yourself.” She watched Bianca read, and it only took a few seconds before her face lit up with the realization she’d stumbled onto something very important.
“These are all about Gantry Oil’s truck that was found abandoned. The one carrying all those people.”
“Right. The one where all those people died and were left to rot in the middle of nowhere.”
“But I didn’t think there were any leads on that investigation,” Bianca said. “Gantry’s company had reported the truck stolen, and there were no witnesses, no forensic evidence.” Bianca pointed at the fan of paperwork in front of her. “But there’s a whole case here.”
“So it would appear.” Tanner held up one of the 302s to the light. It was definitely the official form, but she couldn’t make out the signatures on a single one of them. “Have you seen Gellar’s grand jury witness list?”
“No, he hasn’t been in much of a sharing mood. He keeps insisting he’s going to present the case solo. Why?”
Tanner pointed at the scribbled name on the 302. “Because I’m willing to bet this agent is on the list.”
“Then we should talk to whoever it is. See if we can get them to tell us anything.”
“Yes, we should. But first we need to figure out if this person is even real.”
* * *
Syd was the first one at the bar and she ordered a club soda. She didn’t know what Peyton had in mind, so it was best to be prepared for anything. She’d spent the day with Gellar, traipsing around the city. First, a lunch at the Dallas Bar Association where Gellar pontificated about the work his office was doing to a captive bunch of lawyers who likely only cared about the continuing education credit they were getting by pretending to listen to him. Next, he insisted on driving her out to FBI headquarters where he made a big show about introducing her around. She’d braced all afternoon for a possible run-in with Tanner, but she hadn’t been anywhere in sight. Syd couldn’t help but wonder where Tanner had spent the day and who with.
Everyone on the team seemed to like Tanner despite the fact she’d joined the group later than the others and had been viewed as Gellar’s pet. Syd wondered if Tanner enjoyed working on the task force more than working out of the FBI office. Whatever the case, it was apparent Tanner had settled into her job as a law enforcement agent and the profession suited her.
Their mailbox was crammed, but for once it wasn’t just bills jammed into the small metal box. Syd clutched the letters in her hand and hurried into the house. She set the letters on the table, glancing at the familiar names of law firms on the top two and telling herself she’d wait until Tanner got home, like they’d agreed. Whatever their future held, they’d find out about it together, but in the meantime, she’d have to locate something to distract her attention or she’d go crazy.
The phone rang and she jumped at the sound. Hoping it was Tanner, she answered before looking. “Tell me you’re coming home soon.”
“Well, I would, but then my boyfriend might be pissed since I have a date with him.”
“Hey, Denise. Sorry, I thought it was Tanner.”
“Uh, obviously. So, did you get the letter?”
“I think so.”
“It’s kind of a yes or no question.”
Syd ran her fingers along the edge of the letter on top of the pile. “There’s an envelope here. More than one, actually, but I haven’t opened them yet.”
“Oh my God, you’re waiting for Tanner, aren’t you?”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
Denise sighed. “Your lovey-dovey thing just makes the rest of us look bad. When does she get home?”
“In a little while. I can wait.” Syd hoped she sounded believable.
“Sure, whatever. Well, I’m headed out to celebrate. Got my offer from Burles and Preston, and I already emailed to accept.”
“Good for you.”
“Any chance you can at least tell me who you got letters from?”
Syd pulled the stack of mail a bit closer. “I suppose just looking at the outside of the envelopes wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I mean, it’s the responsible thing to do to make sure this mail is all for us.”
“Sure. Now dish before Lance gets here to pick me up.”
Syd started flipping through the mail in earnest now. There were letters from each of the law firms where she and Tanner had done their summer associate positions, and she read off the names to Denise. Next came a few bills and the obligatory coupon pack and a large postcard from a local car dealership. “That’s it.”
“Three out of three is pretty good odds.”
“I’ll say, but I’m going to wait to count the odds until I see what’s inside.” Syd gathered the pile and stacked it neatly, but when she did she realized one thin envelope was stuck to the back of the postcard. “Hang on a minute.”
“What is it?”
Syd stared at the envelope. It wasn’t the heavy linen stock of the others, but it looked just as official since it was addressed to Miss Tanner Cohen. But in the upper left-hand corner instead of the name of a top tier law firm, the initials FBI blazed over a Washington, DC, address. She turned the envelope over and over as if a clue might reveal itself. There was nothing overt to signal what was inside, but the mystery filled her with a growing sense of dread.
“Syd, are you still there?”
“Sorry. Hey, Denise, I need to go.” She didn’t wait for a response before she disconnected the call. In a trance, she arranged the mail into stacks. Bills, junk, and offer letters. She stood in front of the neat piles and tapped the FBI letter against the counter several times before finally tossing it on top of the letters from law firms, unable to deny her instincts.
When the door opened behind her, she turned slowly, trying her level best to hide any worry from her expression. Tanner stood framed in the doorway in her favorite jeans, T-shirt, and boots, looking more like a park ranger than a sought-after candidate for a high-powered law job. “Hey, babe, have you been home long?” Tanner asked as she tucked her backpack away.
“Not long.”
“Good. Sorry to keep you waiting. Radley asked me to stick around and talk about my research project. She had some great ideas.”
Sydney sank into one of the bar stools at the counter. “You’re really going to stick with Radley as your advisor for the project?”
“Sure. We get along great and she’s brilliant. Not to mention well connected. I don’t get why you have a problem with her.”
Syd didn’t need to hear any more to put the pieces together. “Maybe I think it would be better for your future if you picked a project that might be useful to your future career. But you know, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe you already did that.” She pointed at the stacks of mail. “Looks like some offer letters came today. We did get one piece of mail I wasn’t sure what to do with. Wanna check it out and let me know?”
Tanner followed her pointing finger to the letter from the FBI. “Syd, I can explain.”
“Explain what? Are you telling me I’m right? That there’s an offer inside that envelope
?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I think so.”
“When were you going to tell me you applied?”
Tanner’s face reddened. “I’ve tried. Several times, but every time I bring up the possibility, you change the subject or shut me down entirely. I had to know if I even had a chance.”
Syd grabbed the envelope and shoved it toward her. “Well, by all means, let’s find out.” She shook it in the air. “Go ahead, open it.”
“Come on, Syd, don’t be like that.”
“Don’t be like what? Someone who plans for a future with someone who says it’s what she wants when it isn’t true? Is that what you mean, because that’s pretty much what’s happening here.” She shook the envelope in the air. “This isn’t what we had planned.”
“Key word ‘we,’” Tanner barked back. “There’s no we when it comes to our future. There’s you and everything you have planned, and I’m just a piece of the puzzle you’re busy constructing. You decide where I fit in the picture, and as long as I make enough money and have enough prestige, then I fit into your grand scheme.”
Sydney sank against the counter. “Is that what you really think?”
“What am I supposed to think? You micromanage my schedule, my clothes, my study groups. It’s a wonder I was able to manage the application process without you finding out.”
Sydney paced for a moment and then tugged Tanner’s arm and led them toward the couch. This wasn’t at all how she’d expected this evening would go when she’d opened the mailbox to find missives about their future. She’d expected they would bust into the bottle of decent champagne they had tucked away and toast their success while deciding which of their options would be the gateway to their bright future. She’d handled everything about this encounter wrong and needed to make it right or she’d lose the woman she loved and all their plans would be for nothing.
