by Robin Mahle
“See, I’m not so sure about that. Don’t get me wrong, I think you are inclined to that type of research, no doubt. But what I saw over the course of this last investigation were the qualities of a leader. One who could one day be the Senior Supervisory Agent in the WFO when Jameson moves on, because he will likely move on. He’s talented in his own right and that will be recognized, just as Scarborough’s talents were. But the question is, do you have the constitution to wait that long? Is this venture into profiling merely a stepping stone to a leadership role?”
“Doesn’t everyone want that? I mean, to grow within their organization?”
“My goal isn’t to become Section Chief or Unit Chief. My goal is to continue to help field offices and other law enforcement by giving them information about who they are looking for and get inside the mind of the criminal to anticipate his or her next move. But I don’t see that in you. I see a person who will continue to ascend the ranks. Perhaps even one day rivaling Scarborough. Though I wouldn’t want to be around when that day comes.”
“I don’t get why you’re saying these things. I want to learn profiling. I’m good at seeing inside just like you. I mean, not exactly like you, but hopefully one day, like you. I want to find them and bring them to justice as any agent would.”
“What I’m saying is this. Without question, you are qualified and perhaps even more so than your counterparts, due to your unique background. However, my concern is that this position will not be enough for you and my training will have been—not wasted, but maybe not put to as good of use as it could’ve been were someone else sitting in that chair. Neither of us wants to waste our time here, Reid.”
A part of her knew he was right, but she grew irritated nonetheless, feeling as though it had all been a waste of time. The past six months of additional training courses at Quantico just to be able to apply for this position. Overcoming the implications that she would only get the position because Nick was the new Senior Unit Agent. It was as though she was stepping into the WFO for the first time again. The initial days when other agents looked at her as though she didn’t deserve to be there. Wearing that chip on her shoulder had become tiresome. And now here was Noah Quinn, telling her exactly what she had been afraid to hear. That the chip would be the reason she would not do what she wanted in her career at the Bureau.
“No. I don’t want to waste my time, even though I’ve spent the better part of six months preparing for this. Working my ass off to take the required additional training, keeping up with my position at the WFO. However, in the end, it seems as though you’re the one who is wasting my time. Not the other way around. I’ve put in the work. This is your hang up, not mine.” She pushed up from the chair and started to leave.
“Wait.”
Kate turned on her heel. “Yes?”
“You might not think I’m looking out for your best interest, but I am. Now despite that, I simply wanted you to consider your choices and out of fairness to the other applicants, be completely sure this is where you want to be. And frankly, to be sure that your relationship with Scarborough will not get in the way. I won’t have that become an issue, no matter what happens between the two of you.”
“Are you saying you’re offering me the position?” Her firm stance did not waver. “Because it sounds as though you’re not sure yourself.”
“I am hesitant, Agent Reid, and for good reasons, as I’ve just stated. But you have put in the time and I’ve overlooked that. I’m sorry. I will offer you the slot. You will train with me. You will take orders from me. We will work long hours and will rarely be recognized. This is not a position that will bring you glory, not in the way you’ve received in the past. I guess I can’t insist you swear some sort of oath of loyalty, but I do ask for it.” He paused. “And there is one last thing. I don’t want you to answer now. I want you to sleep on it. Because I do believe some of the things I’ve mentioned matter to you. And I want your absolutely certainty before you accept the offer. Come back to me in the morning with your answer.”
“Okay. I will.”
This was not something anyone else could answer for her. Kate had to decide what she really wanted and Quinn had laid it on the line. No one had ever seen through her the way he had and it frightened her. And he wasn’t doing it for her—not really. He was doing it for himself. To preserve his values. He wanted a partner in the truest sense of the word.
“I didn’t expect you back so soon.” Vasquez returned from the break room. “Why do I get the feeling Quinn bailed on you? Oh man, I’m so sorry, Kate.”
“No. No, he didn’t bail. He just—well, he was just upfront, that’s all. I was offered the job.”
“What’d you say?”
“He said he wanted me to sleep on it and tell him in the morning.”
“Oh. Are you having second thoughts or something? Did he pick up any hesitation? I don’t get it. I thought this was sort of a done deal.”
“I’m sorry, Alicia. I can’t talk about this right now. I’m trying to figure everything out.”
“Oh, sure. I understand. It’s a big decision. You just let me know if you want to talk. I’m here for you, and I always will be.”
“I know.” Kate grabbed her things. “Tell Dwight I headed out for the day, would you?”
“Of course.”
Standing inside the elevator, watching the numbers descend, Kate didn’t know where to go. Nick was at Quantico and she’d avoided him. He would call soon and she had no answers.
She got into her car and drove. Just drove, no particular destination in mind and until arriving at a place entirely unexpected, she hadn’t even realized she’d been driving in that direction.
Kate pulled alongside the curb of the home that was the first place she could really call her own. The little yellow house that reminded her of Sam’s place. The house she rented after leaving behind her life in San Diego. Working so hard to put the pain of losing Marshall, of losing Sam; putting all of that behind her and becoming something she never believed was possible. An FBI agent.
She chuckled at how her life had done a complete 180. No one back in San Diego would recognize her now. In fact, her own parents would be hard-pressed to realize the depths at which she’d evolved.
Her phone rang. “No. Not yet.” Kate silenced the call and continued to stare at the little house that still had a For Sale sign hanging in the yard. “Well, who wouldn’t want this house?”
Paralyzed. That was what she felt in this moment. So much of what Quinn said rang true. About wanting to be a leader. About enjoying the accolades when they got the bad guy. It was all true. But did that really mean more to her than getting into the mind of someone like Hendrickson. The man who altered the very fabric of her being. The man who hurt so many people and destroyed so many lives. Watching him die was the single most vindicating moment in her life. And that meant everything.
“I know what I have to do.” Kate reached for her phone. She didn’t need to sleep on it. She just needed to see clearly her reason for doing this. And now she had. There would be more Joseph Hendricksons. There already were more. And she would be the one to catch them.
“Hey, it’s me. Are you busy?” She waited for Nick to answer. “Okay. I won’t keep you. I just wanted to let you know that Quinn offered me the job.” She smiled as he sounded overjoyed at the news. “He actually asked that I sleep on it, but well, I’ve already made my decision. And of course, would want you to be the first to know. Nick, I’m going to take it. I’m going to work at Quantico.” This time, Kate flung her head back with laughter. “I thought you’d be happy about that. Just don’t say anything to Quinn. I’ll respect his request and really give it more thought.” She shook her head. “No, of course I won’t change my mind. This is what I want. I know that now and I won’t let anyone sow seeds of doubt in my mind again. I know what we’ll be up against and I don’t care. I’ll take what they dish out and ask for more.” Kate stared at the house again. “I love you. And I’ll see you tonight. Bye.
”
It was done. “Now let’s see what happens next.” Kate started the engine and drove away.
THE END
About the Author
Bestselling author Robin Mahle, lives in Arizona with her husband and two children. Her Kate Reid mysteries have drawn praise for grabbing hold of the reader and refusing to let go. And the intense, fast-paced style of storytelling led her to create another series, the Lacy Merrick thrillers, which readers have called "believable, and ripped from today's headlines." With powerful leading ladies and action-packed thrill rides, Robin hopes to continue taking readers on roller-coaster adventures that will leave them breathless.
If you enjoyed Ms. Mahle’s work, please share your experience by leaving a review on Amazon.
For more information, visit Robin’s website.
www.robinmahle.com
Also by Robin Mahle
All the Shiny Things - A Kate Reid Novel (Book 1)
Law of Five – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 2)
Gone Unnoticed – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 3)
Blackwaters – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 4)
Endangered -A Kate Reid Novel (Book 5)
The Pretty Ones - A Kate Reid Novel (Book 6)
Deadly Reckoning - A Kate Reid Novel (Book 8)
Unbound: The Kate Reid Series Box Set (Books 1-3)
Rebound: The Kate Reid Series Box Set (Books 4-6)
Force of Nature - A Riley Thompson Thriller (Book 0)
Behind Her Eyes - A Riley Thompson Thriller (Book 1)
Primal Deception - A Lacy Merrick Thriller (Book 1)
Shadow Rising – A Lacy Merrick Thriller (Book 2)
First Target - A Lacy Merrick Thriller (Book 3)
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