“It was brief,” he continued, “but I should’ve stopped her before it happened.” Gemma had given him plenty of time to prevent the kiss when they’d been inches apart, locked in physical awareness of each other.
“Did you fail to stop her because you're attracted to her?”
“I am attracted to her,” Jude admitted. “But I can keep that from interfering with the job.”
“It sounds like Ms. Clare can't keep it from interfering with the job, however.”
“I think this was a one-off. She indicated that it was unplanned.”
Tense quiet. “I’m not thrilled,” Shannon finally said.
“I apologize.”
“Overall, I’ve been very impressed with your work on Scent-sible.”
“Thank you.”
“But if a cooperating witness develops feelings for an agent during a UC op, it's the responsibility of the agent to ensure nothing inappropriate happens.”
“Yes.”
“Despite how a cooperating witness says they'll behave, we have to be aware—all the time—that they might not adhere to that behavior. It's up to us to enforce the standards.”
“Right.” He hated failing at any aspect of his work. He hated letting himself and others down. And all of that was making his hangover worse. He felt physically terrible and would rather die than drink another shot as long as he lived.
“That seems like an overreaction,”Gemma had said after he'd told her he'd need to report the kiss.“It was just a peck on the lips.”Maybe so, but he wouldn't have been able to live with himself if he'd remained silent. Doing the right thing was still right even when it cost you. Especially when it cost you.
Shannon stacked her palms on the desktop. “I’m going to suspend Operation Scent-sible for the time being.”
His muscles clenched.
Her shrewd eyes seemed to note the change in his body language. “I’m suspending it mostly because our subject, Cedric, has indicated that he is no longer willing to continue. But I’m also suspending it in smaller part because I cannot condone a relationship between you and a cooperating witness during the course of an active operation.”
“I understand.”
“Now that the case is suspended, I can't dictate the choices you make in your personal life. But I strongly suggest that you keep your distance from Ms. Clare. That’s what will go best for your reputation here and for your continued employment. You're too good an agent to throw your career away, Jude.”
He let himself out of her office and returned to his desk. As always, he faced more work than work hours. Yet he sat unseeing, struggling to accept that Scent-sible had been suspended. Partially because of him. Guilt and blame sank talons into him.
How was he supposed to accept anything less than a successful resolution of this case?
He'd researched every detail of Rhapsodie’s history. From the herbalist in the convent through the twists and turns of time, it had endured. Rhapsodie was Gemma's family’s legacy.
He'd researched Cedric extensively. He was convinced of Cedric's long list of crimes and yet, up until now, Cedric had evaded the law. He needed to be brought down. Not just because he couldn't be trusted with Rhapsodie's formula and process but because of the laundry list of felonies he'd committed and would continue to commit. Scent-sible had been Jude's chance, Gemma's chance, to have a hand in putting him behind bars.
He picked up his phone and forced himself to type a text to Gemma.
Jude
Operation Scent-sible has been suspended.
Her reply was almost instantaneous.
Gemma
What? Why?
Jude
