I could teach at Quantico. Or work as a consultant. Or leave law enforcement entirely.
The possibilities are vast. Frightening, but also freeing.
For the first time in weeks, I feel a flicker of something other than dread. Whatever path I choose, it will be mine, for me and my child.
"Agent Ricci, a moment." Blackwood's voice startles me.
I look up and see him standing in the doorway of his office. "Sir." I close the file I've been pretending to read for the last twenty minutes.
"My office." He turns without waiting for a response.
I take a breath and head to his office. Every interaction with Blackwood now feels like walking through a minefield.
Does he suspect I know?
Can he tell I've been digging into his past operations not to investigate Dom but to investigate him?
His office is immaculate as always. Every award and commendation perfectly aligned on the wall.
"The Vitale investigation," he says, settling behind his desk. "Where are we?"
I take the seat across from him, maintaining eye contact. "Still pursuing financial angles. His legitimate businesses are clean onpaper, but I'm working on connecting some offshore accounts that might lead somewhere."
Half-truths. Just enough information to sound like progress without revealing anything substantial.
"Vitale's careful, but we’ll get him." And that’s what concerns me most. While not all criminals are caught, many are. At some point Dom will end up like many others in the mafia, dead or incarcerated. I can’t be around for that and I won’t put a child through that.
"I see." He leans back.
"I've also been trying to identify the man who attacked me," I say, watching Blackwood's face carefully. "He told me to stop digging."
"Stop digging into what, exactly?" His voice is measured, professional.
"That's what I've been trying to figure out." I lean forward slightly.
"Did you report this to the police?"
"No, sir."
"That was an error in judgment, Agent Ricci." His rebuke is swift and sharp. "You're a victim in this case, not the investigating officer."
"The timing suggests it might be connected to Vitale, but I can't be certain."
He shakes his head. "I need you focused on your assigned case. Dominic Vitale remains our priority."
"Of course."
"In the meantime, I'd suggest you avoid any... distractions."
The warning in his voice is unmistakable.
"Is there something specific you're referring to, sir?"
"Just a general observation." Blackwood opens a folder on his desk. "You've been pursuing several tangential lines of inquiry lately. Rocco Monti's kidnapping. The Ferraza case. Now this attack. None of which fall under your purview."
"I thought they might connect to Vitale somehow."
"That's not for you to determine." His smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Stay in your lane, Agent Ricci. The bureau functions best when everyone follows procedure."
