She explained all that had happened, including her cousin’s part in being there as back up. Fortunately, Junior really had been killed by his companion. Jane had no need to hide any bodies or lie about Raine’s involvement.
“This all wraps up then.” Scott folded his hands atop his desk. Graceful yet masculine. She wasn’t sure if she’d liked him better when he was a total tool or now. “I appreciate your candor. I’m glad to have you back.”
“Thanks. I’m glad to be back.” She paused.
“Yes?”
She stared into his blue eyes, reminded of the hassle he’d been before she’d left. “If you want the office to function like a team, stop making us hate you.”
He blinked. “Come again?”
“I don’t mean we hate you. But we hate all the micromanaging. You either trust us or you don’t. The mole is gone now. Williams is toast. But the rest of us take pride in our jobs and want to protect our citizens and our country. Trust us to do that without a bazillion meetings every day. It gets in the way of our work.”
Perhaps Jane shouldn’t have said all that. But it had needed to be said.
He nodded, solemn but also possibly amused. “Again, I appreciate your honesty.”
“Yeah, well.” She stood and held out her good hand. “No hard feelings.”
He stood to shake her hand, the contact affirming. His smile faded. “I won’t take all your hard work for granted, Agent Cannon.”
The scent of his cologne wrapped around her fuzzy head. She gently tugged her hand back. “I guess I’ll head out. But I’ll be back next week. Tuesday morning okay?” She had some medical appointments Monday.
“Perfect.”
She was at the door when he added, “One more thing.”
“Sir?” Jane turned around to see him holding a marker.
“Don’t I get to sign the cast?”
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Friday afternoon,Jane entered the task force’s office, aware this might be her last time swinging by.
Boxes lay all over the place, files being stacked neatly by Gina and Diego while Rapp carried equipment from one room to another.
“Hey, Jane.” Diego saw her and hustled over.
She allowed him a hug and nodded to Gina, who joined them.
Rapp came over as well and declared a late lunch for everyone, on him, now that the team was all together.
They celebrated closing the case by ordering in some amazing pizza and local root beers Jane made a note to remember.
“So what’s next for everyone?” she asked. “I’ll be heading back to the field office next week.”
Diego answered, “I’ve been assigned to a special task force on cybercrime in Denver for a little bit. It was either that or Atlanta, and I’m not into all that heat.”
Gina grinned. “And there’s the fact that Colorado’s fine with the legalization of a certain substance…”
“There is that.” Diego enthusiastically bit into another slice of pizza.
“What about you, Gina?” Rapp asked. “Made up your mind?”
“I’m sticking around in Seattle.” She shot Jane a look, as if Jane might object.
“Good for you. Seattle’s great.”
