Chapter One
Something felt wrong.
Kara couldn't pinpoint what it was—just a prickle at the base of her skull, the kind of instinct that had kept her alive through eight years on the NYPD and a year working for the FBI.
With her phone at her ear, her friend Jess rambling on about the challenges of being a new mom, she shifted her feet as she waited in line to order a coffee at the very busy counter of Brew & Mortar, a café near the courthouse where she'd just dropped off her final report for 26 Fed, the Manhattan FBI office that had been her home since she'd become an agent. But today started a new chapter.
Everything looked normal. The morning crowd was a mix of suited executives grabbing coffee on their way into the office, a couple of NYU students hunched over computers, and a trio of forty-something women who looked like they'd just finished a yoga class. The espresso machine hissed and gurgled behind the counter, while the barista called out orders in a steady rhythm. Outside the window, the January sky was gray, with foreboding clouds pressing down on the city.
"Honestly, Kara, I don't know how anyone survives on three hours of sleep," Jess said, drawing Kara's attention back to the phone. "Lily was up every two hours last night, and Brad somehow slept through all of it."
Kara smiled despite the unease crawling up her spine. "Despite sounding tired, Jess, you also sound happy."
"I am. I just can't stop staring at my beautiful baby. My old life as a cop seems very far away. Now I'm a realtor and a mom. How things have changed! But let's talk about your life changes. I can't believe you're already moving on to a special elite FBI team. It's very impressive, even for an overachiever like you."
"I'm excited to work for a smaller team that can move fast and without so much oversight," she admitted.
"Well, you were the smartest cop I ever worked with."
"Not everyone shared your opinion."
"Because they put loyalty above integrity, but that's all behind you now."
"Thank God! Hang on. I need to order." She lowered her phone as she ordered her usual coffee and then stepped aside to wait for her coffee.
It was crowded in the café, especially at this end of the counter, and a woman in a very expensive, tight-fitting black suit gave her a dark look as she encroached on her space, immediately moving away.
She put her phone back to her ear. "I'm back."
"So, what's your first case going to be?" Jess asked.
"Not sure yet. I'm eager to find out. The agents I've met so far seem impressive, and my new boss, Jason Colter, even more so. He came from a very successful elite team run out of LA, and he's modeling this team on that one. That unit has had tremendous success, so fingers crossed."
"It sounds great, and I think the team is lucky to have you."
Jess had always been a great cheerleader. They'd partnered together for two years until Jess got married and pregnant. Their lives were very different now, but if there was one person she could always count on to be in her corner, it was Jess. At the sound of a baby's cry, she said, "I think Lily is awake."
"And hungry. I'd better go."
"Give that sweet baby a kiss for me."
"I will."
As Kara slipped her phone into the outer pocket of her crossbody bag, the woman in the suit moved to the counter to get her drink, only to collide with a middle-aged man, who splashed his coffee, heavily laden with whipped cream, onto her sleeve.
She gasped in dismay, anger flaring in her eyes. "Watch where you're going."
"Sorry," the man muttered. "I didn't see you. Uh, do you need a napkin or something?"
"Just get out of my way." The woman grabbed her coffee from the counter, along with a pile of napkins, and headed toward the restroom.
The man shrugged and left. As he moved through the door, another man entered. Wearing black jeans and a black wool coat over a gray sweater, he appeared to be in his mid-thirties and had wavy, dark-brown hair and a very attractive face. His confident gaze swept the room for a long minute. Then he frowned and left. He must have been looking for someone. She couldn't imagine anyone standing that guy up.
Hearing her name called, she turned her attention away from the door and picked up her coffee. She took one sip and sighed in pleasure. Her morning coffee always tasted great, and the caffeine kick got her ready for the day.
As she stepped outside and onto the sidewalk, the world suddenly exploded behind her, a blast of heat throwing her to the ground. She landed hard, the concrete slamming into her palms and knees as glass and debris rained down on her head.
For a moment, there was nothing but white noise, the taste of copper in her mouth, and mind-spinning confusion.
