He was still technically a special agent, but he hadn’t been assigned any case since his return, remaining on paid administrative duty. Considering how many directions he was being pulled in, it was probably for the best.
“Setsuna gave me my badge and gun back last year,” Patrick said.
“I’m aware of what her reasoning was for that.”
Patrick chewed on his bottom lip, staring at Priya. The last time he’d been in this office, Setsuna had sat behind the desk. The walls had carried her accomplishments, the shelves had held pictures of her life. Now, the space was inhabited by Priya, having officially been appointed to the directorship in Patrick’s absence. This space was hers now, and he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed what it had been until he’d walked inside and saw what it had become.
“You don’t agree with her decision,” Patrick said slowly.
Priya didn’t blink. “It’s very clear that you were integral to winning the fight in Manhattan against Ethan and the Dominion Sect. It is also clear that you were the underlying catalyst.”
Jono sat up straighter, bristling. “That’s a load of bollocks. You can’t blame Ethan’s actions on Patrick.”
“I’m not. I’m merely stating it was his family which prompted everything that happened. He can’t untie himself from that.”
“And you don’t want the SOA tied to it any more than it already has been, right?” Patrick asked, trying not to sound bitter and failing miserably.
“The SOA is tied to you and what happened no matter what. But the sheer breadth of what occurred and who you associate with means any case you handle will forever have the stigma of bias over it. Any prosecutor worth their salt will ask for a dismissal on the grounds you can’t be trusted simply because of the information you’ve held back over the years.”
Patrick glanced at Jono. “Didn’t I tell you last year I was going to get fired?”
“I’m not firing you, Collins.”
“It sure sounds like you are.”
Priya shook her head. “You can’t be a field agent, not how you were, but that doesn’t mean the SOA won’t have use for you. There are other areas your skills can be used in.”
“Like what?”
“Your unique position within the preternatural community and the supernatural world lends itself well to rooting out domestic terror threats. You’ve made inroads with groups we’ve always had a difficult time accessing.”
Patrick frowned, staring at her. “It sounds like you want me working in the Counterintelligence Division. That’s still fieldwork. My bias would still be at issue.”
Priya held up a finger. “Not if you’re in a supervisory role and if the outreach is done in defense of national security. You’ve already proven your loyalty in that regard.”
“There are still politicians who think I’m a liar.”
“And there are more who don’t want to see you driven out with pitchforks. Setsuna never wanted that either. What you bring to the table is too valuable to lose.”
Patrick managed not to flinch at her words, but it was a near thing. “You mean the alliances my pack claim are too valuable to lose.”
“Yes.”
At least she didn’t sugarcoat the reasoning, but the thought of using the people who had helped them fight against Ethan and the Dominion Sect left a sour taste in Patrick’s mouth. “That’s a lateral move any way you look at it, and there are a lot of people in the government who will fight you on that placement for me.”
“It’s a fight we’re prepared to take on.”
“That’s great and all, but I’m not leaving New York. I won’t leave my pack.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’m just asking you to think about staying on.”
He no longer needed to hide behind his badge to survive. Working for the SOA had been a career he’d taken pride in, the same way he’d taken pride in the Mage Corps. While he wasn’t sure he wanted to give it all up just yet, he was never going to give up being an alpha of the New York City god pack. He’d had his fill of politics—both the government’s and the gods’—and Patrick really just wanted a break. Some time to process everything and heal.
“I will,” Patrick said after a pause. “Think about it, I mean.”
Priya nodded, looking pleased. “Good.”
“It’ll be a while before I can give you an answer though.”
