Brigid immediately stood, blanching. So much for a reprieve.
Nari stepped out of the doorway, her heels clicking angrily. “What in the hell are you doing out of bed? The hospital only released you about three hours ago.”
Brigid fought the temptation to hide and walked out of the room, taking in a furious Angus. He stood tall near his office, his arm in a sling and his hospital wristbands still in place. A bandage covered his left temple, and his face was pale and pinched. “Can we talk about this later?”
Roscoe sat on his haunches, looking from Brigid to Angus and back. He whined softly. Kat was with Pippa and Malcolm, so at least he was safe from the tirade.
Angus strode into his office, limping only slightly. “Get in here. Now.”
She gave a curious-looking Nari an apologetic look and then followed Angus, shutting the door and taking a seat. He remained standing on the other side of his messy desk. “Are you the one who faked your personnel file?”
“Yes,” she murmured. “It’s easier to remember it if you’re the one doing it.”
His green eyes darkened. “Do not get cute with me.”
She wasn’t aiming for cute.
Even battered and bruised, Angus Force was a scary guy. “Tell me all of it. Right now.” His voice was low and so soft it sent chills up her back. Would he fire her? Make her leave the team? Panic swirled around in her stomach.
“I was working for a nonprofit fighting child pornography, and I hacked into the wrong computer. All of that is true.” She couldn’t leave. The team needed her, and she needed them. The thought nearly shocked her into silence. Only the intensity of her boss’s expression kept her talking. “But it happened five years ago and not recently.”
He swallowed. “You made a deal with the HDD.”
“Yes. I’ve been working for the agency for five years, and we’ve done some good.” There was still so much more to do.
“How’d you end up here?” He didn’t move, although all the color had leached out of his rugged face.
She had to physically bite her tongue to keep from suggesting he sit. He’d probably snap her head off if she even tried. “Agent Rutherford came to me and gave me a cover ID. He didn’t tell me why, just told me to watch you and the other members of the team and report back.” She cleared her throat. “There hasn’t been much to report. We’ve worked hard.”
Angus’s head lifted. “Have you told them about Roscoe’s drinking problem?”
She frowned. “No. Of course not.” That was irrelevant.
“What about Wolfe keeping a kitten in his pocket most of the time?”
She shook her head. “No. That has nothing to do with the team.” Why was he asking such odd questions?
“What about Nari going on different dates and spending way too much money on shoes?” Angus growled.
Okay. “No. Those are things that friends know about each other. They have nothing to do with a unit or work.” She wasn’t here to betray anybody.
Angus’s nostrils flared. “How about Malcolm? Have you said he balances his time between here and home and works from home a lot to be with Pippa?”
“No.” Who the heck cared? “A lot of people telecommute these days.” The stubborn male was going to fall down if he didn’t sit, but she didn’t say a word. A whine sounded, and then a scratch, and the door opened. Roscoe padded in, looked around, and moved to sit by her side, watching Angus.
Angus didn’t twitch. “What about me, Brigid? What have you told those bastards about me?”
The words held meaning to him. She could tell. “Just that you work hard and keep a good balance between the Lassiter case and whatever other case we’re working on.” She leaned in. “I haven’t said anything about how grumpy you get about Nari or how you two circle each other.” Though what was the deal there, anyway?
His jaw ticked. “What about my drinking?”
“You all drink. It’s social and personal and has nothing to do with the job.” He was listing the oddities or perceived weaknesses that could hurt the team. “I don’t want to do anything to harm anybody here, Angus.” She absently patted Roscoe’s head, looking for comfort. “Everything I reported back is also in the official reports. I don’t want to leave. I like it here.” Her voice broke on the last.
“Why?” His voice did not break.
She thought about it, tugging the dog closer. “We’re a good team, and we’re making a difference. I like everyone.” She pressed her lips together and then forced out the words. “It’s the first time in forever that I feel like I’m home.”
“Did you sleep with Raider?”
