Heavy footsteps sounded and Wolfe poked his head through the doorway. “Somebody need a ride?”
* * *
After a shower and a hurried lunch, Nari’s body hurt more than ever. She’d downed ibuprofen and was hoping the painkiller would kick in soon. She sat on a sofa in the administrator’s office at HDD headquarters. “Thank you,” she said, accepting a cup of tea from the woman.
“You’re welcome.” The administrator sat in a floral chair to the left, a teacup balanced in her slender hands. “Are you sure you don’t require medical assistance? You had a concussion and then were almost blown up.”
Nari shook her head and had to hide a wince at the ensuing pain. “Thank you, Administrator, but I’m fine.”
“Call me Opal,” the woman said, gracefully settling back in her chair. “Would you go over what happened last night for me? I’d like to get the entire picture.”
“Sure.” Nari took a sip of the delicately flavored tea and then recounted the night’s events before asking her own questions. “Do you have an ID on the man Angus shot?”
“Not yet. His prints didn’t bring back any information, but his face is being run through facial rec right now. I’ll let you know if we figure out who he is.” Opal took a sip and looked over at Nari’s face. “I’ve read your file—you are excellent at your job.”
For some reason, the compliment raised awareness along Nari’s already punished nerve endings. “Thank you.”
“As such, it’s time you stopped sabotaging your career.” Opal’s tone was no-nonsense but her eyes kind.
Nari shifted her weight, careful not to spill her tea on her cream-colored slacks. “Is this woman-to-woman advice?” Did she dare ask about Opal and Quan? They might just be colleagues. Or not.
“It could be boss-to-subordinate advice, if you like.” There was the woman who’d risen to the top of a dangerous and secretive DHS offshoot. “However, I’ve always believed in mentoring, and I see a lot of potential in you. Your background in psychology and your business acumen should allow you to rise very high in this organization, or any other, for that matter.”
The warning was subtle, but it was definitely there. “Are you warning me off Angus Force?” Nari could play the political game and be coy, but her body had been through a meat grinder, her emotions were raw, and she was just not in the mood.
Opal smiled. “I like the direct approach. Good for you. To answer your question, yes. First you go outside the chain of command and nearly sabotage your career, and now you date a disgraced HDD agent who’s a suspect in several murders. You’re destroying any chance you have of rising in this organization.”
Nari set her tea on the antique sofa table. “I did my job to save a colleague, and you know Angus didn’t kill those women.” What was Opal’s game?
The woman crossed her legs. “Take a step back. Several, really. Look at the situation as if you weren’t personally involved.” She sipped delicately, the mantle of power seeming natural on her slim shoulders clad in a St. John muted jacket. “Henry Wayne Lassiter brutally murdered Force’s sister as the ultimate move in the cat-and-mouse game between them. They shot each other, and Lassiter died. Force moved to the middle of nowhere to fish and kill his liver with alcohol, and then he came back here, still obsessed. He’s cracked. Everyone has a breaking point. Can’t you see that?”
Nari breathed out. “You think he cracked and turned into a serial killer to keep the game alive?”
Opal’s lips turned down. “I don’t like it, but yes. Can’t you see the possibility?”
“No.” Nari would have rubbed her eyes, but she didn’t want to smear her mascara.
“Nari,” Opal said, almost gently. “You must distance yourself from Angus Force right now. Work hard with your new team and prove that you can rise above your emotional problems with Vaughn. I guarantee you’ll see success. And for goodness’ sake, separate your professional and personal lives.”
Nari studied the woman. It was good advice. “As you have?” she asked quietly.
Opal’s smile widened. “You are observant, aren’t you? Yes. As I have. For years, I’ve kept the two parts of my life separate, and yes, I’ve made mistakes in both. Everyone is human, and most mistakes can be overcome. You have that chance now. And I, now that I’m where I am, can take a risk or two for somebody I think is worth it. You’re not there yet, but someday you will be.” She leaned forward. “I’m at an age when I’m tired of being alone. Your father is a good man.”
Nari had to admire the woman’s confidence. “I really do appreciate your advice.” It had been a kindness for the woman to take an interest, even if it was because she was dating Nari’s father. She stood. “I’m supposed to report to Agent Fields’s office to make a statement about the bombing last night.”
“Yes. Say hi to Kurt for me.” Opal also stood and held out a hand.
Nari took it. “Thank you for everything.” She walked toward the door.
Opal’s voice stopped her at the doorway. “Nari? I do want to be your mentor, but I’m also your boss. Just in case I wasn’t clear, I’m also ordering you to cease all interaction with Angus Force and anybody else who was on his team.”
Nari turned. “I see.”
Opal was back in full administrator mode. “I do want what’s best for you, but it’s my job to protect the HDD as an agency. We operate in the shadows and in quiet. If you do anything else to focus scrutiny on the agency, I will terminate your employment. Regardless of my fondness for your father . . . or for you.”
Nari straightened. “I understand.” She opened the door and walked out into the quiet hallway. She didn’t want to cut ties with her friends or with Angus. But Angus hadn’t promised her anything, and he still maintained he was leaving town the second he caught the serial killer.
Should she risk everything for a man who hadn’t promised her a thing?
