Glancing around, I gave a small nod and smile to one of my colleagues, pretending I hadn’t made a fool of myself. Looking down, I studied the printout I was still gripping. The paper was a bit crumpled, but the picture was fine. I carefully folded it, then slipped it into my satchel next to the case file.
I eyed the computer monitor with information I’d searched about the serial killer. Glancing towards my supervisor’s office, I decided to do whatever I could to be on the team headed to Selene, Texas.
Chapter 3
Parker
Knocking on the open door, I paused waiting for permission to enter. When I stepped through the doorway, I saw my supervisor with his head down as he scanned over some documents.
Clearing my throat nervously, I stepped inside and walked over to the desk. Clasping my hands behind my back, I stood in front of my supervisor and waited for him to acknowledge me. Finally, after an awkward silence in which I did my best not to fidget, Supervisory Special Agent Walker looked up.
“Parker,” he said with a smile. “What can I do for you?” His dark eyes scanned me up and down. He waved to the chair in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”
I ignored the uncomfortable way his gaze made me feel. “Thank you, sir.” Sitting down on the edge of the chair, I gripped the arms tightly. I had to be on the team. “I heard about the new case in Texas, sir. I wanted to ask to be placed on the field team. I am very interested in the case.”
The man’s focus sharpened on me. I watched as he rested his elbows on the desktop and folded his hands. He tappedhis pointer fingers together in front of his lips as I mentally prepared different arguments to convince him to let me join. The team would likely be small, with only three or four agents joining the group.
“You don’t have any field experience,” he finally said. “I need agents who know what they are doing. Lives are on the line with an active serial killer on the loose.” He looked ready to dismiss me from his office. Before he could wave me away, I leaned forward.
“With respect, sir, I may not have field experience, but there is no one on the team who is more dedicated than I am.”
He let out a scoff and shook his head. “Eagerness is admirable, but it doesn’t make up for knowledge.”
“Sir, I graduated at the top of my class. I may not have any field experience, but I have the knowledge you need. I can do this.” I held my breath as he kept studying me.
“I can’t have any team members slowing down the investigation.”
“I understand. But if you give me a chance, I promise to prove myself to be an asset.” I gritted my teeth as disappointment filled me. It was obvious that he didn’t trust my lack of experience. The irony was that the only way to gain the needed experience was to be placed on a field team. I hated it, but I had my pride. I couldn’t continue to beg.
“We leave in an hour.”
He dropped his hands and immediately began focusing on the paperwork in front of him again. I sat there, my mouth opening and closing as I searched for something to say. I was confused. Was he telling me to be ready to leave, or was he just telling me that the team would be leaving me behind?
He glanced up at me with a pen in his hand and gave me an irritated look. “Well? I thought you wanted to be a part of the field team?”
“I do,” I said, trying not to get my hopes up too high at his words. “Does that mean…”
“Go on,” he waved a hand at me, shooing me away. “Go get packed. If you’re not at the airstrip in time, we leave without you. Unless you changed your mind?” He lifted one eyebrow as he eyed me, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
I jumped up from the chair and ran my hands down the front of my sensible black slacks. “Yes, sir! I’ll be here! Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
I started to turn away when he called out my name. I paused and waited for whatever he had to say.
“I know about your history.” I inhaled sharply, my breath catching in my throat. “I’m sorry about the loss of your sister.” His expression was hard to read. There was something that almost looked like sympathy, but changed to severe in an instant, making my back straighten. “But you followmyorders. If you can’t handle it or screw up in any way, not only will you be kicked off the task force, but I will ensure your career ends before it can even begin. If you go rogue trying to catch the killer outside of regulations, I’ll submit the termination recommendation immediately. Am I clear?”
My face felt hot as his words sank in. “I may want to find my sister’s killer and put him behind bars for the rest of his life, but I respect the oath I took. I have no intentions of doing anything that could jeopardize my career.”
He nodded once. “Let’s see that you do. Now go.”
“Yes, sir,” I said. With one last glance at my supervisor, I spun on my heel. It took all my effort to walk normally and not rush through the office. I went to my desk and packed away the file I was officially working on. I slid it into my satchel next to my sister’s case file and tidied up my desk.
Sliding the strap of my bag over my shoulder, I headed for the exit. I had just enough time to make it to my small studioapartment and toss some clothes into a suitcase before I needed to be at the small airport that the FBI used. I was going to be cutting it close.
I didn’t own a car, so I generally relied on public transportation, but due to the time constraints, I pulled out my phone and opened an app to order a car ride instead. Luckily, there was one just around the corner. Once I got to my tiny apartment, I rushed around, grabbing a few pairs of the black slacks and white dress shirts I wore to work every day. My wardrobe was pathetically boring.
After piling them into my suitcase as neatly as possible, hoping they would stay wrinkle-free, I glanced at the few pairs of jeans I owned. I debated for a minute, then grabbed a pair. I didn’t know if I’d need them, but it was better to bring a pair, just in case. I set a T-shirt on top of the growing pile of clothes, then decided to pack one more.
Rushing into the bathroom, I took my small overnight toiletries case from under the sink. Stuffing the shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash in the bag, I looked down at it. My mind was racing, trying to remember everything that I would need for several days away.
