"That's what Hayes thinks, too.He wants you, me, and Sarah Kim on the ground in LA as soon as possible."
Miles turned back to face her."Sarah's coming?"
"Hayes insisted.He thinks we need her analytical skills for this one."Vic hesitated slightly."And honestly, I think he's right.If this is another disciple, we're going to need all the help we can get.It just makes sense for her to be there with us."
Miles nodded slowly, his skepticism fading as the details sank in.Weather balloons.A witnessed death.Two victims in the same general area using the same impossible method.This wasn't a "might be" anymore.As a matter of fact, he found himself suddenly anxious.
"All right.When do we leave?"
"Hayes wants us on a flight at 1:30.That gives us about ninety minutes to get our things together and coordinate with the LA field office."Vic checked her phone."Kim's already been notified.She's meeting us back here in twenty minutes."
Miles closed his laptop and started gathering the files he'd need."I'll grab my go bag from my car.What else do we know about the victims?"
"Not much yet.The first one has been identified as Amanda Parker, thirty-two, from Los Angeles.Worked as a professional skydiver.The second victim hasn't been ID'd yet, but preliminary description suggests female, similar age range."
"A skydiver," Miles said, more to himself than to Vic."Someone who spent her life jumping from planes, killed by being sent into the sky without any control."
"The irony isn't lost on me either."Vic moved toward the door."I'm going to make a few calls to LA.Meet back here in fifteen?"
"I'll be here."
Vic left and Miles stood alone in his office for a moment, looking at the files spread across his desk.Another disciple.Another element.Another set of victims who'd died because Gabriel Kane had convinced someone that murder was a form of purification.He thought about his conversation with Kane at the prison.The man's taunts about how many disciples were still out there.About how the work would continue regardless of how many they caught.Kane had been right, and Miles hated him for it.
Miles grabbed his jacket and headed for the parking garage.His go bag was in the trunk of his car, always packed and ready.One of the lessons he'd learned over the past year was to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.The Elementalist disciples didn't operate on a schedule.
When he returned to his office, Sarah Kim was already there, leaning against his desk with her own bag at her feet.She looked up as he entered, and Miles immediately noticed something in her expression.The same concern he'd seen in Vic's face earlier.
"Hey," Kim said."Ready for California?"
"As ready as I'm going to be.Have you been properly briefed yet?"
"Just the basics.Hayes forwarded me the bullet-list and slight details about an hour ago."Kim shook her head in disbelief."Weather balloons filled with helium.That's got to be our element, right?Helium is noble gas number two on the periodic table."
"That's my guess.We won't know for sure until we see if there's a manifesto, but the methodology fits Kane's pattern."
"And the witnesses," Kim added."That amateur astronomer and his FAA contact.That's huge.We've never had anyone actually watch one of these murders happen in real time before."
"Assuming they can give us useful information.Watching something through a telescope from miles away isn't the same as being on the ground."
"It's still more than we usually get."
Vic showed up then, walking quickly and carrying a folder thick with printouts."The LA field office is expecting us.They've got a team ready to brief us as soon as we land, and they're coordinating with the local sheriff's departments on both crime scenes.They’re hoping to have a positive ID on the second body by the time we get there."
Kim picked up her bag but didn't move toward the door.She was looking at Miles with that same expression again, and he felt his patience starting to fray.
"What?"he asked, more sharply than he intended.
Kim glanced at Vic, who had stopped by the door.Some silent communication passed between them that Miles couldn't quite read, but he knew what it meant.They'd been talking about him recently; it wasthatsort of look.
"Miles," Kim started carefully, "before we head out, we just want to make sure you're okay with this.With flying across the country for another case so soon after Seattle."
"I'm fine.Enough time has passed."
"Are you sure?"Vic stepped away from the door, her tone gentle but firm."Because Agent Kim and I have both noticed that you've been struggling since you got back.And we're worried about you."
Miles felt heat rise in his chest."You two have been talking about me."
"Yes," Vic said simply."Because we care about you and we can see that you're not doing well.That's not a criticism, Miles.It's just us being honest."
