“So, you’re with ALPHA?”
“Right.”
“You left the Bureau?”
“Yes.”
The door opened. Several employees from the Internet team bustled in.
“Hey, guys, sorry to ask you to clear out, but we’ve got a meeting,” said Donetta.
They collected their things, headed to Brit’s office where Karen and Slash were working at their desks.
Slash tapped one of her ear buds, to allow hear-through. “Hey, guys, we’ll make room.” She slid her laptop to one side. Brit sat in her guest chair, opened her laptop, and logged in.
Though Karen made no move to accommodate him, Rebel set his laptop down.
“Sandwich?” he asked her.
Refusing to even look at him, Karen shook her head.
She’s a charmer.
Rebel opened his laptop, logged in. “Where are we starting?” he asked Brit.
Karen glared at Brit.
“First, we’ll review the emails,” Brit replied. “Then we’ll organize the clues and evidence.”
“Gotcha,” Rebel replied.
Brit grew quiet for a moment.
“Karen, where are all the emails from the crime techs and the detectives?” Brit asked.
“I don’t have anything,” Karen muttered.
A growl shot out of him. “You have thirty seconds to send Brit every fucking thing you have on the case.”
“Are you threatening me?” Karen spat back.
“Do you know who I am?” he asked.
Karen narrowed her gaze at him. “Beyond meeting you for two seconds last week? Nope, not a clue.”
“I wouldn’t fuck with him,” Slash said. “His nickname isn’t Rebel by accident.”
“You think I care,” Karen said. “I lost this case because of him.”
“Joaquin, where can I create a file and share it with you?” Brit asked.
He flicked his gaze to Brit. He loved—fucking loved—that she called him by his name. Hearing that, in the midst of this office drama, soothed his angry soul.
“I can’t concentrate with all this jabbering,” Karen hissed. “Can you work in the conference room?”
He slapped his laptop shut. “We’re out.”
Rebel was already on edge. This woman had pushed him over.
