“Wow, that’s fantastic. So, things are good between you two?”
“I like him so much, it’s crazy.”
“Well, I know he feels the same.”
Excitement flitted through her. “He told you?”
“Months ago, he told Grey he was super interested in you and bummed he never heard back.”
“We both feel so much pressure. I’m not even supposed to be working.”
Caroline clasped her hand. “You always push yourself hard. Too hard. You will find this monster, but you can’t kill yourself over it.”
“It’s not just my job. It’s personal now. Naomi was my closest friend at work. I mean, we’d been there for each other since the beginning.” Sydney gritted her teeth. “I can’t stay hidden here, especially if I find him.”
“Won’t the case get assigned to someone else?”
Sydney stared at her. “Ohgod, I never even thought of that. I can’t let that happen.” She pushed out of the chair. “I need to call my boss, tell him I’m hidden. I’ll lie, tell him I’m out of the area. But I cannot lose this case.”
At the door, she turned back. “By the way, Creepy Secret Zone’s got a coupla night critters. Giant rats.”
Caroline flew onto the chair, glancing furtively around the room. “Ewwwww. I’m terrified of rodents.”
“Stud-Man will protect you. C’mon, we’re set up in the conference room.”
Caroline scrambled to collect her laptop. After a quick stop for coffee, they continued on to the conference room.
Rebel and Brit were there.
“Change of plans,” Grey said to Caroline.
“Training at Tucker Towntoday,” Rebel announced. “Tucker’s got recruits from Fairfax County Police Academy coming in tomorrow, so it’s today or we wait another week.”
“What time?” Caroline asked.
“One-thirty ‘til it closes at dusk,” Rebel said.
“I’ve got a lifetime membership at Tucker’s for unlimited use,” Sydney said. “Got room for one more?”
Rebel flicked his gaze to Grey.
“Sure,” Grey confirmed.
Sydney fist bumped the air. “Yassss! Live rounds or paint pellets?”
“We’ll warm up with live rounds, then paint,” Rebel said. “I’m splitting the team for a little competition.”
“Too fun,” Sydney murmured.
“I’ll confirm with Tucker,” Brit said before leaving the room.
Rebel regarded Tank. “Brother, I might have a lead on Haqazzii.”
Tank’s eyebrows jutted into his forehead. “Tell me something good.”
“I’ve got a CI who swears he spotted Muhammad Haqazzii in the Tysons area,” Rebel said.
“Where?” Tank asked.
