Meg held her gaze.“He called through official channels.”
A reluctant breath left Selena, almost a laugh, but not quite.“Do we have victimology?”
“Thin so far.Local businessman, according to the first note.Some personal complications, but nothing formal yet.Connor said they’ll send more once the initial scene package is organized.”
"Businessman, where?"
“Local real estate, some side ventures.You can read it on the plane.”
“Who said I’m flying?”
Meg closed the file.“You can turn this down, Selena.I won’t force you.”
That surprised her more than the assignment.
Selena looked up.“You won’t?”
Meg stepped closer, lowering her voice."You are the best fit for it.The county knows you.The Sheriff trusts your work.You understand rural dynamics, local pride, old resentments, the kind of motive that sits around for years before someone acts on it.Go and do what you do best.Represent the Bureau well."
Suspicion was beginning to build inside Selena.“I’m starting to think you want rid of me.”
Meg shook her head.“Hell no.You’re the best we’ve got.”
But she now felt pushed in a direction in which she was uncertain.She had caused a national scene for the FBI when she disproved the conclusion of an in-depth multiple homicide investigation.One that seemed politically motivated.The FBI had been so confident of it, they even held press conferences.But Selena had presented clear evidence and analysis that contradicted the official stance.This had caused embarrassment for the Bureau.And those above Selena had long memories.It had facilitated the need for her to go to Harlan County while the dust settled last time.Now, Selena worried just how much pressure was still being exerted on Meg as some sort of revenge.Selena looked again at the file.
Old Ridge Hunting Lodge.
A place like that would hold more than blood.Men told secrets in hunting lodges.They drank too much, lied too easily, remembered grudges as if tending fires.
The case had already begun to pull at her.
That was always the problem.
Murder did not care about convenience.A dead man at a table, a blank page, a sheriff careful enough to call through official channels instead of using her number.Each detail tugged until refusal felt too much like cowardice.
Selena handed the file back to Meg, then immediately regretted the gesture.
Meg waited.“Selena…”
For the first time, she could see it in Meg’s eyes.This was an opportunity for Meg to send her away again, and it had fallen into the FBI’s lap.Meg was clearly taking it as a way to protect her again from the insidious politics of D.C.That didn’t make it hurt any less, but it did make Selena weary of pushing back.There was no way out of this.
“All right,” Selena said.“When do I leave?”
Meg smiled.
“I put a seat on hold for you, just in case.”
Selena stared at her.She wondered if her career was beginning to slip away to the back roads of the country.Was that where she was destined to be mothballed?
Tanya gave a soft gasp of delight.“You knew Selena would say yes?”
Meg tucked the file under her arm again.“I hoped.”
Selena looked toward the windows, where the city waited beyond the glass, bright and distant and suddenly temporary.
Harlan County was waiting for her again.
CHAPTER THREE
