by Robin Mahle
“You should head back there too. Between Ness’ office, the state police, and us? You’re going to have to run interference and get everyone on the same page. I’ll be fine now. Besides, I’m tired. I should sleep.”
“Yeah. Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I am.”
He bent over to kiss her and placed his hand on her cheek. “I love you, Kate.”
“I love you too.”
The team waited in the conference room back at Quantico, ready for a briefing and to close out the remainder of the Slocum investigation.
With Nick finally arriving, he sat down at the head of the table. “I just got off the phone with Ness. Slocum’s DNA was a match to what was found on the bat as well as all of the victims. Except for Wyatt Cavanaugh, his death was caused by an overdose. And, according to Chief Tate, Lynn Floyd signed a confession for her involvement. She’ll be charged with conspiracy to commit murder, but the drug charges were dropped for her cooperation.”
“What about the husband?” Quinn asked.
“Possession with intent to sell. First offense. He probably won’t serve any time. But it does appear he had no idea what his wife had done.”
Duncan leaned back in her chair. “All those lives taken for revenge by people who you’d never believe had the proclivity for such things.”
“And what about our boy Billy Horton?” Fisher asked.
“Turns out, Quinn and Reid weren’t far off with the cartel connection,” He nodded to Quinn. “He gave up his supplier in exchange for a plea deal, according to the DEA. But it’s unlikely he’ll serve any time for conspiracy to commit murder.”
“Can’t prove he knew what Slocum was going to do,” Quinn added.
“No.”
Kate hobbled in on her crutches.
“Hey! You’re back.” Walsh stood up to help her inside. “Didn’t think you were coming in until next week.”
“I didn’t want to miss the meeting. I won’t stay long.” She eyed the rest of the team. “I just want to thank you all for what you did back in Crown Pointe. I mean, I could’ve, well, just—thanks.” Kate was rarely at a loss for words, but it was difficult to express just how grateful she was to this new team of hers.
Duncan examined Kate’s leg for a moment. “You know, I’ve never been shot before. You get my vote for Agent of the Month for taking that bullet.”
“Well, this isn’t the first time I’ve been shot.”
“It isn’t?”
“No. He shot me once.” She darted a look to Nick.
“One time! You shoot somebody one time and they never forgive you!”
And that was it. Whatever tensions remained among this team of six had simply vanished amid the laughter.
“You shot her? What the hell, Scarborough?” Duncan continued.
“I do love telling people that,” Kate said.
“I know you do. Now, if you want to take a seat and join us, Agent Reid, I’ll continue.”
“I apologize for the interruption. Please, go on.”
Kate sat down and listened as Nick finished his summary of the investigation. She would be okay. Now she knew that these people accepted her—and Nick.
There were things she still needed to do. If she wanted to get inside Quinn’s head, she would have to let him get inside hers. And the only way to do that was to bring down her walls. If he wanted to know about Hendrickson, she would give him every last juicy detail.
If it meant becoming a better agent, a better profiler—perhaps even better than him, then she would do it. Nothing was going to stop her from being who she was destined to become.
THE END
About the Author
Robin Mahle lives with her husband and two children in Arizona. She found her passion for writing, which later became her second career, after spending 20 years in the construction industry.
Having always been a lover of books, Robin attributes her creativity to the wonderful overseas adventures she has shared with her husband of 17 years. Traveling throughout Europe and having lived in England opened her mind and with that came a steady stream of story ideas inspired by her author-idols in the mystery/suspense genre.
If you enjoyed Ms. Mahle’s work, please share your experience by leaving a review on Amazon.
Other Works
All the Shiny Things - A Kate Reid Novel (Book 1)
Law of Five – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 2)
Gone Unnoticed – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 3)
Blackwaters – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 4)
Endangered -A Kate Reid Novel (Book 5)
The Pretty Ones - A Kate Reid Novel (Book 6)
The Last Word – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 7)
The Kate Reid Series Box Set (Books 1-3)
Inherent Clarity
Landslide
Beyond the Clearing
Primal Deception - A Lacy Merrick Thriller (Book 1)
Shadow Rising – A Lacy Merrick Thriller (Book 2)
First Target – A Lacy Merrick Thriller (Book 3)
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