by Elle E Kay
∞∞∞
Justine's eyes were glued to the road. The night before had been brutal. She'd lain awake until past four o'clock fretting over mother's move. She'd taken an early flight. Now she was driving to Quantico in near white-out conditions. This definitely hadn't been part of her plan when she'd left Arizona.
She shifted her focus to work to keep from fretting about the roads. Since she wasn't an investigator, her involvement in cases was limited in scope. This one was different, it was personal. They'd nearly sent her to meet her Savior. Although she longed to meet Jesus, leaving like that would devastate her family. Choosing such a high-risk career made sense when she'd done it. Now she wondered if it was time for a change. She could have a shot at a supervisor slot. If she was offered the position, it might be a sign that it was time for a change.
Lindy whined from the seat beside her. Reaching out, she scratched the dog behind her ears. She'd need to stop soon if the roads didn't improve.
Brady Hall invaded her thoughts for the umpteenth time as she neared her destination. There was something about him that made her think about white picket-fences, as corny as it might be. The ringing of her cell drew her attention away from her reflections.
"Hello." She answered her cell and Brady's voice came through the car speakers.
"Justine. It's Brady."
"Hi."
"Our office got a phone call. I thought you guys might want to take it."
"I'll be back to my office soon, so I can call you when I arrive, or if you'd prefer, you can call SSA Harrison Reed and give him the information now."
"All right. I'll do that."
"Okay. Thanks," Justine said.
"Thanks. I'll talk to you later." Brady's voice was clipped and professional.
Justine gave him Reed's number and disconnected the call. Something felt wrong. She'd followed protocol. It wasn't her case and Reed would get it to the investigators, but her gut told her something was amiss. She pulled into the lot and grabbed Lindy's leash.
∞∞∞
Brady stared at his cell. It was obviously over between them. Justine had sounded distant and cold. He'd used the call as an excuse to speak with her, so he could hear her voice. A mistake.
He picked up the office telephone and dialed the number Justine gave him for Supervisory Special Agent Harrison Reed. The FBI sure liked their titles. The man answered on the first ring.
"SSA Reed."
"This is Trooper Brady Hall with Arizona Department of Public Safety."
"How may I help you, Trooper Hall?"
"We received a call from a concerned power plant employee asking about our investigation on the recent bombings. Since it's your case too, I wanted to pass it along."
"Thank you for the call. I'll make sure the information gets to the investigators."
He gave the name and telephone number of the concerned employee to Reed and promised to send the recording of the call. He'd thought it odd that the employee who'd received the threatening call was informing them instead of the FBI, but maybe he didn't know the investigation was being handled by the feds. It was even stranger that the call came through Fitz' desk line instead of the dispatcher, but that happened from time to time.
Brady took a sip of bitter black coffee and nearly spit it out. It seemed they were always out of cream. Maybe he should learn to like the powdered stuff. It would be easier to keep on hand.
Once outside, Brady realized the rain was coming down hard now. They were going to have a busy patrol ahead of them. Stormy nights were rarely dull. Hopefully, he'd have time to stop for a coffee before dispatch started hassling him.
∞∞∞
Walking in high-heeled shoes through six inches of snow hadn't been what Justine had in mind when she'd left her mother's house that morning in the sweltering heat. The nor'easter had been on everyone's radar, but it had been expected to hit farther north, near New York City. Her plane had left Arizona before the storm hit Virginia and nobody had expected them to get hammered. The temperatures were cold enough at thirty degrees for the sustained snow-fall to accumulate. It was a miracle her plane had been able to land.
Once inside the front-doors, Justine advanced through the metal detector and tried to shake as much snow off her shoes and slacks as possible. This day was shaping up to be a real winner.
She took the elevator up to her office and connected her laptop to the port. It was time to get some paperwork done. Before long, there was a rap on the door frame. Marc.
"I wasn't expecting you back so soon. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm okay. The doctors say I had a minor concussion. My other injuries weren't bad either. They were concerned about internal damage, but the tests came back fine."
"Wonderful news. Did Reed talk to you?"
"He did. He mentioned you'd withdrawn your name from the running. Why?"
"We need to be on separate teams, doll. I'm too distracted by your presence to keep working with you. I'm the one who told Reed we were involved. When he mentioned the supervisory gig it seemed perfect for you. I don't want to stand in the way of your career. Other opportunities will open up for me. This one will allow you to be closer to your mother."
"You did that for me?"
"If you tell anyone I've gone soft there will be repercussions."
"Don't worry, my lips are sealed." She stood and gave him an awkward hug. "You know I care greatly for you."
"I can't hear the 'let's just be friends speech from you'. Please don't. I saw how you looked at him. I'm stepping out of the way."
"Looked at who?"
"Don't play stupid, doll. You know who. Kill the interview and get the job, so I won't have to see your pretty face around here."
"I'll try."
Marc's eyes lingered on hers a moment longer before he turned and left her office, patting Lindy's head on his way out.
She felt empty. Marc had been her closest friend, well human friend for several years. There were no girlfriends to speak of. The FBI bomb squad was a boy's club and she'd somehow made it in. Time outside of work was severely limited, so she didn't have time to socialize. Her sister, Elisa, was the only person other than Marc she spoke with regularly. Her heart ached. Getting involved romantically with a friend had been a huge mistake.
Laying her head against the back of her desk chair, she closed her eyes. Her day wasn't improving. The tears couldn't be held back any longer. Hurrying to the door, she locked herself in and slid down the wall to a sitting position. There on the floor, she sobbed. Lindy licked her face and snuggled up close reminding her that she still had a friend.
∞∞∞
The call came in from dispatch that a trooper needed assistance. They'd gone to speak to a suspect and he'd taken off into the woods behind his home. Brady turned on his lights and headed to the location to provide backup. Turning to his partner he patted the dog on the head. "We've got one for you, Blitz, a runner to chase down."
Blitz' excitement made it clear he understood. He loved his work. They arrived on scene ten minutes later.
"Hey, Kearney. We're under a flash-flood warning. Where did your guy go?"
"He went that way." Kearney pointed in the general direction of the dry river basin. "They asked me to bring this guy in for questioning. I knock on the door. He sees the uniform, flips out, and runs."
"Do you know what you were questioning him about?"
"Well, yeah. They were going to ask him about the bombings. I don't think he's even a suspect. A witness."
"He's a suspect now."
"Sure is."
Brady grabbed a shoe from the pair sitting by the door and gave it to Blitz to get the man's scent. He felt bad for Blitz having to smell the guy's stinky feet. It didn't take long for Blitz to pick up his scent. Not even five minutes passed before Blitz found the guy hiding in a cave along the riverbank.
"Come on out of there, so we don't have to come in and get you."
"Call off your dog."
&
nbsp; "I already did, but I wouldn't try to run again if I was you. Come on down."
"Why'd you run?"
"No reason."
"You ran for no reason?"
"I, uh, I didn't want to talk to cops."
"Why?"
"I don't have anything to tell them."
"Fine. Let's go. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, can and will be used against you. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney–"
"I know my rights."
"One will be appointed–"
"I said I know my rights."
Brady finished reading the guy his rights and put him in the back of Kearney's SUV.
"Are they going to get a warrant on this guy's place?" Brady asked.
"I don't think running is probable cause. Fitz will have to find something on him first."
Brady climbed up the stairs to the guy's porch and looked in the filthy window. "I think you have your probable cause. Looks like a meth lab. We're going to have to evacuate the area. Does it ever end?"
"It does not." Kearney took off his hat.
"I guess we know now why he ran."
Kearney peeked in the window. "Looks like a meth lab, all right."
Five hours later, Brady sat at his desk writing his report with Blitz at his feet. The smell of wet dog filled the station. Fitz strolled past. "Hey, Fitz. What did meth guy have to do with the bombings? Was there a connection?"
"It turns out that first bomb threat, the hoax originated from his house. We were simply trying to figure out if the first one was related to the others and it appears they are. The second two were made from a burner cell purchased locally with a credit card in his name, Chris Connell."
"Huh. So, is he responsible for what happened to Justine?"
"It's a definite possibility."
"That sounds definitive." Brady laughed.
"He might be a patsy for someone else. We don't know yet, but we're holding him. FBI will take him tomorrow for further interrogation."
"I hope they get answers."
"We all do."
∞∞∞
Justine stared at the ceiling. Sleep evading her once again. As exhausted as she was, nothing should be able to keep her awake, but nagging thoughts wouldn't let go. After two hours of tossing and turning she gave up and brewed a cup of tea. She tried to read, but the words blurred together. Picking up her cell, she sent a text. "Are you up?"
"Leaving work."
"At 12 a.m.?"
"It was a rough night."
"Can you call me when you get home?"
"Yes."
She stared at the 'yes' on her screen for the ten minutes it took for her phone to ring. When it rang, she jumped at the sound. "Hello."
"Hi, Justine." His tone was different than usual. More business-like.
"Thanks for calling."
"Did you need something?"
"Yes. I wanted to hear your voice."
His tone softened to a caress. "You did. Well, then, I'm happy to oblige."
"That's better. You seemed off when I talked to you on the road this morning and again when you just called."
"Sorry, I thought you were trying to blow me off this morning."
"I wasn't. Driving in a snow storm had me on edge and I wanted to make sure I was following protocol."
"My mistake. Forgive me?"
"Of course."
"We may have caught someone involved in the bombings tonight. He's being turned over to the FBI, so you should be able to get more information than I have on him."
"Really? Nobody's called me. I guess they won't though. It's not my case anymore."
"They don't share information?"
"They're pretty tight-lipped for the most part," Justine said.
"Well, he doesn't appear to be a sophisticated bomber as much as a meth distributor who samples his own product. Boss man thinks he is someone's puppet, but getting that information could prove challenging."
"The FBI has their ways." She drew out the words in a sing-song voice.
"I'm sure they do." He chuckled.
"Can we talk about something else?"
"Sure, anything. What's on your mind?"
"I want to see you again."
"You do?"
"Yes. I do. I have an interview at the Phoenix field office on Friday, can I see you afterwards?"
"I would love that. I'm on the schedule, but I'll get someone to switch shifts."
"Then it's a date?"
"It's a date."
They talked for another hour about a myriad of topics, simply enjoying the lingering conversation.
Chapter 6
Justine's heel caught on the curb as she climbed into the driver's seat of her rental car. The interview had gone well as far as she could tell. Having five interviewers pepper her with questions was a bit intimidating, but she'd held her own. The rental car smelled like shoe polish and fake pine scent. A strange combination, that oddly enough made her think of Marc. He was forever polishing his work shoes and kept one of those pine tree air fresheners in his car. She couldn't stand the smell of fake pine and would much rather open the windows for a fragrance no air freshener could match.
A buzzing in her purse let her know she was getting a call. She dug around until she found it. "Hello."
"Hi."
"Hi, Marc."
"Wondered how it was?"
"I think it went well."
"Are you coming back tonight? A few of us are getting together after work."
"You made it crystal clear you didn't want to remain friends and didn't think we should see each other. Not even around the office."
"I know. I just–"
"It's okay, you know. I'll survive without you."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I am."
"The other day you didn't appear to be taking it well."
"I'm all right. Goodbye, Marc."
"See you around, Justine."
She hurt, but thought it better to let the friendship go than to keep reopening wounds. A clean break was better for both of them.
Putting her ringer back on, she tossed her cell in the console. She had a long drive ahead of her, but it would be worth it to see Brady. Her mind made a connection she immediately wanted to undo. Considering her recent break-up with Marc, Brady would be the rebound guy. She didn't want Brady to be a rebound relationship.
Flipping the radio to a southern gospel station, she sang along to the hymns as she drove back to Tonopah. It was an attempt to keep her mind occupied, but it was only half working.
∞∞∞
Justine pulled up at Brady's house. Sitting in the car for a few minutes, she tried to gather her thoughts. Knuckles rapped on the window. She jumped at the sound. Lowering the window, she smiled. "You scared me."
"Sorry about that. Why are you sitting in your car?"
"Thinking."
"About?"
"You."
"I like the sound of that. Do you want to come in?"
"I'm not sure that's the best idea. Are we going to head out?"
"I'll behave myself if you come in for a minute. I need to say goodbye to Blitz and grab my jacket."
"Okay. I'll come in."
She sat on Brady's couch and stroked Blitz' head. Lindy was back in Virginia with another agent. Normally she'd have left her with Marc or brought her along, but this trip was a solo interview and Marc was no longer an option. "So, where are we going?"
"Shouldn't you be deciding that, since you asked me out?"
"I, uh–"
"I'm kidding. I thought we'd go to Marley's. They have fabulous crab-cakes and you mentioned you like them."
"I do. That sounds delicious."
"I know I said I'd behave, but..." He pulled her to her feet and close to his body. Lowering his head until his lips met hers he kissed her gently. She deepened the kiss not wanting it to end.
When he pulled away from her she tried to breathe evenly.
"Now we should go. Otherwise, I can't be held responsible for what happens next."
"I'm pretty sure you'd still be responsible."
"Then we'd definitely better get going."
"Brady?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want you to be my rebound guy."
"Perfect because I don't intend to be."
"What do you intend to be?"
"I guess you'll have to stick around long enough to find out."
∞∞∞
Brady held the restaurant door and waited for Justine to walk inside. He mentioned their reservations to the hostess who promptly took them to a booth along the window. He took her hands in his while they waited for the food.
"You do something to me no woman has done before."
"What's that?"
"You make me think about a future with you."
"You're crazy. We've talked about this. We've only known each other a short time.
"I know. But, when you know, you know."
"What about the rebound thing?"
"I'm not worried about Marc. You weren't in love with him. It's obvious when the two of you are together."
"What makes you think I will fall in love with you?" She let a smile play at the edge of her lips.
He leaned closer. "Are you trying to crush me?" He whispered.
"I wouldn't want to do that."
"I know you feel what I do."
"And how do you propose we make a long-distance relationship work?"
"I'm still working on the details. I've got the job thing worked out, but moving the ranch won't be as easy."
"You can't do that yet."
"I'm not going to. We'll have a few more dates first."
"A few?" She choked on her water and sputtered, "are you serious?"
"Yes. I am. I know what I want and I intend to get it."
∞∞∞
Dinner was delicious. Justine savored every bite. And the company was nearly perfect. Until he'd brought up the future. Was he seriously considering rooting up his life for her? She couldn't let him do that. It wasn't fair to him. And what about Blitz. Blitz belonged to DPS, they weren't going to give him up easily.