"Thanks again, Cassie." Paulson looked more exhausted than he had before he sat down. "Let me know when you think of something else."
"Sure," I said. "And try to get some rest. I know from experience that Dr. Yelton will track you down and make you if you don't do it voluntarily." It was a stretch and we all knew it, but it got the point across.
Paulson smiled and patted my arm. "Thanks again. I'll see you later." He headed straight for the coffee pot.
Vincent leaned against my desk and watched him go.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Anything I should know before I meet with him?" Vincent countered.
"Not that I know of."
"What were you all talking about?"
"He's asking everyone about Clancy. Standard stuff."
Vincent chuckled with what sounded like real amusement. "Standard? I don't see him thanking me and patting my arm."
I rolled my eyes. "Cute. I've seen you get a pat on the back before."
"You're right, though," Vincent said, ignoring my comment. "He looks like he could use a break. I'm surprised Hank hasn't said anything."
"Hopefully, he'll take one today. Hank’s not his handler on this, though."
Vincent nodded and looked around the room. "It’s a packed house today."
I nodded and went back to flipping through emails.
"I wanted to apologize about last night," Vincent said.
"For what?" I asked.
Vincent looked uncomfortable and kept his eyes on the room. "I'm pretty sure me being there upset Ethan. It wasn't my intention to cause a disagreement."
Reminders about Ethan were like a stab to the heart, but I tried my best not to show it. "You should know he doesn't have anything against you."
"Huh," Vincent scoffed.
"He was sincere."
"Why should Ethan have anything against Vincent?" Rider asked.
I hadn't seen him approach, and I wasn't appreciating the accusatory look he gave me.
"He shouldn't, and he doesn't," I said, sounding a bit too defensive.
"I would if I was him," Vincent muttered.
Shaking my head, I went back to my emails.
"I do not understand," Rider said.
"It's okay," I said. "No one's upset with Vincent."
Vincent made another noise of disagreement under his breath, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You're not helping," I said.
"You are not helping," Rider said.
Rider had been pushing my buttons for what seemed like ages, and the moment I realized his comment was directed toward me, I lost my cool.
I squared my shoulders and narrowed my eyes. "You know that—"
"Agent Heidrich."
We had company, great. Looking up, I tried not to frown too hard at Agent Boone as he approached.
Chapter 5
"We met yesterday morning," Agent Boone said.
"Yes, it's good to see you again." That sounded like a lie, but Rider was getting under my skin.
"You too," Boone said, rather formally. "I spoke with the director and she said you've been released from the inquiries today. She asked that you take me and the other out-of-town team to the portal they'll be closing this morning."
"Yeah, happy to help." Happy to get the heck out of here was more like it.
"You can use our truck." Vincent dug out the keys. "It hasn't been used in a few weeks, but there's still plenty of plastic in case of gremlins."
"Thanks," I said. The anger toward Rider dissipated, but the disappointment in the direction our friendship was taking stuck with me.
"The others are in with the director now," Agent Boone said. "They should be a few more minutes."
"I'll bring the truck around in a minute and meet you all up front," I said.
"Thank you. Vincent, Rider, we'll join you and Logan this afternoon," Boone said.
"Will this work with the four of us together?" Rider asked after Agent Boone walked away.
Vincent shrugged. "There's no reason why it wouldn't."
"Really?" I crossed my arms and looked pointedly at Rider. "Because I can think of a few things that aren’t working now."
"Cassie returned to work only yesterday," Rider said, taking a sidelong look at me. "I am not certain everyone will mesh well."
"Is this the way friends act where you're from?" I snapped at Rider. "Because this friendship appears to be sunk."
Rider looked upset. "I do not know what you mean."
"What?" My temper was building. "Cause where I'm sitting, things are far from friendly anymore."
"Let's take a step back," Vincent said.
"No," I said, feeling hurt. "I'm taking my steps elsewhere." I stalked off to the parking lot, leaving my team behind me.
Regret welled up the moment the front doors snapped shut, but I forced myself to move on. Rider had been either ignoring me or growling at me almost every time we'd gotten together and it had to stop. But I had no idea what I had done to raise his hackles.
It was worse when I got into Vincent and Rider's SWAT-style truck. They'd been riding with Logan while I was off work, but the scent of Rider still lingered in the air. Not strong, but the clean, woodsy smell was never strong. Instead, it lingered wherever he made himself comfortable for long periods of time.
It must have been a werewolf thing. The truck jumped to life and I drove up to the entrance to meet Agent Boone and whoever else would be joining us. I found Logan waiting for me. I hadn't seen him outside of my house in weeks and my mouth dropped open.
Letting the truck idle in park with the AC on, I climbed out.
"Howdy partner," Logan said, tipping his hat.
How had no one warned me about the cowboy hat? "Is that a Stetson?"
"You bet," Logan said. "They match the boots."
Looking down. I saw that, sure enough, he was wearing cowboy boots. "They look new."
"Haven't had a chance to break them in yet."
"They look good."
Logan grinned. "Thank ya kindly."
Seeing the elf smile was infectious, and I felt the corners of my mouth turn up, despite my best efforts.
"Quite the ruckus inside," Logan said.
Blowing out a loud breath, I looked at the sky. "I know. I shouldn't have been upset with him."
"Well, seems to me it's a long time coming. The timing’s not great, though."
“Yeah, I guess. It's been a bad couple of days, but I should have explained things or talked to him or something instead of getting upset."
Logan nodded. "I think what happened yesterday has everyone out of sorts."
"I've got to run these guys over to the gremlin portal and spend the morning working with Agent Boone. Will you let Rider know I'm sorry? Tell him we can talk after work or something, if he's still willing to talk to me."
"I'll let him know. I'm not sure you're the one in the wrong here, though."
"Overall, I don't think so, either. But I shouldn't have said what I did."
"It'll be good to work together again this afternoon," Logan said.
"I'm glad someone thinks so. Anything I should know about Agent Boone before I go out?"
"Seems a good sort. A bit stiff, but easy to get along with."
"That's good. Know anything about the others?"
"Not a thing. They came in today and have kept to themselves. I'd join you, but I think Paulson would have my ears if I left before talking with him."
"Could be."
"Sounds like the team you’re escorting is on its way," Logan said.
"I'll take your word for it." Even with his ears curled away, Logan's hearing far surpassed my own.
"It's good to have you back on board. I'm going to mosey." He tipped his hat again and then walked out to the parking lot.
Before I could get back in the truck, Agent Boone exited the building with two other men, one tall and blond and one short and brunette. The pair looked odd standing next to each other.
&nbs
p; "Agent Heidrich," Agent Boone said, "this is Agent Dempsey and Walden. They're going to be closing up the portal today."
"Nice to meet you," I said, offering my hand to shake. The tall man gripped a bag tightly and looked at the shorter of the two, which I think was Walden.
Agent Walden only nodded and got into the truck without saying anything. Looking nervous, Agent Dempsey followed suit, nodding and getting into the back of the truck.
"They're not very talkative," Agent Boone said.
"I see that," I said. "Are we all ready, then?"
"Yes, I think we're set to go."
"Alright," I said, going to the driver's side and getting in. "If it gets too warm back there, let me know."
Once again, Dempsey looked to Walden, but neither said anything.
"As you know," Agent Boone started, "I met with your teammates yesterday. It gave me a chance to get to know them and get a feel for the team."
"That's good." I said it because I had nothing else to say. My mind was still back at the office and with my team.
"Today, I'd like to ask you a few questions and see how you work before we join your team."
"Do you mind if I ask you something?" I asked.
This appeared to stump Agent Boone. "This exercise is about me viewing your team, but if it helps, I can answer questions as well."
He didn't sound happy about it, but I didn't much care.
"What's this for?" I asked.
"Most of that is confidential." Agent Boone's eyes strayed to the rear-view mirror, but at his angle, I don't think there was anything he could see. "What I can tell you, however, is that I will be overseeing a group of talented individuals that has been formed to complete certain tasks for our organization."
"That doesn't sound ominous or anything," I muttered.
"I'm sorry?" Agent Boone frowned.
"Sorry, it's nothing."
"I suppose you've had a difficult time the past twenty-four hours," Agent Boone said. He didn't sound happy, but since he was making an excuse for what I had said, I supposed I was still in the clear.
"What types of tasks is this new group going to perform?"
"I'm not certain that's relevant."
"I guess that depends on what it is you’re looking for in our team."
"I think I understand why you’re asking," Agent Boone said. "But I'm reviewing the teamwork and interaction, not the execution of orders."
"Do you think the type of cases, or orders as you put it, affect the interactions?" I asked.
"No." He was adamant with his answer, so I didn't press the issue.
He was wrong, of course, but I could tell from his attitude that he was uncomfortable with my line of questioning and starting to grow agitated, so I let it drop.
"You could be right," I said. "What types of questions did you want to ask?"
"Let's start slow. Tell me about your teammates."
"Okay, but you've met them."
Agent Boone cleared his throat and took a moment to respond. "I have them, but I would like to hear what you have to say about them from your point of view."
"You asked them these questions?"
"Yes."
"With everyone all together?" I asked.
"Yes," Agent Boone said, a little more forcefully.
It seemed strange to think anyone would ask someone to tell you about the guy standing next to him, but I answered anyway. "Logan was my mentor. Still is. We mostly work together as a team. When a larger case comes along, we team with Rider and Vincent."
Agent Boone didn't say anything for a few moments. I'm not sure if he was expecting more, but that was all he was going to get.
"How do you feel about the traits the members of your team have?" Agent Boone asked.
"Traits? I don't feel any particular way about their traits."
This wasn't going well. I could feel the frustration rolling off Boone, even with the Path closed.
"Do you feel that being a member of the Lost has affected the work of Logan or Rider?" Agent Boone's voice was starting to become clipped.
Trying to do better, I thought the question over. "I think they have more empathy than other agents might have. I've never worked for long with a human partner, though."
"I see," Agent Boone said. "Do you feel not having a human partner has affected the way you work?"
"The way that I personally work? Um, I don't think so. I think that having Logan as a mentor has made me a better agent than I would have been if I had been matched with anyone else."
"What makes you think that?"
This was beginning to feel like a nightmare pop quiz where I didn't know the answers. The urge to look down and make sure my pants were still on was strong.
However, I resisted and tried to come up with a decent answer. "Agent Seale has more experience than most agents, not only with this world, but with other dimensions and the Lost. He has a good rapport with those he works with, both Lost and human. Even after a year, I learn something new almost every day."
Sure, some of those things were how to drive cattle and what a modern-day dude ranch looks like, but Agent Boone didn't need to know that.
"Tell me about your relationship with Logan," Agent Boone said.
"He's my partner and mentor. I already said that."
"But you live almost next door. Are you friends outside of work?"
"Oh, sure. He stops by before and after work most days and his kids come over and spend time with my grandmother."
"Has your relationship ever been intimate?"
That question took a few moments to sink in, but when it did, I started laughing. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am serious. These are serious questions," Agent Boone said.
His sincerity caused me to laugh louder. "No," I was finally able to sputter out. "Not intimate. He's a bit old for me, don't you think?"
"I wouldn't know," Agent Boone said.
"Did you ask the others this?" I asked, striving to rein in my amusement.
Agent Boone rubbed his forehead and didn't reply.
Biting my lip, I tried to let the laughter die away. "We're almost there." I looked back at the men in the back seat, noting Agent Dempsey looked nervous. "We have to park off the gravel road up here, and then there's a about a two-mile walk. You might want to start checking your pockets now."
"Checking our pockets?" Agent Dempsey asked, sounding as nervous as he looked.
Agent Walden frowned at the man, but didn't say anything.
"There's no gremlins out here right now," I said. "But if any come out while we're here, you're not going to want to have any metal on you."
No one said anything else, but I had a feeling Agent Dempsey was new at what he did. He looked to be in his early thirties, but humans with abilities sometimes got a later start in the job. Either that or this was something new he'd learned or was still learning.
I parked the truck and dug out one of the gremlin-safe field bags. There was some metal stored away inside, under layers of plastic, but the majority of the bag contained nothing metallic, including the bag construction.
"In case of emergency," I said, jingling the keys in my hand, "these will be here." I indicated a magnetic key holder. "Which will be above the front, driver-side tire."
"That's metal," Agent Dempsey said. "What happens if the gremlins get the key?"
I grinned. "If the gremlins get to the truck, you're not going to have to worry about the key anymore."
Agent Boone was still not looking amused, but this time, his attention was on Agent Dempsey. I almost felt sorry for the guy.
"Since you are familiar with the terrain," Agent Boone said, "do you have a suggested formation?"
"It doesn't need to be so formal," I said.
Agent Boone didn't look happy with that response, either, so I tried not to roll my eyes while coming up with something better.
"Two by two will work here," I said. Glancing at Agent Dempsey, I thought about that. "With me and Agent
Dempsey in the lead. Although one by one also works, with me in the lead and Agent Boone in the back." I had a feeling Agent Dempsey and Walden were specialists, not your average field agents. As much as I didn't care for Agent Boone, I'd feel better with him bringing up the rear, rather than the others.
Agent Boone seemed to approve. Instead of being happy about that, it only aggravated me. I didn't need his approval here.
"Agent Boone, I'm going to call and make sure we're logged. Do you want to make sure everyone's ready to move out?"
"Yes, ma'am," Agent Boone said.
I walked to the other side of the truck and down the road a bit to try to get out of earshot while I called Hank.
"This is Hank."
"Hey, Hank, it's me," I said. "We've stopped and are getting ready to walk to the portal."
"Things going well?"
"Not that I can tell."
Hank chuckled.
"Listen, do you know anything about Agent Dempsey?"
"Not a lot," Hank said.
"Is he new to this job?"
"No, he's been working with portals for almost ten years now."
"Is his partner new?"
"He's been training Agent Walden for over twelve months now. Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Maybe I had gotten their names mixed up.
"Cassie, what's going on?" Hank asked.
"It's nothing. I just want to make sure you've got us logged."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, we're fine."
"I have you logged. Is there anything else I need to know?"
"I'm not sure how long it takes these guys to work, but we have to leave the phone behind."
A voice chimed in behind me. "It should take us around an hour."
I jumped and saw Agent Walden not far away. "You startled me." I laughed it off.
"Hank, Agent Walden says that it will take them around an hour," I said.
"Right," Hank said. "With the walk, I expect to hear back from you within two and a half hours."
"It sounds like we should be back by then."
"I'll have a satellite in that area as well."
"I doubt that'll be necessary," I said.
"Maybe we'll get some interesting readings."
"That's a good point. Talk to you in a few hours."
I hung up the phone and turned back to the group at large. "We're logged, and Hank's expecting contact within the next three hours."
AIR Series Box Set Page 100