by Matt Lincoln
She stood up and smiled apologetically. “Sorry about calling you out like that. I forget that not everyone’s used to my big mouth.” I was still a little annoyed, but she seemed genuinely apologetic, and I wanted to get off to a good start on my first day. I shook her hand and offered her a smile which I was certain looked awkward and disingenuous. She didn’t seem to mind, though, since she just smiled back before plopping back down into her chair.
“Next, we have Agent Naomi Patel,” Nelson continued, indicating the woman seated to Castillo’s left. She had a deep skin tone and dark brown hair, which she’d pulled back into a slick and neat chignon. Unlike Castillo, she didn’t smile at all, and her honey-colored eyes seemed to bore directly into my soul. She stood and offered her hand.
“It’s great to meet you. I hope we’ll work well together.” She had all the poise of a diplomat, and I shook her hand. She sat back down without any further attempt at small talk, which I appreciated.
“And, of course, there’s Agent Junior Chapman. You’re both starting today, so neither of you has to be the new guy.” Nelson nodded to the young man who’d been getting teased when I walked in. I took a close look at him for the first time since coming in, and I noticed how young he seemed. His blond hair was neatly trimmed and styled in a simple comb-over. His face was clean-shaven and appeared to have a layer of baby fat that gave him the appearance of a much younger man. He was wearing a deep blue cardigan over a pressed white shirt and overall looked like the poster boy for an American teenager from the 1950s. If I’d seen him on the street, I would have guessed he was a teenager or young college student. I knew that was impossible, though, as you needed to be at least twenty-three to become a federal agent, and most people still needed a few years of education or experience beyond that.
He gave me a thousand-watt smile and offered his hand in greeting.
“It’s so awesome to meet you!” he said with enthusiasm that would have sounded fake coming from anyone else but seemed totally genuine coming from him.
I shook his hand out of habit, although internally, I was groaning. This kid seemed like such a squeaky clean and shiny newbie, and I had my doubts whether he’d be able to cut it in this line of work.
“You don’t have to call me that, by the way. Junior, I mean. I usually go by Arnold. My mom thought Junior was so cute when I was little, but it seems so unprofessional now, you know?” He prattled on with his life story, further confirming my suspicions that this kid was way in over his head.
“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you,” I stated simply, cutting him off mid-sentence and shaking his hand. He seemed a little shocked at first that I’d interrupted him but then had the decency to look ashamed as if he’d only just realized then that he’d been rambling.
As if sensing the awkward atmosphere, Nelson stepped in then and offered to take me on a tour of the rest of the office.
“The MBLIS Las Vegas branch takes up the entire eighteenth floor,” he announced as he led me away from the group. “It’s a pretty open floor plan, so it’s not like you could get lost or anything, but it would be good for you to get familiar with where everything and everyone is.” I could hear the other agents joking and talking again behind us as soon as we left, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d gone and made a bad impression, after all. I was here to work and not to make friends, but at the same time, I wouldn’t be doing myself any favors by antagonizing my fellow agents. If I was completely honest with myself, I hadn’t exactly been friendly or even polite to Junior just now. I needed to remember to put in a better effort to work cooperatively with them.
I turned my attention back to Nelson as he led me away from the main bullpen and back toward the small break room I’d noticed earlier when I’d first entered. I’d noticed it the few times before when I’d met with him, but Nelson walked with a pronounced limp and sometimes used a cane. He’d never brought it up himself and, even though I could be pretty blunt and tactless when it came to interacting with other people, even I knew better than to bring it up unprompted.
“This is the office break room,” Nelson said as we walked through the open entryway into the small room. “On the left, we have our little kitchenette with our fridge and microwave. I won’t lie, it’s not unusual for us to have to keep some weird hours and spend some late nights here, so everyone keeps a little stock of something up here in the cabinets for when we have to have dinner or late-night snacks.” I wasn’t bothered by the idea of working unusual hours. I’d always been a bit of a night owl myself and had never been a huge fan of strict schedules or rules.
“We also have a coffee maker and a tea kettle, and there’s usually some kind of candy or pastry around too,” Nelson said, gesturing toward the machines placed neatly side by side on a counter to the right of the microwave. “Wallace is pretty big on making sure everyone takes care of themselves and doesn’t work themselves into the ground. We do have a little seating area here with the couches, but it hasn’t gotten a lot of use lately. When we first opened the Las Vegas branch, we had a lot of downtime between cases, and we actually spent a lot of time here, but as work picked up, we found ourselves stretched thinner and thinner. Poor Patel and Castillo had to bear the brunt of the work since they were our only two field agents before you and Junior joined.”
Nelson was looking toward the seating area fondly as if recalling some nice memory. “Director Wallace went out a few times when we were really tight on staff, but he was the only other one. Agent Howard really isn’t suited to being in the field and trying to put Agent Gardner in the field would be a recipe for disaster.” Nelson laughed to himself as if enjoying an inside joke, and I found myself feeling uncomfortably like an outsider looking in. Although they had established the Las Vegas branch less than a year ago, it seemed as though all the agents here had become very close knit and trusting of one another. Although I didn’t like to admit it, there was a nasty, small part of me whispering that I’d never fit into the easy cadence they clearly had going on.
“And of course, with my injury, I can’t really go out into the field. Oh, I haven’t actually mentioned that, have I?” I gave him my full attention then, hoping it wasn’t too obvious how curious I had been. Nelson, however, didn’t seem bothered by talking about it.
“There’s some pretty extensive damage over my entire left leg,” he said, taking a moment to look down and pat his thigh lightly with his hand. “Before we became federal agents, Director Wallace and I worked as police officers in Los Angeles. Got into an accident in the line of duty, and, well, it is what it is.” His eyes were vacant as if he remembered something, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the full story was.
“Well, anyway, I think we’ve wasted enough time here,” he said, suddenly coming back to reality. “We still have to go see Agents Gardner and Howard, and of course Director Wallace as well,”
“First up is Agent Wilson Howard,” Nelson said, leading me away from the break room and toward the nearest door along the wall. He opened the door to reveal a large, sterile-looking room with plain walls and a tiled floor. Along the walls were tables covered with computers and machines, and in the center of the room were two long lab tables piled high with glass flasks, beakers, and other equipment that I couldn’t hope to name.
“Agent Howard,” Nelson said, and the tall, dark-haired man on the other side of the room jumped a little as if he hadn’t heard us enter. He looked a little nervous and fidgety, and his attitude, coupled with his thin limbs and wide eyes, made me think of a deer that might bolt at any moment if you get too close. “This is Agent Hills. He’s one of the new field agents starting today. Agent Hills, this is Agent Howard. He is our Forensic Analyst and Laboratory Technician.” I moved forward to shake Agent Howard’s hand and noticed his eyes seemed a little bloodshot. The room was pretty dark, and I wondered to myself if staring at all of these computer screens in such low light wasn’t painful for his eyes. To each his own, I guess.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, taking hi
s hand in mine and shaking it firmly the way Harry had taught me to when I was young and going to job interviews for the first time. Howard’s grip was slack in mine, but he gave me a friendly if somewhat sleepy-looking smile.
“It’s great to meet you too,” he said. “We could definitely use the help around here. Poor Patel and Castillo seemed like they were running on fumes the past few weeks.”
Again, it seemed as though everyone in this office was really close. Part of me found it kind of nice, while another part, the part that assumed out of habit that people were self-centered and would always stab you in the back if it meant getting themselves ahead, worried that maybe I wouldn’t be able to mesh well.
“Well, we’ll get out of your hair then, Wilson,” said Nelson, calling Agent Howard by what I assumed was his first name. He gave us another sleepy smile and turned back to his computer. We made our way out quietly, and Nelson was careful to close the door gently so as not to make a lot of noise. I got the impression that Agent Howard might be the jumpy kind who was easily distracted by sudden or loud noises, and I cataloged that information away for later.
“Right next to Agent Howard’s office is the holding cell,” said Nelson, leading me to the next door down along the wall past Howard’s lab. I took a moment to look out the windows as we moved past. The view was really great, and I could see a part of the strip from here. It occurred to me that it made sense to establish the office somewhere close to the center of the city, as that would most likely be where the meat of the action was, and once again, I wondered what the view would be like after dark.
Agent Nelson led me into the holding cell area, which was a room slightly bigger than Howard’s lab but with two cells placed against the far wall and taking up the bulk of the room. The only other thing in the room was a small desk with a computer placed on it and two tall filing cabinets.
“This is typically where we’ll hold suspects temporarily when we need to conduct an interrogation or in case we have a specific reason to detain them. It’s not very big, as you can see, so we’ll usually transport suspects to the local jail pretty soon after bringing them in. Through here is the interrogation room.” He led me toward a door at the other end of the room. Beside the door was a large window that looked directly into the small room on the other side. This room was about a third the size of the other one, with plain, dark gray walls and nothing but a table and a set of chairs.
“It’s a two-way mirror,” Nelson said, pointing to the window. From the inside of the room, all I could see was my own reflection. “Suspects tend to feel more at ease when they’re interacting with an agent one-on-one. This allows us to have more than one set of eyes and ears during interrogations without spooking whoever it is we’re interrogating.”
We left the interrogation room and walked back through the holding cell room and into the main area of the office.
“On the other side of the holding cell area, we have Agent Fiona Gardner’s office.” Nelson led me to the only other door in the office we hadn’t been to yet. The door was already open when we got there, so we stepped inside as Nelson announced our arrival.
“Hello, Agent Gardner. This is Agent Hills. He and Agent Chapman are starting today. You met Agent Chapman earlier, didn’t you?”
The woman, Agent Gardner, looked up from her computer and nodded before turning to me and offering me a smile that was awkward enough to rival my own. She had short brown hair and heavy bags under her eyes. Like Howard, she also had several computers laid out around her, although her office was bright and sunny in contrast to the murky darkness of Howard’s lab. There was a huge window overlooking the city just beyond her desk that bathed the office in warm, yellow light.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said quietly without making eye contact. She didn’t stand up or extend her hand to me, but I honestly didn’t mind. It was getting tedious, giving everyone the same empty platitudes over and over again as I met them.
“Yeah, likewise,” I said, giving her a nod in return. She seemed almost relieved that I didn’t try to shake her hand or engage her any further, as her smile widened before turning back to her work without another word.
“Well, last but not least is Director Nathaniel Wallace,” said Nelson without preamble, and I was glad to note that he seemed back to his usual cheerful self after that depressing conversation from earlier. He led me across the main bullpen area, and by now, most of the chatter and laughter had calmed down. We walked toward the windowed office that I had correctly guessed belonged to the director when I had first arrived.
Nelson knocked before entering but seemed to do it more as a formality than anything else, as he immediately pushed the door open without actually waiting for permission to enter. I wondered if that was just something Nelson did or if they expected everyone to just barge into the boss’s office whenever they needed something. The longer I spent on this office tour, the more I felt like it would take some getting used to working here.
The man behind the desk looked up as soon as we entered, smiling as he did, as everyone else in this office seemed to do. He looked stern, though, and had an air of authority that seemed to radiate off of everything about him, from his posture to the way he stood and extended his hand to me.
“You must be Agent Hills. It’s really great to have you here,” he said, taking my hand and shaking it firmly in a way that reminded me of Harry.
“It’s great to be here,” I said, and I meant it. “It’s definitely been an interesting office tour,” I told him truthfully, feeling compelled to share my honest thoughts with him. He really did remind me of Harry.
“Well, I don’t doubt it,” he said, and there was a low rumble in his voice like a concealed chuckle. “We’re a bit of an unusual group, that’s true. But I like to let my agents work and act as they see fit. I think people work better when they’re happy and comfortable. Within reason, of course.”
I liked that philosophy, and I wondered if that was the reason everyone here seemed to be friendly and close.
“Well, I can’t wait to get started,” I said, unsure how else to respond to that without sounding sappy.
“Of course, enough chit-chat,” said Wallace, going back to his chair. “Get settled, and when you and Agent Chapman are ready, come and see me for your first assignment.” I was more than happy to oblige, having had quite enough of all these repetitive introductions and ready to get to work.
Agent Nelson and I walked back into the bullpen where the other agents were back to chatting, although Patel did seem to be filling out some paperwork.
“Alright, so, Hills and Chapman, you two will be partners for your first mission. Ideally, we’d have you working with a more experienced agent, but Patel and Castillo are actually in the middle of wrapping up a case now, and we thought no better way to get into the rhythm of things than to jump in head first, right? So whenever you two are ready, head over to Wallace’s office for the case briefing.” With that, Nelson moved over to his own desk at the end of the bullpen and left us to our own devices.
I looked over at Agent Junior Chapman, who was arranging small photo frames, a plant, and a few other knick-knacks around his desk area. Director Wallace had told me to get ‘settled in’ before going to see him, but truthfully I had nothing to do. I’d never been one to grow attached to things and had always just seen my desk as a workspace to put my computer and maybe a cup of coffee. There was no point in getting all sentimental over it.
As I was wondering what I’d even put on my desk, I felt a shadow in the corner of my periphery. I looked up to see Junior there, eyes bright and eager.
“So, we’re partners for this case, right? You ready to get started?” His enthusiasm was, admittedly, a little contagious, but he seemed like the type to want to make small talk, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dreading being in a car with him just a little.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I said simply, getting up from my desk chair and moving toward Wallace’s office.
Once we were inside Wallace’s office, he got straight to the point, and I noted that the amiable and relaxed demeanor from earlier had gone, replaced with authoritative confidence that left no room for argument.
“Agent Hills, Agent Chapman,” he started without preamble, looking at each of us in turn. “We’ve been called to assist on a case involving a death. A South American cougar that we believe was imported here illegally mauled and killed a man. Texts on the victim’s phone appear to indicate that the cougar wasn’t the only animal imported into Las Vegas. We need to figure out how the animals got here and stop whoever it is that’s bringing them in. And recover any others already here before we have any more deaths on our hands. They found the body in an apartment building in Huntridge. Officers are waiting for you there now.”
I had seen and heard a lot in my time on the street where it was often a matter of kill or be killed. Drugs, guns, human trafficking… I’d experienced it all much more closely than I cared to admit before I’d even turned twenty. All that being said, a wild animal mauling someone to death in a crummy Las Vegas apartment was a new one. For a second, I just stood there, processing what Wallace had just told me.
“Yes, sir,” I heard myself say, although my brain still seemed to be trying to catch up.
“We’ll get right on it,” Junior helpfully supplied. “Is there anything else?”
“Agent Nelson has the address, and Agent Gardner is already working on tracking any suspicious shipments coming into the greater Las Vegas area and keeping an eye on the Nevada borders. Once you recover the victim’s phone, turn it over to her for further analysis.”
“Yes, sir,” we both said almost in unison, and with that, we turned and left the office.
6
Junior
The ride over to the scene of the crime was painfully awkward. I could tell immediately that Agent Hills didn’t like me from the moment we met. I was used to it. I was twenty-six years old but looked much younger, and it wasn’t an uncommon occurrence for me to be looked down on by others who felt I was too young, or too naïve, or too inexperienced to do, well, anything.