Page 159 of Solanum

"Leaving it is then." I plucked the badge from my hip, followed by my I.D. tag, then reached for my wallet.

Wilkinson grabbed my wrist, shifting closer to me with a swiftness I didn't expect. He looked me in the eye, the trembling wave of anger set fire to my insides that seemed to rebound off him. Breath left me in puffs as I wrangled my desire to break his bulging nose.

"Agent Donovan, I'm asking you to sit down."

"I don't fucking sit for any man." I jerked my arm away and thrust the heel of my hand against his shoulder. "Especially not you."

He rolled his shoulder away from the blow I tossed. "Then sit down for your goddamn boss."

"No." I pulled my I.D. wallet from my pocket and tossed it on his desk. "I'm done." Calmness washed over me, and I turned away from him, heading toward the door.

"What you should know, Donovan, is I've received Brody's return to work papers. She'll be returning half-time in three weeks," he began, seemingly caught by the same coolness.

My brows narrowed and I stepped in front of him. "That's not true."

"It is." He shifted away from me, then swiped the papers from his desk to toss on top of my gear. "Look for yourself."

I snatched them from the desk and, sure enough, recognized Nora's handwriting and signature, dated today. The slightly blurred printout told me it was either faxed or scanned.

"So, you want to know your next case?" Wilkinson picked up my gear and handed it to me. "I'm sending you and Jackson's team to D.C. next week. Get yourself together before then."

"What about Chin and Taylor?"

"They'll be working from here."

I snatched my shit back from him and stormed out of the room.

***

It took all the willpower I had not to call Nora on the phone and tear into her about the blindsided paperwork submission. For the rest of the day, I said nothing and spoke to no one. Anita and Sali both sent me check-in texts, which each affirmed Nora's wellbeing. Still, the two-hour drive back to Sali's place quelled some of my anger, but not enough to burn the rough edges off my shoulders.

Darkness fell by the time I waltzed in the door, only to find Sali in the kitchen with Harper, the smell of something cooking filled the house. Sali stood over a stack of small photos on her table, her mouth turned into a frown. She pocketed them, then shoved them into the basket where she kept the household bills. Harper didn't seem to notice her tension. I locked up my service weapon, then hung my gear belt on the rack by the front door.

"Hi, Caroline," chirped Harper. "How was work?"

"Fine." I dragged my gaze away from her to Sali. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing. More cases showing up…missing kids. You good?" she asked, motioning to me.

"Fine. Where's Nora?"

"Napping with Maggie." Sali's brow furrowed, and she held her palm up to me. "You look homicidal."

"She sent in her return-to-work documents today without telling me," I blurted out. "Did she say anything to you?"

Sali shook her head, her brows narrowing. "She might've to Maggie… Or Anita."

"Probably not."

"Well, don't go flying in there and tearing into her, Car. That won't help."

Sali's words sobered me immediately and I managed to calm myself down enough to take off my jacket. "She's not ready."

"Only she can decide that, not you."

"Wilkinson is forcing me off to D.C. next week."

"Not surprised. I saw the news—"

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