Page 19 of Solanum

"I will, ma'am," answered Miller, her fury calming then to a passionate storm. "I intend to."

"With that said," Anita continued, glancing from her to Walsh. "I respectfully decline to be interviewed about this case. Unless compelled by a court order, that will remain my decision."

Anita's firm declaration ignited a ball of flames in the seat belonging to Miller. Her anger rolled over her shoulders, tightening her posture all the way to the balled fists in her lap. I fought the grin that threatened to make it to my face. I liked the fire in this young detective. Her spark and confidence said something, and my gaze flickered to the badge at her hip, mentally recording her identification number.

"Then I will seek to compel you," Miller said, glancing from Anita to Walsh. "If it's warranted at the time."

"Very well," said Anita, relaxing back in her chair, not rising an inch to Miller's threats.

"And you, Agent Brody?" Miller targeted Nora then.

I envisioned her eyes burning red with her anger smoldering behind the sharp blue.

"I'm afraid my stance is the same," Nora said, glancing between them. "But if it's any consolation, Detective Miller, I wasn't involved in the case at all. I was called in once for an event that never ended up taking place. And that is honestly all I have to offer."

Miller frowned, her gaze on Walsh now.

"I warned you, Miller, that you wouldn't like what you heard here today." He gestured between us. "And I've granted this summons to prove that. You may proceed with your intent to investigate this cold case, but you will, as instructed, require special permission to proceed past twenty-eleven. We will keep Wilkinson's team abreast to all developments as their unit last owned this one before dropping it to local."

"Fine." Miller closed the cover of her tablet with a snap. "Thank you all for your time," she said, rising from her seat. She glanced to Moreno who followed her when she stormed out, the door swinging shut behind them.

We waited in silence until the sound of Miller's stomping heels faded down the hall.

"Well, that was fucking amusing. Who is that fiery little brute, Walsh?" Finally, the grin made it to my face, but they all ignored me.

"Are you kidding me, Andy?" Anita burst forth. "What charade was this?" She waved at the empty table, all clinical regard lost to her in that moment.

"Miller needed to hear it from you both." He held up his hand in an attempt to settle her down. "Detective James' files are sealed. She won't be able to garner access to anything about her."

"The fact that she and Ben Stiles are listed as the last law enforcement professionals to investigate the case will not go unnoticed, Andy, despite the ban you've placed on her proceeding beyond twenty-eleven. She will find out. Does she even know about Stevens' suicide? Or Gonzalez disappearing?" Anita thumped the table with her fist. "And by allowing this, you've placed my patient's health in jeopardy. Which, as you know, is chronically in jeopardy."

"I'm aware, Anita." Walsh ran his hand over the top of his balding head. "I'm aware."

"Then keep that hot-headed employee of yours away from this case. Leave it with the FBI where it belongs." Anita stood from her seat now, seething in her own right, but in the tamest, calmest way ever. "I will be reporting my concerns to Wilkinson. I'm sure you neglected to inform him as to why you called away one of his prime B.A.U. psychologists for this. Let alone completely ignoring Agent Donovan, who clearly took you by surprise. What kind of coup was this?"

"We're done here, Doctor Oliver." Walsh grumbled, standing up now as if to end his own discomfort.

"We've been done for a long time, Captain Walsh." Anita rose to her feet as well. "Get your unit under control before more people end up hurt."

At that, Walsh seemed to fade under the discomfort. He nodded to us, before taking his leave without a single word.

"What the hell just happened here?" Nora burst forth once we were alone. "What is going on?"

"We need to get out of here first." Anita picked up her belongings and urged Nora to do so. "And find Wilkinson."

"Take a pill, Anita," I said, rising with them. "We'll get a handle on it."

"I don't understand what's happening right now," said Nora, following Anita at a near jog, as she led us down the back staircase toward the parking garage.

"You will." Anita held the door open for us, her steely gaze meeting mine. All of her emotions always lingered in her eyes if anyone dared to look long enough. Despite her anger-driven actions, the only thing I noted in Anita's gaze belonged to fear.

"Anita—" I began, but she cut me off.

"C'mon," she said, and led us out to her SUV. "Caroline, call Wilkinson."

"Yes, boss. On it, Sir." I saluted her and she tossed me a deadly scowl.

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