Page 14 of So Insane

Michael sighed. “It’s… Like I said, sir. I think she’s broken. I don’t think there’s enough of the Faith Bold we once knew left to save. I would like to say I could rein her in, but the truth is, I could rein in the Faith I used to work with. This other Faith… I don’t think there’s any reining her in, sir. I think we bench her before she commits any more flagrant fouls.”

The Boss didn’t answer right away. Finally, he sighed and nodded. “You’re right. Of course you are. I just…” he chuckled. “Well, I like her. She reminds me a lot of me. I’m not saying she’s right to go off the reservation like walking through a revolving door, but I can’t help but admire her spunk. And no one can deny she’s probably the greatest detective the Bureau has seen since Ness. No offense to you or anyone else here, me included."

“None taken,” Michael said and meant it. Faith was modest about her accomplishments, but it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Michael was little more than an assistant on most of their cases. She was the one who did all of the thinking.

Which was part of why it frustrated him so much that her thinking was consumed by West lately.

“Boss, I wish I was wrong,” he said, “but I really don’t think I am.”

“No, you’re not wrong,” the Boss said. “I already admitted that. I’ll work on a transfer for her. I’m thinking a training position at Quantico. Somewhere there are a lot of eyes on her. Something she can do that keeps her active but doesn’t give her a chance to do anything stupid again. In the meantime, you take some time off. You deserve a few weeks with your new wife without worrying about Bold.”

Michael felt a pang at that. He hadn’t told Faith that he and Ellie had married. Ellie had made it clear she wasn’t invited, of course, but it was Michael’s decision to not even tell her. He wasn’t sure how Faith would react, and he didn’t want to deal with it at the moment.

And now, he didn’t have to. For a little while, at least. “Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll look into a partner for you in the meantime. Maybe the Rosa kid. We can put the two of you on some financial crime crap while his ears dry. He’s a hero-worshipper, and you’re a lovable old grump, so I feel like you two will get along just fine.”

“Thank you,” Michael said drily.

“No,” the Boss said, standing and taking his hand. “Thank you. I’ve allowed my affection for Bold to affect my judgment. I’m glad I had you here to set me straight.”

Michael managed a smile, even as his stomach churned with guilt.

“Michael?”

Michael blinked. “Sorry, Faith. I’m on vacation with Ellie. I can’t help you right now.”

“Michael, please!” Faith begged. “I need this! I can’t be cooped up anymore!”

“You’re a big girl, Faith,” Michael said, a touch of acid in his tone. “You’ll be fine for a few more weeks. Your rib still needs to heal, anyway.”

“It’s not West,” she says. “The Boss told me that he doesn’t want me going after him, and I agreed.”

“You agreed the last dozen times too,” Michael pointed out. “That didn’t stop you.”

“I know,” she said, “but this is different. I… I don’t want what happened with Trammell to happen again. I’ll stay away this time. I’ve learned my lesson.”

“That’s good,” he said, “and I wish you well, Faith. I really do, but—”

“Michael, please. If you ever loved me—”

“How dare you!” he shouted suddenly, so loudly that he turned back toward the garage door, hoping Ellie didn’t hear. He lowered his tone and hissed. “How dare you? If I ever loved you? Faith, you lying, manipulative little…”

He stopped and tried to calm himself. The best he could manage was silence.

“I know,” she said softly. “I know. And I’m so sorry. But please. Please help me. Please give me a chance to prove I won’t betray you again.”

He was silent for a long moment. Finally, Faith tried a tentative, “Michael?”

“Fuck you,” he said viciously. “You…” He shook his head. “Fine. I’ll be at the field office in an hour.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said, nearly sobbing with relief. “Thank you so—”

He hung up and threw his cell phone across the room. The case was one of those military cases designed to withstand artillery shrapnel, so it was unharmed when he picked it up.

He almost wished it had just crumbled to dust in his hands.

CHAPTER SIX

---