Page 3 of Fatal Betrayal

It didn't matter that Flynn had told her not to come in early, knowing she was taking a late-night flight back from New York and hadn't even had a chance to fully move into her new apartment, but she hadn't wanted to take him up on that offer. At this point, she had no choice.

After throwing on gray slacks, a blouse, and a black blazer, she pulled her brown hair into a ponytail and dashed down the stairs. While her apartment was still basically empty, awaiting a bigger furniture delivery, she had picked up a coffeemaker when she'd gotten the keys two weeks ago, knowing that a bed and coffee were the two things she couldn't live without.

Thankfully, the coffeemaker had made her desperately needed morning dose of caffeine on schedule. Grabbing her keys, she raced out the door and headed to her new office. She'd been reading about Flynn and his team's exploits the past few years and was more than a little impressed, but not really surprised. She'd met Flynn on her first day at Quantico and many other members of his team had come from their class. It was difficult to believe that had been seven years ago.

Back then, she'd been a twenty-five-year-old kid, one of the youngest trainees in the class. She'd been incredibly green, but her ambition and drive had gotten her through the academy and into some great jobs since then. She'd worked her way through field offices around the country, specializing in kidnappings, with a focus on children. Flynn had asked her several times to join his team, but when his kidnapping specialist Bree Adams had gone on an extended maternity leave, he'd become even more persuasive. Lured by the idea of having more autonomy on cases, she'd finally said yes.

She was excited to work with Flynn again. He'd managed to not only climb the organizational ladder in record time but had also been able to break away and create his own unit, a team that worked fast and often away from the layers of bureaucracy that could slow down an investigation. She didn't know how he'd gotten all that power, but she was looking forward to working with a unit that could move fast and under the radar.

Despite her excitement about the future, as she drove through the streets of the beachside city of Santa Monica in LA county, her thoughts turned to the past. She'd never lived in this city, but it was only about thirty minutes away from where she'd grown up in Beachwood Canyon, in the Hollywood Hills. She'd been to Santa Monica many times, usually on her way to the famous pier and adjacent beach. But this mid-March day was partly cloudy and cool, and there was no beach traffic, just people trying to get to work and a few tourists.

She hadn't lived in LA since she was fourteen, and while she'd returned a few times over the years, it had been six years since her last very short visit, which had comprised a brief work meeting and a bittersweet reunion with her estranged father that had turned more bitter than sweet when she'd stumbled upon another one of his transgressions. That had been the last time they'd spoken. And she wasn't sure they'd ever talk again.

Frowning, she dragged her thoughts ruthlessly back to the present. There might be some personal ghosts in this city, but it was the real monsters she needed to catch and put away. She could build a life for herself in the present. Santa Monica wasn't Beachwood Canyon, and she wasn't a kid anymore. She was a federal agent, one who was very good at her job. That's what she would focus on, what she always focused on, and she was eager to get to work and drive all the shadowy memories of the past out of her head.

The task force offices were in a nondescript three-story building in Santa Monica with absolutely no signage. She parked in an empty spot and jumped on the elevator at half-past ten. The office suite was on the second floor. There was no reception, just two double doors leading into a large open space filled with desks, computers, and people at work. Several glass-walled offices and conference areas ran around the perimeter.

As she moved into the space, Flynn came out of the largest office to greet her with a big bear hug. With his blond surfer looks and big smile, Flynn had an instinct for charming and disarming. It was impossible to dislike him. Although, he didn't look much like a surfer today in his tan slacks and button-down shirt.

"You made it," Flynn said.

"I had hoped to be here earlier, but my flight was delayed, and I didn't get to my apartment until after two AM. It was a little difficult getting up this morning."

"You could have taken the day off," he said. "I told you that."

"I know. But I'm eager to get started. And I'm still waiting for most of my furniture and boxes to arrive anyway."

"Andi," a woman exclaimed. "You're here. I can hardly believe it."

She smiled as Savannah joined them. The former beauty queen was dressed down in dark jeans and a turquoise sweater that set off her blonde hair and light-green eyes. "It's true. How are you?"

"I'm good and slightly pregnant." Savannah put her hand on her belly. "Four months."

"Congratulations. That's wonderful."

"Thank you. I'm so glad Flynn finally talked you into joining us."

"She was a tough nut to crack," Flynn said. "I practically had to beg."

"It wasn't that bad," she said dryly. "But you did put the pressure on."

"I had to. With Bree out of commission for the next year, I need your expertise on my team. There have been a lot of changes around here the past year. Not only is Bree out, but Wyatt has also moved to Ohio. His wife, Avery, got a big job at NASA. Lucas is now heading up the office in Dallas, and Diego has gone international. Oh, and Savannah will be on desk duty for a while."

"Everyone is making changes."

"But we still have a good team," Flynn said. "And you're not the only new hire. Here's one more now."

She turned her head to see Nick Caruso heading toward them. Nick had also been in their class and was a darkly handsome man with jet-black hair and brown eyes. He wore dark jeans and a polo shirt under a lightweight bomber jacket.

"Hello Andi, Flynn, Savannah," Nick said. "Looks like I finally made it to the big leagues."

Despite his words, she knew Nick did not lack confidence in any area. He was incredibly smart, insightful, and was exceptionally good at finding someone's weakness.

"Me, too," she said with a grin.

"Yeah, yeah," Flynn said with a wry smile. "You two don't have to butter me up. I only pick the best people, and you both have had many opportunities to join me before now. I'm just glad it finally happened. Elia Khan will also join us in a few weeks. As soon as she finishes up her work on an investigation in Miami."

"That's awesome," she said. "I haven't seen Elia in years."

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