Page 19 of Jep

His black T-shirt, although basic, made for an imposing figure. She’d seen Pearce in training and knew he could handle himself, but in his suit, he looked less the threat than Jep Booth, whose biceps stretched his sleeves when he crossed his arms. That was when she’d thought it was time to show herself, only to be dismissed again. She had a lot of work to do. Sitting in the car wasn’t helping anyone.

She listened to snippets of their conversation through her opened window, but she didn’t catch enough to know what was going on or whether their conversation had taken a more positive turn.

Then Jep sidestepped Pearce and headed her way. She straightened, then tugged at her skirt and pushed back in the seat right before he arrived at her window.

“Hi there, Em,” Jep said, resting his forearm in the window frame.

She shifted away, but his scent followed her. A mix of mint and what reminded her of pine needles. “It’s Emery.”

“Right. Emery. I have a quick question for you.”

Her heart raged in her chest. She hadn’t been briefed for this scenario. When her eyes darted to Pearce, Jep shifted to block her view.

“Don’t worry about him. I’m the one you need to focus on. When the assistant director, Richard Lawson, was told I would be asked back on the team, what did he say?”

She lifted her chin. “I don’t remember.”

“Course you do. I can see it on your face. What’d he say?”

She wasn’t about to let him decide what she did or didn’t remember, no matter what her face betrayed. “I honestly don’t. But after what I heard about your behavior while you were on the team, you can’t expect he would be excited about the prospect of your return.”

Every part of her body throbbed in time with her pulse. She wasn’t normally so forward, but if Jep was going to join them, he needed to know where she stood. His overbearing nature toward her reinforced that notion.

Unfortunately, she must have failed in her show of strength because he smiled like he was amused by her response.

“I’ll tell you what,” Jep said, turning his attention to Pearce. “I’ll consider your proposal if you get Lawson on the phone so I can hear from his own lips that he wants me back.”

Em glanced up at Pearce, who kept his face devoid of any emotional response to Jep’s request.

“You won’t take my word for it?” Pearce said.

“I’d prefer to know where I stand before I turn up to work. I also have a few demands that you don’t have the authority to approve.”

Pearce made eye contact with Em, then pulled out his phone. “Be polite if you can. Don’t forget, the whole agency is going through a tough time.”

“Don’t worry, Idoknow how to be considerate and courteous.” He smiled down at Em. “I know that’s not easy for everyone.”

She looked away. Having him at the office was going to be a nightmare. At least she didn’t have a reason to work directly with any of the agents. All she had to do was survive this encounter. Then she’d be in the clear.

“Assistant Director?” Pearce said into the phone. “I’m here with Mr. Booth. He’d like to speak to you.” He listened for a second, then handed the phone over.

Jep put the phone on speaker. “Richard Lawson, it’s been a long time. How’ve you been?”

“You’re on speaker,” Pearce called out in warning.

“I hear you’re interested in having me return to the team,” Jep said. “Is this correct?”

“I’d say it’s nice to hear your voice,” Lawson said, “but we both know I’d be lying.”

“I always did appreciate your candor.”

“You sure about that?”

“Why don’t we dismiss with the pleasantries? I know you’re very busy right now.”

“Pearce will have told you the nature of our situation?” Lawson said. “Desperate times and all that.”

“They were good people you lost.”

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