Page 4 of So Wicked

Faith’s breath hitched, and she realized that tears were forming in her eyes. She swore softly and diverted to the breakroom for some napkins to dab her eyes. Fortunately, she rarely wore makeup, so she didn’t have to worry about anything running.

Turk nudged her, and she looked down at his big brown eyes. They were sympathetic, too, but she didn't mind his sympathy. There was no judgment in his sympathy, no calculation. He only wanted her to feel better.

She reached down and ruffled his fur. “Hey boy. I love you, you know that?”

“Hey, Faith.”

Desrouleaux’s voice startled her. He grimaced and stepped backwards. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

"No, that's fine," Faith said, forcing a smile. "I was just grabbing some coffee on my way to meet Gardner."

Desrouleaux smiled sympathetically. Faith wasn’t proud of the irritation she felt at that look, but she didn’t have the energy to handle any more sympathy right now. Not human sympathy, anyway. “It’s tough to be here without the Boss, huh? I’ve been crying too.”

When he mentioned that, Faith saw his eyes were puffy and red-rimmed. Her irritation faded. Desrouleaux had known the Boss longer than anyone at the office. The two of them were partners briefly when Desrouleaux was just starting as a field agent, and he’d been a loyal agent for Monroe during all seventeen years of Monroe’s tenure as SAC of the Philadelphia office.

Faith smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “We’ll get this fucker. Don’t worry.”

“Damned straight,” Desrouleaux agreed.

There was no force behind his agreement, though. It could be just his grief, but Faith worried that he didn’t feel up to the task of hunting the Messenger. He wasn’t a fool. He knew he was the wrong agent for this type of killer. But he, like so many otherwise good agents, was by the book, and the book said, you don’t allow agents to work cases when they’re as close to them as Faith was to the Messenger.

But that wasn’t Desrouleaux’s fault. If he refused the case, they’d just give it to someone else just as wrong.

Faith clapped him on the shoulder again, then headed to the office. She was halfway there when she realized she’d forgotten the coffee. And the napkins. Oh well. Too late to go back now.

Walking into the Boss’s office without seeing the Boss was another gut punch. It wasn’t Tabitha’s fault that she was sitting in the Boss’s chair, but Faith still felt a surge of anger seeing someone else occupy the seat her mentor had occupied.

On Tabitha’s right was Deputy Director Smythe, a one-time rival, sometimes friend, and for many years superior of the Boss. Smythe was decent enough as far as the brass went, but he was the architect of all of Faith’s current frustration with her job, and she wasn’t happy to see him here.

Her partner was there too, Special Agent Michael Prince. She lifted her eyebrow at him, but he avoided her eyes. Didthat mean he was being suspended, too? That would make sense. Other than Desrouleaux, he'd known the Boss the longest amount of time. Monroe was the only SAC Michael had ever worked for.

Or did it mean they were being assigned to a case? She knew it was a foolish hope, but she allowed herself to cling to it.Please let me work. Even if it’s not the Messenger case. Just please don’t tell me to sit still.

Turk trotted up to Michael, tail wagging. Michael managed a smile and ruffled Turk’s fur. “Hey, boy.”

“Hey, other boy,” Faith said, a little curtly. Michael hadn’t greeted her, and that made it very hard for her to cling to her foolish hope.

Michael nodded professionally. “Hello, Faith.”

Uh oh.There goes my foolish hope.

“Have a seat, Special Agent Bold,” Tabitha said.

She was a plain, well-dressed woman of around forty with curly brown hair and green eyes that were remarkably striking, especially considering how unremarkable the rest of her features were. Faith had only interacted with her twice before now, so she didn’t know if the quiet, businesslike air she had was typical or if she was still getting her feet wet.

Either way, Faith sat. Turk took his place in between her and Michael and nodded to let Tabitha know he was ready for her. Faith wondered if he realized that the Boss wasn’t coming back yet. Would he be upset when he understood, or would he only be upset for Faith’s sake?

“Dr. Perth has recommended that you be placed on administrative leave pending a psychological evaluation,” Tabitha began. “Are you aware of this recommendation?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Faith studied Smythe’s face. The Deputy Director remained impassive. Tabitha cleared her throat, a sign of anxiety. MaybeSmythe was evaluating Tabitha to see how she handled a tough conversation.

“Do you wish to make a formal statement or lodge a complaint at this time?”

“No complaint, but I would like to formally state that I believe I am fit to continue in my capacity as a field agent and would like to expedite scheduling of my psych eval.”

Tabitha pursed her lips. Then she folded her hands on the desk. Not a good sign. “Special Agent, there is also the question of the serial killer responsible for SAC Monroe’s death. I have spoken with Special Agent Desrouleaux who is the lead agent on this case, and he believes strongly that this killer has an obsession with you. I understand that is similar to the dynamic between you and Franklin West.”

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