Page 6 of So Wicked

Smythe leaned back and crossed his arms. “And you guarantee that you will refrain from sharing FBI case information with your friend?”

“Yes. You have my word.”

Smythe looked at ASAC Gardner. Tabitha’s lips were thinned almost to the point of nonexistence, and her face was beet red. It was bad news for her that Smythe had to step in. She recovered well enough to say, “Very well. I will need this friend’s name, address and contact information as well as confirmation that he’s agreed to shelter you. I need that ASAP, Special Agent. I expect you to be out of Philadelphia by tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes.”

Faith looked at Michael. Michael avoided her eyes, and she narrowed her own. “And what about my partner?”

“He will be assigned to administrative duties pending your return.”

“Here?”

“Yes. We do not believe there is a danger to Special Agent Prince at this time.”

“He’s my friend. That means he’s in danger.”

Tabitha sighed in exasperation. “Be that as it may, Special Agent, Prince is needed here.”

“But I’m not?”

Tabitha sighed again. “It’s done, Special Agent. If you have any further objections, you can lodge a formal complaint.” She stood. “Please contact me as soon as your arrangements are finalized.”

“But—”

“It’sdone, Special Agent.”

Faith frowned. “Yes, ASAC Gardner.”

“Thank you. That will be all for now.”

Faith got to her feet and nodded at the two high-ranking Bureau officials. Without another word, she pivoted and left the office. She heard Michael’s footsteps behind her, and her hands curled into fists. Someone had some serious explaining to do.

CHAPTER THREE

Faith managed to keep her cool until they reached the parking lot. As soon as the door to the field office closed behind them, she whirled on Michael.

“Did you know about this?”

Michael sighed. “You want to talk about this over lunch, or would you rather scream at me in full view of the security cameras Gardner reviews every day?”

Faith took a deep breath. “Okay. Lunch it is.”

Turk’s ears perked up, and in spite of her anger, Faith felt the ghost of a smile come to her lips. “Yes, Turk, Michael is going to buy us lunch.”

Turk wagged his tail happily and nuzzled Michael. “Yes, Turk,” Michael said drily. “I guess I’m going to buy you lunch.”

“It’s the least you can do,” Faith said.

“Hey, you’re the one who went no contact after we found the Boss.”

“I didn’t… Ugh. Lunch, Michael. Not in front of the cameras.”

“Sounds good.”

Michael led them to his car—a much newer and much larger Jeep SUV. As they pulled out into traffic, Faith realized she would have to return to the office to get her car before she left for her friend’s place, a fact she hadn’t considered when Michael asked her to lunch. “What time does Gardner leave?”

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