Page 12 of Girl, Accused

‘What happened on October 15?’

‘Ella suffered burns second-degree burns, as did her partner. Hawkins didn’t require hospitalization, but with Ella’s long list of injuries, I ordered a medical review.’

‘And?’

‘Read the last page.’

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Agent Dark demonstrates exceptional competency in her role, with investigative abilities and case resolution rates that rank among the Bureau's highest. However, there are concerning indicators that warrant ongoing observation.

Subject shows increasing tendency to forge psychological connections with offenders, beyond standard profiling methodology.

Recent cases have triggered heightened emotional responses inconsistent with subject's previous behavior patterns.

Subject exhibits subtle signs of paranoid ideation, particularly regarding seemingly unrelated case elements.

Growing obsession with finding patterns that may not exist.

While Agent Dark remains fully capable of performing her duties, there is an elevated risk of psychological deterioration under continued exposure to high-stress field situations. Her ability to maintain boundaries between professional insight and personal identification with cases appears to be eroding. Agent Dark also displays symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress, including hypervigilance, insomnia, and a marked increase in reckless behavior. She admits to experiencing vivid nightmares and intrusive thoughts related to past cases.

The cumulative psychological impact of Agent Dark’s work, combined with her intense empathetic responses to cases, suggests potential for future instability. However, her exceptional case record and demonstrated value to the Bureau must be weighed against these concerns.

'Jeez,' Ripley said. She clenched the file in her fist, then threw it back to Edis. 'This is what happens when you get your psyche reports from a guynamed Beaver. This idiot is just sitting on a fence. Dark is either fine, or she's a bomb waiting to go off. He's covered his ass either way.'

Edis took the file and slid it back into his drawer. ‘Yes, but you can see why this is a problem?’

‘I can see why it’s a problem foryou.Director Edis, three months away from serving his full term, and he's suddenly faced with a potential scandal. No one’s going to remember the successes. They’re just going to remember the fact that Edis ignored his psychiatrist’s guidance and let a dangerous agent out into the field.’

Edis stood up and turned towards the window. He rested against the sill. ‘I know Ella is innocent. If I didn’t trust her, she wouldn’t be an agent. But…’

‘But?’

Edis let out a world-weary sigh. ‘But it only takes one, doesn’t it?’

‘One what?’

‘One mistake. One red flag ignored.’

‘Will, I’m not hearing this. If there’s any doubt, you need to fire Ella immediately. I’m saying that as a friend – both yours and hers.’

Edis returned to his desk, gestured to the piles of folders on his desk. ‘I can’t, can I? We’re drowning in new cases over here, and nearly every agent I’ve got is split between Arkansas and Montana. The new batch of recruits aren’t expected for another six months.’

Ripley sat back and folded her arms. She could see the end destination of this conversation a mile off. ‘You really think it’s that easy, huh?’

‘What’s that easy?’

‘Getting me back in the saddle. You want me to help you out, don’t you?’

Edis made a sound that resembled a laugh. It landed somewhere between despair and self-depreciation. ’28 cases.’

‘Come again?’

’28 cases in less than two years. Average investigation time of six days. You put Tobias Campbell in the ground. Dismantled the Red Diamonds. Caught the guy who assassinated the old director.’

‘Will, I’ve cut down on saturated fat, so you can stop buttering me up.’

‘I didn’t know how good I had it. You and Dark performedmiracles.’

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