Page 9 of Killer Clone

Stella pointed at the office. “He’s in there.”

Ander was close to Hagen. A short period when they’d both shown an interest in Stella had created some strain. But now Ander had started a new relationship with Alessandra Lagarde, a forensic scientist specializing in explosives, the tension had dissipated. Ander looked more relaxed and content than Stella had ever seen him.

The four of them talked in the communal office. Ander and Mac perched on corners of the desks while Hagen and Stella lounged in their office chairs as the clock above the corkboard ticked on toward nine.

Hagen wagged a pen in Ander’s direction. “So…beers? I need to finish unpacking tonight, but…”

Stella winked at Mac. “He has to unfold all his shirts, then refold them before he puts them away.”

“After I’ve ironed them.” Hagen side-eyed Stella before turning the tip of his pen back toward Ander. “We’ve got some catching up to do.”

Ander rubbed the back of his neck. “This week’s kinda tough, man. I’ve got Murph down for the week, and Alessandra’s kid’s been sick the last couple of nights. If I don’t get some sleep soon, I’m gonna be dozing off standing up.”

Hagen swung in his chair. “No worries. We’ll find a time.”

Stella recognized the disappointment in Hagen’s voice. He wanted a night with his friend.

Mac punched Stella’s shoulder. “Well, if Ander’s too busy to play with Hagen, the four of us can go out. Let’s say tomorrow night. I’ll square it with Werner.”

A double date already. Ander and Alessandra weren’t the only ones moving fast.

Stacy Lark arrived, her outfit both understated and elegant. Her family was from money, but Stacy never flaunted it. She and Stella had always gotten along, but between confronting an axe-wielding classical pianist andthenbeing trapped in a cave network with a crazed country singer, they’d truly bonded.

Caleb Hudson was the last to arrive. The office’s financial analyst gave Stella and Hagen the kind of giant hug that only someone his size—as big as a linebacker—could deliver.

As Hagen told them about their time in Pennsylvania, the walks they’d taken and the nature they’d seen, Stella’s gaze shifted to the empty desk at the back of the room, across from Stella’s. That was where Chloe Foster had perched like a fierce bird of prey. Her menacing presence was gone. She’d taken an SSA position in Miami, Florida.

Stella’s gaze landed on Martin Lin’s empty desk. The chair was pushed neatly under, the surface bare of any personal items, as though waiting for his return. An unexpected wave of grief washed over her as she remembered his quick wit, his steadfast loyalty, and how he’d died helping her seek justice.

The absence of his warm, sarcastic presence in the room was a void that no replacement could ever fill. One that chilled Stella like a cold fog.

Caleb broke the silence, and it was like he read her mind. “We’ve got a replacement. Came in on Friday. You’ll meet her today.”

Stella nodded. She didn’t envy the replacement. Walking in a dead man’s shoes was never comfortable.

Ander kicked Hagen’s chair. “Hey, I forgot. We’re in the presence of celebrities here. We should be asking you both for autographs.”

“Selfies,” Mac corrected him. “People don’t do autographs anymore, Ander. You gotta keep up with the times.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve read those articles.” Hagen didn’t look amused at the reminder of how popular David Broad’s pieces had become. Stella knew her partner liked to keep himself to himself. The prospect of fame did not please him at all.

Ander took out his phone. “You bet we have. You’re like superheroes taking down some big, evil menace. The articles have been flying around social media like funny cat memes.”

Hagen groaned. David Broad had followed them all the way down to Nashville. Well, at least his words had. Ander flashed them the screen of his phone. Stella recognized the story and the picture. Hagen shrugged, but she hoped Broad was still locked in a cell in the sheriff’s office. And that Sheriff Deacon had lost the keys.

As the clock reached five minutes to nine, Slade arrived. The team’s boss stopped in the doorway. He eyed the group, saw Stella and Hagen, and greeted them with the smallest of smiles.

“Welcome back. Briefing room. Five minutes.”

4

Hagen froze mid-step as he entered the conference room. Martin Lin’s replacement was already at work, already prepared, and already in Stella’s usual seat.

He managed not to curse out loud, but it was a close thing.

Special Agent Anja Farrow spotted him as soon as he walked in. Her cherry-red lips curved into a familiar smile. His heart hammered against his ribs as those chestnut eyes locked with his, the silent recognition hanging in the air between them.

What the hell was she doing here? Two thousand miles and three years separated San Francisco from Nashville, yet somehow, his brief workplace fling had materialized without warning, sitting exactly where his girlfriend would soon be.

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