Page 9 of Girl, Empty
‘Nothing.I haven’t spoken to anyone at HQ since our case in Florida.Why won’t they let you in on it?’
‘Too hot.Too close.The investigators agree that this has something to do with Austin Creed, but they’ve made it clear I need to stay a million miles away.’
Ripley checked her cell and then put it on the arm of the sofa.‘They’re right.You're the worst possible person to investigate this objectively.’
‘I know, but it doesn’t make it easier.Three of my friends are dead, and they wouldn’t be dead if they hadn’t known me.And I’m supposed to… what?Sit at home with my thumb up my ass while someone else figures out who’s doing this?’
Ripley regarded her for a long moment, like the answer was obvious.‘Yes.That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do, because the alternative is you going rogue, compromising the investigation and getting either yourself or someone else killed.’
Ella hated it when Ripley had a good point, because Ripley was the biggest hypocrite she knew.Ripley was exactly the kind of woman who’d take things into her own hands.‘Fine.’
‘There’s no other way to put it.I get that you’re feeling helpless, but you have to trust the team.At least officially.’
Ella’s eyebrows jumped into her hairline.‘Officially?’
‘I’m just saying.I’m still technically retired, remember?I’m just a consultant now, so I’ve got a little more… flexibility than you.’
There was the hypocrisy again.The hypocrisy that Ella never took for granted.‘I see.You’d do that?’
‘I’m not doing anything.Information just flows in mysterious ways, and sometimes old agents who burn down wasps nests hear things.Completely unrelated things that they might mention in casual conversation.’
‘I appreciate these completely unrelated things you might mention.’
‘Good, now do you want to get your laptop or what?If we both skip this training the same day, someone’s going to notice and I can’t-’
Just then, Ripley’s cell began to chirp.She eyeballed the screen with a look of dread.
‘Who is it?’
‘Edis.’
‘Oh, Christ.You better get it.’
Ripley jabbed the screen and turned it to loudspeaker.‘Morning, Will.’
‘Mia, sorry for disrupting you so early.’Edis’s tinny voice came through.‘Are you busy today?’
‘Me and Dark have some training thing soon.She’s here with me.’
Ella hadn’t heard Edis’s voice for weeks, and she hadn’t missed it, because it usually accompanied a request to some crime scene on the other side of the country.
‘Forget the training.Can you both get to headquarters within the hour?’
Ella and Ripley exchanged a look.Edis telling them to miss training?This didn’t happen, not in the world that Ella knew.
‘Is everything okay, sir?’Ella leaned forward.‘Do you need us on a case?’
‘No.Well, yes, but there’s something else.Something more important.’
The director’s voice had been stripped of its authority.Ella was hearing the human beneath the suit, possibly for the first time in her life.Judging by Ripley’s expression, she was equally as perplexed by this rare display.
‘What’s going on, Will?’asked Ripley.‘You sound weird.’
‘Please get here as soon as you can.I have a gift for both of you.’
The agents shared another look.This wasn’t the William Edis that Ella knew.
‘A gift?’
