Page 54 of Dead Fall (The Quantico Files 2)

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It was late, they’d missed the chance to have dinner with the rest of their unit, and the cafeteria workers were preparing to close. The hot foods were gone, but sandwiches and chips were still available. The four of them grabbed what they could and ordered a drink. They were each given a paper cup, and the beverage machine doled out ice and whatever drink they wanted.

Alex chose root beer since it didn’t have caffeine. Kaely’s restlessness the night before had kept her up, but she had no plans to say anything. She didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. It was obvious the case was on her mind 24/7. She was even working on it in her sleep. Even though Alex wasn’t getting much rest either, the idea of being alone right now didn’t appeal to her.

It might seem like overkill to have FBI police officers scattered all around the building and outside, watching out for the members of their unit, but Alex felt more secure with them there. Of course, everyone in their unit was armed as well, so if someone was inside the building working for the UNSUB, it would be hard for that person to hurt them. But Alex found herself looking around anyway, wondering if the people around her were who they seemed to be.

Kaely sat down at a different table, and minutes later, Noah came in and joined her.

As Logan and Monty ate with Alex, neither mentioned the case. She was pretty sure it was because they were as tired of thinking about it as she was. Were they finally close enough to really help the agents and detectives who were looking for the UNSUB? Or was their profile falling as short as she feared?

When they were finished, everyone, including Kaely, headed to the elevator. They passed one of the police officers and said good night. When they got off the elevator on their floor, Alex was surprised to see another officer. They said good night to him as well, then entered their rooms.

“Why the extra security out there?” Alex asked when she closed their door. “Is it because of what happened to Jeff? Or a new threat?”

Kaely shrugged. “If there was a new threat, Terry or Logan would tell us. They’re not trying to keep anything from us.”

“I guess you’re right. This case is making me squirrely.”

“Me too.” Kaely frowned. “I’m usually pretty accurate when it comes to writing profiles, but this time...”

“I know. Do you get the feeling we’re missing something?”

Kaely laughed. “I always feel that way until the UNSUB is apprehended.”

Alex grinned at her. “Good point.”

Kaely was quiet for a moment. “Look, that dream you had last night? About the woman in the maze?”

Alex nodded. “Yeah. Do you understand it?”

Kaely looked away from her. “Are you sure you want to hear this?”

“I ... I think so.”

“From what you’ve told me, you grew up without a role model.”

“That’s true.” Alex’s body tensed remembering what Logan told her. Surely Kaely hadn’t come to the same conclusion. Did she think she was the ghostly figure in Alex’s dream? “Before you say anything else,” Alex said, unable to keep a note of bitterness out of her voice, “I’m not obsessed with you. I admire you, but I don’t want to be you.”

Kaely’s eyes widened. “I wasn’t going to say that. Why would you come to that conclusion?”

Feeling embarrassed and wishing she’d never told Kaely about her dream, Alex said, “Logan accused me of trying to emulate you. He thinks I’m trying to be you.”

To Alex’s surprise, Kaely laughed softly. “Oh, Alex. Heavens no. I’m so imperfect. I’m growing, but I still have a long way to go. My childhood was so traumatic, and I’ve been trusting God for healing ever since I met Him. No one should want to be like me.”

“But you seem so ... self-confident. And you’re the most talented analyst I’ve ever heard of.”

Kaely removed the band holding her curly auburn hair in a messy bun. Then she ran her hand through her hair in an attempt to tame it. Alex could tell she was stalling, trying to think of what to say. Finally, Kaely looked at her. “Sometimes what seems like self-confidence is just plain stubbornness. You see, I just won’t give up. Ever. But I’ve been lost and confused. After my father was apprehended and we learned who he really was, my mother became emotionally distant.”

“But ... you needed her then. You were just a child.”

“Yeah, that’s true. But she wasn’t there for me or my brother. I left home as soon as I could.”

“So did I.”

Kaely nodded. “Because you thought it would give you another chance at life.”

“Exactly. I knew what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. I put everything I had into getting to Quantico.”

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