Page 20 of Dead Fall (The Quantico Files 2)

When they entered the break room, they found a couple of officers and two or three other staff members sitting at tables. After getting coffee, the three sat down at an empty table in the corner.

“I feel awful for Monty,” Alex said. “He’s such a good guy. I can’t believe this happened to him.”

“I didn’t see this coming,” Kaely said. “Pretty bad thing for a behavioral analyst to admit.”

Alex took a sip of her coffee and then set the cup down. “I didn’t either. I was certain this had to do with someone who felt wronged. Who was going after the people he thought caused him some kind of injustice. But Monty never worked with Davis or Bayne. Except for their profession, there’s nothing else tying them together. Still, I don’t believe the UNSUB is just picking random analysts. He has a reason for each target, but we have no idea who’s on his list.”

Kaely stared at her for a moment before saying, “Maybe you’re right about injustice. But different from what we originally thought.”

“What do you mean?” Logan asked.

“What if he wanted to be accepted into the BAU but was rejected? If he’s someone who wants to prove he shouldn’t have been turned away?”

Logan considered what she said. It made some sense. “I guess so.”

“Or maybe he was rejected because he didn’t have the kind of experience necessary to make it in,” Kaely said. “Perhaps his perception of himself is so inflated that he thinks he should be accepted without the proper credentials. Psychopaths and sociopaths think the world revolves around them. Maybe he blames the fathers of behavioral analysis for his failure. Could he see them as people who were chosen when he wasn’t?”

“That’s interesting,” Alex said. “His high opinion of himself certainly wouldn’t carry him through the FBI’s training program. Takes some real humility and guts to get through to the end.”

“So investigators need to look for men who were rejected for the BAU or the FBI?” Logan asked. “That might be a pretty long list.”

Kaely nodded. “Yeah, it is, but all we can do is work the profile and then let the police search for the UNSUB. We just need to come up with a profile that won’t leave them with too many possibilities.”

“I understand what you’re saying,” Alex said slowly.

“But?” Logan said. He could tell she had a problem with the idea.

“What about agents who were kicked out of the BAU?”

“That’s a much shorter list,” he said.

“We can suggest that, but not without bringing up the other possibility.” Alex sighed. “This could be tough.”

“We can only do our best,” Logan said. “Once we release our profile, we have to let it go, even when the case has touched someone we care about.”

The staff sitting at the other tables began to whisper and look at something behind them. Logan turned his head to see D. J. Harper standing at the door, looking a little lost. Logan got up and went over to him.

He stuck out his hand. “Mr. Harper? I’m SSA Logan Hart. We’re with the BAU, and we’re working your friend’s case.”

Harper shook his hand. “I’m here to talk to Chief Gorman, but I was told he’s busy.”

Logan gestured toward their table. “I don’t think you’ll have long to wait. Please sit with us. Can I get you a cup of coffee or maybe a soda?”

“Coffee sounds great, thanks.” Harper walked to the table and sat down next to Alex.

Logan poured a cup of coffee, then brought it to him. “I’m sorry. I should have asked if you need sugar or creamer.”

“Nope. Black and strong, otherwise what’s the point?” he said with a smile.

Harper was tall with a high forehead and blond hair mixed with gray. He had bushy eyebrows and bright eyes that conveyed intelligence.

Logan started to introduce Alex and Kaely, but Harper held up his hand, signaling him to stop.

“The lady with the long dark hair is Alex Donovan,” he said. “My sources tell me you took down a very dangerous man. Someone who wanted to kill thousands of people.” He shook hands with Alex.

“Well, actually, not that many people were at risk,” she said with a smile.

“But you didn’t know that. Well done.”

---