Page 7 of Not This Way

“You did good today,” he said. “Real good.”

She hesitated though, watching him closely. Something in his tone immediately put her on guard. “But…” she said, quirking an eyebrow.

“But,” he replied softly, “Captain Smith is furious you went in without backup. I know you felt you had no choice…” Thomas held up a hand as Rachel opened her mouth to protest. “I know. Just…watch your back with him. The Captain won’t forget this.”

Rachel exhaled, her shoulders slumping. Standing under the bright fluorescent bulbs, she felt out of place. She missed the woods, the scent of moss and petrichor. She missed camping in the rain, listening to the drizzle and the scamper of creatures.

And now… Captain Smith. He had always had it out for her. Even if she’d doneeverythingby the book and had waited for the feds to show up on time, he likely still would’ve found something to be annoyed with.

“I can take care of myself,” Rachel said quietly. It wasn’t a prideful claim, just a practical reminder. She tilted the brim of her hat, the eagle feather fluttering in the air from the ceiling AC unit.

Thomas nodded. “I know you can. But even warriors need allies sometimes.” He gave her shoulder a final squeeze. “Just remember you’ve got me in your corner.”

Rachel managed a real smile then.

She had barely stepped away from Thomas when a booming voice cut through the din of the lobby.

“Blackwood! My office. Now.”

Captain Smith stood in the doorway of his office, face like thunder. He had a thin chin-strap and a neat, pressed blue suit that proudly displayed a golden skeleton watch on his right wrist. The chatter in the lobby from near the desk died instantly as all eyes turned to Rachel. She lifted her chin, ignoring the darting glances and hushed murmurs, and walked steadily across the room.

Each click of her shoes on the tile echoed the rapid beat of her heart. She schooled her features into a neutral mask, determined not to show weakness. Not to Captain Smith.

The Captain’s cold eyes tracked her approach. When she drew close, he ran a hand through his gelled hair, spun on his heel, and stalked into his office without a word. The door snapped shut behind him.

Rachel paused, steadying herself with a slow breath, as if she were about to aim through a scope.

Squaring her shoulders, as if against a blustering mountain wind, Rachel turned the knob and stepped inside to meet her fate.

Captain Smith stood with his back to the door, arms crossed as he gazed out the window overlooking the city. Rachel hovered just inside the room, unsure if she should speak first.

After a tense moment, the Captain broke the silence without turning around. “That was a damn foolish thing you did today, Blackwood. Going in alone like that.”

His gravelly voice was cold, clipped. Rachel bristled but bit back a sharp retort.

“With all due respect, sir, he would’ve escaped if I’d waited—”

Smith whirled on her, eyes flashing. “I don’t give a damn about your excuses!” He advanced until he towered over her, using his height to intimidate. “You deliberately disobeyed a direct order and put yourself and others at risk with that little stunt.”

He smelled of copious amounts of cologne. She didn’t mention it.

Rachel stood her ground. When a grizzly approached, one didn’t want to show weakness. She also didn’t say a word. The Captain seemed in a lecturing mode; she would hold her tongue until he gave her reason to loosen it.

The Captain’s face turned an alarming shade of purple at her stoic silence. He was shaking his head now, a single strand of gelled hair falling from his hirsute helmet of product and dye. For a moment, Rachel thought he might actually strike her. But he mastered himself with visible effort, stepping back and resuming his stern pose.

“You’re damn lucky the operation succeeded, Blackwood,” he bit out. “If we’re going to make any progress on repairing relations with the tribal council, I can’t have my agents going off half-cocked on their own agendas and private land.”

He pinned her with an icy stare. “Consider this your last warning. I’ve got my eye on you now. One more misstep, and you’re off this task force for good.”

Rachel hesitated, but kept her expression neutral. He’d given her this speech more than once. As of yet, she hadn’t been booted. She still wasn’t exactly sure why he disliked her, though she had some guesses. “Is that all, sir?”

Smith gave a curt nod. “For now. But don’t get too comfortable. I’ve got another case for you—a big one. It’s going to be splashed all over the papers.” His eyes glinted. “Think you can handle that…or should I find someone else?”

The challenge in his voice was unmistakable. Rachel met his gaze steadily. “I can handle it, sir.” She hesitated briefly, wondering if he wanted to yell at her a bit more.

But he had turned to his desk now and was wearily massaging the bridge of his nose, shaking his head as he did.

“Do you know who Madison Beaumont is?”

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