Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“I was in college when my mother was in a movie about the Kennedy assassination, and I dove into investigating the case with near obsession. The CIA did it. They almost always did it, unless the FBI beat them to the punch. But no one ever says Homeland Security did it. That probably means they did it.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t get stuck on that idea, since you’re officially reporting to me now.”
I laugh. “I’m not reporting to Homeland Security. Catching killers is my superpower.”
“Terrorists are killers.”
“Your kind of killers,” I say. “Not mine.”
“The Society is a terrorist operation, Lilah.”
Now he has my attention, but I say nothing. I let him talk and the more people talk, the more they say things they don’t mean to say. “So, let’s talk about that elephant in the room,” he continues. “I was a part of Murphy’s quest to take down the Society.”
“The Society?”
“Come on, Lilah. That bullshit isn’t necessary. We both know who we’re talking about. Calvin Adams will be your new FBI Director.”
“My director? I thought you just said you’re my director. What game are you playing? And Murphy was deputy director.”
“Director Casey stepped down yesterday due to health issues. Calvin will step into his role and per the President’s direction, Murphy will not immediately be replaced. Calvin will personally oversee Murphy’s Society directives. Calvin’s a good, ethical man,” he continues. “One we believe can make it through the Senate hearings.”
“Why not replace both positions?”
“Murphy’s replacement will be a target of the Society. We believe Calvin is the best man to be in that position. He’s currently oblivious to the Society, which means he comes into this fresh. We believe he’ll reject their recruitment efforts, but we need to wait and watch. We need you to wait and watch.”
“I’m not a babysitter.”
“No, but you want to know your enemies, and there is no better way to know a future enemy than to keep them close.”
I mentally concede he’s right, but it helps if you know who your enemies are and in this sea of snakes, that’s a pretty damn hard task. “Why not appoint someone who already is on the right side?”
“A director requires a Senate confirmation, and the Society is well tapped within those ranks. Since we won’t give them one of their own, we have to give them someone they at least hope will be corruptible. All of this translates to you needing someone you trust to navigate Society challenges. That will be me.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“I’ll change that,” he assures me.
“I never trusted Murphy.”
“Was there a reason I should know about?” he asks.
“I thought he was playing both sides. Are you?”
“I’m not,” he says firmly.
I study him several beats and find him a harder read than most. He’s smart. He’s cunning. He’s not someone I’d turn my back on. “I’m a profiler,” I repeat, “set-up in a special program Murphy created. What of that program?”
“You’re an agent that profiles, not a profiler. An FBI agent is an agent of many talents and duties, including surveilling and apprehending domestic terrorists. But that being said, your program, which started and continues to be a cold case program, will stand with the President’s approval. But you need to actually pick a cold case and work it.
The President.
How far does the Society go up the ladder? I wonder. I knew they wanted my father to travel that high on their behalf, but are they already there? “My father’s Society,” I state.
“I know everything. Murphy and I communicated.”
“Murphy, who I didn’t trust.”
“Why?” he presses again.
“Asked and answered,” I remind him. “When is Calvin on board?”
“He’s already been offered interim status and accepted.”
I want so much to tell him to fuck off, but Kane’s argument that my badge protects him and me isn’t wrong. I’m just not sure it’s right anymore, either. “I have a killer to catch. Beyond that, I am not prepared to commit to anything, but you need to know this. I’m loyal to the bloody death to those I trust. I’m vicious to those who deceive me.” I stand up and I don’t wait for his reply, I start for the door.
I’m halfway there when he says, “Kane has been in Mexico the past few hours.”
I stop dead but I don’t turn.
“His plane is headed back, in case you wondered,” he adds. “The internet on the flight is down. He won’t be able to contact you.”
Relief washes over me followed by supreme agitation. I rotate to face him. “Are you threatening me? Because you should know I consider people who threaten me my enemies.”
“As you should.” He holds up his well-manicured hands. “I’m not threatening you.” He reaches for his coffee, which he offered none of to me and adds, “I’m showing you how many resources we have and can make yours. Kane wants what we want. The Society gone. I’ll offer him full immunity and protection.”