Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Kincaid huffs. "That would definitely make the case a little easier, but let's still work the other angle. I'm curious to know what her connection to that brothel is."
"Go over that part with me again?"
This information was something we were going to discuss before Senator Dyer showed up. Kincaid had just gotten the notification before the meeting started.
"We really don't have much to go on other than an incoming phone call two weeks ago from another senator's son who then was pinged at the house."
"But the call came after she stopped communicating? After the credit card was no longer being used?"
"But her last ping was only a few blocks from there. Let me show you the map."
We spend the next hour going over the very limited information we have, both of us coming to the conclusion that with as hard as it is to just disappear in this day and age, there's definitely something suspicious going on.
When Kincaid drops me back off at the house I'm supposed to be moving out of because I'm no longer a field agent supervisor, at least for the next month, I get in my car. I've already moved every personal belonging out of the house, leaving it spotless for whatever agent my supervisor moves into my place. I know there's a very unlikely chance, even though I helped get the contracts with ICE and Cerberus set up, that I'll actually be able to return to work here.
As I drive to the cabin, I feel like a failure. With the way some cases have been going lately, it's not an unfamiliar feeling.
I know Jericho is working on a case in Kentucky, but Lark got there last night. Although I've had several phone calls with the man and a couple of video chats, I've yet to meet him in person.
Lark is standing on the front porch when I pull up, and the man greets me with a smile first, before holding his hand out.
"Special Agent Yarrow," he says. "Or should I call you Ace?"
"Ace works," I tell the man, because my days of being a special agent may be coming to a close. I have no idea what my supervisor is doing behind the scenes to finally push me out of the Agency. "How are you settling into the house?"
"Not really settling," he says. "Only here for a few days before heading back out, but Hemlock seems nice."
I stare at the man, incapable of keeping the confusion off my face. "Nice?"
"Yeah. He's a little gruff, and it's clear he doesn't like to talk much, but he doesn't make me feel unwelcome." He narrows his eyes as he takes a step closer to me. "Is there something I should know?"
I shake my head. "You can trust him."
"Good to know." He puts a step of distance between the two of us. "He's in the kitchen with Zara if you're looking for him."
Instead of avoiding the inside of the house, I enter and make my way toward the kitchen.
Zara gives me a lovely smile when she sees me, and when Hemlock turns around, he doesn't look like he wants to tear me limb from limb, so maybe we're making progress.
"Did Kincaid talk to you about my absence?"
"I'll be upstairs," Zara says just before leaving the room.
I almost open my mouth to make a snide remark about how well-trained she is already, but I know it would end with me walking out of here a little bloody and broken, and that's no way to start a new case.
"He said Mike will be our ICE contact for a while," Hemlock states. "Can I get you something to drink?"
I stare at the man like he's grown a second head.
"I'm good, thanks," I manage.
"Don't look so shocked," he grumbles, the snarl I'm familiar with coming back onto his face. For some reason, it makes me feel better to know he hasn't changed as much as I thought he had. "Zara says I scare people."
"Asking me if I wanted a drink is scarier," I mumble. "Were you going to make me a drink if I said yes?"
He looks at me like he never even considered that would be my answer. "No. I'd point to the fucking fridge. It's not like you don't help yourself when you're here anyway."
I shrug, knowing he's right. When he was working his first case here in Tennessee, there were times I'd be in this house, waiting for him to come home. Hell, there were nights I waited and he never came home.
I don't know if Kincaid told him about the job I'll be working for Cerberus, so I don't mention it either. Thankfully, Hemlock isn't the type of guy to make small talk or concern himself with what other people are doing, especially if it doesn't have anything to do with him. I bet commanding officers loved him in the Marine Corps.