Chapter 3
Parker
Knocking on the open door, I paused waiting for permission to enter. When I stepped through the doorway, I saw my supervisor with his head down as he scanned over some documents.
Clearing my throat nervously, I stepped inside and walked over to the desk. Clasping my hands behind my back, I stood in front of my supervisor and waited for him to acknowledge me. Finally, after an awkward silence in which I did my best not to fidget, Supervisory Special Agent Walker looked up.
“Parker,” he said with a smile. “What can I do for you?” His dark eyes scanned me up and down. He waved to the chair in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”
I ignored the uncomfortable way his gaze made me feel. “Thank you, sir.” Sitting down on the edge of the chair, I gripped the arms tightly. I had to be on the team. “I heard about the new case in Texas, sir. I wanted to ask to be placed on the field team. I am very interested in the case.”
The man’s focus sharpened on me. I watched as he rested his elbows on the desktop and folded his hands.
He tapped his pointer fingers together in front of his lips as I mentally prepared different arguments to convince him to let me join.
The team would likely be small, with only three or four agents joining the group.
“You don’t have any field experience,” he finally said. “I need agents who know what they are doing. Lives are on the line with an active serial killer on the loose.” He looked ready to dismiss me from his office. Before he could wave me away, I leaned forward.
“With respect, sir, I may not have field experience, but there is no one on the team who is more dedicated than I am.”
He let out a scoff and shook his head. “Eagerness is admirable, but it doesn’t make up for knowledge.”
“Sir, I graduated at the top of my class. I may not have any field experience, but I have the knowledge you need. I can do this.” I held my breath as he kept studying me.
“I can’t have any team members slowing down the investigation.”
“I understand. But if you give me a chance, I promise to prove myself to be an asset.” I gritted my teeth as disappointment filled me.
It was obvious that he didn’t trust my lack of experience.
The irony was that the only way to gain the needed experience was to be placed on a field team.
I hated it, but I had my pride. I couldn’t continue to beg.
“We leave in an hour.”
He dropped his hands and immediately began focusing on the paperwork in front of him again. I sat there, my mouth opening and closing as I searched for something to say. I was confused. Was he telling me to be ready to leave, or was he just telling me that the team would be leaving me behind?
He glanced up at me with a pen in his hand and gave me an irritated look. “Well? I thought you wanted to be a part of the field team?”
“I do,” I said, trying not to get my hopes up too high at his words. “Does that mean…”
“Go on,” he waved a hand at me, shooing me away. “Go get packed. If you’re not at the airstrip in time, we leave without you. Unless you changed your mind?” He lifted one eyebrow as he eyed me, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
I jumped up from the chair and ran my hands down the front of my sensible black slacks. “Yes, sir! I’ll be here! Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
I started to turn away when he called out my name. I paused and waited for whatever he had to say.
“I know about your history.” I inhaled sharply, my breath catching in my throat.
“I’m sorry about the loss of your sister.
” His expression was hard to read. There was something that almost looked like sympathy, but changed to severe in an instant, making my back straighten.
“But you follow my orders. If you can’t handle it or screw up in any way, not only will you be kicked off the task force, but I will ensure your career ends before it can even begin.
If you go rogue trying to catch the killer outside of regulations, I’ll submit the termination recommendation immediately. Am I clear?”
My face felt hot as his words sank in. “I may want to find my sister’s killer and put him behind bars for the rest of his life, but I respect the oath I took. I have no intentions of doing anything that could jeopardize my career.”
He nodded once. “Let’s see that you do. Now go.”
“Yes, sir,” I said. With one last glance at my supervisor, I spun on my heel.
It took all my effort to walk normally and not rush through the office.
I went to my desk and packed away the file I was officially working on.
I slid it into my satchel next to my sister’s case file and tidied up my desk.
Sliding the strap of my bag over my shoulder, I headed for the exit. I had just enough time to make it to my small studio apartment and toss some clothes into a suitcase before I needed to be at the small airport that the FBI used. I was going to be cutting it close.
I didn’t own a car, so I generally relied on public transportation, but due to the time constraints, I pulled out my phone and opened an app to order a car ride instead.
Luckily, there was one just around the corner.
Once I got to my tiny apartment, I rushed around, grabbing a few pairs of the black slacks and white dress shirts I wore to work every day. My wardrobe was pathetically boring.
After piling them into my suitcase as neatly as possible, hoping they would stay wrinkle-free, I glanced at the few pairs of jeans I owned.
I debated for a minute, then grabbed a pair.
I didn’t know if I’d need them, but it was better to bring a pair, just in case.
I set a T-shirt on top of the growing pile of clothes, then decided to pack one more.
Rushing into the bathroom, I took my small overnight toiletries case from under the sink. Stuffing the shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash in the bag, I looked down at it. My mind was racing, trying to remember everything that I would need for several days away.
“Toothbrush,” I muttered to the empty room.
After sliding the toothbrush into a plastic bag, I grabbed my toothpaste and deodorant.
I hesitated, then packed the few makeup items I bothered using.
I never wore much makeup. I typically wore only light foundation, concealer for the nights when I couldn’t get much sleep, when the nightmares became too much, and eyeliner if I really wanted to look nicer than normal.
After dropping several hair ties and my brush into the bag, I zipped it up.
I shoved aside the clothes in my small rolling suitcase and settled the toiletry bag inside.
I was about to zip up the suitcase when I grabbed the tennis shoes I rarely wore.
I placed them inside a plastic bag to keep my clothing clean, then closed the suitcase.
It was a tight fit, but I managed to get it completely zipped.
I pulled out my phone and checked the time. “Crap. I need to hurry!”
I bit my lip as I looked toward the fridge. I could only spare a few more minutes at most. Still, the thought of leaving food to spoil only to return later to a stinky, disgusting refrigerator settled it for me.
I left my suitcase by the front door and darted to the sink.
Reaching into the cabinet underneath, I took a garbage bag from the box.
I quickly went to the fridge and pulled out anything that would expire in the next couple of weeks.
There wasn’t much to begin with, but by the time I was done, the inside of the refridgerator was pitifully empty.
Taking the handle of my suitcase in one hand and carrying the garbage bag in the other, I stepped outside, pausing to lock the door. As I was pulling the key from the lock, one of my neighbors opened their door.
“Hey, Parker.” She eyed my suitcase. “Are you going on vacation?”
Mabel was an older woman in her late fifties. She’d never had children and had recently divorced her abusive high school sweetheart. Mabel was learning to be independent for the first time in her life. I admired her making the decision, understanding how hard it must have been for her.
“Hey, Mabel. No, I’m going away for work.
” I smiled at her, then hesitated a moment.
I was used to doing everything on my own, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask for help every now and then.
“Would you mind just keeping an eye on my apartment while I’m gone?
I mean, there’s really nothing of value, but. ..”
She immediately waved away my hesitation. “Of course. That’s what neighbors are for, right? I’ll keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t seem right. Are you expecting any packages?”
I shook my head. “Not that I can recall.”
“Well, if anything is dropped off, I’ll make sure to hold it for you, okay? Have a safe trip, Parker.”
“Thanks, Mabel!”
I pulled my suitcase behind me and headed outside to the dumpster. I held my breath as I opened the lid, then tossed the bag inside. After dropping the lid again, I pulled out my phone to check the time. I had run out of time. I needed to get to the airfield before I got left behind.