Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
BECKETT
"What the hell do you mean I'm off the case?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Supervisory Special Agent David Jones called me into his office a few minutes ago and delivered the bad news.
"It wasn't my call. This decision came directly from the deputy director."
I scrubbed a hand across my jaw. "I've been working this case for eight years. Now that we've located Mason, it's just a matter of getting him to testify against his father."
"Actually, Mason was released from prison this morning on a technicality."
Son of a fucking bitch!
"Why wasn't I notified?" It was taking everything in me to rein my temper in and not lose my shit on my supervisor. I didn't need that kind of backlash. I liked my job most of the time, and I respected my superiors for the most part.
"That I don't know. The deputy director isn't known for explaining himself."
No, I didn't imagine a man in his position would.
"Who have they assigned to the case?" Maybe I could talk to the other agent and be kept in the loop.
"The deputy director will be handling the case moving forward."
The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention. Something wasn't right. There was no way the deputy director would involve himself in a case this small. Dunkin was small potatoes. Not the kind of case that made careers. Why would he involve himself directly in something like that?
There would be no changing his mind though and certainly no collaboration. "Well, if he needs anything, I'm available to help." I knew the request was falling on deaf ears, but I felt obligated to put it out there. "Do you need anything else, or am I dismissed?"
It looked like Jones wanted to say more, but instead he waved his hand. Effectively dismissing me.
I kept my thoughts to myself all the way to my desk.
"What did Jones want?" Sylvia pounced with the question as soon as I was close enough for her to ask without anyone overhearing her.
"Not here. Not now."
"Well then, it's a good thing I'm hungry." She pushed back from her desk. "I think it's even my turn to buy."
That was a load of horseshit. I never let Sylvia pay despite our many arguments. No, it wasn't a date, but my mother raised me to never let a lady pay for a meal when I was fully capable of affording it.
"All right, fess up." Sylvia barely waited until we got a block away from the building before she spun around and spoke. "What didn't you want to tell me inside?"
I shoved my hands in my pockets and hunched my shoulders. "The deputy director is taking over the Dunkin case."
Sylvia blinked. And blinked again. "Lex's death? How did that become a federal case?"
I shook my head. "Not that one. My case."
Another two blinks. "But why?"
I'm glad I wasn't the only one confused by this new development. "I don't have a clue. When Mason escaped WITSEC, they wanted me to close the case. Said it was a waste of resources. Suddenly it's important enough for the deputy director to take over? It doesn't make any sense."
Sylvia nibbled on her lip. "Yeah, I don't like it."
I sighed. "Let's grab something to eat. Standing out in the open like this feels weird."
I had that tingling sensation that someone was watching me, and the longer we stood there, the more intense it got.
I tried casually looking around, but I couldn't see anything.
It was a busy time of the day in Nashville.
The sidewalks were filled with people. Literally dozens of people were moving past us every few seconds, and yet it felt like someone specifically was there just for me.
I learned long ago to trust my instincts, and right now, they were telling me to get inside.
Somewhere safe. And like hell was I going to give someone the opportunity to take me out.
I had a lot of shit left to do in my life.
Including taking down the Dunkin family.
Screw what the deputy director said. It was my case, and I was going to see it through. Everything would be fine.
Actually, that was going to be my new mantra.
It's fine. Everything's fine.
Famous last words.