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"Went running to Daddy, didn't you, Agent Mathews. And here, according to our last meeting, you hadn't done that since you were a child. "
Her chin lifted at the insult.
"The harassment in this office has gone beyond acceptable boundaries," she said, as she crossed her legs and placed her hands confidently in her lap. "Your agents are on edge and your office is filled with backbiting political backstabbers, with the majority of them fighting to gain your acceptance and the support they need to do their jobs. I refuse to continue to work in such an atmosphere of complete disrespect and disregard for the laws we're to uphold. "
He sneered back at her as he lifted the paper and glared at it again for a long moment.
Finally, Deerfield leaned back in his chair and simply watched her contemptuously.
"I'm certain you're aware this office is now under investigation," he stated. "Your godfather, our esteemed director, has decided he doesn't like how it's being run. I have no doubt you weren't behind the information he's received. "
Marty shook her head and let a small, mocking smile tilt her lips. "I was unaware of his plans until I began my vacation and learned of it," she assured him, though she really hoped he didn't believe her. "Any decisions he made, he made without my input. But I don't disagree with it. "
"You and your father are a plague. " His lips pulled back from his teeth in a display of primal fury. "Neither of you want to accept that we're not safe. That the country our agents die to protect is under attack, and that Khalid is a part of the disease moving into it. "
Marty sat silently; she wasn't arguing Khalid's innocence any further. Her last report stated all she had left to say about it.
"Your resignation. " He sat back in his chair once more as flicked his fingers toward the paper still lying on his desk. "I'll file it. Collect your belongings and get the hell out of here. But when you're staring into that monster's eyes facing your own death, don't say I didn't tell you so. "
Marty moved to rise from her seat.
"Agent Mathews. " Leaning forward, Deerfield had her sitting back slowly in her seat. "The attack against you last week ties directly back to the Mustaffa family. Are you aware of that? He's ready to rid himself of you and you can't even see it. "
Marty didn't speak. She stared back at him silently, following her godfather's advice to allow him to dig his own hole to see how deep he was involved in this.
"If his family doesn't kill you, others will. Mustafa has enemies. " He grimaced as, she suspected, he realized she cared very little for whatever he had to say. "Those enemies will kill you, simply because you're associated with him. "
"I've known Khalid most of my life. " A small, knowing smile tipped her lips. "I've followed him for the past two years, and I know things about his life that I'm certain even he is unaware of. I believe by now I know exactly the man this Bureau has been harassing. "
"Harassing?" His voice sharpened angrily as he leaned forward. "This fucking office doesn't harass anyone. We are investigators, Agent Mathews. We are all that is standing between the evil of this world and the country we are sworn to protect, this United States of America," he yelled back at her. "That son of a bitch has never known what it is to suffer. To fight to rise above poverty or to fight for justice. He doesn't know any fucking thing but the silver spoon shoved up his ass when he was born. "
Perspiration popped out on his forehead as his face flushed a dark, ruddy red. Anger sparked in his gaze and his lips pulled tight as he glared at her while she refused to speak.
She sat calmly, though she allowed the contempt to reflect in her face. It was better not to argue with him. At this point, it would be much more productive to allow his paranoia to build instead.
"Get the fuck out of here," he snarled, when she said nothing. "I hope you sleep well at night. " His hand brushed the paper violently to the side of his desk.
She was dismissed that easily. Contempt glittered in Deerfield's gaze, as did an edge of fear.
Rising to her feet, Marty moved to the door.
"He's nothing but a fucking disease and you don't want to see it," he told her as she gripped the doorknob. "
"If he's such a monster, then his enemies would already be taken care of, wouldn't they?" she asked him. "Khalid is innocent, Deerfield. You simply refuse to accept it. "
She didn't give him time to reply. Pulling the doorknob, she left the office quickly and strode past the secretary watching her suspiciously as she left.
The office was filled with suspicion and plots. Everyone watched everyone else with the knowledge that a meeting with Deerfield could signify yet another spate of harassment or suspicion of their character or their investigations.
No one was safe here when it came to having their character sliced and diced.
While entering the elevator, Marty clenched her teeth to hold back the curse trembling on her tongue. Damn Deerfield. The bastard made her want to rake his eyes out. He was condescending, superior, and completely neurotic. She had never been so certain of her decision to resign as she was at this moment.
After leaving the elevator, Marty walked quickly through the exit to the outside parking lot. Sunlight speared through the shelter of trees that filled the barriers between each section and lent a measure of shade to the overly warm day.
Stepping to the curb, she waited as the limo came to a stop in front of her. Stepping quickly from the driver's side, Abdul rushed around the vehicle and opened the door for her with a flourish.
Marty slipped inside where Khalid and Shayne waited silently, their gazes on her.
