Once he entered the elevator, I was left standing alone with Tanner. He cleared his throat, and I braced myself for whatever he was about to say. He motioned for me to follow him into the room I’d been in with Day. The door clicked behind us.
“Agent Davis, you know the rules. You should have stayed at the command post until you received orders.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I—”
“I understand in our line of work friendships often develop between agents and protectees.”
That’s one way of putting it.
He continued, “However, we still have protocols to follow. I had planned to send you back to the command post, but we need the extra hands here while the FBI interviews your colleagues. Therefore, you’re staying, but I will send you back to the condo if need be. Am I clear?”
“Yes, sir.” I’d expected to be reprimanded by him but was grateful he was allowing me to stay in an official capacity because the truth was, I would refuse to leave if he tried to send me away.
* * *
A short timeafter my conversation with Tanner, Agent Jones showed up with equipment for those of us who hadn’t grabbed our earpieces or other items from the command post. Once I had everything I needed, Tanner assigned me to stand guard in the hallway near the elevator.
Even though I had a task to perform, I couldn’t stop thinking about Fallon and felt myself sinking further into the darkness threatening to consume me.
We’d received an update stating he was still in surgery, which at least meant he was continuing to hang on. I had no choice but to cling to the hope he would recover.
As we waited for more information, I spoke to a couple of agents who passed my way. It sounded as though the FBI had identified the asshole who had shot Fallon.
Since Day’s bullet had taken the suspect out, law enforcement was going to have a harder time figuring out his motive, however, I heard his driver’s license had been issued in New Jersey, which led me to believe he was connected to Hughes and meant the whole shitshow could be tied to Finnegan.
I had no idea how much time had passed as I paced the corridor. Eventually, we received word that Fallon’s family was in the building. I didn’t understand why Finnegan and Faye waited for their parents to travel from D.C. before coming to the hospital, but it sounded as though all four of them had finally arrived.
I saw Tanner head in my direction, and then the elevator dinged and opened.
Suddenly, the hallway was filled with the First Family as well as several agents. The president’s face was lined with concern, and his wife’s eyes were puffy and red. No doubt she’d spent the entire flight to Boston fearful for her son’s life. My heart broke for them because I understood the devastation they were feeling.
However, when my eyes locked on Finnegan, an overpowering rage consumed me. While the circumstances surrounding the shooting weren’t clear yet, I knew deep down Fallon wouldn’t be clinging to life if it weren’t for his brother’s stupidity.
I took a deep breath and tried to gain control of my anger. My job required me to not let my personal feelings get involved, but I couldn’t stop myself. I grabbed a hold of Finnegan’s arm and pulled him off to the side.
“You were supposed to take care of your shit,” I yelled in his face.
Ramos pulled me back. “Let him go, Davis.”
I shrugged Ramos’ hand off and met Finnegan’s gaze head-on. “If your brother dies, the blame lies solely with you.”
It didn’t matter that the shooting was under investigation; I knew in my gut it all came back to his gambling addiction, and I’d never forgive him for putting Fallon in danger.
Everyone stared at me with wide eyes, and Tanner demanded, “Davis, come with me. Now!”
Fuck.I may have just ended my career, but at that moment, I couldn’t find it within myself to give a damn.
I followed my team leader to the same room as before. He closed the door behind us and growled, “What the hell was that all about?”
I hung my head and sighed. “I lost my temper, sir.”
“That’s a fucking understatement. You just attacked the son of the president of the United States!”
“I was out of line—”
“Out of line doesn’t even begin to cover it.” He ran a hand down his face. “What’s gotten into you? I’ve never known you to be anything except professional until today.”
I could either lie and try to make excuses, or I could come clean about my relationship with Fallon. Neither option was ideal, but the repercussions would likely be worse if it came out later.
