“With respect, ma’am,” Marcus interrupted, “We performed just fine.We found the killer.”
“The killer confessed to you after completing all of the murders she intended to complete,” Winters countered.
A knife twisted in Kate’s chest.She swallowed and looked down at her hands.Kate had spent the entire mission having trouble focusing on the case and not her emotional conflict with Marcus.She believed she’d focused when necessary and given her full energy to the case, but both things couldn’t be true, could they?
She glanced at Marcus.Judging by his expression, he was wondering the same thing.
Winters sighed.“I’ve given you both an exceptionally long leash.I’ve had good reason to do that because you two have been by far my most effective field agents, but there comes a point when I have to accept that the longer the leash, the more you guys pull on it.I’m not going to tell you two that you can’t date, but in light of your relationship—”
“That relationship is over, Director,” Kate said.“We’ve agreed to remain professional partners only.”
Winters stared at her for a moment.Then she glanced at Marcus.“Is that true, Special Agent Reid?”
Once more, there was the briefest hesitation before Marcus replied.“Yes, ma’am.”
Winters looked at both of them.Kate counted by the soft ticking of the analog clock hanging above her door.She reached fifty before Winters finally said, “I see.Well, in light of that, I will provisionally allow your partnership to continue as I still believe you two are better agents together than apart.If your romantic relationship resumes for any reason, youwillreport it to me.If I find out by any other means than you both informing me, I will not only dissolve your partnership but will also pursue disciplinary action.Am I understood?”
Kate nodded.Marcus murmured, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.With that out of the way, we can move on to more pressing business.Elijah Cox has been placed at number one on the Bureau’s most wanted list.His description has been provided to every law enforcement agency in the nation.The TSA has his file as well, so if he tries to leave the country, he’ll be picked up and held for us.”
“Are there any leads, ma’am?”Kate asked.“Any at all?”
“No,” Winters replied.“We’ve been unable to identify the man who broke him out.It’s come to light that the guard who was killed was involved in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate.Our hypothesis is that Cox leveraged that information to obtain the supplies he needed to contact the disciple and arrange his escape.”
Marcus sighed.“Lovely.”
Kate pressed her lips together.To think that Cox had escaped because a guard couldn’t keep it in his pants.And with an inmate, no less.She was nowhere close to believing Cox about the wages the nation had earned for its sin, but it was hard not to feel like they deserved Cox a little bit for being so utterly foolish.
“Put us on his trail,” Marcus said firmly.“We’ll find him.”
“Absolutely not,” Winters replied, just as firmly.“You two are far too close to this case, you especially Kate.You’ve behaved well in recent months save for the stumble over your personal relationship.I don’t want to risk that.”Her face softened a touch.“And it’s not right to put that on you after everything you’ve already suffered at Cox’s hands.”
“She’ll keep suffering if we don’t stop him,” Marcus argued.“We need to be the ones catching him.We need to be on the front lines.We’re the most well-equipped to stop him.”
“Your advice will continue to be appreciated,” Winters replied, “but you two will not be joining the manhunt.That’s final.”
Marcus frowned, but he didn’t argue further.Winters held his gaze until she was sure there would be no more conflict, then moved on.“I’ve contacted Mrs.Reid about the potential risk to her person.”
“Miss Jones,” Marcus corrected.
“Until your divorce is final, her legal name is Cheryl Reid, and that’s how the Bureau will refer to her,” Winters returned.“As I was saying, she’s declined to accept our offer of protection and chosen instead to stay with family.”
“Yeah, she told me,” Marcus said in a clipped tone.
“I don’t think Cox will go after her,” Kate said.“It’s me he wants.He wants me all to himself.That’s why he…”
She clammed up.She hadn’t told Marcus about her hypothesis yet, and she didn’t want Winters to know that she thought Cox wanted to drive a wedge between her and Marcus out of jealousy.
Winters took a deep breath.“Whatever the case, she’s declined the offer.As for you two: Marcus, I’m willing to offer you an escort to and from your apartment to the field office.”
“No, that’s not needed,” Marcus said.“I’ll be all right.”
His eyes were narrowed, his shoulders flexing.Kate got the impression a part of him was hoping Cox would try to attack him.
“Very well,” Winters said.She turned to Kate.“Agent Valentine, considering the pervasive harassment Cox has shown you and his clear fixation on you, the Bureau has approved protective custody.I very strongly suggest you accept it.”
“No,” Kate replied.
