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Sloane proceeded to tell the Trumans what they didn’t know—the specifics of what Derek had learned from Deanna and the absence of details on the FBI’s investigative plan going forward. And, most of all, the fact that Penny’s state of mind had been upbeat.
“So we know almost the precise spot on campus where Penny vanished.” Hope Truman sat up straight, her fingers tightly clasping her purse as a fresh surge of optimism coursed through her. “Surely that’s enough of a lead to act on.”
“It is,” Sloane agreed. “I spoke to Special Agent Parker this morning. Based on this new information, agents will be visiting the campus to investigate.”
“Why are there no details on this investigation?” Ronald demanded before Sloane could finish her answer. “Who are they interviewing? And when?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You’re not sure?” Ronald leaned forward, his eyes blazing. “In other words, more smoke and mirrors, courtesy of the FBI.”
“That’s not what I’m saying, Dr. Truman.” Sloane chose her words carefully. “Just because the Bureau isn’t comfortable sharing procedural details with me doesn’t mean they don’t have a plan. I’m sure they do.”
“The decision of whether to share case details with you isn’t the Bureau’s. It’s ours. We hired you.”
“I understand your feelings. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.” Sloane had to bite her tongue to keep from elaborating and letting Dr. Truman know just how livid she was about the approach Derek was taking.
It was bizarre to find herself in this position. Derek was always the cowboy, the one who made quick evaluations and then charged into the fray, the one who placed getting results over playing by the rules. She was the diplomat, the one who applied psychology and careful planning before she acted. He was the first-strike force. She was the crisis negotiator.
This time the roles were totally reversed. Worse, she had to be PC about her reaction to that, since to do otherwise would bash the Bureau. Which meant she had to defend Derek for his abrupt one-eighty, and swallow the fact that he might be doing this just to make her life difficult.
Maybe she was being completely irrational. Either way, it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t dis the Bureau, and she wouldn’t dis Derek. The former was out of loyalty and training, and the latter was out of respect. Whatever else he was, Derek was an outstanding agent.
She had to handle this just right to achieve the desired results.
“When I spoke to Special Agent Parker, I brought up several ideas,” she informed the Trumans. “How quickly and how thoroughly they’ll pursue them, I just don’t know. In all fairness, Special Agent Parker is working on a different squad now, with a new pile of high-priority cases. So he has a lot to juggle. Compounding that problem is the fact that so many Bureau resources have been reallocated to counterterrorism.”
“In other words, they don’t have the resources for what they consider to be, at best, a long shot, and at worst, a cold case that will never be solved,” Ronald interrupted.
“It’s not that black-and-white. I’m just not sure where in the gray zone it falls.” Sloane paused, then went for the gold. “Officially, the Bureau has the final say about how they handle things. Being an outsider, I have only so much latitude when it comes to making demands. I can’t order them to provide me with full disclosure, or to include me in their planning.”
“But I can.” Ronald Truman responded just as Sloane had hoped. “The assistant director in charge of the New York field office is an old friend of mine. We attended Hopkins together. Plus, I have a former golf buddy who’s now at FBI Headquarters in D.C. He’s a supervisor in the Criminal Investigative Division. His father is one of my patients. When Penelope first disappeared, I made phone calls to both New York and D.C. Those conversations resulted in Penelope’s case remaining visible, active, and being assigned to Special Agent Parker, who I was told was the best.”
“He is.” That much Sloane could say without hesitation.
“Then I don’t give a damn what squad he’s working on now. He’s in charge of Penelope’s case. We have new information to act on. I want him driving this hard and fast, with you brought up to speed and in the loop. I’ll make sure of it.”
“I appreciate that.” Dr. Truman’s Bureau connections were even better than Sloane had guessed. “Support like that will make a huge difference.”
“Consider it done.” Ronald Truman was already reaching for the phone. “Expect to hear from the New York field office later today,” he announced, punching in a phone number. “When I’m finished twisting the right arms, you’ll be getting an urgent call from Special Agent Parker.”
Sloane gritted her teeth as she envisioned that call. “I’m sure I will.”
FBI New York Field Office
26 Federal Plaza, New York City
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
Derek stared across the desk at his squad leader, his jaw working furiously as the significance of Tony’s words sank in. When he’d answered his boss’s summons, walked into the corner office, and taken a seat, he’d assumed he was being summoned for an update on whether C-6’s attempts to prevent a gang war had been successful. Or maybe some information on whether the cops had tracked down the psycho who was butchering Xiao Long’s girls.
But this? Never.
“No, Derek, I’m not kidding. I’m dead serious.” Tony leaned forward, fingers interlaced, wearing that Supervisory Special Agent Antonio Sanchez look that said
there was no give in this situation. “Until further notice, the Truman case is your number one priority. Everything else is back burner. My orders came from the ADIC himself. My hands are tied. And so are yours.”
Derek’s fist struck the arm of his chair. “This is insane. Penelope Truman’s been missing for a year. We got a few new leads, enough to warrant some follow-up from the Atlantic City RA. They’re working those leads. There’s not a damn thing I can add to the process, certainly not enough to yank me away from C-6 when we’re sitting on a potential time bomb.”
