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From the corner of her eye, Nikita watched Mandi’s family pile into the dark SUVs. She’d keep her promise to Mandi by helping her niece in any way she could. A new surge of grief ripped through her, and she was grateful for Hawk, even if only to keep her upright.
***
“Stockdale, I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon.” Randy Penn lowered his reading glasses and nodded to the chair across from him. “Agent Riggs’s memorial was very touching.”
Taking a seat, Nikita cleared her throat. Mandi wouldn’t have cared if Randy attended. Hell, she probably would’ve laughed if she saw the man’s fake sympathy for a fallen comrade.
“I’m only in town until tomorrow.”
Randy lifted his brow. “Oh?”
“I’d like a transfer to Denver.” She watched his right eye twitch. “Immediately.”
“Ah, I see you’ve become fond of Colorado.” He grabbed a stack of paperwork and glanced at it. “But you can’t leave quite yet.”
“Why not?”
“With how Agent Gibson betrayed our agency and the circumstances of Agent Riggs’s death, there needs to be an investigation on both.”
She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “I sent my full operation reports as required. If internal investigation has any questions, they can contact me in Colorado.”
A peculiar expression crossed Randy’s face. “It’s not just those two instances, Nikita.”
“Then what?”
He pushed a folder toward her. “Your father’s identity has called you in to question as well.”
She opened the file and scoured the contents. “You’re kidding, right? This is bullshit. My success rate speaks for itself.” A letter with the header from Fishkill Penitentiary caught her attention. “My father sent the FBI a letter?”
“Yes, a rather detailed one.” Her boss turned to the computer and pulled up a memo. “While he spelled everything Agent Gibson did to aid Diablos, he also mentioned your visits.”
Nikita’s head spun. Her father wouldn’t let her live her life. He had to jut in his ugly face whenever possible. “I didn’t do anything illegal.”
“No, I’m not doubting you.” He shrugged. “But these orders are above my head. Until you’re cleared for duty, you’re on leave.”
“Are you—”
“It’s nothing personal, Stockdale. It’s completely normal.” Randy offered her a small smile. “Should everything come back spick and span, I’ll personally push through your transfer to Denver.”
Standing, she nodded. “All right, thanks.” She made it to the door before Randy stopped her.
“Nikita, let me be the first to say we’ll miss you in Boston.” He smiled, this time seemingly genuine.
Despite not liking the man much, she returned the act. “Thanks. Boston has been good, but I need great.”
Chapter Forty
Kevlar
“She left?As in up and drove away?” Kevlar glared at Rubble, who stood there and took his wrath head-on. “And you did nothing? Why the hell are you the sergeant at arms if you can’t keep tabs on….” He paused. What was Kita to him? She wasn’t his old lady. She wasn’t his girlfriend. She was the ex he wanted to sleep beside for the rest of his life.
“Brother, she’s an FBI agent. If she wants to sneak out undetected, she’ll do it under anyone’s watch.” Rubble lit a cigarette. “Probably shouldn’t smoke in the recovery room.” He shrugged. “Oh, well. Want one?”
No, I want Kita.
He declined and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Doc advised him to stay put. Since when did he listen?Never.
“Thought you were taking it slow.”
