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He desperately tried to calm himself down, but it was no use. The panic attack had taken full control now, and it seemed like there was nothing Jake could do but wait until it passed—if it ever did pass at all.
But then, he heard it—a soft, gentle voice in the back of his mind that seemed to be coming from somewhere far away. It was like a whisper, but comforting and reassuring all at the same time.
The voice spoke of peace and tranquility, of a warm and inviting place with open fields and rolling hills. He could almost feel the sun on his face and smell the sweet scent of wildflowers in the air. The voice reminded him to take deep breaths and let go of all his worries and fears, promising that everything would be alright in the end.
Slowly, Jake began to relax as he listened to this soothing voice. His heart rate returned to normal, his breathing steadied, and his vision cleared up. He felt a sense of calm wash over him as he opened his eyes once again.
He knew now what he had to do—he had to find that place within himself where he could go when things got too overwhelming—that place where he could find solace in the midst of chaos.
He hadn’t had a panic attack like that in a long time. Maybe all this drama with Lauren, combined with his hangover, was making him lose his grip.
But he was determined not to let it get to him anymore. He had to take care of himself, and he knew that meant making sure he had a place to go to when he needed it.
All of a sudden, Jake’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out to see Chief Harold Whittaker’s name across his screen. Jake was already getting ready to come to work—but if the chief was calling, that almost certainly meant news.
He answered it quickly: “This is Agent Tucker.”
“Tucker, it’s Chief,” the chief said. “Get your ass down here stat. We have another case, and this one might make you glad we have Fiona on board.”
Jake nodded, but he wondered what the chief meant by that. “I’ll be there ASAP, Chief.”
Hanging up, Jake took one last look at the photo of his family before heading out the door.Whatever this case was, he was going to tackle it.
He just hoped Lauren would be there too.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jake walked into the FBI HQ in Portland, wishing he’d had time to stop for a coffee. His head still killed him and he was beyond exhausted, having tossed and turned all night. He kept his eyes peeled for Lauren as he made his way to Chief Whittaker’s office.
He finally reached the chief’s office and knocked on the door. As he waited, Jake looked around at all the pictures of past cases and awards that lined the walls. He couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride as he took it all in. There was even a photo of him and Lauren from their first year as partners, after they’d put a particularly nasty serial killer behind bars. Jake remembered it well; they’d been celebrated in the office as a brand new dream team, and he remembered the way the chief had said, “I see good things in you two, Tucker and Price. Don’t let me down.”
They never had.
That case had been brutal; the serial killer had been targeting young women and he had a twisted method of torture before ultimately killing them. It had taken months for Jake and Lauren to finally catch him, but when they did, it was a huge victory for the FBI. Jake smiled as he thought back on that case, grateful for the chance to work alongside such a talented partner.
The chief opened the door with a stern look on his face, but his expression softened when he saw it was Jake. “Come in, Agent Tucker,” he said gruffly, motioning for him to take a seat in one of the chairs across from his desk.
That was when Jake saw her.
Fiona, sitting on one of the chairs, wearing a blouse and pants, her curly red hair tied back. She offered Jake an awkward smile and a tiny wave, but he didn’t have it in him to return it.
Because Lauren wasn’t there.
He sat down next to Fiona as the chief took his spot behind his desk. Chief Whittaker folded his hands on his desk and leaned forward.
“So, I’m sure you’ve noticed we’re missing a member today,” the chief said.
Jake swallowed hard.
“I’m not sure if Agent Price informed you, Tucker,” the chief went on, “but she has requested a transfer to Quantico.”
The room froze.
Jake’s breath caught.
Lauren was really leaving. Not only as his girlfriend, but as his partner. And not only that—but she was moving across the country, to another office altogether.
His head spun. How had he let this happen? And did the chief know why Lauren was leaving?
