AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think it’s never too late to go back,” Annie said. “Obviously.”
“Anyway. I transferred to Internal Affairs a few months ago because the LAPD needed serious overhaul after the bad press we got after Rodney King, and I think it’s probably the only way I’ll get promoted anytime soon.”
“Makes sense.”
“Being in IA does not, however, make me popular.”
Annie recalled hearing the detectives call Helen “the bitch from Internal Affairs” not too long ago.
“You are not dumb,” Annie repeated. “You might not be popular now, but my guess is you’re smarter than most of the guys on the force, and eventually things will come out in your favor.”
“That’d be nice,” Helen said. “A hopeful view of things.”
They drove in silence for several miles until Helen asked, “What about you? You told me how you joined the CIA and thatyou left, but you never told me why or what the deal really is with that pager.”
“I’m just a contractor now,” Annie said carefully. She worked to keep her expression neutral. She shouldn’t be talking about it at all. “Technically, CIA officers aren’t supposed to do interrogations on American soil, but if they keep me on as a contractor, they don’t have to rely on FBI or locals to do their dirty work for them.”
“That’s…”
“Awful, I know,” Annie said.
“So you don’t like it?”
“I like it better than going overseas, I guess.”
“Is that why you left in the first place? The travel?”
Annie pictured the blood, the chalky faces, how tiny the little girl looked. She swallowed. “Yeah. The travel.”
“You could always quit.”
“It’s not that simple,” Annie said. “Anyway, it beats waiting tables or working retail. I make okay money, and since I have a lot of school left, I can’t complain.”
Annie fiddled with the hem of her sweater. She could lie through her teeth with barely a second thought, but honesty made her fidget.
“Have you ever thought about being a police officer?” Helen asked.
Annie sighed. “Deputy Chief Worth—Mason Worth—actually tried to get me to join his previous department out in DC. I think that’s half the reason the LAPD calls me so much.”
Helen snorted. “No wonder you said no.”
“Yeah, he’s certainly not subtle.”
“Please tell me if he harasses you in any way going forward,” Helen said. “I’m serious.”
“I will,” Annie promised.
“Annie, thank you again for letting me tag along. I already feel, um, lighter somehow.”
“I’m so happy. You’ll like Lori and Louis. They’re good people. Funny and down-to-earth. Lori put up with me for years, so you know she’s made of sterner stuff than most.”
“Putting up with you doesn’t seem like a chore, for the record.”
“Wait and ask her that,” Annie said with a laugh, “before you make your conclusion.”
Helen glanced at her. “I will.”
Annie shifted in her seat. Rolled down the window a bit to let some fresh air in; it was cool against her face. Took a deep breath and another, and then, when she became a little lightheaded, she rolled the window back up.
