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The ranger got a bottle of water and some paper towels out of his truck and handed them to Melanie. She thanked him and edged her way back to the passenger side. He waited until she got back in the car and buckled up.
Wayne started the engine and proceeded back to the main road. They sat in silence. Wayne finally spoke. “Look. I’m sorry.”
Melanie stared straight ahead.
“I find you attractive.” Wayne thought complimenting her would evoke a response. Nothing. He tried again. “Seriously. You’re attractive and smart, and interesting.” Still nothing.
Melanie sat motionless. Doesn’t this idiot get it? There is nothing you can say. Absolutely nothing. She wondered when he’d spiked her wine. Then Mr. Cosgrove’s words came back like a boomerang. Be aware. And so much for dating.
They pulled in front of Melanie’s apartment building. Wayne began his litany of apologies. Still not working. Without uttering a word, she turned and gave him her death-ray stare, opened the car door, and got out.
Once she was inside her apartment, she splashed cold water on her face and got undressed. She couldn’t even cry. That’s how angry she was. At Wayne Howell, and at herself. Too bad she didn’t have a boxer’s strength. She would have punched him in the face.
Melanie had all day Sunday to cool her heels and decide how she wanted to handle the matter. She couldn’t report him to her boss. She had been warned—they were civilians and consenting adults. Well, one of them was. However, she had some business to discuss with Major Beale and stopped at her door. “Got a minute?” she asked.
“Yes. Come in.”
Melanie shut the door behind her, but the blinds were up, so anyone could see who was in the major’s office. “I’ve been thinking about what path I would like to be on. I know the office may have different ideas for me, but I wanted to share my thoughts with you just in case we were on the same page.”
Wayne Howell watched from a distance as Major Beale nodded her head. He could only imagine what was being said.
“Continue,” the major urged.
“I’d like to pursue psychological profiling. No offense, but electronic trafficking isn’t the best use of my talents. Of course, that’s my opinion, but you mentioned strengths and weaknesses, and I believe profiling could be a very strong suit for me. For us. For the department.”
Beale continued to nod. “You are rather astute, and I agree. I think you would make a very good agent in counterintelligence.” She turned to her computer and typed in a few words. “You’re to report to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia in ten days. Do you know how to handle a firearm?”
Melanie was taken aback. “The only gun I ever handled was at the arcade, shooting at plastic ducks.”
Beale chuckled. “You will have to undergo firearm training and a host of other tactical maneuvers.”
It hadn’t occurred to Melanie that even with a desk job, she had to be able to fire a weapon. She got the heebie-jeebies. “Not thrilled, but willing,” Melanie replied.
“Excellent. You will complete a twelve-week course in anti-terrorism, firearms and defensive tactics, interrogation and interviews, military and federal law, and crime scene forensics.”
Melanie’s head was spinning. She’d really gotten herself into it. Most of it was intriguing; some, not so much.
Beale watched Melanie’s facial expressions shift from interest to concern.
“You’ll do fine. I have no doubt.” Beale gave Melanie another minute for everything to settle in. “You’ll get your instructions in a few days.”
Melanie was dubious as to the amount of time it would take. A few days could be months in military and government speak. “Thanks, boss.” Melanie held out her hand.
Beale gave her a firm shake. “Do us proud.”
Melanie walked back to her cubicle as Wayne spied from a distance. The suspense was killing him. What had she told the major? He decided to find out for himself and marched over to Major Beale’s office.
“Boss. May I have a word?”
“Yes, of course.” She motioned for him to sit down. “What can I do for you?”
“It’s Melanie.”
“Which one?”
“Drake. MelDrake.”
“What about her?” The major was quite curious.
