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"I need a little more than that, Bit," Brook said, leaving her mug on the tray so that she could finish her discussion with Graham before Agent Tonkel's arrival. "I read over Lori's file. I know that her mother is rather successful as an artist, but what does that have to do with Lori's death? Are you saying that you found a connection between Lori's mother and the unsub?"
"While doing an online search for any mention of Lori Snyder, there was a social media post where Brenda Snyder mentioned that she'd provided a sketch to the guard on duty." Bit flashed a reassuring smile Graham's way. "The search was legal. All the way."
This time, it was Graham who raised an eyebrow, but he'd wisely chosen not to comment.
"NCIS Agent Clemmons was in charge of Lori's case. Nothing was ever mentioned in his reports about a sketch, but then again, the fact that someone had been stalking Lori before her deployment hadn't really come into play." Brook wondered just how quickly her previous cases at the Bureau could have been solved had she had access to someone like Bit on a daily basis. While there was always a need for procedures, there were times when such a process could hinder an investigation. "Good work, Bit. Please give Theo a call to let him know about the sketch. He can follow up with Bobby Anderson on that, as well. I'll see if I can't get Agent Clemmons on the line later today. Lori's case files definitely didn't include any sketch, and I want to know why."
Bit rubbed his hands together in victory. In a way, he reminded Brook of herself during her first official profile when every major bullet point had been right on target. There was something immensely satisfying when one's hard work paid off.
"You need to leave," Brook instructed Graham.
"Will you at least reconsider this interview with Jennifer Madsen?"
"No." Brook truly would have preferred for there to be another way to handle the situation that Agent Houser had put her in, but her back was against a wall. Besides, there was a positive spin to the unfortunate circumstances. "This gives me the ability to speak directly to Jacob. I can end this, Graham. I know that I can."
Graham regarded her for a moment before he slowly nodded his understanding, though she needed a guarantee.
"No private security." Brook waited a heartbeat before continuing. "We do this my way. The additional time gives me leeway to work this case without distractions."
"Fine."
Graham seemed to agree a bit too easily, but she'd run out of time. The faintest chime of the elevator signaled that Angel Tonkel had arrived for their nine o'clock meeting.
"If there was a back exit, I'd have you take it," Brook muttered, pushing past him so that Agent Tonkel didn't have to use the speaker system, which was currently forwarded to her office instead of the receptionist's desk unit. "Play nice. I mean it. I need Agent Tonkel's assistance, and the only way to get that is to have him believe he can add value to the investigation."
"The only value that he's added to anything in his godforsaken life is—"
Brook didn't wait to hear Graham's description of the agent. She walked with purpose across the marble floor, already noting the tension that filled Agent Tonkel's shoulders underneath his dress coat. He was younger than she'd envisioned him, with short blond hair and hawkish features. She pegged him to be in his late thirties, which meant that he had enough experience not to be easily snowed by anything she might have initially tried in order to get him in her good graces.
"Agent Tonkel, I'm Brook Sloane." No doubt that he'd seen her face on the morning news, but she wasn't about to let him steer the conversation in that direction. "I'm sure that you remember General Elliott. I was bringing him up to speed on several new developments that we've uncovered recently that links seven cases together that various NCIS offices worked on over the last five years or so. May I take your coat?"
"No, that's quite alright." Agent Tonkel reluctantly shook hands with Graham, though neither one addressed the other.
"Well, then," Brook said as she gestured toward her office. "Please, make yourself comfortable. There is fresh coffee in the carafe. I'll be in momentarily."
Brook waited for Agent Tonkel to enter her office before turning to face Graham to address any loose ends. Technically, she was able to snip every thread there was with two well-defined statements.
"You not only hired me to do a job, you went into business with me. Trust me to handle your daughter's case without being monitored every second of the day or this whole thing will be done before we even get started."
Graham tore his gaze away from the one agent who had not been willing to reopen Kelsey's case. The rage inside his dark eyes was an emotion that Brook could relate to, but she had to put it aside to obtain the help that was essential to seeing this investigation through to the end.
"I'm flying out today to take care of some business. I should be back by the weekend." Graham gave her his full attention. "I'm a phone call away, Brook. Don't hesitate to reach out to me should you need anything."
There was more than one meaning to his words, and she nodded her understanding. Without further delay, Graham left the offices of S&E Investigations.
Brook was well aware that he was a special access contractor for the government. He never discussed those contracts, and he never stated his various destinations. She trusted that should their business together ever become an issue, he'd let her know.
As for his habit of checking on her every third day, he'd broken it. Brook had seen him more in the last forty-eight hours than she had all last week. She wouldn't deny the slight relief she experienced at the fact that he was needed elsewhere. She wouldn't need to tiptoe around the difficult decisions that she would no doubt face in the coming days regarding his daughter's death.
It was finally time to get to work.
Chapter Ten
Brooklyn Sloane
January 2022
Tuesday — 9:02am
