Chapter 12

Em had helped collate the data recovered from the blast sight, so when Lawson called a briefing of the entire staff, she guessed what it was about.

"As you are by now aware, after we cross-referenced the names of those we've identified as well as bits of intel from various sites, we've pieced together what we believe may be the group's next target. Obviously, after what happened last time, we're being more cautious."

The elevator dinged and opened, and Em looked over to see Jep step off. She rubbed her hand across her mouth to keep from beaming, then glanced at Pearce, who had noticed his arrival too.

"Welcome back," Lawson said to Jep when he joined the group.

"Thank you, sir. It's good to be back."

"I trust you had a good break?"

So that's how they were going to play it. Pretend like nothing happened.

"It served its purpose."

Despite the scowl on Lawson's face, he said, "Jep will take the lead on this op once he's been fully briefed. As for the evidence—we now know that there is something planned for a park downtown. Jep, you've seen the summary. Do you have any initial thoughts?"

"A couple." He looked at Em. "But Emery knows more. I'd be curious to hear what she has to say."

Her face heated. "I, uh…" Her mind went blank. "Well, the data that we have. And the evidence—" She looked at Lawson, whose face was pinched in a confused glower. "—is timely. We should consider it carefully." She looked back at Jep. His eyebrows were lifted, and all she could do was shrug.

"Right," Lawson said. "Agent Booth, you can come to my office to go over the situation in detail. Then we'll regroup and get you guys out there on the street. Let's see if we can hunt these guys down and make them pay."

"What was that all about?" Pearce whispered to Em as everyone dispersed. "Was he trying to get back at you for something?"

"No, he thought I'd have valuable content to contribute." She slumped. "He was obviously wrong."

"You were unprepared. That's all. Happens to the best of us."

"I have never seen that happen before in this office. If I'd known he was going to do that?—"

"He shouldn't have asked for your input anyway. It's not your job to speak about the details of an operation."

She deflated further. "No. I guess not. I was relieved to see Lawson's approval of Jep's return. Or, at least, that's how it appeared."

Pearce looked toward Lawson's office. "Yeah. For now. But it's a thin thread. Jep might not feel it, but he's got a leash, and it doesn't stretch as far as it did."

"Don't say that. Jep's not stupid. He'll pick up on it."

"Lawson's not stupid either. He'll be careful."

"I wish they could stand on the common ground they have instead of…whatever it is that's going on."

"We'll have to wait and see how much self-control they both have."

"Do you know what happened between them?"

"Only what everyone else knows. An operation Jep was running went bad. People died. Booth says more people would have died if he'd done it Lawson's way. Lawson says the opposite."

"Who's right?"

"I wasn't part of the mission."

"You haven't looked at the file?"

"It wasn't my place. It's not your place either."

"But what if Lawson's the one in the wrong?"

"Jep's the one who left. I think that answers that question."

"No, it doesn't. He left of his own free will."

"What are you trying to say? You think Lawson's the bad guy here?"

"All I'm saying is I believe Jep's gotten a bad rap. I don't think he's the man everyone's made him out to be."

"I've never been against Jep, remember? I'm the one who brought him in. But whatever happened on that mission, the bottom line is, he's not a guy who plays by the rules. You can't deny that's true. So, as much as I'm all for him being here, I'm also worried and determined to keep an eye on him. And you, since you're stuck with him."

"You ever think that maybe some of the rules need to be changed?"

"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you. You never struck me as the kind of person who would encourage rule breaking."

"I never said I encourage it."

"Don't get lost in this, Em. You're a good person, and I can understand why you want to stick up for someone who appears to be the underdog. But Jep can take care of himself. If you get too involved, you'll end up getting hurt."

She huffed in exasperation. "I keep telling everyone it's not Jep's fault that I got cut."

"That's not what I'm talking about." He moved closer. "You like your job, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'd hate for you to lose it on account of a guy like that."

"How could that happen?"

"Just don't let him drag you too deep, okay? I can't force you to change your mind about remaining his partner, but I want to know you'll be safe. Don't let your personal feelings get in the way."

"What personal feelings?"

His lips pressed together. "Any."

"There's nothing going on between us if that's what you're implying."

"I didn't say there was."

"And there won't be. Ever."

"Good."

"I have my head screwed on. My purpose in all of this is the same as everyone, to find out who's responsible for these deaths."

"Okay then, I'll leave you to it."

"Have a seat," Lawson said to Jep, his own chair squeaking as he leaned back.

"I'm okay to stand, thanks."

"Suit yourself. As I'm sure you've discovered, you have some weight to bandy around, but I warn you, it isn't much. I will concede that you have your strengths, and if I have to sacrifice a bit of pride to get the job done, then so be it. But one more mistake and you're finished, do you understand?"

"Can you define ‘mistake'?"

Lawson splayed his fingers on the desk and studied them for a moment. "I've already lost too many good men and women. I expect you to put the safety of our people ahead of any personal ambition or drive."

"I always have, no matter what you think."

"As long as I have your word."

"You do."

"Once you know your course of action on this, I want you to give me the full picture before we bring it to the team. And I hope you will do me the courtesy of listening to any advice I have to offer."

"I can do that."

"Good. Then my first piece of advice is that you should choose Pearce as your new partner."

"Emery has said she'd like to continue."

Lawson tipped his head back. "Not this again. Jep, this is a dangerous game we're playing here. You say preserving life is high on your list, but you're talking about sending an analyst into the fire. It's irresponsible at best, and if anything were to happen to her, I'd call that murder."

"I get it. You still blame me for Agent Taggart's death. But you can't tell me you weren't letting your emotions interfere with the team on that assignment. I've never spoken to anyone about it, but I can't work under you when you insist on preserving illusions."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I know about the affair you were having with her."

"That's ridiculous."

"She told me. And it was her decision to go into the building that night, not mine."

"You were leading the op. You made changes without my authorization and against my better judgement."

"But your judgement wasn't better, was it? You were trying to protect Taggart, and she knew it. We all knew it. In the end, saving her life would have cost many others theirs."

Lawson's lips trembled, and his next words came out dripping with venom. "And you were happy to send her to her death."

"I already told you she went against my orders. I was working on another plan."

"She wouldn't have done that."

"Yes she would, and you know it. She was a great agent. She often risked her life to get the job done."

"Say what you will. But if another one of my team dies on your watch, I'm holding you personally responsible."

Jep shifted to release some of the growing tension. "I have no intention of letting Em anywhere near danger."

"Are you saying that was your intention last time?"

"We weren't on a mission at the time. Things got out of hand."

"And you can swear to me that it won't happen again?"

"I swear. Is that all?"

"No. I want an explanation."

"Of what?"

"Why choose her anyway? If you're here for the good of the team, why insist on bringing her along on a mission? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like a move whose sole purpose is to antagonize me."

"It has nothing to do with you. I'm here because your team needed fresh eyes. You needed someone who can look at this investigation from a different angle. Em helps me to do that. She's good. She sees details others miss."

"That's why she's an analyst."

"You could use her for a lot more."

Lawson pushed a file across the desk. "That's everything we have so far. Get back to me when you're finished."

Jep took the file. Lawson would continue to question his every move. "Thank you, sir."

When he left the room, Pearce was waiting for him.

"Welcome back."

"Thanks," Jep said but continued toward his desk.

"If you have any questions about any of the other agents—their strengths and weaknesses, you let me know. They've given us the best of the best."

"I'm sure they have."

Pearce put a hand on him to stop him. "I think on this op, you should consider hanging back. I know you won't let Em get too close, but I think we'd all do better if you gave your orders from the sideline."

"Why?"

"In case anything happens. We can't afford to lose you."

"But you can afford to lose the best of the best?"

"You know what I mean."

"I'll call it like I think it should go. And I have never once remained behind expecting my team to be the ones to put their lives in danger."

"I understand."

"Good."

"One more thing," Pearce said.

"Yes?"

"Em said she's staying on as your partner."

"I'll make sure she's safe."

"It's not that. I'm just curious why you chose her."

"Isn't everyone?"

"As a matter of fact, yes."

"If you don't know, I don't really have an answer for you."

"Then I hope it's for her skills. She's one of the good ones. Incorruptible, if you know what I mean."

"You're worried I'll take advantage of her?"

"I'm trying not to make assumptions about you, Booth, but I don't know you well, and Em needs looking out for. She's out of her depth, but I'm not sure she understands just how much."

"I think she understands more than you give her credit for."

"I hope so. But I want to make sure she's safe in all possible meanings of the word."

"She is." Jep slapped his arm. "I've got some reading to do, if you'll excuse me."