Chapter 5

Emery folded her hands in her lap. When Jep had come out to meet Pearce, he had been exactly what she'd expected. He was solemn and dark and had a black eye that suggested he was a man accustomed to fighting. But he'd also looked unimpressed, bored even. That was until he'd closed in on Pearce.

His black T-shirt, although basic, made for an imposing figure. She'd seen Pearce in training and knew he could handle himself, but in his suit, he looked less the threat than Jep Booth, whose biceps stretched his sleeves when he crossed his arms. That was when she'd thought it was time to show herself, only to be dismissed again. She had a lot of work to do. Sitting in the car wasn't helping anyone.

She listened to snippets of their conversation through her opened window, but she didn't catch enough to know what was going on or whether their conversation had taken a more positive turn.

Then Jep sidestepped Pearce and headed her way. She straightened, then tugged at her skirt and pushed back in the seat right before he arrived at her window.

"Hi there, Em," Jep said, resting his forearm in the window frame.

She shifted away, but his scent followed her. A mix of mint and what reminded her of pine needles. "It's Emery."

"Right. Emery. I have a quick question for you."

Her heart raged in her chest. She hadn't been briefed for this scenario. When her eyes darted to Pearce, Jep shifted to block her view.

"Don't worry about him. I'm the one you need to focus on. When the assistant director, Richard Lawson, was told I would be asked back on the team, what did he say?"

She lifted her chin. "I don't remember."

"Course you do. I can see it on your face. What'd he say?"

She wasn't about to let him decide what she did or didn't remember, no matter what her face betrayed. "I honestly don't. But after what I heard about your behavior while you were on the team, you can't expect he would be excited about the prospect of your return."

Every part of her body throbbed in time with her pulse. She wasn't normally so forward, but if Jep was going to join them, he needed to know where she stood. His overbearing nature toward her reinforced that notion.

Unfortunately, she must have failed in her show of strength because he smiled like he was amused by her response.

"I'll tell you what," Jep said, turning his attention to Pearce. "I'll consider your proposal if you get Lawson on the phone so I can hear from his own lips that he wants me back."

Em glanced up at Pearce, who kept his face devoid of any emotional response to Jep's request.

"You won't take my word for it?" Pearce said.

"I'd prefer to know where I stand before I turn up to work. I also have a few demands that you don't have the authority to approve."

Pearce made eye contact with Em, then pulled out his phone. "Be polite if you can. Don't forget, the whole agency is going through a tough time."

"Don't worry, I do know how to be considerate and courteous." He smiled down at Em. "I know that's not easy for everyone."

She looked away. Having him at the office was going to be a nightmare. At least she didn't have a reason to work directly with any of the agents. All she had to do was survive this encounter. Then she'd be in the clear.

"Assistant Director?" Pearce said into the phone. "I'm here with Mr. Booth. He'd like to speak to you." He listened for a second, then handed the phone over.

Jep put the phone on speaker. "Richard Lawson, it's been a long time. How've you been?"

"You're on speaker," Pearce called out in warning.

"I hear you're interested in having me return to the team," Jep said. "Is this correct?"

"I'd say it's nice to hear your voice," Lawson said, "but we both know I'd be lying."

"I always did appreciate your candor."

"You sure about that?"

"Why don't we dismiss with the pleasantries? I know you're very busy right now."

"Pearce will have told you the nature of our situation?" Lawson said. "Desperate times and all that."

"They were good people you lost."

"We haven't agreed on much over the years, but on that we certainly do. Which is why I hope and expect that you will take this offer with the utmost care and consideration. If you're looking to settle scores, now is not the time."

"If I agree to come back, my sole purpose will be to find whoever is responsible."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"I do have a couple of conditions, however."

Lawson's sigh was loud. "I don't believe you're in a position to require anything of us."

"No? I seem to recall that, a few minutes ago, Pearce turned up at my door to inform me that you require my services. You either need my help or you don't."

"Fine. I'll hear you out, but I'm not making any promises. What are your conditions?"

"The first one is, I get to choose my partner."

"That shouldn't be a problem. We have a group of highly skilled and effective agents on the team. I'd be happy for you to work with any one of them."

"Great. The other condition is that I have full control over any ops that we carry out."

"That's out of the question, and you know it."

"You won't even consider it?"

"No."

"Okay then. Best of luck to you all."

He held the phone out for Pearce to take when Lawson said, "Wait. I had hoped I could appeal to your sense of duty to those we lost, but I can see now you're still the same old Jep."

"I guess some things never change."

Em turned her face away so he wouldn't see the disdain. She was curious to find out Pearce's take on all of this. He wasn't giving anything away, and she had to commend him on his patience.

"I will give you control of any operations you are leading," Lawson said. "But I retain ultimate authority."

"That won't work for me. I'm sure you know why."

"That was years ago."

"You're saying you wouldn't do the same again if given the option?"

"I stand by that call."

"Even though it was wrong?"

"You disobeyed a direct order, and lives were lost."

Em glanced at Pearce, who remained blank-faced. If he'd known about whatever mission Jep was referring to, he hid it well. But she still had the files on her desk that she needed to return to the archives. She'd do a little more digging on her own and find out what happened.

"That's where you stand?" Jep said.

The line was silent for a moment, then Lawson said. "Fine. You have complete control over the ops that you are directly leading."

"Great. Then I guess I'll see you back at the office."

Em thought she noticed a wince on Jep's face when he hung up, but then he smiled smugly as he tossed the phone back to Pearce. "I guess we'll be working together."

Em waited for him to add a smart quip to her as well, but he didn't.

"Thank you," Pearce said. "I know your relationship with Lawson is strained, but we all appreciate your help. Even Lawson."

"We'll see how that manifests itself once I'm back on the team."

"We're all focused on the same goal."

"That's the idea," Jep said. "When do you want me to start?"

"The sooner the better. We'll need you to come in and get the paperwork in order before we can fill you in on all the details."

"I can take the afternoon off if you want me to come in now. The boys don't need me here for the rest of the day."

"Now would be great."

"I'll get my bike and follow you in."

"Actually, it would be better if you came in with us."

"In the car?"

"Security reasons," Pearce said. "It will be simpler that way. You understand."

"Not really. Someone will have to drive me home again."

"That won't be a problem. But you don't have clearance right now. It would be a lot of messing around."

"If you say so. I'll get my stuff and be right out."

"You're not getting changed?"

He looked down at his greasy jeans. "Good point. Give me a minute."

Pearce waited until Jep had gone back inside before he got back in the car.

"You did good," he said to Em.

"I wasn't too harsh?"

"No, I was impressed. I don't think I've heard that sort of confidence come out of you before."

"I haven't had the need. What if he asks you to be his partner?"

"I wouldn't have any problem with that."

"Really? You have way more patience than me. I spoke to him for two minutes, and I already can't stand him."

"All you have to do is ignore his arrogance and remember what a good agent he is."

"I don't have any personal experience with him as an agent, remember?"

"Then take my word for it."

"You're assuming he's on top of his game."

"He handled himself pretty well just now." He laughed at her scowl. "I told you people either love him or hate him. You're obviously the latter, but it's what makes him good at his job."

"I trust your judgement, but I don't have to like it."

"I'm sorry you had to be here for this."

"Don't be. It was good for me. It's easy to become consumed by your work when you're sitting in front of a computer all day."

Jep came outside but turned to speak to someone they couldn't see and laughed.

"This is going to be a long car ride home," Em said.

"You don't have to speak to him if you don't want to."

"Why didn't you let him come in on his bike?"

"I want to feel him out. Make sure he's right for the job."

"I thought this deal was done."

"No deal is ever final. I'm glad he's agreed to work with us, but there's no telling how things will go. We need to make sure we're on top of this."

"If there's anything I can do to help, let me know."

"You've already done more than your fair share. You don't see Gardener out here, do you?"

"I think she would have relished the opportunity to give Jep a piece of her mind."

"You're probably right."

"I'm serious, though. I don't know what I could do, but if you need me to dig back into his old cases or anything, I'm your girl."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for offering."

Jep headed their way, and they went silent as he opened the door to the back seat and tossed his jacket inside before sliding in and moving to the center.

"Everyone good?" he said, leaning forward.

"We're ready if you are."

He patted Pearce's shoulder, then leaned back and put on his seatbelt with a wide grin across his face.

Em looked out her window and took a long silent breath. One more hour, and this would all be over.