Nightshades Read Free Page A

it’s all conjecture. And regardless, it makes the Bureau look bad. Between you and me, there’s a debate within this building right now, over letting the shades have Chicago.”
    Alex wanted to jump up and start yelling, but he managed to contain it. “Ma’am, no. I know the media is all over this case—”
    “Which actually works against you,” she cut in. “Look at it from the public’s perspective. How does it look if we send our legacy agent to Chicago to be slaughtered?”
    Alex flinched at the phrasing
. TIME
magazine had done a big article on him two years earlier, the last time he’d been promoted. The piece was titled “Special Agent Legacy,” and Alex still hadn’t lived it down. To this day a copy surfaced in his life every few days, taped to his front door or left under his windshield wiper.
    “I
am
looking at it from the public’s perspective, ma’am,” he countered. “If you send me to Chicago, it shows the media that you’re taking this threat seriously, that you’re not afraid of the shades.
That
is the message you want to send, not ‘We couldn’t handle it so we just left.’”
    She glared at him for another instant, and then her face softened. “If something happens to you, it’ll be my responsibility.”
    “Look at it this way,” he offered, trying a grin, “if you don’t send me, and something else happens to Chicago, it’ll be your responsibility, too.”
    The deputy director couldn’t help smiling back. “You’re incorrigible. Always were.”
    “Yes, ma’am. But I’m still the best agent for this job. And,” he couldn’t resist adding, “I’m guessing you haven’t had a whole lot of other applicants.”
    She sighed and closed the file. “I assume you want to take Eddy with you?”
    “Yes, ma’am. He’s in the building now; he came along to see friends in D.C.”
    She gave him a wry smile. “Fine. At least he’ll have your back. I’ll inform your supervisor in Philadelphia and start the paperwork. Go through the files right away. I want you in Chicago by Sunday.”
    Sunday? That was fast—fast enough that Alex suspected she’d made up her mind before he’d walked in there. Harding rose, beginning to extend her right arm, but then with a little “what the hell” wave she came around the desk and embraced him. Surprised at the breach in decorum, Alex hugged her back. “Don’t get dead,” Harding told him.

    Alex strode down the familiar hallway, managing not to fist pump. He nodded hellos at a few of the older guys, the ones who had served here during his mother’s tenure as director. Alex had practically grown up at the Hoover building, or it felt like it anyway. When he was a kid his aunt had often brought him to this building when his mom had to work late, so they could drop off dinner and Alex could get a kiss before bedtime. Every trip to FBI headquarters had become the focal point for that day, and all the days before and after, until the next visit. It was good to be back, however briefly.
    Alex’s best friend was waiting for him at the reception desk, talking on his cell phone. Chase Eddy just rolled his eyes, holding up a finger. Alex crossed his arms over his best black suit, waiting.
    “I know, baby, but I’m in D.C. with Alex for the weekend,” Chase was saying. “I’ll call you next week, though.”
    “No you won’t,” Alex interjected.
    Chase glared at him and said into the phone, “I know, I can’t wait to see you, either.”
    “Yes you can,” Alex said.
    After a quick glance to make sure they were alone, Chase leaned back and mimed a karate kick. Alex just smirked at him.
    Chase eyed the expression for a moment, and then his face fell. He hung up the phone and put it in a pocket. “You got it,” he said, sounding resigned.
    Alex grinned. “I got it.
We
got it. Harding said you can be my number two.” He raised a smug eyebrow, daring Chase to take the bait, but his friend just shook his head, still looking dejected.