Page 29 of So Sinister
Faith perked up.“So Baltimore PD isn’t taking the case from us.”
“We’re not taking it from theFBI.Frankly, I’ll be very surprised if it remains inyourhands much longer.”
Faith’s jaw clenched.She was about to remind Suresh that one ofhisofficers leaked details to Bridgette when Jessica’s phone rang.
When Jessica saw the number, she paled.“Shit.It’s Hozier.”
Markham Hozier was the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Washington, D.C.field office and Jessica’s direct superior.Assuming he was watching the same news story they were, he was calling about that, and he was extremely upset.
“I’ll take full responsibility,” Faith said.“Tell him it was my idea.”
Jessica shot Faith a look that would have melted her in her chair if there was any mercy in the world.She got to her feet, stepped to a corner of the room, and answered.Suresh continued to look at Faith with his not-quite-sympathetic gaze.
Faith’s phone rang a moment later.She sighed, looked at the number, sighed again.She looked at Suresh and decided now was a good time for the reminder.“Don’t forget, Suresh, it wasyourofficer who leaked details to the press.”
Suresh’s lip curled.“I’m sure you’ll remind everyone of that fact if this blows up in our faces.”He got to his feet.“I’ll see if I can salvage anything on my end.I suggest you do the same.”
His tone betrayed his belief that such a stroke of luck was impossible.
Faith answered her phone.“Good morning, Director Smythe.”
“I disagree with that, Special Agent,” Smythe replied, his calm, articulate voice a trifle more clipped than usual, a sign that he was indeed very angry.
Turk nudged Faith.She smiled wanly down at his empathetic brown eyes and began stroking his fur.“I understand, sir.We didn’t expect Miss Thurston to interrupt our interview.”
“I can see that.The utterly incompetent way in which you and Special Agent Torres handled that encounter makes it clear that you weren’t prepared for it.”
Faith swallowed.“I’m sorry that things didn’t go our way, sir.”
“That’s putting it mildly.Mr.Daniels’ lawyer has filed a formal complaint with the Bureau that will almost certainly develop into a full-blown lawsuit within the week.Channel Six News intended to file a complaint, but fortunately for you, Miss Thurston requested that no complaint be filed.”
You mean, fortunately for her, Faith thought, lips thinning.Bridgette was about to win a Nobel Prize for Journalism and a six-figure bonus courtesy of making Channel Six the most popular news channel in the country.
“When you and Torres involved Miss Thurston in your previous investigation, I was initially mortified.”
“Sir, we didn’t—”
“However,” Smythe continued, “her involvement turned out to be precisely the key to preventing further murders, and the way you both spun it to make the FBI look as good as it did was, frankly, brilliant.What could have been one of the greatest PR disasters in our history was instead one of our greatest victories.”
“We didn’t spin anything, sir.We never agreed to let Bridgette investigate that art school.Any claims she makes about acting on our behalf are false.”
“I strongly encourage you to forget that you said that.You need goodwill, Special Agent, and considering your history when it comes to your relationship with the media, you have precious little to give.Miss Thurston claims that you two are friends—”
“We’re not,” Faith interrupted.“Not even close.”
“Of course not,” Smythe scoffed.“Give me credit for a modicum of intelligence, Special Agent.But youdoknow her, and youdohave the ability to control her, yes?Think carefully.”
Faith swallowed.She couldn’t control Bridgette any more than Bridgette could control Turk.Her presence in Baltimore was proof of that.Faith had warned her repeatedly to back off or she would suffer consequences.Instead, she’d done the opposite, and now Faith was the one whose career was in danger.
On the other hand, Smythe clearly wanted Faith to say shecouldcontrol her.This was a volcanic eruption speeding toward the FBI, and Smythe wanted Faith to be the shield.Or, if she failed, the scapegoat.
And Jessica… “Sir, I want you to know that my partner had nothing to do with this.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Smythe said bluntly.“She’s involved.You have great potential, Faith, but if you’re ever to be a leader in this Bureau, you must understand that your actions affect those around you whether they choose to allow it or not.”
Faith wasn’t sure she wanted a leadership position, but she wasn’t sure shedidn’twant it.And she definitely didn’t want her name dragged through the mud after so many years of effectively putting bad guys in jail and protecting the innocent.She didn’t want a medal, but it would be nice for people not to hate her.“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll be Frank, Special Agent: your future as a field agent in the Bureau depends on a successful resolution to this situation.Torres’s future as an employee in any capacity depends on the same.If you’ll forgive me for being crass, you made this bed, now lie in it.”
