Page 23 of Kevin's Destiny

“For?”

“For doing your job as well as you do, and exposing how badly I was taken in by Arroy. I’ve been kept abreast of the situation. He’s being detained by the military until he faces trial. I believe he will be Court Martialed. I’m not in the know about that, since it’s military.” He studied her and shook his head. “I’m sorry I let my old age blind me to my stupidity.”

“Director.”

“Please, call me Tom.”

“Tom, it’s not your fault. I hadn’t interacted with him before I blew him out of the water, but I knew if he was real, I never would have been able to work for him. Besides, you’re not much older than I am, we both know the Bureau kicks us out by the age of fifty-seven. I could have ten years left, but I’m getting out on my terms.”

“May I ask where you’re going?”

“Have a seat,” Yvonne said as she pointed to the chair he had just vacated. She leaned back in her chair and studied him. “I can’t tell you where I’m going, because I don’t have the owner’s permission. However, I can tell you what I will be doing. It won’t be glamourous.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. What will you be doing?”

“Basically, what I’m doing now. Heavy on the background checks, and working with another person, and it is my understanding that we will work side by side until another ranchis up and running. Yes, I’ll be working at a ranch. From my understanding there are some extremely expensive horses on these ranches. Some things will be happening on one of them where me and the other guy, or gal, I’m not sure who it is, will need to run the background checks on them. We’ll be working together until the other ranch they are building is open for operation.”

“I never pictured you as the outdoorsy type.”

Yvonne grinned and laughed. “I’m not, but I like challenges.”

Tom chuckled as he stood again, “Well, I wish you luck,” he said as he held out his hand to her, and gave her a small salute as he turned to leave. At her door, he turned back. “Oh, I know it’s almost five, and I shouldn’t tell you this.”

“What?” Yvonne leaned back and gave him the side eye.

“Do you still hate surprises?”

“Absolutely.” She actually shuddered at the thought and wrinkled her nose.

“Well, your colleagues are having a going away party for you in the cafeteria at five thirty. I trust you’ll be surprised?”

Yvonne laughed and nodded. “I will be, oh, and Tom, I have the information for my current cases here.” She had laid her hand on a stack of about four or five folders. “There’s nothing urgent or pressing. I’m sure my replacement will find everything in order.”

“About that,” Tom turned to her. “I took your recommendation into consideration and we’re going to offer Special Agent Benjamin your position.”

“Thank you,” Yvonne said with a grin. “I’m sure he’ll be grateful for the pay raise, and to stay in the office more. I don’t know how much you know about our personal lives, but his wife is pregnant with their first, and he’s shitting bricks.”

“Why?”

“They’ll know next week, but they’re thinking twins.”

“Ah,” Tom said with a grin as he lifted his chin toward her. “I remember those days. My late wife and I had two sets of them. One boys, and one girls. They’re in their early thirties now, working their careers and getting ready to take the next chapter in their lives. At least I hope so, they’re currently all living in different states, and not one of them is Colorado. They’ve been with their significant others since college.”

“I guess there’s no rushing things.”

“Yeah, but I’m not getting any younger, and I’m looking forward to becoming a grandfather soon.”

Yvonne studied him, and shook her head at her thoughts. “Sir, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“When I get settled at my new job, and after I talk to my new boss, how would you like to come out for the weekend to look around?”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Because I’ll be working with horses. Studs, racehorses, and some that have been rescued and rehabilitated. I’m sure you can come out and look around, maybe ride one of the rehabilitated horses, or just sit around and talk to the other workers.” She grinned as she held up her hand. “Have you ever heard of Navy SEALs turned cowboys?”

“No, I can’t even picture that.”