Page 91 of PSYCHOlogical

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Staff Sergeant Briggs

Light from the parking lot filtered through Val’s office window. The left side of her face was illuminated just enough to reveal her swollen eye.

“Do you think he’ll show?” she asked.

After studying the text messages, Jack’s choice of words, and his manner of speaking in the messages he’d sent, I’d used his burner phone to send Trevino a message. His response, OMW, was a millennial acronym for on my way.

I nodded. “I do.”

“And you think this is the best place to do this?”

Most wouldn’t choose a secure Marine Corps base that housed the FBI, ATF, DEA, and every other federal and military force in existence to commit murder.

In my mind, it was perfect.

“It’s as good of a place as any,” I replied. “Saves cleanup, anyway.”

Val peered out her office window. Jack’s car sat in the parking lot, by the building’s entrance. A search of his personal effects revealed he had access to Quantico—and to New Dawn’s office—so we used his car and our own ID’s to gain access to the base.

Trevino would see Jack’s car upon his arrival, and assume Jack truly was waiting for him.

“The sun’s going to come up any minute,” she said, still gazing blankly out the window.

I shook my head. “It’s been a long fucking night.”

She faced me. “I really hope this works.”

“All he’s got to do is show up. The rest is up to me.”

She gestured toward the Taser I held. “Have you ever used that thing?”

I lifted the device and looked it over in the light that filtered through the window. “This will be my first time.”

A flash of light on the wall behind her caused me to straighten my posture.

Val glanced out her window. “That’s him.”

I stood, leaned over her desk, and kissed her. “See you in a few.”

“I’d say good luck,” she said, “but I don’t think you operate on luck.”

“Say it, anyway.”

“Good luck, Vincent.”

I chuckled. “I’m Briggs until further notice.”

“Good luck, Briggs.”