I nodded, noting that she never took her eyes off me as I passed her small desk. She wasn't just Maddox's assistant. She was his guard dog in a tiny blonde package.
I took a breath and twisted the brushed nickel knob.
Maddox's office was made up of mahogany and lush carpets, but his shelves were bare and pathetic like mine, missing family photos and personal trinkets that could lead anyone to believe he had a life outside of the Bureau. The walls displayed his favorite memories, including plaques and awards along with a photo of him shaking hands with the director.
Three frames sat on his desk, staggered and facing away from me. It bothered me that I couldn't see what was inside of them. I wondered if they held pictures of her.
Maddox was standing in his navy suit, one hand in his pocket, staring out his beautiful corner office view. "Have a seat, Lindy."
I sat.
He turned. "I have a dilemma that you might be able to help me with."
A hundred different statements could have come from his mouth. That wasn't one I'd considered. "I'm sorry, sir. What was that?"
"I had a meeting with the S.A.C. earlier, and he feels you could be a solution to a recent issue," he said, finally sitting in his chair.
The blinds let in the full light of the afternoon sun, creating a glare on the desk's already glossy surface. It was large enough to seat six people, and I guessed it would be too heavy for two men to lift. I raised my toes to fit snuggly beneath the space between the wood and the rug. I let out a breath, feeling anchored enough to keep whatever unexpected thing Maddox was about to drop on me from blowing me away.
He tossed a file on the desk, and it slid toward me, stopping just short of the edge. As I picked it up and held the thick stack of papers in my hand, I was still too sidetracked by Maddox's previous statement to open it.
"Special Agent Polanski, the S.A.C., thinks I'm a solution," I said, suspicious.
Either I had seriously underestimated my value, or Maddox was full of shit.
"Just read it," he said, standing up again and walking toward the window. Gauging by his stern expression and stiff posture, he was nervous.
I opened the thick card stock to the first page, and then I continued to look over the numerous FD-302s, surveillance photos, and a list of the dead. One report contained charges and court transcriptions of a college kid named Adam Stockton. He was an organizer of some sort, and he had been sentenced to ten years in prison. I skimmed over most of it, knowing that wasn't what Maddox wanted me to see.
Several of the photos were shots of a man who looked a bit like Maddox--same height but with a buzz cut and arms covered in tattoos. There were more with a pretty young girl, early twenties, far more years of wisdom in her eyes than there should be. Some photos were individual shots, but most were of them together. I recognized her as the girl in some of the photos I'd posted on my office wall--Abernathy's daughter. The kid with the buzz cut and Abby were obviously a couple, but the way they held on to one another led me to believe their relationship was new and passionate. If not, they were very much in love. He held a protective stance in almost all the photos, but she stayed at his side, not at all intimidated. I wondered if he even noticed he stood that way when he was with her.
They were all students from Eastern State University. Further reading told of a fire that had burned down one of the buildings on campus, killing one hundred thirty-two college kids--at night. Before asking why that many kids would be in the basement of a school building that late, I turned the page to find my answer--a floating fight ring, and the Maddox look-alike was a suspect.
"Jesus Christ. What is this?" I asked.
"Keep reading," he said, his back still turned to me.
Almost immediately, two names jumped out at me--Maddox and Abernathy. After a few more pages, it all came together, and I looked up at my boss. "Your brother is married to Abernathy's kid?"
Maddox didn't turn around.
"You're messing with me."
Maddox sighed, finally facing me. "I wish I were. They're renewing their vows at the end of next month in St. Thomas...so the family can attend. Their first wedding was in Vegas almost a year ago--"
I held up the paper. "Just a few hours after the fire. She's a clever one."
Maddox walked slowly over to his desk and sat down again. His inability to sit still was making me even more nervous than he appeared to be.
"What makes you think it was her idea?" he asked.
"He doesn't seem like the type to let his girlfriend save him," I said, recalling his posture in the photos.
Maddox chuckled and looked down. "He's not the type to let anyone save him, which is why this is going to be particularly hard. Special Agent Polanski insists I need backup, and I have to agree with him."
"Backup for what?"
"I'm going to have to break it to him after the ceremony."
"That she married him to give him an alibi?"
"No," he said, shaking his head. "Abby might have married my brother for a reason, but that reason is because she loves him." He frowned. "It will destroy him to find out the truth even if she was trying to save him."
"Do you always do what's best for your brothers?"
He looked down at the pictures I couldn't see. "You have no idea." He sighed. "I did what I could after the fire, but as you can see from the list of the dead, a ten-year sentence from Adam isn't going to cut it. Adam was charged with two hundred sixty-four counts of involuntary manslaughter--two for each of the victims."
"How did the District Attorney get away with that?" I asked.
"Adam was indicted under two different theories of the crime. Criminal negligence manslaughter, and misdemeanor manslaughter."
I nodded.
"My hands were tied," Maddox continued. "I couldn't help my brother--until I let Polanski in on what made me one of the youngest ASACs in Bureau history. I had an in. He almost didn't believe me. My little brother was dating and is now married to the daughter of a person of investigative interest in one of our bigger cases--Mick Abernathy. I got Polanski--with the director's approval, of course--to waive the charges if Travis agreed to work with us, but cracking this case is going to take longer than his jail sentence might have been."
"He'll be an asset?" I asked.
"No."
"The FBI is recruiting him?" I said, astonished.
"Yes. He just doesn't know it yet."
My face screwed into disgust. "Why tell him at his wedding?"
"I won't tell him on his wedding day. I'll do it the morning after, before I leave. It has to be in person, and I don't know when I'll see him again. I don't go home anymore."
"What if he doesn't agree to it?"
Maddox blew out a long breath, wounded at the thought. "He'll go to prison."
"Where do I come in?"
Maddox turned a bit in his chair, his shoulders still tense. "Just...hear me out. It was one hundred percent the S.A.C.'s idea. He just happens to be right."
"What?" My mind was racing, and my patience was wearing thin.
"I need a date for the wedding. I need someone else from the Bureau to attend and witness the conversation. I don't know how he'll react. A female agent will be a good buffer. Polanski thinks you're the perfect candidate."
"Why me?" I asked.
"He mentioned you by name."
"What about Val? What about Constance?"
Maddox cringed and then stared at his finger while he tapped it on his desk. "He suggested someone who would fit in."
"Fit in," I repeated, confused.
"Two of my brothers are in love with women who...lack finesse."
"I lack finesse?" I asked, pointing to the center of my chest. "Are you fucking serious?" I craned my neck. "Have you met Val?"
"See?" Maddox said, pointing at me with his whole hand. "That is exactly something Abby would say--or...Camille, Trent's girlfriend."
"Trent's girlfriend?"
"My brother."
"Your
brother Trent. And Travis. And you're Thomas. Who am I missing? Tiger and Toadstool?"
Maddox wasn't amused. "Taylor and Tyler. They're twins. They're between Trent and me."
"Why the Ts?" I had to ask, but I was beyond annoyed with the entire conversation.
He sighed. "It's a Midwestern thing. I don't know. Lindy, I need you to go to my brother's wedding with me. I need you to help me talk him into not going to prison."
"It shouldn't be that hard for you to convince him. The Bureau is a great alternative to prison."
"He'll be undercover. He will have to keep it from his wife."
"So?"
"He really, really loves his wife."
"So do our other undercover agents," I snapped, not feeling the slightest bit of sympathy.
"Travis has a past. His relationship with Abby has always been volatile, and Travis sees honesty as his commitment to their marriage."
"Maddox, you're boring me. Our undercover agents simply tell their significant others they can't discuss their job, and that's the end of it. Why can't he just do that?"
"He can't tell her anything. He'll be undercover on an investigation that could implicate Abby's father. That could certainly become an issue in their marriage. He won't willingly risk anything that could mean losing her."
"He'll get used to it. We'll just give him a simple, tight alibi and stick with it."
Maddox shook his head. "No part of this is simple, Liis. We'll have to be exceptionally creative to keep Abby from figuring it out." He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "She's sharp as a goddamn tack, that one."
I narrowed my eyes at him, wary of the fact that he'd used my first name. "The S.A.C. wants me to go. Do you?"
"It's not a bad idea."
"Our being friends is a bad idea, but us posing as a couple for an entire weekend isn't?"
"Travis is...hard to explain."
"You think he'll get violent?"
"I know he will."
"I'm assuming you don't want me to shoot him if he does."
Maddox shot me a look.
"Then, can I shoot you?" I asked. He rolled his eyes, and I held up my hands. "I'm just trying to understand my role in all of this."
"Travis doesn't do well when he doesn't have choices. If he thinks he could lose Abby over it, he'll fight. Losing her for lying or losing her because he's in prison aren't great choices. He might turn down the deal."
"He loves her that much?"
"I don't think that's an adequate word to describe the way he feels about her. Threatening him with losing her is like threatening his life."
"That's awfully...dramatic."
Maddox considered that. "Drama is the nature of their relationship."
"Noted."
"Trent has organized a surprise bachelor party the night before in my hometown--Eakins, Illinois."
"I've heard of it," I said. When Maddox shot me a confused look, I continued, "I've driven by the exit a few times on my way to and from Chicago."
Maddox nodded. "The next day, we'll drive to O'Hare International Airport and then fly from there to St. Thomas. I'll have Constance email you the dates and itinerary."
I had mixed feelings about returning home so quickly after leaving. "Okay."
"Like I've mentioned, we'll be posing as a couple. My family believes I'm in marketing, and I'd like to keep it that way."
"They don't know you're an FBI agent?"
"That's correct."
"May I ask why?"
"No."
I blinked. "Okay. I assume we'll be sharing a hotel room in Eakins and in St. Thomas."
"Correct."
"Anything else?"
"Not at this time."
I stood. "Have a good afternoon, sir."
He cleared his throat, obviously surprised at my reaction. "Thank you, Agent Lindy."
Turning on my heels to leave his office, I was aware of everything--how fast I walked, the way my arms swayed, even how straight my posture was. I didn't want to give him anything. I didn't know myself how I felt about the upcoming trip, and I certainly didn't want him to speculate.
When I returned to my office, I shut my door and nearly collapsed into my chair. I crossed my legs at the ankles and hoisted them onto my desk.
Agent Sawyer's knuckles tapped on the door, and he expectantly stared at me through the glass wall. I waved him away.
Maddox had been glad I had transferred to San Diego, and the S.A.C. had thought I lacked finesse--even less than Fuck Off Val or Agent Davies the Slut. I looked down at my crisp light-blue button-down blouse and knee-length skirt.
I have motherfucking finesse. Just because I speak my mind means I'm not tactful?
My whole face flushed red with anger. I thought the days of women in the Bureau being called breast-feds and split-tails were over. Most male agents making sexist remarks would be quickly shut down by other male agents, even when they weren't aware of my or any other female's presence.
Lack finesse? I'm going to lack his finesse all over the fucking squad room.
I covered my mouth even though I hadn't sworn out loud. They might have a point.
The landline's shrill ring bleated twice, and I held it to my ear. "Lindy."
"It's Maddox."
I sat up tall even though he couldn't see me.
"There's one more reason you're a good candidate, one I didn't mention to the S.A.C."
"I'm positively on the edge of my seat," I said, monotone.
"We're posing as a couple, and I...think you're the only female agent who would be comfortable enough with me to play the part."
"I can't imagine why."
The line was silent for a solid ten seconds.
"I'm kidding. Good to know it's not solely because the S.A.C. thinks I have no class."
"Let's get one thing straight. The S.A.C. didn't say that, and neither did I."
"You kind of did."
"That's not what I meant. I would throat-punch someone if he ever said anything like that about you."
Now, it was my side of the line that was quiet. "Th-thank you." I didn't know how else to respond.
"Be on the lookout for that email from Constance."
"Yes, sir."
"Good day, Lindy."
I put the phone on its base and returned my ankles to their previous position on my desk, pondering the trip we would take in seven weeks. I was going to be spending several nights alone with Maddox, posing as his girlfriend, and I wasn't at all upset about it even though I wished I were.
I tried not to smile. I didn't want to smile, so I frowned instead, and it was the biggest lie I'd told since telling Jackson--and myself--that I was happy with him in Chicago.
Val lightly knocked on the glass with one knuckle and then tapped her watch. I nodded, and she walked away.
I wasn't sure how much Maddox wanted me to share. Keeping the secrets about our first night and my purpose in Squad Five was hard enough. Unfortunately for me, Val was my only friend in San Diego, and postulation happened to be her superpower.
MY FINGERS KNOTTED IN MY HAIR in frustration as I struggled to focus on the words on the screen. I'd been staring at my computer for more than two hours, and my vision was beginning to blur.
The blinds on the exterior windows were closed, but the sunset had slipped through the slits and then burned out hours before. After studying Travis's case file, I'd spent the rest of the evening looking for ways to get him out of prison time for the fire, but using him as an asset was not just the best idea. It was the only idea. Unluckily for Travis, his brother was so good at his job that the Bureau felt adding another Maddox would only be beneficial. So, he wasn't only an asset. He would be recruited.
A knock sounded, and Agent Sawyer slipped a file into the metal holder screwed on the front of my door. The holder was there so that agents wouldn't have to bother me with every approval request, but Sawyer opened the door just enough to poke his head into my office, a bright white Cheshire smile on his face.
/>
"It's late," he said.
"I know," I said, resting my chin on the heel of my hand. I didn't take my eyes from the screen.
"It's Friday."
"I'm aware," I said. "Have a good weekend."
"I thought maybe you'd like to get dinner somewhere. You've got to be starving."
Maddox stepped into my office, cool and pleasant to me, and then he glowered at Sawyer. "Agent Lindy and I have a meeting in two minutes."
"A meeting?" Sawyer said, chuckling. Under Maddox's intense stare, his smile faded. He smoothed down his tie and then cleared his throat. "Really?"
"Good night, Agent Sawyer," Maddox said.
"Good night, sir," he said before disappearing down the hall.
Maddox ambled to my desk and sat in one of the club chairs, casually leaning back with both of his elbows perched on the arms.
"We don't have a meeting," I said, my eyes on the monitor.
"No, we don't," Maddox said, sounding tired.
"You made me his boss. You've got to let him speak to me at some point."
"I don't see it that way."
I leaned to the side to see his face, my face still squashed by my hand, and frowned at him, dubious.
"You look like hell," Maddox said.
"You look worse," I lied.
He looked like an Abercrombie model, including the stern yet impervious stare, and I happened to know that he looked like one under his suit and tie, too. I hid behind my computer again before he could catch my eyes lingering on those damn unforgettable lips.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"Starving."
"Let's go pick up something. I'll drive."
I shook my head. "I still have a lot to do."
"You have to eat."
"No."
"Goddamn, you're stubborn."
I looked around my monitor again for effect. "Agent Davies is saying I fucked my way to the top. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get the agents to take me seriously when I walk in here and get a promotion on day one?"
"It was day two actually. And Agent Davies did fuck her way to the top--well, to her top. She won't likely be promoted any further."
I raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever given her a raise?"
"Absolutely not."
"Well, Davies might have, but technically, she's right about me. It's gnawing at me. I'm putting in extra hours, so I can make myself believe that I earned the spot."