“That won’t be necessary,” Liu said at last. “What is it you want?”
“For now? Only that this ends. Permanently. Even after you’re gone. No more special-skilled colleagues relocating to the U.S. No more interaction, direct or indirect, with Burbank, Fox, Martino, or Johnson. Whatever punitive steps need to be taken will be taken by the U.S. judicial system. Not by you, Xiao, or anyone else in your trusted circle. Otherwise…let’s just say it would be a shame for your loved ones to be imprisoned or embarrassed because of your overzealous need for payback.” The same poignant pause that Liu had given him. “Which reminds me, how is your niece, Cindy, holding up? I know how close you two are. The poor woman must be devastated by her breakup with Johnson. On the other hand, thanks to him, she now has such a promising future ahead of her. A successful architect. Right here in the U.S. Losing that opportunity would be tragic. And humiliating.”
Liu’s tone didn’t change. “I understand your requirements.”
“I thought you might. So we’re clear on what you and your colleagues will and will not do?”
“Perfectly clear, Agent Parker. The terms are acceptable.”
“Excellent. You take care of your health.” Derek flipped his phone shut and turned to Sloane. “Tell your father that he, your mother, and his friends are no longer in jeopardy. Also, tell Leo he can feel free to hire that PI. I’m sure his fiancée will be delighted to know she can sleep easy.” Derek’s eyes twinkled. “And maybe with him.”
“I will.” Sloane’s expression spoke volumes. “They’ll all be very grateful. As am I.”
“Hey, my pleasure, Bull’s-Eye. I’m sitting here today because of you.”
“That reminds me…” Rich glanced at his watch. “Tony asked us to meet him in the conference room at ten-thirty. It’s already ten thirty-five.”
Reflexively, Sloane jumped to her feet. “Let’s go. Tony’s not big on tardiness.”
As she hurried off, Derek and Rich exchanged grins. Then, they followed Sloane to the conference room.
Sloane was startled when she opened the door and stepped inside.
Not only was Tony there, but Gary Linden, the assistant director in charge of the New York Field Office, was there as well.
“Hello, Ms. Burbank,” he greeted her.
“Sir.” Sloane glanced around, uncertain if she’d interrupted a meeting. “I hope I’m not intruding. I was told…”
“You were told correctly.” He waited while Derek and Rich joined the small group, shutting the door behind them. He then indicated a spot at the conference table across from where he and Tony were standing. “Have a seat,” he instructed Sloane.
Totally baffled, she complied, sitting down and interlacing her fingers in front of her.
“I’ve been brought up-to-date on the investigation in which you’ve been a confidential human source,” Gary began. “I’ve also been made aware of the part you played in saving the life of Special Agent Parker, and of possibly helping to prevent future incidents like the one at the Jaspar Museum. You have my personal thanks, as well as the thanks of the entire Bureau.”
“I appreciate that, sir,” Sloane replied.
He passed a manila envelope across the table to her. It was labeled bull’s-eye burbank.
Sloane glanced at the title, then her chin came up, her gaze studying the now smiling ADIC.
“I like the nickname,” he said. “It suits you. I have a feeling it will stick.” He gestured at the envelope. “Open it.”
Sloane followed orders, wondering what was going on. Maybe it was a certificate of acknowledgment, signed by the powers that be. If so, she’d be really touched.
It turned out to be a lot more than that.
Sliding the pages out of the envelope, Sloane saw the first document and recognized it as an application for reinstatement to the FBI. It had her name on it. Behind the application was a printout of a letter of recommendation from Tony, detailing her service and contributions to the FBI during her time as a special agent. He specified her outstanding work with the Crisis Negotiation Unit, adding that he’d rarely seen a newcomer with so much promise.
And last, there was a glowing letter of recommendation from Gary himself, itemizing her post-Bureau work with C-6 and several other squads, calling special attention to the two huge cases this year that she’d had a big hand in solving.
Sloane was blown away by the prais
e, and honored that so much of it had come from the ADIC himself—head of the New York Field Office.
“That letter you’re reading is a follow-up to a call I made to Headquarters,” Gary apprised her. “Both Supervisory Special Agent Sanchez and I agree that your talents, both as a crisis negotiator and as a multitalented, dedicated agent, combined with your proficiency at numerous foreign languages, dictate that you’re a necessary asset to the Bureau.”
Sloane sat quietly, unblinking, her insides clenched with anticipation.