I turn to see Agent Aidan Monroe approaching me, carrying a tray of hot drinks in paper cups. Gone is the wide-eyed newbie who had started here a month ago. He looks jaunty and confident today, maybe even a little bit cocky. He is wearing a snappy blue suit that is tailored to his athletic form. It looks good with his brown hair and clean cut looks. He looks like he has settled into the job.
“Newbie, back on the case, huh?” he says to me. “You gonna solve this one before us, tiger? I got you a tea.”
“You’re the newbie,” I shoot back at him with a grin. “I see you’re on drinks duty.”
He hands me a paper cup. “Nah, I’m an old hand now. Got more working hours than you have under my belt.”
“Yes but I’ve cracked two cases. Two.” I hold up two fingers for emphasis.
“Yeah,
and you cracked some guy’s head open on the first one I hear.”
“Hey,” I smack his arm playfully.
“Careful man, there's a beverage here!” he says.
“Tell you what, if you find a lead that solves this case before I do, then I will accept that I’m the newbie.”
“You’re on,” he says. “But I’m warning you. I’ve been working this case like a pro.”
“If you say so. But if I find a lead before you—”
“No way. No wagers. You know the boss doesn't like it.”
“Come on! We have to make it interesting. He’ll never find out.”
He scrunches his face up while he thinks about it. “What did you have in mind?”
“You’ll owe me favor. I don’t know what it is yet, but I’ll tell you when I know.”
“Hah! Next you’ll be asking me for my firstborn child.”
“How about if I promise not to ask for you first born child?”
“No way.”
“Come on. Live a little dangerously.”
“I’ll tell you if I accept these terms when you tell me what the favor is. How about that?”
“I’m in.”
“Storm’s already in the interview room by the way,” he says, leading me around the maze-like complex of the open-plan office floor.
“It’s the boss and Remi interviewing Jacob Jabari. Remi thought you might want to sit in since you, you know, did your psychic thing and found him.”
I try not to let a twinge of disappointment burst my bubble. I had thought it was Storm who wanted me here.
“Bet you’re praying pretty hard now that my Jacob Jabari lead doesn’t pay off!” I tease. I don’t correct him about the psychic thing. He’d be less impressed if he thought I’d found Jacob with a mere trick. I suppose I should have known that it would be Remi who persuaded Storm to bring me in. “Remi is pretty great huh?”
“Yeah, she’s awesome,” he says enthusiastically. And then he blushes.
“I’ve got a total woman-crush on her,” I say, deadpan. “She’s so badass, with that scarlet hair and that don’t-mess-with-me attitude. I don’t know how you can stand seeing her in action. If it was me, I’d have jumped her bones—”
He cuts me off by putting his hand over my mouth. “Shut up,” he hisses, looking around to see if anyone heard.
I burst into laughter.