“Nate,” Durant began, then sighed. “I know that Leo Proctor is at Lucy’s right now. I know that you have been staying there. You’re friends, I respect that, but I don’t think you grasp the seriousness of the situation that Lucy and her husband are in right now.”
“May I speak freely?”
“Yes.”
“I proudly served in the Army for ten years. I knew that my squad had my back, and I had theirs. When I came to the FBI, I felt a kinship because we are structured to have the same kind of support system. Until now. No one, other than Leo, has reached out to Lucy or to me during this time. I understand that you both need to protect the agency, I respect that. But my team—men and women I need to count on to have my back when we’re in the field—have been silent. That is the environment that has been fostered here. Fear of retaliation, of suspension, I don’t know, but how can I trust any of these people if they can’t even support their own?
“Sean is my best friend. Lucy is my partner. Their son is in danger. I don’t have to tell you that this arrest and Sean’s subsequent kidnapping—”
“Prison break,” Rachel said.
“Kidnapping,” Nate repeated, “coupled with his brother being lured down to Mexico has left a young kid vulnerable. Leo offered to help and protect Jesse Rogan so I could get to the bottom of the planted drugs. I’m not going to apologize for standing by my partner or my friends in the darkest time of their lives.”
Durant looked him in the eye, but Rachel didn’t. That bothered him. But Durant said, “I respect that, Nate. But I don’t think you understand the gravity of the situation that Sean Rogan is in. He’s now wanted for two murders—Mona Hill and a corrections officer. He is considered a fugitive. You may be right—he may be innocent—but that still doesn’t discount that there is evidence enough for both murders to keep him in custody. And when he’s apprehended, you’re going to have to accept that you cannot use this agency to assist him in any way. What you do on your personal time is your business, but if it comes back on the FBI there will be consequences over and above a two-week suspension. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You may go.”
Nate walked out. He didn’t feel good about the conversation, but he didn’t regret anything he’d said.
He drove immediately to Lucy’s house. He glared at the SAPD vehicle still parked out front, but it wasn’t their fault. They were doing their job.
Didn’t make him feel any better about what was going on and that Sean was in such trouble.
Bandit greeted him as soon as he walked in and he hugged the dog. It helped calm him down.
Leo walked out from the kitchen. “I made dinner for Jess and me. There’s plenty left. Spaghetti and meatballs.”
“Thank you,” he said automatically.
“Do you want to talk?”
Nate shook his head, got up from his squat, but kept his hand on Bandit’s head, scratching his ears. “Thank you for being here for Jess.”
“And for you, and for Lucy. I spoke to Jack Kincaid and I brought in a couple people to keep an eye on the place. There’s confirmation that Jesse was a target yesterday, but they don’t believe he still is. The patrol is just a precaution. Jack talked to Jesse, he was pretty blunt.”
“Is the kid okay?”
“I think so, but he’ll be glad to see you.”
The house alarm beeped once. Nate looked at the security panel and saw Aggie walking up the front path. She looked exhausted but determined. He opened the door.
“You okay?”
“Suspended for a week for not informing my supervisor of my actions, but it could have been worse. Brad would be dead if we hadn’t acted when we did so I’ll take the suspension and sleep really well tonight.”
Leo left, and Nate checked on Jesse. They talked for a bit, which was good for both of them.
It reminded Nate that he would do everything he’d done all over again, no regrets.
He went back downstairs to the kitchen, where Aggie had warmed up the food Leo cooked earlier. “I’m starving, I hope you don’t mind.”
Aggie was always hungry. “Not at all.”
They sat down and Nate felt … comfortable. Aggie was comfortable to be around. She had grown on him, and he liked her.