Night Fall (The Quantico Files #1) - Nancy Mehl Page 0,3
“I don’t think so.”
Adam began reciting a strange poem as he smiled in the glow of the burning cigarette. Patrick didn’t see the first flash of metal until the last second. Then as life began to drain from his body, he could get out only one word. “Jesus.”
Alex Donovan could almost feel the air around her bristle with tense excitement as she took her seat in the Quantico conference room Monday morning, along with two other members of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. She still had trouble believing she was part of this elite squad. As coordinator for the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime while stationed in Kansas City, she’d been a liaison between local law enforcement agencies and the BAU. Her work with the violent crime squad had earned her respect from the agents she’d worked with in the BAU. Those connections opened a door she’d dreamt of stepping through ever since she was a teenager.
Her goal had always been the same—to get to this place—and she was finally here. It still felt surreal. And now she’d been asked to meet with the BAU unit chief.
She tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach that seemed to have turned into wasps, stinging her insides with apprehension mixed with anticipation. The door to the room opened, and the chief, Jefferson Cole, walked briskly into the room. Alex noticed the tight line of his jaw. Something was wrong. Something big.
The first time Alex met him, Jeff reminded her more of an accountant than an experienced FBI agent and talented analyst. He was tall and lanky with dark hair and black glasses, and sometimes she almost expected him to ask for a list of her deductible expenses for last year. But the comparison ended when he opened his mouth. Jeff was a man who knew who he was. He always gave his best, and he expected no less from those who served under him.
Even though she could tell the situation was serious, Alex couldn’t quell the feeling of exhilaration bubbling up inside her. She clasped her hands under the table and tried to appear like the calm professional agent she knew she was.
Jeff sat down at the table, then gestured toward the phone sitting on it. “I’m expecting a call from Kansas City. They’re asking for our help.”
Alex nodded, studying the other agents around the table. She’d noticed Supervisory Special Agent Logan Hart as soon as she joined the unit. It was hard not to. He was good-looking, with kind blue eyes and dark blond hair that always seemed to need a good combing. Alex thought it looked good that way, windswept and romantic. She’d spoken to him a few times and found that his easy smile and manner matched his personality. Some people in the unit called him “Preacher” because of his spiritual beliefs, but they said it with affection. Everyone seemed to like him.
Before she realized she was doing it, she reached up and touched her bangs. Speaking of windswept, November’s strong breezes could certainly mess with one’s hair. She kept her long dark mane in a ponytail when she was working, though, so the wind wasn’t really a huge problem. However, her bangs were another story. She hoped they looked all right. Now that she was thinking of them, she wanted to fluff them out. She fought the urge, but it was difficult to put her hands back in her lap.
She was being ridiculous. She wasn’t looking for a boyfriend. Being part of the BAU was everything to her. Her focus was on her career. Any kind of relationship would just get in the way.
Looking across the table, she caught Monty Wong staring at her. She liked him, but he made her a little nervous. He was attentive and serious, and he rarely smiled. He was nice enough but just a little tightly wound. She tightened her lips to hold back a smile when she realized she was describing herself.
“Logan and Monty, you’re here because you’re seasoned and your work has been exemplary,” Jeff said. He turned to Alex. “And you’re here, Alex, because you worked with us out of the Kansas City Field Office. The special agent in charge has high praise for you, and your work as our NCAVC coordinator was impressive.” He locked his gaze on hers. “Kansas City PD is asking for our help. I want you to coordinate with them and our Kansas City office. Having someone who already knows the