Spooky Business (The Spectral Files #3) - S.E. Harmon Page 0,4
you anything?”
“Not really.”
Graycie grunted. “I need you to meet with him a few more times.”
I sighed because I’d known that was coming. “Despite my better judgment, that is the plan.”
“Tell me something, and be honest with me here.” Graycie tilted his head slightly. “Do you ever miss any of this?”
“Having a serial killer try my patience in the worst of ways? Then threaten to take off my head and put it on the table as a party favor?”
“This.” He gestured to encompass both of us. “Working with the Bureau and people who respect your talents.”
“Our last interaction was you firing my ass and telling me to get out of your office.”
He folded his arms, his jaw set stubbornly. “That was not our last interaction, Christiansen. We’ve been interacting pleasantly for over a year.”
“That’s certainly putting an interesting spin on our relationship.”
“And I didn’t fire you. I gave you choices, and you made a decision.” He was quiet for a few beats. “How’re things with the PTU?”
“Great.”
“And your Detective? McNally? How is everything there?”
He knew damn well that wasn’t Danny’s last name. He probably knew everything about Danny from his favorite type of cereal to what brand of underwear he wore. “Detective McKenna is just fine. And what’s with all the questions?”
He shrugged. “I like to keep track of my assets.”
“I’m not your asset, Grace,” I snapped. “The PTU is fine. Danny and I are fine, and that’s all you need to know.”
“No need to get defensive. If you’re happy where you are, I’m happy for you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a leather billfold. I knew exactly what it was and to whom it belonged. “Guess that means you wouldn’t have any interest in this.”
I frowned down at the badge. “I already have a job.”
“I know that. But it turns out I have some things at the FBI that could use… your special touch.”
“I don’t know what that means, but it sounds pretty filthy,” I said primly. “Step off, Chester the Molester.”
“FBI is in your blood, Christiansen. Tell me that I’m wrong.”
In the interview room, one of the COs said something to Kane, and he said something back. From their expressions, the exchange wasn’t pleasant. The guard kicked the leg of the chair, and Kane jolted as it listed forward. The CO’s hand hovered above the nightstick in his belt.
“Idiots,” I murmured. “I’d better get in there before they rile him up too much.”
“Don’t forget this,” Graycie said as he held out the shield.
Feeling a bit like a proverbial Eve reaching for that taboo apple, I took it from his hand… or tried to. He held on, smoothly readjusting his grip so that his fingers slightly overlapped mine.
Between him and Kane, I’d had enough of playing power games to last me a lifetime. I gritted my teeth and tugged it from his fingers. Then I stuck the shield in my back pocket. It weighed heavier than the detective shield in my other back pocket—one ass cheek betraying the other.
“This doesn’t mean yes,” I informed him.
“I never thought it did.”
I answered his predatory smile with a dark scowl. “And just so you know, it’s customary to offer someone refreshments before you make a deal for their soul.”
His smile grew. “I’ll certainly keep that in mind.”
Chapter 2
I drove home in the dark hours of the morning, fueled on coffee and Dr Pepper. Thanks to a lack of traffic, I made the four-hour commute from BCI in half that, pulling in the garage slightly after seven.
I kicked off my shoes at the door and made my way to the bedroom on silent feet. I peeked in long enough to see Danny sleeping peacefully, sprawled on his back in the middle of the bed. I’d initially planned to join him, but my tactics to stay alert had backfired. I felt awake enough to run a marathon—not that I ever would, of course, because that shit is crazy—and I was way too amped to just crawl into bed and sleep.
Instead, I took a long, hot shower and got dressed in my version of casual: black slacks and a navy button-down with the sleeves pushed to the elbows. Then, I headed into the kitchen in my dress socks.
I made a beeline for the Keurig and made quick work of popping in one of my favorite pods and hitting the brew button. After that I clicked on the drop-down TV under the cabinets, channel surfing until I found an early morning news show. The