the glory for their successes. The asshole who wanted his dad's job was a total prick.
"Who requests it?"
"That would come from the Commissioner over the Finance Department, and since the Chief Financial Officer's position is vacant, the Financial Services Director is responsible for up channeling all forfeiture spending requests." Brody crossed his arms and waited for shit to sink in.
The man leaned back and leveled a laser sharp glare his way. "Debbie McGuire. You used to date her. For a couple years, right?"
"I did."
"Did it end amicably?"
"I believe so. It ran its course." Busy people with busy lives. The sex had been good, and they got along well together, but they'd both realized they wanted different things. She wanted career advancement and really got off on the status of dating the commissioner's son. He wanted... hell, he didn't want anything except the status quo. A routine partner who was there when it was convenient for both of them. Debbie was a wonderful woman, but not once had he envisioned a lifetime with her. They drifted apart a long time before they officially called it quits. He didn't lose any sleep over the breakup, nor did she.
"I guess it doesn't hurt to ask, but I don't want you to get your ass in a crack between Debbie in finance and the woman out there." He nodded toward the window.
Brody's eyes followed the nod. Amber chose that second to throw back her head and laugh at something Rayburn had said. She was absolutely beautiful. "There isn't any concern there. We share a past, among other things, but there can never be anything between us again."
"Never, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Fucking long time, never."
Brody glanced through the window again and sighed, "Yeah."
Out of the corner of her eye, Amber caught Brody going to his office, just as Terrell's voice shattered the low thrum of conversation in the bullpen. "Swanson, when you're free."
Rayburn leaned over. "That's code for getcha ass in here."
She gave him the stink eye. "I deduced that all by myself."
"See, I told you she was smart." Watson shot a rubber band at Rayburn, who ducked quickly. The band flew behind him and hit one of the other team members in the back. The guy saluted them with his middle finger but didn't stop the conversation he was having on the phone. Both Watson and Rayburn laughed like loons.
"You two have the combined mental capacity of a Shih Tzu." She grabbed her phone and pocketed it as she headed to the captain's office.
"Hey, I heard those were really smart animals!" Rayburn yelled after her.
She shook her head, a smile spreading across her face as she knocked on the door bearing his name, Captain Ryker J. Terrell. She ignored the man inside the office next door. Lieutenant Anderson was a non-person as far as she was concerned.
Terrell looked up and motioned to the chair in front of his desk. "Swanson. Shut the door and take a seat."
She did what he asked and laced her fingers together over her knee, waiting for the reason she was summoned.
"Thank you for the statement. The situation is being looked into, and I want to assure you it will be impartial."
"Ah, he's still denying it." Captain Terrell didn't respond, but it was all right. She was certain Lieutenant Anderson was professing his innocence.
"I'm continuing with my investigation. From this point forward you will report directly to me."
"Yes, sir." She was good with it.
"Do you have any problem working with Sergeant King?"
She snapped backward. "No. Why?"
"I need to make sure there is nothing from the past which can interfere with an ongoing investigation. Should I need the two of you to work in close proximity, there wouldn't be any reason for concern?"
Her head moved side to side. "No sir. None that I'm aware of."
"All right. Your current assignment is with Sergeant King and Detectives Rayburn and Watson. Please do not contact Lieutenant Anderson unless absolutely necessary and then only if witnesses are available."
She snorted. "I'll have no problem following that order."
"Good. I look forward to working with you, Agent Swanson."
"And I you, sir." She stood and headed from the office.
"Swanson, leave the door open."
She nodded and did as he asked before she headed to the break room. She grabbed a soda and a bag of chips and returned to her desk. She was waiting for calls from several agents in the Jacksonville area. She needed to make contact, determine what they knew about Gray Death production in Jacksonville, and ascertain if they knew