to focus on her physical training, and she didn’t know who she should go to about her missing notes. She mentally replayed what she’d done with them last night, before finding Tony unconscious in his office. She’d brought down his file, plus her list of people from Weber’s book, but she’d left her personal notes—questions to herself, facts from the book, comments about Tony’s notes—in her desk. She was certain of it. Almost.
Paula Kean entered the gym near the end of training and spoke with Harden. A few seconds later, Harden called Lucy over.
“You’re free to go with Agent Kean,” he told her.
Lucy glanced at the class supervisor, trying to assess why she was being pulled out. Kean’s face was impassive, as usual.
Lucy followed her out and down the hall. Kean stopped just outside her office door. “Assistant Director Hans Vigo needs to speak with you.” She lifted her chin. “I see his visit is not a surprise to you.”
“Kate told me he was here.”
“I’ll clear your absence in Warrants with your instructor, but you’ll have to make up the work. You can get the assignment and notes from New Agent Aragon—he’s a friend of yours, right?”
“Yes.” Jason would not only have good notes, but he also had the most experience with warrants and would be able to answer any questions. “Thank you.”
“We haven’t spoken since you found Agent Presidio. If you need to talk, please let me know. Tony was a good man, and he obviously saw something special in you.”
For the first time since she’d arrived, Lucy felt comfortable with Kean. Though her tone was formal, it had an edge of sincerity that Lucy appreciated.
“Thank you. He was a terrific teacher. We’ll all miss him.”
Kean smiled, a rare warmth in her pale eyes. “He had a reputation for being tough on the new agents, but you seemed to hold up well.” She stepped into her office, then stopped and said, “I know you’re a personal friend of Dr. Vigo’s, but if you’d like me to join you, I’m available.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m okay.” Kean didn’t say anything about the meeting Kate had alluded to at lunch, and Lucy didn’t ask.
She crossed the courtyard and Agent Trevor Seward was talking to two new agents in the lounge. “Hold up,” he told her.
She waited for him in the hall, though she was antsy to see Hans.
“Don’t you have Warrants this afternoon?”
“Yes, but Dr. Vigo called me into Tony’s office.”
“I’ll walk you down.” He touched her arm. “Are you okay?”
“Everyone is asking me if I’m okay. I am.” She glanced at him with a half smile. “But thank you.”
“It’s my job to help you and the rest of your class get through the remaining weeks. I was here only five years ago; it can be hell.”
“I can handle it. Growing pains, that’s it.”
Seward stopped at the secure staircase that led to the basement. He swiped his card over the security panel, and the door unlocked. He opened it for her. “Just remember, Agent Laughlin and I are here to help if you need to talk to someone about what happened with Agent Presidio, or anything.”
Why did everyone think she needed to talk to someone? She’d been around death and dying enough to know the process. But she simply said, “I appreciate it.”
She went down to Tony’s office alone. Hans was sitting at Tony’s desk going through stacks of files.
“Dr. Vigo.”
Hans smiled and stood to greet Lucy. “Sit down.” He returned to his seat but moved files to one side so they could talk.
Lucy had known Hans for seven years. Though they’d met after tragedy, Hans and her brother Dillon had worked together often and she’d seen Hans across the dinner table dozens of times over the years because of his friendship with her brother. Hans had helped reinstate Kate to the FBI after she’d gone rogue, had worked with Lucy’s other sister-in-law years ago, and had given Lucy a glowing recommendation into the FBI. The Kincaids considered Hans part of the family.
Hans wasn’t one for chitchat; he came straight to the point. “Tell me what you were working on for Agent Presidio.”
Lucy said, “I’m truly sorry about his death. You were friends.”
Hans stared over her shoulder, his eyes unfocused. “Yes,” he said quietly. Then he shook his head and looked directly at her. “I’m clearing up Tony’s files and taking over his classes, until we find someone to replace him. I’ve taught here before, so there shouldn’t be any