She looked around and said to Bill, Jake, and Lucy, All these people how did they know about this?
Lucy said, Well, it was in the news, of course.
That was true, but it didnt explain things as far as Riley was concerned. Her award had been announced in tiny news items that scarcely anyone would have noticed unless they were looking for it already.
Then Riley noticed a sly grin on Bills face.
He contacted people! Riley realized.
He may not have reached out to every single person from her past, but hed put the wheels in motion.
She was startled by the contradictory emotions she felt.
Of course she was grateful to Bill for making sure that this day was nothing short of extraordinary.
But to her surprise, she was angry too.
Without seeming to realize it, Bill had set an emotional ambush for her.
Worst of all, he had made her cry.
But she reminded herself that hed done it out of friendship and respect.
She said to him, You and I are going to have a little talk about this later.
Bill smiled and nodded.
Im sure we will, he said.
Riley turned toward her waiting family and friends, but she was stopped in her tracks by her boss, Team Chief Brent Meredith. The big man with black, angular features didnt appear to be in a celebratory mood.
He said, Paige, Jeffreys, Vargas I need to see you in my office right away.
Without another word, Meredith walked out of the room.
Rileys heart sank as she headed over to Blaine, Gabriela, and the girls to tell them to wait a little while for her.
She remembered that lurking sense of darkness she had felt over dinner yesterday.
Its here, she thought.
Some new evil was about to enter her life.
CHAPTER THREE
As Riley followed Bill and Lucy down the hallway toward Chief Merediths office, she tried to figure out why she felt so unsettled. She couldnt put her finger on just what was troubling her.
She realized that it was partly a sensation she was long since used to that familiar heightened apprehension she got whenever she was about to get new orders.
But something else was mixed in with that feeling. It didnt feel like fear or foreboding. Shed been on too many jobs in her career to be unduly worried about what was ahead.
It was something she barely recognized.
Is it relief? Riley wondered.
Yes, maybe that was it.
The ceremony and the reception had felt so bizarre and unreal, stirring up conflicting thoughts and waves of emotions.
Heading to Merediths office was familiar, comfortable and it felt like an escape of sorts.
But an escape into what?
Doubtless into a well-known world of cruelty and evil.
Riley felt a shiver go up her spine.
What did it say about her that she was more comfortable with cruelty and evil than she was with celebration and praise?
She didnt want to dwell on that question, and she tried to shake off that anxious feeling as she walked. But she couldnt quite do it.
It seemed that she was feeling less and less comfortable in her own skin these days.
When Riley, Bill, and Lucy reached Merediths large office, the chief was standing beside his desk.
Someone else was already there a young African-American woman with short straight hair and large, intense eyes. She stood up at the sight of Riley and her companions.
Meredith said, Agents Paige, Jeffreys, and Vargas, Id like you to meet Special Agent Jennifer Roston.
Riley eyed the woman shed spoken to on the phone right after solving the Matchbook Killer case. Jennifer Roston wasnt tall, but she looked athletic and completely competent. The expression on her face was that of a woman who was secure in her own abilities.
Roston shook hands with each of them.
Ive heard great things about you, Lucy told her.
Youve reset some records at the Academy, Bill said.
Riley had also heard great things about Agent Roston. She already had an amazing reputation and had received some excellent commendations.
Im so honored to meet all of you, Roston said with a sincere smile. Then, looking Riley straight in the eye, she added, Especially you, Agent Paige. Its great to meet you face to face.
Riley felt flattered. She also felt a slight, nagging concern.
As they all made their way to chairs and sat down, Riley wondered what Roston was doing here today. Was Meredith going to put her on an assignment with Riley and her two colleagues?
The thought made Riley a little uneasy. She, Bill, and Lucy had built an excellent rapport, a seamless working relationship. Wouldnt a new addition to their little team disrupt that, at least temporarily?
Meredith answered her question. I wanted the three of you to meet Agent Roston because Ive got her working on the Shane Hatcher case. The bastard has been at large for way too long. Headquarters has decided to make him a priority. Its time to bring him in, and we need fresh eyes assigned to that specific case.
Riley squirmed a little on the inside.
She already knew that Roston was working on the Hatcher case. In fact, that was what they had discussed over the phone. Roston had asked for access to Quanticos computer files about Shane Hatcher, and Riley had given her that access.
But what was going on right now?
Surely Meredith hadnt brought them all together to work on the Hatcher case. She wasnt sure how much Meredith actually knew about her own connections with Hatcher. She would have been arrested if her boss was fully aware that she had let the escaped killer go because hed helped her out.
She knew perfectly well Hatcher was probably up in the mountains hiding in the cabin she had inherited from her father staying there with Rileys full knowledge and approval.
How could she possibly even pretend to be trying to bring him to justice?
Bill asked Roston, How is it going so far?
Roston smiled.
Oh, Im just getting started Im only doing research at this point.
Then looking at Riley again, Roston said, I appreciate the access you gave me to all those files.
Im glad to help out, Riley said.
Roston squinted a little at Riley, her expression turning vaguely curious.
Oh, its been a great help, she said. Youve put a lot of information together. Even so I thought thered be more about Hatchers financial dealings.
Riley suppressed a shudder as she remembered doing something rash right after that phone call.
Before giving Roston access to the Hatcher files, shed deleted one called THOUGHTS a file that not only contained Rileys personal thoughts and observations about Hatcher, but also financial information that would likely lead to his capture. Or at least make it possible to cut off his resources.
What a crazy thing to do, Riley thought.
But it was done, and it couldnt be undone even if she wanted to change that.
Riley now felt distinctly uneasy under Rostons inquisitive gaze.
Hes an elusive character, Riley said to Roston.
Yes, so I take it, Roston said.
Rostons eyes stayed locked on Rileys.
Rileys discomfort grew.
Does she already know something? Riley wondered.
Then Meredith said, That will be all for now, Agent Roston. Ive got another matter to discuss with Paige, Jeffreys, and Vargas.
Roston got up and politely took her leave.
Roston got up and politely took her leave.
As soon as she was gone, Meredith said, It looks like weve got a new serial case in Southern California. Someone has murdered three drill sergeants at Fort Nash Mowat. They were shot at long range by a skilled marksman. The most recent victim was killed early this morning.
Riley was intrigued, but also a little surprised.
Isnt this more of a case for the Army Criminal Investigation Command? she asked, noting the other name for the Armys Criminal Investigation Division. She knew the CID typically investigated felony crimes that were committed within the US Army.
Meredith nodded.
The CID is already working on it, he said. Theres a CID office in Fort Mowat, so theyre up and running. But as you know, Provost Marshal General Boyle is in charge of the CID. He called me a little while ago to ask the FBI to pitch in. This is looking to be an especially nasty case, with all kinds of negative PR repercussions. Theres going to be a lot of bad press and political pressure. The sooner it gets solved, the better for everybody.
Riley wondered if this was a good idea. Shed never heard of the FBI and CID working together on a case. She worried that they might wind up stepping on each others toes, doing more harm than good.
But she didnt raise any objection. It wasnt up to her.
So when do we head out? Bill asked.
ASAP, Meredith said. Do you have your go-bags here?
No, Riley said. Im afraid I wasnt expecting this so soon.
Then as soon as you can pack your things.
Riley felt a sudden burst of alarm.
Jillys play is tonight! she thought.
If Riley left right now, shed miss it.
Chief Meredith she began.
Yes, Agent Paige?
Riley stopped short. After all, the FBI had just given her an award and a raise. How could she back out of this now?
Orders are orders, she told herself firmly.
There was nothing she could do.
Nothing, she said.
OK, then, Meredith said, rising to his feet. The three of you get moving. And solve this thing fast. Other cases are waiting.
CHAPTER FOUR
Colonel Dutch Adams stood staring out his office window. He had a good view of Fort Nash Mowat from here. He could even see the field where Sergeant Worthing had been killed only this morning.
Damn it to hell, he muttered under his breath.
Less than two weeks ago Sergeant Rolsky had been killed in exactly the same way.
Then a week ago it was Sergeant Fraser.
And now it was Worthing.
Three good drill sergeants.
Such a stupid waste, he thought.
And so far, the agents from the Criminal Investigation Command hadnt been able to crack the case.
Adams stood wondering
How the hell did I wind up in charge of this place?
Hed had a good career overall. He wore his medals proudly the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and a hefty batch of others.
He looked back over his life as he stared out the window.
What were his best memories?
Surely his wartime service in Iraq, both in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.
What were his worst memories?
Possibly the academic grind of piling up enough degrees to get a commission.
Or maybe standing in front of classrooms giving lectures.
But even those werent as bad as running this place.
Driving a desk and filing reports and presiding over meetings all that was the worst of it as far as he was concerned.
Still, at least hed had the good times.
His career had come at a personal cost, though three divorces and seven grown children who scarcely spoke to him anymore. He wasnt even sure how many grandchildren he might have.
That was just how it had to be.
The Army had always been his true family.
But now, after all those years, he was feeling estranged even from the Army.
So how was his parting from military service going to feel in the end like a happy retirement, or just another ugly divorce?
He breathed a bitter sigh.
If he achieved his final ambition, hed retire as a brigadier general. Even so, hed be all alone after he retired. But maybe it was just as well.
Maybe he could just quietly disappear fade away like one of Douglas MacArthurs proverbial old soldiers.
Or like some wild animal, he thought.
Hed been a hunter all his life, but couldnt remember ever having run across the carcass of a bear or a deer or any other wild animal that had died of natural causes. Other hunters had told him the same thing.
What a mystery that had always been! Where did those wild creatures go to die and rot away?
He wished he knew, so he could go where they did when his time came.
Meanwhile, he had a hankering for a cigarette. It was a hell of a thing, not being able to smoke in his own office.
Just then his desk phone buzzed. It was his secretary in the outer office.
The woman said, Colonel, Ive got the provost marshal general on the line. He wants to talk to you.
Colonel Adams felt a jolt of surprise.
He knew that the provost marshal general was Brigadier General Malcolm Boyle. Adams had never talked to him as far as he could remember.
Whats it about? Adams asked.
The murders, I believe, the secretary said.
Adams growled under his breath.
Of course, he thought.
The provost marshal general in Washington was in charge of all Army criminal investigations. Doubtless hed gotten word that the investigation here was lagging.
OK, Ill talk to him, Adams said.
He took the call.
Adams immediately disliked the sound of the mans voice. It was too soft for his taste, didnt have the proper bark for a high-ranking officer. Nevertheless, the man vastly outranked Adams. He had to at least feign respect.
Boyle said, Colonel Adams, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Three FBI agents from Quantico will be arriving there soon to help with the murder investigation.
Adams felt a surge of irritation. As far as he was concerned, he already had too many agents working on it. But he managed to keep his voice calm.
Sir, Im not sure I understand why. Weve got our own Criminal Investigation Command office right here at Fort Mowat. Theyre on the case.
Boyles voice sounded a little tougher now.
Adams, youve had three murders in less than three weeks. It sure sounds to me like you folks could use a little help.
Adamss frustration was growing by the second. But he knew he mustnt show it.
He said, Respectfully, sir, I dont know why youre calling me with this news. Colonel Dana Larson is the CID commander here at Fort Mowat. Why arent you calling her first?
Boyles reply took Adams completely aback.
Colonel Larson contacted me. She asked for me to call in the BAU to help. So I put in a call and arranged it.
Adams was aghast.
That bitch, he thought.
Colonel Dana Larson seemed to do everything she could to annoy him at every opportunity.
And what was a woman doing in charge of a CID office anyway?
Adams did his best to swallow down his disgust.
I understand, sir, he said.
Then he ended the call.
Colonel Adams was seething now. He banged his fist against his desk. Didnt he have any say in what went on in this place?