Faces of Evil [2] Impulse by Debra Webb Read Free Book Online Page A

coming.”
    If the guy was lying, he pulled it off without a flinch. “Let’s see what this is about.”
    Manning followed Dan to his office.
    The two gentlemen seated in front of his desk rose and turned to greet him.
    “Chief Burnett,” the older of the two said as he stepped forward, “I’m Supervisory Special Agent Ralph Gant, unit chief, Behavioral Analysis Unit 2.”
    Jess’s boss from Quantico. He looked exactly like the arrogant prick Dan had pictured based on the way he’d treated Jess. Dan disliked him on sight.
    He accepted the hand Gant offered. He’d anticipated the local Bureau’s involvement at a higher level when they dropped the blinders and admitted Jess was correct. What he hadn’t anticipated was Gant’s appearance and the lack of a heads-up before that happened.
    “This is Agent Clint Wentworth, Office of Professional Responsibility,” Gant added, introducing the other man.
    Dan got the picture now. This was about Jess, not his case. . . and it was definitely trouble.
    Wentworth offered his hand as well; Dan gave it a shake. Manning introduced himself. Apparently he had never met these two either.
    “I wasn’t briefed,” Manning said, “that anyone from Quantico was coming.”
    “The decision was made just this morning,” Gant explained, giving Manning the minimum amount of information possible.
    At least Dan wasn’t the only one in the dark here.
    “Have a seat, gentlemen.” He moved around behind his desk and waited until the three were settled.
    Manning dragged up a chair to join his colleagues.
    Dan sat and offered his undivided attention, as difficult as that was to do. He had an investigation to get off the ground. “I have a briefing going on in my conference room,” he said when no one seemed inclined to get to the point. “One of my detectives is missing and time is of the essence.” Impatience screwed tighter around his forehead. Why the hell were they here?
    “We have reservations as to whether your unsub is Eric Spears,” Gant said. “Certainly, it’s far too early to call this the Player’s work. After the disaster in Richmond, there are legal ramifications that need to be considered. Keeping Spears’ name out of this until there is some sort of evidence would be prudent. That said, the reason we felt compelled to make this impromptu visit is our escalating concern with Agent Harris’ ability to be an asset to your investigation under the circumstances. However, this is your investigation.”
    Dan’s guard went up. “We consider Jess an incredible asset. In fact, we’ve offered her a deputy chief position. We’re all hoping she’ll stay.”
    Another of those awkward moments passed.
    “I would strongly urge you to reconsider that offer for now,” Gant recommended.
    Dan’s patience had run out. Now he was just pissed off. He stood. “As I said, I have a missing detective and a strategy briefing. Unless you have some relevant input to this investigation, I’d say we’re done here.”
    The three stood in one choreographed move, like dancers in a chorus line.
    “Manning, why don’t you wait for us in the lobby?” Gant instructed.
    Dan’s tension moved to the next level.
    The silence thickened, pushed the air out of the room as they waited for the door to close behind Manning.
    “I’m not sure you have the full story on what happened with the Spears investigation,” Gant said.
    “I know all I need to know.”
    Disregarding his comment, Gant went on, “We believe Agent Harris may have suffered a meltdown of sorts. Recent discoveries have led us to believe it would be in her best interest to seek psychiatric evaluation and counseling. I assure you this is standard operating procedure when an agent’s actions are called into question. Her cooperation, however, is essential. If she chooses not to comply, we will be forced to pursue separation from service measures based on our conclusion that she is no longer fit for duty.”
    Outrage blasted any