“Anastasia.”
“I’m asking you to give us a minute, Special Agent in Charge Sullivan,” Anya repeated coldly. “You owe me that much.”
Kate hesitated briefly before she nodded and exited the room.
“What the hell do we do now? They’re not going to give me any of that information. Hell, I can’t even go to the fucking station without a Union Rep. And something this huge? I can’t risk Taylor’s case by doing something stupid.” Max ran a hand down his face. “The FBI doesn’t understand what this case means, Anya. If they find out that this was just a fucking gun making its rounds out there on the streets, they’re not going to give a shit about solving a three-year-old case.” Max paused when he cast his gaze on Jaime. Anya noted the turmoil written all over his face. “Then this starts all over again for Jaime. We can’t let that happen. And we can’t let Jaime go rogue in hercondition. I’m open to any ideas here, Doc, because I don’t know what the fuck to do.”
Max’s voice was raw with emotion. Anya didn’t need a degree or years of experience to grasp the significance of this moment. Max’s partner had spent the last three years mourning someone she loved, believing she would never find closure or discover the identity of her killer. Now that both were a possibility as Jaime lay in a coma from the same gun, it seemed…wrong to take it away from her.She would do whatever it took to put that son of a bitch either in the ground or behind bars.
“You’re going to stay here with Jaime,” Anya answered softly. She went to Jaime and caressed her cheek as best as she could without disturbing the tubes. After a moment’s hesitation, she leaned down and kissed Jaime gently on the lips before turning back to Max. “Text me if anything changes, and I’ll return as quickly as I can.”
“Where are you going?”
“To cash in a debt.”
“Kate?”
Kate turned to Anya and offered her a smile. “It’s good to see you, Anastasia.”
“Why are you really here?” Anya asked, ignoring Kate’s sentiment. “Agents in charge don’t make personal appearances unless it’s a high-profile case or there’s something in it for them.”
Kate’s smile faded. “Right. Well, this case came across my desk, and Anastasia Grant was named as a potential victim. Since the one I used to know had practically fallen off the face of the earth, I needed to see if it wasmyAnastasia Grant.”
“Not yours and not a potential victim,” Anya stated clearly. She also noted that Kate had skipped over the part where Anya had been a person of interest first. “Howdidit end up on your desk, anyway?”
“You know better than anyone that cases such as these, especially ones involving the attempted murder of a cop, are FBI territory.”
Anya frowned. “But how didyouget it? And so quickly? The details of these cases have been largely kept out of the media.”
“Meaning the authorities have kept it from the public that a serial killer is out there?”
Anya didn’t appreciate the accusatory tone in Kate’s voice. “Your disapproval rings hollow, considering our past, don’t you think, Kate? And you didn’t answer my question. How did you get this case?” Anya noticed Kate’s hesitation; she could see the hard swallow and the way Kate avoided making eye contact. “Oh my god, you have me on the Hotwatch list, don’t you!”
“It’s not like that, Anastasia. At least, it’s not how you think.”
“Not how I think. Why don’t you explain it to me then?” Anya crossed her arms, lifted a brow, and waited for whatever asinine explanation Kate decided to give her.
Kate looked around, clearly feeling uneasy under Anya’s scrutiny. “Maybe we could find a more private place to have this conversation?”
“Dr. Grant?” Anya turned toward Zoe’s voice. “Is everything okay here?”
She almost laughed at Zoe’s fierce glare directed at Kate. “Everything is fine, Zoe. Thank you. I thought you went home.”
Zoe narrowed her eyes at Kate, then smiled at Anya and shook her head. “That was last night, hon. I should have brought that cot into Jaime’s room for you. You must be exhausted.”
“I am, but I think I’m going to go home for a bit to change, rest, and help with the case.” Anya plucked a pen from thepocket of the young nurse’s scrubs. “Do you have a piece of paper?” Zoe handed Anya a small notepad, and Anya scribbled her name and number down. “I’ve instructed Max to text me if anything changes with Jaime, but you know how men are.” She gave Zoe a playful eye roll. “I’d feel much better knowing you have my number.”
“I will definitely call you if Jaime wakes up.” Zoe chuckled. “Oh! Hold on!” She jogged behind the nurse’s station and came back with a bag. “Here are the clothes you were wearing when you came in. I didn’t know if it’d be too upsetting for you to have them, but…” She lifted a shoulder with uncertainty.
Anya’s movements were as tremulous as Zoe’s smile. “T-thank you.”
“Of course. And I’ll take good care of Jaime while you work your magic.”
Anya tilted her head in question. “My magic?”
“I Googled you,” Zoe answered sheepishly. “I’ve read about your career. If anyone can find out who did this to Jaime and those women, it’s you.”
Anya turned to Kate when Zoe walked away. “I need to see everything you have on these cases.”
