Page 58 of Gates of Tartarus

Tennireef grinned, not his usual politician’s smile, but something else, something thatseemedmore honest, more natural, almost boyish in its delight, and clearly the surrounding crowd felt like they were seeing a new side of their favorite, like they were being let in on a secret. Tennireef held a finger up to his mouth in a shushing motion.

“Come on, guys,” he said jovially. “This is why I don’t go on dates. Leave my mystery woman alone. Like I said, just friends.” Dropping a quick wink that obviously devastated half the crowd around him, he faux-whispered, “Don’t scare her off!” Then, looking down at his phone for a second, he broke into a brilliant smile, as though he’d received a text which made him incredibly happy, and he shook his head a little, then waggled his phone at the surrounding group and repeated, “Afriend.” EvenIbelieved for a second that I had just sent him some secret little lover’s text. Still smiling, he waved and walked the rest of the way into the office. The press ate it up, had a fucking field day with the headlines he handcrafted for them and dropped in their laps. “His Mystery Woman! Who is Kailani Reed?” All bullshit right now, but the noose is tightening.

And now we’ve barely had time to say hi before Chief Cruise knocks on the door, face grim. Deo and I immediately exchange worried looks. We haven’t seen much of Cruise since we started with the task force, other than occasional greetings in the hallways. Cruisehastouched base with me several times individually, making sure I’m okay on the task force and that things are going alright. But I think he knows that, after this assignment, whatever happens, I’ll be moving on from the SPD.

“Reed,” he says heavily, “a word?”

Maddox motions him forward, a silent invitation to sit, and Cruise meets his eyes with a stern glare. “A gentle reminder, Agent Smith, that you are inmyprecinct with several ofmyofficers assisting you on this case. Reed?”

“What’s up, Chief?” I ask hesitantly, and I know he hears it in my voice, because his face softens, unused to this version of me.

“First, and most importantly, I want you to know that I don’t stand for this behavior, and the officers involved are being suspended pending an investigation.”

Feeling nauseous, I fold my hands in front of me, face carefully blank. “What’s happening, Chief? You’re making me nervous.”

He shakes his head. “You don’t want this in private?”

“Would it do any good?”

Sighing, he replies, “Probably not. Two officers broke into your personnel file and were paid by the press for the information. Allegedly,” he adds as an afterthought.

My skin feels hot and taut across my face. “My personnel file shouldn’t hold anything of interest, Cruise. It’s in our hiring agreement.”

Cruise has the grace to flush and says, almost defensively, “I haven’t added anything since I took over from my predecessor. She, however...”

“FuckingGomez…” I breathe out, too shaky for it to sound threatening. “You didn’t scrub that when you got on the job?”

He runs his hand over his face and silently shakes his head, before sitting down heavily in the chair near me. “Reed, I’m going to be honest with you. When I got here things were a mess. I didn’t review your file, not really, just chucked it in the cabinet when you re-signed with us.”

“Who are the officers?” I ask, already knowing, and he levels a long, steady gaze at me.

“You know I can’t answer that.”

“Markel and Posta?” I say, more as a statement than a question, and can tell by his response that I’m correct.

“They’re on leave without pay?” Deo asks tightly, and Cruise shakes his head.

“The officers involved are on paid leave until such a time as the investigation is complete.”

“That’sbullshit!” Walker bursts out, face white with anger, and Cruise sighs.

“I don’t have a choice in the matter. Not until guilt is proven.” He glances at his watch, then stands. “I wanted you to hear it from me, Reed. But I’d prepare yourself. There was limited information, but all personal. The names of your previous families were included in that file. Their contact information. And minor details of your upbringing.” My stomach clenches, and he lays a hand briefly on my shoulder before excusing himself, as little dots of light flash around the edges of my vision. Maddox’s phone beeps with a news alert, and he reads it before walking over to me and squatting down in front of me, eyes glacial with anger.

“Hey, Kai,” he says in a surprisingly soft voice, and I look up, face wracked with misery, to meet his pitying gaze. “Who is Marian Price?”

Hideo’s sharp intake of breath from behind me catches the attention of the other men in the room. “Where did you hear that name?” he asks coldly, and Maddox passes over his phone.

“‘Live Interview with Marian Price at 5:00’,” he reads, voice like a death rattle. “‘Hear the unknown story of Kailani Reed’s turbulent childhood.’ Thefuckyou will,” Deo snaps out. “KaiKai, you okay? Shotridge?” Jonah looks at Deo with surprise in his eyes, and Hideo’s voice is cracking ice as he commands, “You’re with Kai. You understand? You are with her until I return. Is that clear?”

Jonah nods, and Deo shoulders Maddox out of the way, staring at me until I meet his eyes. “There will be no interview tonight. Kai? You hear me?” I nod, lost, and he repeats himself, “Do. You. Hear. Me?”

“I hear, D. I hear.”

“I’ve got this under control. She’ll eat cement before she opens her fucking mouth for an interview.” His words are a promise, and I should stop him before he does something stupid, but I can’t bring myself to move.

Maddox looks at him, surprise and warning warring on his face. “Tanaka,” he says, “what are you planning?”

Deo just shakes his head and walks out.

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