Page 83 of Love Me Darkly
“I’ve been the lead agent on this case from the beginning. No one is more intimate with the details and evidence than I am. I am the most experienced supervisory special agent in the CID in organized crime, trafficking, and tactical surveillance. I developed the profile on the UNSUB, know his methods and his M.O.”
“You’re a lightning rod,” Carlisle argued. “The UNSUB’s obsession with you has put the entire team in jeopardy.”
“They were in danger the moment he used those credentials to access federal personnel files. He didn’t just snoop into my background. Smith, Williams, Jones … even Hart and Donovan. He reverse profiled every single one of us. And his obsession with me is what’s going to help me close this case. He might not have killed again, but he’s devolving like you said—showing his hand, saying too much. That call revealed more than he wanted it to.”
Carlisle sighed, slipping her thumb and forefinger beneath her glasses to rub at her tired eyes. “I was on the phone all night trying to smooth things over with the local PD. Fortunately, we have a good relationship with the local departments, and they agreed not to publicly report your arrest and to downgrade you to a criminal citation for disturbing the peace. Of course, I don’t think I need to tell you that I can’t do anything to keep this from going on your record.”
Mateo stared dispassionately at the wall behind Carlisle. A year ago, a stain on his flawless record would have destroyed him. It would have disrupted his perception of himself as an agent beyond reproach, one whose dedication had earned him every accolade and promotion he had received. Now, he felt nothing, just as he had all morning.
“Internal Affairs?” he prodded.
“I plan to use that record of yours to convince them that this was a one-time thing—a temporary psychological break due to trauma exposure. The UNSUB’s phone call had to have been … difficult. After what he did to your family, they will understand your reaction. They’ll likely want the word of a shrink that you’re still fit for duty, but I trust you can handle yourself on that front.”
Mateo waved that off with a dismissive hand. A true, in-depth assessment of his mental state would probably see him stripped of his gun and shield. But Mateo was well-versed in the ways of tricking the head-shrinkers into seeing what he wanted them to see. He would breeze through their questions as easily as he had after Mari’s loss. But then, he would move forward with a surer footing. He knew now what needed to be done—what would be required of him. He was more focused now than ever, and would eat, sleep, and breathe this case until the job was done. Until the UNSUB was turned to nothing but pink mist and body parts. Until Angelica was safe in his arms again.
“I understand,” he relented. “I know I don’t deserve for you to keep going to bat for me after everything I’ve put you through. But you know that everything I’ve ever done, everything that I am … revolves around this UNSUB and this case. I won’t fail you.”
“Don’t thank me just yet,” Carlisle said drily. “There’s more, and you aren’t going to like it, but it’s the only way I keep you from losing your position as the lead on this case. Until Internal Affairs has cleared you to resume your post, you will take on the role of an observer and a consultant on this case. I’m placing Smith in the lead until it has been determined that you are ready to resume your role. You will lend the team your expertise, but they will take their orders from Smith until I say otherwise. The team is ready to proceed with your previous orders, and Donovan informs me that some good intel was recorded on the Solstice wiretap last night. You’ll have your hands full, even on the sideline.”
Even this did not affect Mateo as it might have a month or even a week ago. He simply blinked his unfocused eyes and nodded. Smith was a good choice. He was experienced, and had a good enough record that this decision would mollify the brass. As long as he could be here, close, his hand guiding the wheel in any way, Mateo would be content. He would have what he needed.
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.”
Carlisle uncrossed her legs and leaned toward him over the table. “Now, there’s one more thing we need to discuss. Another oversight that might have proved a disaster if we hadn’t gotten a handle on it. In a way, your arrest is responsible for us finding out.”
Carlisle raised an eyebrow and pushed a case file across the table toward him. “We aren’t the only ones investigating Roman Korenic.”
Melody pulled her jacket tighter around her body and folded her arms across her chest as she set out for home. After the night she’d had, she wanted nothing more than to climb into bed and not come out for the rest of her life. Taking a deep breath, she filled her lungs with the cool, early morning air and quickened her steps. She needed to get as much sleep as she could in case Roman called her to him. He didn’t like to be kept waiting, and she needed her wits about her if she was going to endure being in his company again.
The dark shadow emerging from a nearby alley caused her heart to sink into her stomach. Moonlight illuminated his face just before he reached out, taking her arm in a bruising grip before yanking her into the dark slit between two apartment buildings.
She went without fighting, agitation prickling along her spine at his boldness. She had warned him several times not to approach her in the open.
“Detective Riley,” she grumbled, pulling her arm from his grasp. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Nice to see you too, Ms. Frank.”
An orange light flared between them—the flame on the end of his cigarette—illuminating his dark hair and cold, blue eyes. The acrid stench of the smoke wafted up her nostrils as he inhaled and killed the flame.
“We have scheduled meeting times and locations for a reason.”
Riley shrugged. “I have it on good authority that Korenic is already at his penthouse, probably in a cocaine coma.”
Melody winced. Roman had taken several hits of cocaine throughout the night and drank a bottle and a half of vodka by himself. He seemed to be on a bender, which put her on a slippery slope. He was easy to manage when just coming down off a high, but difficult to handle when in the midst of a bender.
“The feds are on Korenic’s trail,” Riley stated between puffs of his cigarette. “You happen to know anything about that?”
She pursed her lips, determined to remain unruffled. She hadn’t spoken to Riley in weeks, had even failed to notice his presence if he’d been lurking anywhere nearby. A certain FBI agent had stolen her focus. Now, she was reminded why it was so important that Mateo stay away from her.
“Why would I?”
“That innocent act might work on your johns, but it doesn’t affect me. Don’t play stupid … I’ve seen you at the club talking to that Hispanic guy. He’s not very subtle … might as well tattoo ‘FBI’ across his forehead. What’s his name?”
Despite the pulse beating rapidly at the base of her jaw, she kept her cool. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Dozens of Hispanic guys come to the club every night.”
“Do you flirt with all of them, or do you make exceptions for feds?” he taunted.
“Look, I’m tired, and I’ve had a long day. If you need something, say so. Otherwise, leave me the hell alone.”
