Page 10 of Facing the Enemy

My burner phone rang—Gage, the only person besides the SAC who had this number. He’d called on several occasions, but I never answered. Why repeat the lies that kept him safe? As much as I wanted to hear his voice regularly, this would be the last time. After school today, I’d replace this burner and not give him the number. The cell rang twice more before I answered.

“Is this the first day of school for Houston Community?” His deep voice brought back moments I’d taken him for granted.

“How did you know?”

“The SAC told me you planned to head back to your previous role as an English prof, and I assumed today.”

“True. I enjoyed teaching in the past, and I will again.”

“Do you plan to write?”

I still dabbled in short whodunits, but I needed to keep myself closed to Gage. “Possibly in the future. This is my first day, and I’m here parked in my car ready to meet my class. College students, here I come.”

“Which campus?”

“Does it matter?”

He sighed. “Risa, a change in scenery is healthy. And I’m glad you want to be clearheaded before applying to the SAC for reinstatement. But you and I together have the skills to find who’s behind your brother’s death. Alone, you’re in a vulnerable position.”

“I haven’t changed my mind. I’m fine. I’m thrilled to be teaching again, and I now view my time in the FBI as a learning experience.”

“I know you better than that.” He chuckled or I’d have hung up. “Investigation is in your blood.”

“Wrong, Gage. I’m finished with that life. Contrary to popular opinion, you aren’t the commander in this situation.”

“You’re right. I’m not or things would be different. I’d like to take you to dinner tonight, sort of a way to celebrate your professorship.”

How I longed to see him, to lower my guard and enjoy his company. “We aren’t working together anymore. No reason for us to have dinner.” Silence met me. I hated that life demanded I hurt him. “My life is zipping down a new highway.”

“So you’ve chosen to forget what happened to you and your brother?”

“It’s not a choice when I can’t do a thing about it.”

“I don’t believe for a minute you’ve decided not to find Trenton’s killer. What makes you think the driver will surface when he didn’t leave anything behind to track him?” Gage’s voice rose with certain frustration.

“That’s for HPD and whoever’s working the case with them to determine.”

“Who has your back?”

“I neither need nor want anyone to keep tabs on me.” I despised my ugly words.

“Give this craziness up. Drive back to the office. You’re a special agent, not an English professor. Why not teach law enforcement classes?”

I regretted telling him about returning to my prior career, and I wasn’t jeopardizing lives by teaching law enforcement. No way I’d give the killer a reason to take retribution. I really wanted to tell Gage the truth, but the note made the repercussions clear if I stayed with the FBI. I’d catch the killer my way.

“Risa, you’re tuning me out again.”

“I’m watching the parking lot fill up.”

“When will you be back?”

“Gage, I resigned. My FBI career is over.” I spit the words out like pits of remorse.

“I’ll continue to search through our past and present cases until I find your brother’s killer. The FBI and HPD task force haven’t given up.”

I gripped the steering wheel with my free hand. “It’s been two months.”

“You know investigations are seldom done in a matter of days or weeks.”