Page 33 of Fatal Intent

Maddox folded his arms across his chest. “Questions?” When none were asked, he said, “Everyone except for Grant and Rayne is dismissed. Restock your supplies before you leave for the airport. I shouldn’t have to tell you to pack heavy. Davenport will meet you on the jet. Go.”

Once the room had cleared of everyone except Rayne and Grant, Maddox sat in a chair across the table from them. “Talk to me, Rayne.”

A ball of ice formed in her stomach. “Nothing to tell, sir.”

He scowled. “Wrong answer, Weatherly. Try again.”

Under the table, Grant threaded his fingers through hers, giving Rayne the silent support and courage she needed to get through this.

“What do you want to know?”

“You left this conference room in a rush minutes ago. I want to know why.” He glared at her. “Don’t bother telling me it’s not my business. Everything that affects you and your performance is my business.”

“You know about my juvenile record.”

He inclined his head. “Go on.”

“Conner and Sanders know about it as well. They’re looking at me as a suspect because of my record, my time as a Chicago cop, and now my training with Fortress.”

“That’s not news to me. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to you, either.”

“It wasn’t, sir, but during the interrogation I had to go through everything that happened when I was growing up, including the night my father died. Talking about the incidents over and over brought up painful memories I haven’t had time to bury again. Seeing the photos of the White children hit me hard. It reminded me of what I saw in the mirror when I was growing up. Just the thought of them being sold as sex slaves makes me sick.”

“Can you handle this mission?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Are you sure? There’s no shame in admitting a mission is too close to home.”

“Artemis is already down one woman. I won’t put my teammates in jeopardy by offering an excuse not to deploy with them. I’ll be fine, sir. By the time we land in Nicaragua, I will have my emotions under control again. I can do this, and I want to help rescue these children and their parents.”

Maddox gave a slight nod and glanced at Grant. “What about you?”

“It’s under control, sir.”

“Really? Let’s talk about your personal interest in Rayne for a minute.”

“I’ll do my job no matter what happens between us.”

“Distraction can kill, Bowen.”

“I’m aware of the risk.”

“I don’t want to lose either of you. Am I making myself clear?”

“Crystal, sir.”

“Watch yourselves. Watch out for your teammates. If either of you finds the distraction is more than you thought, I need to know about it yesterday.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Go. Restock your supplies, and join your teammates.”

“What about the detectives, sir?” Rayne asked.

“They’re handled for the moment. I’ll keep them off your back until you return. Hopefully by that time, Zane or Riley will have found some things to aid you in your quest for answers. Be careful, both of you. Dismissed.”

Grant helped Rayne to her feet and escorted her to the elevator. Once they were safely behind the closed silver doors, he sighed. “That was interesting.”