Page 87 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

George couldn’t blame Shepard for wanting nothing to do with the bedlam amassing in the French Quarter. The steps to his precinct were already swarming with reporters waiting for any scoop regarding the FBI’s appearance.

He hadn’t seen or heard from Shepard since watching him hand off the investigation to the BAU team early this morning.

There seemed to be no love lost between Shepard and Agent Colby Creed.

The younger agent sent Shepard packing immediately after the proper paperwork and introductions were out of the way, stating his services were no longer required.

A bold thing to say to an Ex-Army Ranger. But Shepard had taken it in stride.

George wished he could say the same.

It was difficult to ignore the sting of being demoted in his own precinct. He knew Creed and the BAU team had good intentions. And technically, they were there to assist George and his officers. But since they’d arrived, the FBI was making their presence known in a big way.

Currently, they were flexing their federal muscles as they took over the conference room.

“Why don’t we have anything like this?” LaSalle grumped at George’s side as smart boards, high powered monitors, laptops, and encrypted servers were brought in.

“‘Cause we don’t got an unlimited budget,” Neville teased.

“Hell, compared to this, we don’t have a budget at all,” George muttered.

“No kidding,” Richter grumbled, joining them with a mug of coffee. “Is there some sort of competition for the worst cup of Joe going on around here?” he asked. “This shit tastes like burnt tree bark.”

“That’s the chicory,” LaSalle explained. “You get used to it.”

He wrinkled his nose. “Hope not.”

George was grounded by the familiar watercooler bickering. It was the only thing the FBI hadn’t managed to change about his precinct. Looking around, he barely recognized the place. It seemed more like they were preparing for a shuttle launch than a briefing.

The rest of his officers gazed around, looking equally impressed and distrustful of all the shiny new tech. Still, George had faith his team would find a way to work with the BAU.

Finding the serial killer plaguing their city was all that mattered. Which was why George checked his ego at the door. He didn’t love being ordered around by a kid ten years his junior, but he’d do whatever it took to protect and serve New Orleans.

Special Agent Colby Creed called everyone to order. He spoke with the air of someone who’d yet to pay their dues. It rubbed George the wrong way. But he settled in to see what the kid brought to the table before passing judgment.