Page 9

When Jep pulled over on a wide, dingy street, Emery thought he was going to check his phone for directions. But then he put the car in park and looked at her.

“This is it?” she said, glancing out the window at the illegal transactions of both drugs and flesh occurring in broad daylight.

“Yeah.”

“Where are we?”

“Maddison Boulevard.”

“I know what street we’re on. I read the sign at the intersection. What I want to know is where we are with regards to the investigation. Maddison Boulevard wasn’t in any of the reports.”

His eyes squinted in skepticism. “You couldn’t possibly know that for sure.”

“I have a good memory.”

“That good?”

She thought back to her encounter with Gardener over her misremembered details. She hadn’t been wrong, but her memory wasn’t what she’d thought it was. “It’s not flawless. Do you have a contact here or something? And what does it have to do with choosing me as a partner?”

“Tell me what you see.”

She stared at him for a second. When he didn’t say more, she said, “I don’t understand.”

“Look out the window.” He pointed across the road. “And tell me what you see.”

“Is this a test?”

“If that’s what it takes to get your cooperation.”

“What if I fail?”

“It’s not that kind of test.”

She took her time doing what he asked. He’d given her no hint about what she was supposed to be looking for. “I can see a couple of drug deals going on. Prostitutes. Homelessness.”

“What else?”

“I don’t know—an abandoned building. Overflowing garbage can. There’s a twenty-four-hour convenience store that looks like it’s seen better days. A sign says the corn chips are on sale, but judging but the faded coloring, it’s a sign that’s no longer relevant.”

“What else?”

“You want more?”

“You haven’t seen everything there is to see.”

“I’m not trained in the field. You want a crime being committed? I already mentioned the drugs.”

“That’s not what I’m after.”

“I don’t know how to spot what it is you’re looking for. I’m an analyst.”

“Then analyze.”

She relented. “Uh…” Scanning the faces, she looked for one that stood out. “That girl over there.” The prostitute was petite with bleached blonde hair and purple eyelids heavy with eyeliner.

“Which one?” Jep said.

“With the tasseled skirt, who doesn’t look like she’s old enough to be out here.”

“I see her.”

“I think she’s pregnant.”

His eyes shifted from the girl to Em. “Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

She huffed. “I guess it’s because of the way she holds herself. She’s touched her stomach a couple of times, and when she does, her face changes.”

Jep looked back, and he watched for a minute. “I see what you mean. Do you think she wants to keep it?”

“How would I know that?”

“I asked what you thought, not what the absolute truth was.”

“Then I think it’s complicated.”

“How so?”

“Why are you asking me all of this? What does this have to do with the case?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are we here?”

“You wanted to know why I chose you.”

“This isn’t answering that question.”

“It won’t if you keep interrupting.”

“You said I couldn’t fail, but I don’t believe you.” She crossed her arms.

“You think I brought you out here to prove that you aren’t cut out to be my partner?”

“Maybe.”

“Then why would I pick you in the first place?”

“I don’t know.” She huffed again. “Fine.” Then she looked back at the girl. Her plan to be strong was quickly disintegrating.

A car pulled up in front of the girl, and a homeless man standing in the alcove of an empty building straightened, watching the exchange.

“Are you this difficult with Pearce?” Jep said.

“What?”

“Pearce. Do you give him a hard time too?”

“He’s never taken me into the field.”

“He did when you came to get me, and you did exactly as you were told.”

She frowned. “That’s different.”

He leaned toward her only a fraction, but it felt a lot closer. “Emery. Tell me why it’s complicated with the girl.”

“If I do, can we leave?”

“That depends on your answer.”

She looked back out the window. “I think she wants to get rid of it, but she also doesn’t. A job like she has would be tough with a baby to look after. But the idea of…her other option…is heartbreaking for her—also, that homeless guy to the left of her?—”

“The one sitting in the doorway?”

“Yeah. With the beard. I’m pretty sure he knows.”

“Why?”

“He’s protective of her, although I can’t be sure for what reason exactly. Whether for good or for bad. Maybe he’s the father, or maybe he’s just looking out for her.” She shook her head. “Poor thing. I can’t imagine what her life must be like or what led her to this.”

“You want to see if she wants help?” Jep said. His voice had softened.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know how else to say it. I have some contacts that can help her if she wants it. You want to ask?”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“Now?”

“Why not?”

“What does this have to do with terrorists or—wait. Let me guess. Nothing?”

“Right now, we’re here to see if that girl wants our help. If you want.”

“I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“All you can do is ask, and I’ll be there to back you up.”

She looked out at the girl, and her throat tightened. It was easy to turn aside and say the problem was too hard. But the truth was she was terrified to ask. She’d joined the agency to help people and make a difference. But when it came to the basics, she was too scared.

“She looks so young.” Em made a face of indecision. “You’ll come with me?”

“Absolutely.”

She plucked at her silk blouse. “I’m overdressed.”

“That’s why I thought you might want to change.”

“So you did have a legitimate reason.”

“I hate to imagine what you were thinking.”

She opened her mouth to apologize but closed it again. Jep may not be who she’d thought he was, but she needed more evidence before she would commit.

After giving her shirt another tug, she said, “If we’re going to do this, we’d better go now before I change my mind.”

“Great. Let’s go.”

She waited a beat to let him get out of the car before her, but he let her cross the street first.

Em hurried up to the girl, trying not to think about how she and Jep approaching her would look.

She glanced back to make sure Jep was with her. He gave her an encouraging smile. Then she turned back. “Excuse me,” she said when she reached the gutter. The homeless man at the building stood but remained in the door.

“What’d you want?” the girl said, giving Em a thorough looking over before she turned her attention to Jep and smiled innocently. “I think I know what you want.”

Em looked back at Jep, who had his eyes firmly on her and continued to smile that same warm smile.

She lowered her voice before she spoke to the girl again. “I was, uh, wondering. I was wondering if you wanted—uh—help.”

“With what?” the girl said. “You want to share makeup tips? I could show you a thing or two. You look like you could use some loosening up. Spice up things with your boyfriend here. I think he’d like it.”

“He’s not—I thought that maybe with your—you know.” She nodded toward the girl’s stomach. Up close, it was impossible to tell her age. She could have been anywhere between fifteen and twenty-five.

The girl’s face hardened. “With my what?”

“Your baby. I was wondering if you wanted help. We might be able to help you keep it.”

The girl took a step back. “How do you know about that?”

Em licked her lips. “Do you want to keep it?”

“That’s my business, not yours. So unless your boyfriend is looking for a good time, you can get lost.”

The homeless man stumbled forward. “What’s going on?” he slurred. The smell of booze on him was strong. When he tried to move closer to Em, Jep stepped in his way.

“We don’t want any trouble,” Jep said. “We’re just trying to see if the lady would like some help.”

“From you?” He spit at Jep’s feet. “You probably wanna cut her up into little pieces for your own amusement. Everyone always wants a piece of Starla. Well, you can get lost.”

“We’ll go when Starla asks us to go.”

“Then I’m asking you to,” Starla said. “I don’t want your kind of help.”

“You heard her,” the man said. “Get outta here before I make you.”

“Okay,” Jep said. “If she’s sure.”

“She’s sure.” The man stumbled closer. “I’m sure.”

Em looked at the girl, and her heart broke. She’d lived a life that taught her not to trust people. “Please. You need help, and we can do that. You could keep your baby.”

“She said no!” the man howled and pulled a knife with surprising speed, thrusting it past Jep and catching Em on the arm.

Jep had him unarmed and in a headlock a fraction of a second later.

“Are you okay?” he said to Em, his eyes wide with fear, or something like it. He didn’t notice Starla screaming hysterically and beating on his back. Or the man, who was thrashing and bellowing.

“Let him go!” Starla screeched. “He didn’t do anything to you!”

“I’m fine,” Em yelled over the noise. She was clutching her arm against her stomach. “Please, let’s go. Please.”

“We should call the police,” he said.

“No. I want to go.”

“Enough!” Jep shouted at the girl to startle her into submission. “Back off so I can let your friend go.” She gave him a hard shove but then tripped back, and Jep slowly released the man. “My friend was only trying to help your friend,” Jep said to him, keeping his distance.

The man sneered. “If I see you around here again, I’ll make sure you can never leave.”

Jep put his arm around Em and led her back to the car. Once she was in her seat, he quickly got in and drove around the corner, where he parked again and tugged gently on her arm.

“Let me see,” he said. She slowly relinquished it but looked away while he assessed the damage. It wasn’t that she was squeamish about a cut, but the whole event had made her body tingle all over, and she was lightheaded.

He unbuttoned her cuff and rolled up the bloody sleeve. “It’s deep.”

“Shouldn’t we keep it covered?” Em said. “I could get blood in the car.”

“I doubt it would be the first time. How’re you feeling? You look pale.”

“I’ll be okay. I’m just shaken up a little.”

“Unfortunately, there’s no way to know what was on that knife. I’ll take it in to be analyzed, but they’ll want to give you some shots at the hospital, and they’ll do tests to be sure.”

“You still have the knife?”

“Of course I do.” He reached for his bag in the back seat and pulled out a T-shirt. “It’s clean,” he said as he wrapped it around her arm. “Keep pressure on it. You’re not feeling dizzy or nauseous?”

“A little.”

“Let me know if you think you’re going to pass out.”

“I’ll be okay.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “Do you think there was something bad on the knife?”

“I’ll make sure they fast track the results.”

He was quiet for a few minutes after he pulled back onto the street, his fingers drumming a quick staccato of nervous energy.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said. “I should have seen it coming. I thought it would be safe. I never should have— It’s my fault.”

“It’s a shame not everyone wants help.”

“I knew it was a possibility. But a guy like that…he was drunk, but I should have known. I thought I had any threat contained. The last thing I wanted to do was put you in danger.”

“It’s okay.”

“No. It’s not.”

“Minus the knife, it was good for me to step outside of my comfort zone. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

“Which part? Talking to the girl? Or getting stabbed.”

“Well…both.”

“Doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have done it. I made a bad call. I’ll choose another partner.”

“Why? I mean. You would. I shouldn’t have been out there. That’s clear. I’m not trained for that. If you had an agent with you who knew what they were doing, that wouldn’t have happened. The way you disarmed that guy was impressive.”

“Not impressive enough.” His face had settled into a deep, regretful frown.

“But I still don’t get it.”

“What?”

“Why you brought me here. What were you expecting to happen?”

“Oh, that. I wanted to show you what you could do.”

“So I did fail.”

“Not at all. You were amazing. Exactly what I expected. The problem was, I could see how badly you wanted to help that girl, and I got caught up in the moment.”

“I’m confused. What did I do that was amazing ? ”

“Do you remember the drive back from my place the day you and Pearce came to get me?”

“Vividly.”

“You saw what was going to happen in the park before it happened.”

“You mean that fight you stopped?”

“Yeah.”

“All I remember is you threatening to jump out of a moving vehicle.”

“Before that.”

“Before that, we were driving down the street.” Her arm was beginning to throb. “I think my adrenaline is wearing off.”

“It’s not much farther to the hospital. You think you can hang on a little longer?”

“Yeah, it’s just aching.”

“So you really don’t remember?”

“Remember what?”

“Your reaction,” Jep said.

“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“In the car. You were looking into the park, and you saw it.”

“Only because you jumped out and took off after those guys.”

“The only reason I saw them was because I responded to you. You saw it first. That’s why I acted.”

She frowned. “I don’t know what you think you saw?—”

“Think back. The car was quiet. You were looking out the window. You saw something.”

She put the details back into place. Put herself back in the car to the time before the focus was on Jep.

“I did see them,” she said, picturing the posture she’d noticed in the two older men. But she’d dismissed it like she’d almost dismissed the pregnant girl. It wasn’t something she thought she could influence. By the time Jep had responded, she’d put it out of her mind. “You’re saying you noticed my reaction? I can’t even remember making a move.”

“It wasn’t much. You stiffened.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s all it took.”

She could feel her pulse in her arm, the pain increasing with each beat.

“That’s why I chose you as a partner,” he said. “I need someone who can discern what’s going on besides the obvious. Most agents wouldn’t have picked up on the pregnant girl. They would have been too busy watching the drug deals or something else. They would have focused on the homeless man as a threat and not on what his motivation was.”

“But how does that help the investigation?”

“If we’re going to catch these guys, we can’t look at them the same as before. When I went through those reports, what I noticed was that, whoever is behind this, they know how we operate. They know our response time and our playbook, and they’ve been using it against us. I don’t need a field agent with on-the-job-training. I need someone who doesn’t have any of that but has the instincts to see what’s between the lines. Not to mention your memory for the details.”

“Oh.”

“That’s what I was thinking anyway. I guess you instinctively knew it wasn’t a good idea to be my partner, but I refused to accept it. I accept it now.”

She scrunched up her face against the prodding headache that was digging its fingers into her temple. If it wasn’t for the pain, she could focus more clearly. Everything she’d thought about Jep was now turned on its head.

She’d agreed to partner with him as a last resort. Him giving her a way out of it was something she should jump on, but now that she knew the truth, she didn’t know what to do. But she couldn’t ignore the fact that she wasn’t cut out for field work. He couldn’t do his job if he was spending the whole time protecting her from every possible threat. The advantages he saw in her must have diminished considerably. Their ceasing their partnership was probably best for them both.