Page 73 of The Devoted Game

“McBride.” Pierce turned to him next, thrust out the same hand. “It’s been a while.”

Ryan gave his hand a quick, firm shake, more a challenge than a greeting. “Not nearly long enough.”

Pierce smiled and made one of those noncommittal sounds that was supposed to be humorous or indulgent but mostly came out like a pissed-off grunt.

“Agent Pierce,” Worth spoke up as he gestured for them to take their seats, “was in Montgomery speaking to a group of potential academy candidates and dropped by to see how we were coming along on the Devoted Fan case.”

Like hell.

Before Ryan could say as much, Grace did.

“Your checking up on me is inappropriate, Agent Pierce.”

Well, well, at least now Ryan knew. Therewassomething between these two. He liked it when Grace got spunky. She only did that when she was damned pissed off or pushed into a corner.

“Agent Grace,” Pierce said in that patient, wiser-than-thou way he had of talking down to others, “I’m not here to check up on you. I’m here to offer assistance on the Devoted Fan investigation.”

As if she’d just realized what she said and that she’d done it out loud, her lips pressed into a firm line and her smooth, porcelain skin flushed.

“I hate to think you’ve wasted your time,” Ryan said, deciding to take the heat off Grace, “but we’ve got things under control here, Pierce. There’s not a lot you can offer.”

“I was sorry to hear you’d been terminated, McBride.” Pierce shifted his interest from Grace to him. “At one time you were the best.”

Ryan laughed softly, the real thing, not one of those fake sounds. “I was sorry to hear you’d turned to teaching. But then, I guess when you can’t cut it in the field, it’s best to do what you can.”

“Gentlemen,” Worth interrupted, “we were going to review what we have on this case. Why don’t you get us started, Agent Grace?”

5:02 p.m.

Vivian was ready to get the hell out of there. She had never been so furious in her life.

Every particle of self-discipline she possessed had been required to remain seated during the past forty-nine minutes while Worth and Pierce and McBride went back and forth over this case. She had purposely kept her mouth shut after her opening remarks.

Pierce’s visit had nothing to do with this case and she knew it.

He was here about her.

He was worried about her. Worth had told her that much already.

Dammit.

The one real surprise was that McBride and Pierce appeared to know each other. She should have realized that was a possibility since they were both at Quantico at the same time. Pierce wasn’t anything like McBride. He was as tall as McBride but thicker. His hair was black, cut short and neat. His eyes were almost as dark as his hair and were ever watchful. There was no fooling Pierce, he never missed a thing.

McBride abruptly stood. “If we hear anything from Devoted Fan, let me know.”

What the hell had happened while she’d been seething?

Vivian pushed to her feet, scrambling to catch up as McBride walked out. “Was there anything else, sir?” She faced Worth, careful to keep her attention fixed fully on him and off the other man who had suddenly stood.

“Stay a moment, Grace,” Pierce said.

When she glared at him, he was busy sending Worth a not-so-subtle give-us-some-privacy look.

“Excuse ... me,” Worth stuttered. “I have to check on ...”

The way he was mumbling, Vivian didn’t catch the last of his excuse as he made his hasty exit and closed the door firmly behind him.

This was beyond ridiculous. She shook her head at the man watching her. “I considered you a friend. I trusted you.” She hadn’t spoken a word to him since the announcement that her assignment had been changed. She had avoided him at all costs, ignored his phone calls and his emails.