Page 45 of Shadows of Before
“I see. Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
Holden stood. “Then I’m going. But a word of advice. Secret Service agents have an 85% divorce rate.”
“I’m not an agent anymore.”
“It’s still in your blood.”
“We aren’t married.”
“I think that goes for relationships too. Look at me.”
Holden had been married with two kids. They divorced after 5 years.
“Think about it.”
Will nodded. But he wouldn’t think about her. An onslaught of pain knocked him off balance when he did. No, he’d concentrate on this job.
He headed to Westwood thinking about how he’d furnish and decorate the offices. There was one for him, a reception area in front of it for his assistant and a large room with desks for the other agents to use when they needed to be in the office.
His cell rang. He saw Unknown Caller on the screen. He pressed the green icon on the dashboard. “Will Kirkland.”
“Hi, Will, Jackson Kane here. I’ll get right to the point. Would you be able to drop by my office today? I’m swamped or I’d come to you.”
“Sure. What’s this regarding?”
He heard noise. “Hold on a second.” When he came back, he said, “I’m sorry. My wife and son are here.” There was humor in his voice. Love. Joy. “I have to go. Stop by if you can.”
“I’ll be there in half an hour if that’ll give you enough time.”
“It will.”
Will drove carefully, wondering why Jackson would ask for a meeting. Diego had mentioned once that he would be a good fit for Pathways. Maybe that was it.
When he arrived at the building where Jackson’s office was located, he got out of the car. Jackson’s door was open, but no assistant was in sight. He walked to the doorway.
“Hey, Will. Thanks for coming.”
“No problem. I was out anyway.”
“Can I get you anything. Water? Coffee?”
Will declined.
“Come on in.”
After they sat, Jackson said, “I’m sure you know we hired Diego for the summer. We’re trying to establish relationships between the kids and law enforcement before they leave here in September. I’m planning to have various agency reps come in periodically to work with the boys. Nothing full time.”
Will cocked his head. “You probably aren’t aware that I left the Secret Service.”
“Diego told me. You’re going into security, right?”
“Yes. I’m opening an office in Syracuse and I’ll be working with a buddy of mine who set up the business in Rochester.”
“Good for you and for us. I doubt we could get an active agent.”
“What would they learn from me?”
