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“Not too far.” Knowing there was no reason for him to know where, she said, “I’ll be seeing you.”
She walked toward her car when he called out to her. “Hollis?”
She turned around. “Yes?”
“I like the way you handled yourself today.”
She chuckled. “Thanks. You didn’t do so bad yourself, Locke.”
“I didn’t get roughed up,” he pointed out.
“Neither did I. In case you didn’t notice, Nick Underwood had more bruises than I did.”
Locke chuckled. “I noticed, and he was a rather big guy. Who taught you how to fight?”
“My brother. Because of him, I’m a marksman and a fifth-degree black belt.”
He was impressed. “You ought to thank him the next time you talk to him.”
“That will be hard to do,” she said.
“Why?”
She met Locke’s gaze. “He was killed in Afghanistan a few years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry, too. Derek was a great guy and a wonderful brother. Goodbye, Locke.”
“Will you be available for an interview tomorrow morning around ten?” he asked.
She glanced down and studied all the scrape and scuff marks on her shoes caused by her struggle with Nick. They were her favorite pair of black pumps. Now she would have to get another pair. After everything she had been through after leaving Locke’s house, she was tempted to tell him where he could take his interview and shove it. But she decided not to, mainly because this evening had made her realize something.
Once an FBI agent, some things never leave you. They become an ingrained part of who you are. She had known the moment she was being followed and had reversed the roles, becoming the hunter instead of the prey. When Nick tried to take her down in a fight, she took him down instead. And she had noticed Nick’s socks and sandals, which had alerted her that he wasn’t from around these parts.
And she had noticed his watch. Although she hadn’t figured out that piece yet, she felt certain she eventually would. The Bureau might have taken her badge; however, her instincts were as sharp and driven as ever.
“Hollis?”
She glanced over at Locke. “Okay, I’ll come for an interview.”
“After the interview, Hollis, I can’t make any promises that you’ll be hired.”
“That’s fair, Locke, since after the interview I can’t make you any promises that I’ll still want the job.”
Hollis turned to continue walking, and as much as she was tempted to, she didn’t look back. She got in her vehicle and drove off.
CHAPTER 5
“So, are you going to hire her, Locke?”
Locke leaned back into his office chair after taking a sip of coffee. No matter where they were, he, Shogun, and Macayle held an early phone meeting at six every morning. During that time, they discussed their individual cases and anything of interest they needed to share. He had mentioned Hollis Calloway because she fit both categories.
“I will have an in-depth interview with her later this morning, Macayle. But at the moment I’m leaning toward not hiring her.”
“Why? You think she’ll be a distraction? You did say she was a stunner,” Shogun said.
Yes, he had said that, and he knew it was only one of the reasons. One he didn’t want to discuss with the guys right now. “My main concern is that she’s a former FBI agent.”
