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He had a strong feeling that Hollis Calloway would be all work and by the book. The report he ordered and read that morning revealed a strong work ethic. He doubted she would try to manipulate him or play games with his mind. More importantly, she would not strategically engineer situations to get the outcome she wanted. Hell, if anything, she would roll with the flow while being cautious and ready to kick ass in the process.
“Locke?”
He met her gaze and held it a second longer than necessary. “No, there’s nothing else I want to know.”
Locke hoped his next words were not a mistake. “You have the job, Hollis.”
He straightened away from his desk, shoved his hands into his slacks, and then he added, for his own peace of mind, “However, there are a few rules I need to cover with you.”
CHAPTER 7
Hollis wondered why seeing Locke push away from his desk caused a tingling sensation to rush through her middle. Something about how his spine seemed to align with his broad shoulders when he did so, and how he shifted his weight from his lower back to his feet, epitomized his height and the fact that he was a well-built man.
“And just what rules do you want to cover with me?” she asked, quickly banishing those thoughts from her mind.
“Not sure of your style of investigating since leaving the agency, but I prefer you handle things differently with me. Especially, when I might be taking this to trial. The last thing I want is a prosecutor claiming any evidence I want to submit as not admissible.”
“Such as?”
“I don’t care what sort of connections you still might have within the Bureau, but I don’t want you accessing FBI databases, impersonating a federal agent, or obtaining confidential information illegally. In other words, every lead you present to me must be documented as to how it was obtained. Although I will appreciate the expertise that you will be bringing to the table, the one thing I will not allow, Hollis, is for you to contaminate this case.”
She smiled after listening to everything he said. Smiling downplayed the anger trying to rise within her. “If I didn’t know any better, Locke, I’d think you assume I’m going to break the law.”
Hollis placed her arms across her chest as she continued. “Rest assured that I know the law as well as how far I can stretch things. I know my boundaries and will work inside of them. You have nothing to worry about. Anything else?”
“Yes. I have a feeling there is more to you getting fired as an FBI agent other than DOGE. What you did in discovering that corruption within the Bureau was remarkable. Instead of rewarding you, they terminated you. I gather that you embarrassed a lot of people who obviously weren’t at the top of their game. You’re pissed every time you think about it. If that’s true, I understand because I would be, too. However, helping me with this case is not your time to settle a score, and I would appreciate if you don’t use it as such.”
She dropped her arms to her sides, inwardly admitting he was partly right. Yes, she believed there was more to her firing than DOGE. However, there was no score to settle. Firing her was a mistake, and one day the Bureau would see that. But it wasn’t just her; they let go of numerous other seasoned, highly trained, skilled FBI agents.
Those same agents, although most now worked in the private sector or, like her, were self-employed, had no intention of letting the special investigative skills they acquired and fine-tuned over the years go to waste. They had formed an investigative support network to assist each other when needed. Everything was above board and totally legal.
Granted, she had felt a little salty when she had been fired, and had regretted not being able to use her FBI skills to their full potential. However, she accepted that things happened the way they had for a reason, and it wasn’t meant for her to have a career with the FBI as she had assumed.
“I have no score to settle with the Bureau.” That was all she would say on the matter. He would take her word for it, or he wouldn’t.
He stared at her, and she felt it, something she knew they were both determined to fight. An attraction. A rather strong attraction. She broke eye contact with him and glanced down at her shoes. A new pair of black pumps that she had purchased on the way home yesterday.
“Another thing you should know is that I have a policy not to get involved with anyone connected to the case I am handling,” he said.
She glanced back at him. Since he had moved on from her issue of settling a score, she could only assume he believed what she said on the matter. Now to put his mind at rest about the policy he just brought up. “Good. I have that same policy whenever I conduct business, Locke. Besides, you’re not my type.”
She saw the flash of curiosity in his eyes, but he wouldn’t ask what her type was. Doing so would denote an interest, and they both knew it. “Anything else?” she asked.
“Yes, watch your back. That incident yesterday with you and Nick Underwood might mean something.”
“Something like what?”
“If corrupt agents are involved, they will assume you are working with those wanting to expose them. They know how good you are at doing that sort of thing and want to keep an eye on you. Or they might try setting you up to discredit you in some way or, in the worst-case scenario, eliminate you altogether.”
She nodded. “Trust me. I’ve considered all three possibilities and have no intention of being an easy target. I’ve already alerted Malik not to be surprised if I show up at his place to spend the night.”
“Malik?”
“Yes, Malik Balmore. He was my brother’s best friend and owns the café where I meet my clients, since I prefer not to invite anyone to my home. He has a spare bedroom at his place if I ever need to use it.”
“Aren’t you afraid of bringing trouble to his doorstep?”
“Heck no. Malik can handle it, trust me. He’s a former Army Ranger. Anything else, Locke?”
