Here’s a sneak peek into some of the new content:
With his FBI badge hanging off a chain around his neck, Joe Roberts, in jeans and a t-shirt, set a file and large coffee on the counter in the FBI reception area in the McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit. He patiently waited for Jane Whitmore, the young doe-eyed woman behind the counter, to hang up her phone.
On the early Saturday morning, he glanced around the empty area. Offices surrounded the perimeter of the floor with the hallways connecting as a square. Eight large rooms in the middle were used for meetings, evidence, and work areas.
Joe liked the shared space in the larger work room with his team although they probably didn’t. Known as a hardass, he had vowed that no one would ever get hurt on his watch. His solemn promise rivaled the FBI’s motto of Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.
When Jane hung up her phone, Joe handed her the coffee. “Thanks for coming in on your day off. Is he here yet?” The whole office had the day off. Except for a rare three-day weekend, he hadn’t taken a real vacation in years.
“No, but you can wait in his office,” she replied, smelling the coffee’s cinnamon aroma, her favorite.
Joe shifted his legs as he leaned on the counter. “I dropped my work phone in the … well … let’s just say it got wet. Can you acquisition me another?”
She smiled. “Sure. I’ll have one for you Tuesday.”
“No hurry. I’ll be gone for a week or so. I have my private cell until then.” Joe took her picture with his cell then added her number to his contact list.
“At the Director’s request, I had the black suit you leave here for court pressed. It should arrive after your meeting,” Jane said.
“Moneypenny, you deserve another raise,” he replied.
“Sweet talker.”
“Hey, hey, you know the rules. If your father caught me flirting with you, he’d assign me to an Alaskan outpost,” Joe said.
Jane laughed. “And here I thought you liked living on the edge. I wouldn’t tell.”
“Seriously? He’d ship you to a convent.”
“Good point. By the way, be thankful you’re leaving. I heard Rita has her sights set on you this week,” Jane said.
Joe cringed. “I’m glad you have my back.” After checking the empty area again, Joe leaned over the counter and gave her a peck on the cheek.
Inside Division Director Peter Bingaman’s large office, with a sofa, coffee table, and private bathroom, Joe sat in one of the three chairs across from the enormous desk. Propping his feet on the corner of it, he leaned back and stared at the woman’s headshot clipped to the front of the file. With her golden brown hair in a bun, she smiled back at him. He wondered how long her hair was. When the Director walked in, Joe snapped back to his new assignment.
Peter shoved Joe’s tennis shoes off the edge of his desk before sitting behind it. “Jane’s out there grinning like the cat that ate the canary. What did you do?” Peter demanded.
“What do you mean? She’s waiting for my suit to arrive,” he replied, sitting up in his chair.
“You called her Moneypenny again, didn’t you? Never mind. Just give me the specifics on this new case.”
Joe passed him the thin file. “Well, I ID’d the anonymous caller as Dr. Madeline Pierce. She’s a scientist working with nanotechnology at BennTech’s Research Facility in Allenton. Her call didn’t give us much information though.”
“It warrants attention. You may have to deal with Matt Connor,” Peter said, glancing at Madeline’s picture on the file.
“I’m a professional, Pete. I would never let my personal life interfere with my career.”
“How many times have we been over this, Agent Roberts? I’m Director Bingaman in this building.”
Joe snorted. “Yes, Sir. Eva and my brother-in-law won’t be an issue.” When Joe’s cell vibrated, he checked it. A sexy brunette’s photo identified her as the caller. Cringing, Joe let it go to voicemail then snapped a picture of Peter to add to his contacts. “I gotta use my private cell until Jane orders me another work one.”
“Don’t get distracted with your Fun Phone. That’s what Eva calls it, right?”
Joe scowled. “Yeah, that’s what she calls it. She’s been bugging me to go to the memorial fundraiser there … so two birds.”
Peter chuckled at Madeline’s picture then set aside the file. “A word of warning: Your sister has an agenda. She called me to make sure you had a few days off to attend that party,” he said, leaning back in his chair.
“Great. Another setup,” Joe replied, rubbing the back of his head.
“Have fun with that. I only want work-related updates, especially since this scientist researches and develops drugs.”
With a nod, Joe stood. Out of respect for his mentor, he used his t-shirt to wipe off his shoe smudge from the desk before leaving.
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