Free Profiled by Renee Andrews Page B

her, and seemed to see more than she wanted to show. How much did John Tucker know about her, anyway? Nothing. No one knew her part in what had happened so long ago. That portion of the records had been extinguished from public access years ago. Angel had even verified the fact when she joined the Bureau.
    “You’re an asset to this team.” His mouth crooked up on one side. “I admit I wasn’t sure anyone from the media would help. But then again, you’re not the average run-of-the-mill reporter, are you?”
    Relieved, she smiled. “Guess not. And thanks for the vote of confidence. I hope to help catch him.” He couldn’t realize how much.
    “We’ll get him this time. We have to.” He leaned closer, those blue eyes making her stomach quiver. “I—” He didn’t get the chance to finish before Captain Pierce interrupted.
    “Tucker, I need you to take a look at this.” He held up a file.
    “Right.” He gave Lexie an apologetic look. “Duty calls.”
    “Of course.” She added her surplus of new notes to her briefcase and started leaving. Then, aware she had an hour to get her story to the paper, she searched out Agent Jackson and found her walking toward the lobby.
    “Angel.” Her voice bounced off the tile walls.
    The profiler turned around, peered beyond Lexie and shook her head.
    Realizing her mistake, Lexie whipped around to verify no one had heard her casual reference to the FBI agent. She mouthed, “Whoops,” but Angel motioned her to come on.
    Lexie neared and matched Angel’s steps toward the exit.
    “No problem.” The profiler looked around once more, lowered her voice. “You doing okay?”
    Lexie shrugged. “You would know better than I. I may know how to cover the stories, but I’m a rookie in this type of thing. Who would have thought they’d ask me to join the task force? So, how am I doing?”
    “Fine. I can’t tell you how pleased I was when Etta told me you were inside. Figured we’d better keep our distance while I’m in Macon, all things considered, but working together on the task force will make communicating much easier. I’d requested an investigative reporter, but wasn’t sure who they’d get. Of course, I assumed they would realize you were the best person for the job.”
    “Your boss doesn’t know about me? I assumed the FBI knew everything.”
    “Quantico knows, of course. The Atlanta field office, however, doesn’t. Until this guy is caught, it’ll stay that way. Safer for both of us, according to the guys at the top.”
    Lexie nodded. “Tucker didn’t tell me the name of the profiler, but I knew if there was any way for you to get this case, you’d try.” She smiled. “By the way, I was impressed with how cool you seemed when you came in and saw me sitting there with the cop crew. I should’ve realized Etta stuck around and filled you in.”
    “Checked me out was more like it, although she’d staged her one-woman ambush for Carlton. That lady’s mighty protective of the town’s number one homicide detective.”
    Lexie didn’t comment. It seemed odd to say she also felt protective of him, given he was a walking mountain, but for some strange reason, she did. This killer had ruined his life. Granted, not in the same manner as he’d ruined the lives of his victims, but John Tucker had also been violated. He’d lost his wife, his baby and his credibility due to the Sunrise Killer. And he seemed as committed as Angel and Lexie in making the man pay.
    The two women kept walking, passing through the lobby then exiting the building. Thankfully, the rain had taken a break.
    Angel indicated the vacant parking area. “We’re all clear now. Did you need to ask me something?”
    “Yeah.” Lexie looked behind her to make sure no cops headed their way. She didn’t want to seem too chummy with the FBI agent assigned to the case. They didn’t need anyone suspecting the truth, but she had to ask this question. “Paul Kingsley, my boss, extended my deadline