Free Abandoned: A Thriller by Cody McFadyen Page B

offices?”
    “That’s right.”
    “Fucking idiots,” he mumbles.
    “I agree,” I say. “But it may be the hand we’re dealt. The strike team is Director Rathbun’s solution to preserving at least some of what we do. Without the formation of the strike team, if this all comes to pass, there’ll be no on-the-ground FBI involvement in serial murders. Our contribution will become limited to faxing locals profiles and answering ViCAP queries.”
    James shrugs, standing up. “The director’s reasoning is sound. Let me know what you decide.” He heads to the door to leave.
    “James, can you wait a moment, please? I’d like to bounce some things off you about this perp. Start putting a face to him.”
    “Call me on my phone or wait ’til tomorrow. I’m late for something important.” He exits without a backward look or another word.
    “Charming,” I mutter. “Callie? Any idea what you’ll decide?”
    “Sorry, honey-love. I’m a married woman now. I need to consult with my man.” She smiles lasciviously. “Preferably after an extended sexual encounter.”
    “Let me know. About the job, I mean,” I say, smiling.
    Alan cocks his head at me. “What about you, Smoky? What are you going to do?”
    “I honestly don’t know.” I sit down in a chair. My crinoline billows around me, and I feel ridiculous and tired and overwhelmed. “I need to talk to Bonnie and Tommy and do some thinking.” I sigh. “I don’t know. James is right. The reasoning is sound, but …”
    “It’s not all about logic.”
    “Yes.”
    “I hear that.” He picks at his lower lip, pensive. “I’m no spring chicken, Smoky. Neither is Elaina. If they end up wanting us to uproot and go to Quantico … I don’t know. Not sure we’d be up for that.”
    Callie nudges his shoulder. “Pshaw. Age is a state of mind.”
    “And my mind is in a state.” It’s meant as a joke, but there’s something else there, something hidden and reluctant.
    “Callie, why don’t you go ahead and do what you need to do at the lab. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Call me if anything turns up on the fingerprint search.”
    Her eyes go back and forth between Alan and me. She understands that I’m trying to get her out of the office.
    “Don’t have to tell me twice,” she sniffs.
    “Hey, Callie,” Alan says.
    “What?”
    He smiles at her, and it’s a big, warm Alan-smile. “Congratulations, honey.”
    She grins and then she curtsies. “Why, thank you, sir.” She turns and heads out the door.
    “She’s happy,” he observes once she’s gone.
    “Yes. I really think she is.” I turn my attention to my friend. “But you’re not. What’s going on?”
    He looks off, taps his fingers against the desktop. Sighs. “This is a big move for me, Smoky. Like I said, I’m no spring chicken. I told you a few years back, I’ve been thinking of retiring. Having more time with Elaina.”
    “I remember.”
    “I’m not saying I’m decrepit, but the truth is, it’s harder to get up in the morning than it was ten years ago. I’m in okay shape, but my doctor says my cholesterol is too high and I need to lower my blood pressure a few notches. Elaina had that cancer scare.”
    “Do you really want to hang it up?”
    He shrugs. “I’m not sure. That’s the problem—my ambivalence. Never used to feel that way. I lived for the job.” He gives me a mirthless grin. “Not like I chose it for the great hours and pay. I like catching bad guys, and when it’s good, police work is the most exciting job there is. Sure, there were times I considered quitting before. Strings of unsolveds, or really terrible cases with dead kids, or whatever. Depression is a part of the package. But something would always pick me upand get my blood moving again. I’d catch the scent. You know what I mean.”
    “I do.”
    “Lately I’m finding it harder and harder to get excited. It’s not that I feel down, and
bored
isn’t the right word either. More like I feel …