Page 156 of Power
The brisk November air meant winter was fast approaching, but she loved the crispness so she opened the sunroof and slid on her shades.
En route to ATF in NE DC, she thought about Luciano. She’d fallen fast and she’d fallen hard. Easy to do with Luciano Santini. But he had a dark side. In his free time, he took out bad actors. The ones that even ALPHA couldn’t touch. But her heart wanted who it wanted, so for now, she’d enjoy the newness of their relationship, try to keep it under wraps, and stay focused on the reason she’d returned to ALPHA.
I can’t believe I’m back.
After searching for street parking and coming up short, she parked in a lot. As she walked toward ATF’s headquarters on New York Ave, her phone buzzed. She lifted it from her jacket pocket and read the text.
I warned you not to take the job. Now, I have to kill you. I will win. I always do. Mass destruction and chaos will be mine
“Fuck you,” she blurted as a chill streaked down her spine.
But she couldn’t operate in a vacuum. She had to tell Luciano.
She hurried into the lobby of ATF. Once through security, she called Nina Roy. A few minutes later, a middle-aged Black woman approached her.
The two shook hands. “Thank you for seeing me,” Simone said.
“We’ll chat in private,” Nina said.
They rode the elevator, and Nina escorted her to a nearby office. After sitting behind her desk, Nina asked, “Why are you thinking of leaving the FBI?”
Simone eased into a guest chair. “A change of pace, new faces, different kind of cases. How long have you worked here?”
“Seven years. I left for four, then returned. I’ve been back a year.”
“Why’d you leave?” Simone asked.
“I was invited to work for an elite top-secret agency, but it wasn’t the right fit,” Nina said. “Plus, I’m too much of an explosives junkie. I’m fascinated with the psychology behind why people like to blow things up.”
Simone nodded. “I get that.”
“When I returned here, I was tasked with helping Scotland Yard implement a new system for tracking terrorists who are explosives experts. It’s been a great project, but it forced me to spend a lot of time away from my family.”
Simone spotted a framed photo of three children. “Are those your kids?”
“Yes, but that’s an outdated picture. My son is in college and my daughters are in high school. I’m blessed that my husband is a very hands-on dad, so they were probably better off without their helicopter mom.” She smiled. “Still, I missed them.”
“Were you out of the country recently?” Simone asked.
“Yes, I spent the last two months finishing up the project in London, so I was gone more than I was home. Today is my second day back.”
“I’m curious, as an ATF agent, what are your thoughts on The Bomb Maker?”
Nina leaned back. “I haven’t heard that name in a few years now. Is he back?”
Unfortunately, yes.
“In doing my research on ATF, some were calling that case an epic fail,” Simone said. “I’m not sure I’d label it as such. Like too many criminals, he was able to outsmart law enforcement.”
“I wasn’t assigned that case, but it fascinated me as well,” Nina replied. “He had a tremendous knowledge of how explosives work along with being able to executive his hits at just the right time.” She shut her office door. “I mentioned I worked for an elite agency. He killed several of their special forces operatives. Rumor has it that he’s back.” She waved a dismissive hand. “I’m not buying that, but some of the agents think he’s planning something big.”
“Why do they think that?”
Nina’s phone rang and she glanced at the screen. “Excuse me, it’s my boss.” She answered. “Nina Roy.” She listened, then said, “I’m wrapping up a meeting. Five minutes.” Nina hung up.
“Nina, why do some of your coworkers think The Bomb Maker is back?”
“I have no idea. Might be conspiracy theorists, could be that someone working a case leaked the info. Everyone needs to feelimportant and significant.” She shrugged. “I’m just happy that I’m back.” She shifted on the chair. “I hope I’ve been helpful.”
