Once Lost

But she had no choice but to take the call.

As usual, Meredith was brusque and to the point.

“We’ve got a new case. We need you on it. How fast can you get to Quantico?”

Riley suppressed a sigh. With Bill on leave, Riley had hoped to have some time off until the pain of Lucy’s death eased a little.

No such luck, she thought.

No doubt she would be leaving town shortly. Did she have enough time to run home and see everybody and change clothes?

“How about an hour?” Riley asked.

“Make it shorter. Meet me in my office. And bring your go bag.”

Meredith ended the call without waiting for a reply.

Blaine was standing there waiting for her. He pulled off his eye and ear protection gear and asked, “Something to do with work?”

Riley sighed aloud.

“Yeah, I’ve got to get to Quantico right away.”

Blaine nodded without complaint and unloaded the gun.

“I’ll drive you there,” he said.

“No, I’m going to need my go bag. And that’s in my car at home. I’m afraid you need to drop me off at my place. I’m also afraid we’re in a bit of a hurry.”

“No problem,” Blaine said, carefully putting the new weapon in its case.

Riley gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“It sounds like I’m going to be leaving town,” she said. “I hate that. I’ve had such a wonderful time.”

Blaine smiled and kissed her back.

“I’ve had a wonderful time too,” he said. “Don’t worry. We’ll pick up where we left off as soon as you get back.”

As they left the shooting range and exited through the gun store, the owner called a hearty goodbye to them.

*

After Blaine dropped her off at her house, Riley dashed inside to explain to everyone that she was leaving. She didn’t even have time for a change of clothes, but at least she had showered at Blaine’s house this morning. She was relieved that her family seemed unruffled by her sudden change in plans.

They’re getting used to getting along without me, she thought. She wasn’t sure she really liked that idea, but she knew it was a necessity in a life like hers.

Riley checked that everything she needed was in her car and then made the short drive to Quantico. When she arrived at the BAU building, she headed straight for Brent Meredith’s office. To her dismay, she encountered Jenn Roston walking in the same direction down the hall.

Riley and Jenn made eye contact for just a fleeting moment, then they both hastened on in silence.

Riley wondered whether Jenn felt as awkward right now as she did. Just yesterday they’d had an uncomfortable meeting, and Riley was still uncertain whether she had made a terrible mistake in giving Jenn that thumb drive.

But Jenn probably wasn’t worried about it, Riley figured.

After all, Jenn had had the upper hand yesterday. She’d controlled the situation brilliantly to her own advantage. Had Riley ever known anyone who had been able to manipulate her that way?

She quickly realized – of course she had.

That person was Shane Hatcher.

Still walking and still facing straight ahead, the younger agent spoke quietly. “It didn’t pan out.”

“What?” Riley asked, without breaking her own stride.

“The financial information on the thumb drive. Hatcher used to have funds stored in those accounts. But the money has all been moved out, and the accounts are closed.”

Riley resisted the impulse to say, “I know.”

After all, Hatcher had said as much yesterday in his threatening text message.

For a moment Riley didn’t know what to say. She kept walking without comment.

Did Jenn think that Riley had double-crossed her by slipping her a phony file?

Finally Riley said, “That file was all I’ve got. I’m not holding out on you.”

Jenn didn’t reply. Riley wished she had some idea whether she believed her.

She also wondered – if she had put that information to use earlier on, might Hatcher be behind bars right now? Or even dead?

When they reached the door to Meredith’s office, Riley stopped, and so did Jenn.

Riley felt a touch of alarm.

Jenn was obviously going to Meredith’s office too.

Why was the new agent in on this meeting? Had she told Meredith about Riley withholding information?

But Jenn just stood there, still making no eye contact.

Riley knocked on Meredith’s door, and then she and Jenn went inside.

Chief Meredith was sitting behind his desk, looking as intimidating as usual.

He said, “Sit, both of you.”

Riley and Jenn obediently sat down in chairs in front of the desk.