Eye for an Eye, an (Heroes of Quantico Book #2): A Novel by Irene Hannon

let him and Coop step in.
    “Assuming nothing breaks sooner, let’s regroup this afternoon about four,” Carl said. “Thank you all for coming.”
    As the meeting concluded, Steve signaled to Mark and headed out the door. Mark followed him to an empty interview room, and Steve waved him to a seat as he shut the door. “What are your thoughts?”
    “I don’t like pulling security off of Emily.”
    “I didn’t think you would.” Steve took a chair at right angles to Mark.
    “There’s too much we don’t know yet. I know we can’t cover her 24/7, but for the immediate future I’d like to give her some company when she ventures out.”
    “I can cut you loose from some of your day-to-day work to focus on this case—and to provide some security for Dr. Lawson.
    Coop can back you up. I can also give you Nick now and then to fill in. That’s the best I can do.”
    Some of the tension in Mark’s shoulders dissipated. It was more than he’d hoped for. “I understand. And I appreciate your willingness to let me work this.”
    “You’ll be gone in four weeks anyway. No sense getting you involved in anything new here.” Leaning back in his chair, Steve gave him a steady look. “Unless we could convince you to stay.”
    The out-of-the-blue remark surprised Mark, and he wondered if Steve might be kidding. But the man’s tone and demeanor suggested he was very serious.
    “I was a case agent before I joined the HRT.” He chose his words with care, watching the other man. “I don’t think I’d want to step back into that role.”
    “I hoped you might consider it if the role was . . . enhanced.”
    Steve paused to give his vibrating BlackBerry a cursory look, then slipped it back on his belt. “This is confidential, but Dave Sheldon is retiring to take a job as police chief in California at the end of September. I need to fill his slot. I like what I’ve seen of your work on the reactive squad here, and I know you have the tactical and special weapons experience to do the job.”
    Stunned, Mark stared at Steve. The man was offering him the chance to head the St. Louis FBI SWAT team.
    “I wasn’t planning to leave the HRT.”
    “Understood. But things have a way of changing. Think about it.” He rose, signaling the end of the discussion.
    “Okay. And . . . thank you.”
    His hand on the doorknob, Steve turned. “I like to surround myself with good people. If it works for you, great. If not, I understand.”
    Mark gave himself sixty seconds to regroup. When he stepped into the hall, he found Coop waiting, arms crossed over his chest, one shoulder propped against the wall.
    “Everything okay?” Coop raised an eyebrow.
    “Yeah. Fine.” He’d share Steve’s offer with Coop eventually, confident his partner would respect the need for confidentiality.
    But first he had to process it himself.
    “I talked to Les. He called me after the meeting to let me know he doesn’t want to ease up on your security.”
    “Meaning we’re stuck with each other.”
    “Like glue. Until we get this thing figured out.”
    “I have a feeling that may not happen anytime soon.” Mark headed down the hall.
    Coop fell into step beside him. “The guy didn’t leave much to work with, that’s for sure. But it only takes a lucky break or two to turn the tide. Let’s check and see if the list of Emily’s clients from the shelter has come in yet.”

    “Sí, cambié las citas. Pero tienes que quedarte en casa más de un día. ¡Te dispararon!”
    As the rush of Spanish tumbled through the phone line in response to her question, a smile tugged at Emily’s lips. “English, Maria. Despite your diligent efforts to teach me, I have no ear for languages.”
    “I said that I have changed your appointments for today, like you asked, but you should stay home more than one day. You’ve been shot . . . with a gun! ¡Que Dios nos proteja!”
    “Except for being a little tired, I’m doing fine. You know I’d go stir-crazy if I sat