The Bone Chamber by Robin Burcell Page A

players…
    She closed her eyes, because that was, in essence, what she’d done. Stumbled across them. That was not how she liked to operate. She needed control. Today had not beena controlled situation, and she’d almost gotten killed as a result.
    She was not about to let that happen again, and that begged the question of what to do next.
    The smart thing—the right thing—to do would be to go home as ordered, let the big boys handle it, the Mr. Federals of the world. And she might have, but for two things. One, she was somewhat responsible for her friend’s death, since she was the one who’d recommended Tasha for the job. Two, she’d killed someone tonight, someone who no doubt meant to kill her.
    Hard not to take that personally, especially knowing that there had been two men approaching Penny’s apartment. Which meant there was someone else out there, someone she couldn’t identify, who probably had the same agenda: kill her.
    She’d given her card to that security guard. That meant they knew who she was. One up on her, since she still didn’t know who they were, and if she went home to San Francisco, they could very well follow her there. She’d be doing exactly what she’d swore she’d never do, never allow to happen again. Dragging danger to her family’s doorstep. Never , she thought, turning away from the window, unable to see if anyone was sitting in any of the darkened cars parked below.
    Grabbing her blanket and pillow, she settled on the couch. She’d never been very good at the whole let-sleeping-dogs-lie thing. No, she liked her dogs up and barking, the better to find out which were the vicious ones.
    There were going to be some upset males come morning. Scotty for one, but also the alleged Special Agent Zachary Griffin, and this last thought made her smile. Served him right.
    “Might want to work on those point-counterpoint surveillance techniques tomorrow,” she said, just in case they were listening. “Oh, and FYI, my favorite red is cabernet. California cab.”
    The same as Tasha liked…
    A shaft of light spilled into the hallway when Scotty opened the bedroom door. “You say something?” he called out.
    “Just talking to myself.”
     
    At eight the next morning, Scotty unlocked his Bureau car and held the door open for Syd. She slid in, and he stood there a moment, smiling. “I think this is the right decision you’re making, Syd. Go home, let the locals deal with it.”
    “I’m stubborn. Not stupid.” When he got in, started up the car, she added, “Since we’ve got a few hours to kill, mind if we make a quick stop before we head to my place and then the airport?”
    “Where to?”
    “UVA.”
    Scotty threw her a strange glance. “The university?”
    “Old professor friend I haven’t seen in a while. Just want to drop in, say hi. See if he remembers me.”
    He glanced at his watch, then shrugged. “Guess we have time.”
    “Thanks.”
    Syd leaned back in the car, checked the side view mirror. A Dodge pickup pulled out after them, but turned off a block later. She hoped the fact it was broad daylight would keep suspect number two from coming after her for the moment, and her right elbow automatically pressed against her side. She felt the hard edges of her temporary replacement sidearm the FBI had issued her. The minions who had interrogated her last night had taken her weapon, allegedly to book it into evidence for the requisite testing after the shooting.
    Scotty was also armed, always a plus, since two guns were better than one, she thought, stifling a yawn. Scotty caught it, said, “We should stop for coffee first,” and she didn’t argue. She hadn’t slept well, tossing and turning over the whole affair, thinking about what she might have missed, then coming up with today’s battle plan, not saying anythinginside Scotty’s apartment for fear that not only would he try to talk her out of it, but Griffin would swoop in and physically escort her to that damned