Every Breath You Take: A Novel (A Kristen Conner Mystery Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

held up nicely in the terrorist takedown. The doc said I’m a fast healer.
    One more meeting before I’m out of here. The job offer.
    • • •
    “I hope you’ll really think this over carefully. I’m leaving the offer packet with you. There is a FedEx prepaid envelope in the back of it. Even if you say no, I want everything returned. If the answer is really no, just sign the first form acknowledging that you are declining our offer of employment. If you do change your mind and decide to accept what I think is a great offer based on where you are now, especially financially, you will need to fill out the forms and sign everything in the packet in the presence of a public notary. I would prefer you use the notary in our regional offices in downtown Chicago. I think you are familiar with where they office.”
    “I am.”
    I spent a lot of time in the State Building in the Midwest offices of the FBI on my last case.
    “Any other questions?” she asks.
    I’m not sure I had any to begin with.
    “I’m good.” I answer. “And I really do appreciate this offer. Just not sure I can take it.”
    “Understood. Each of us have to make the decision that’s best for us individually. I’d just encourage you to give it some serious thought”
    She’s told me that about ten times now. She thinks I’m crazy for not jumping on the deal. If I take the offer, I double my salary.
    “Okay, your driver should be here now. You better get going for Reagan. You’re going against traffic but you never know how long things will take.”
    “Thank you,” I say as we shake hands.
    I walk out into a gloriously sunny late summer day. A black limousine is parked there and the back door opens as I look for the van to take me to the airport.
    Deputy Director Robert Willingham—he likes me to call him Bob—jumps out.
    “Hop in, Kristen. Your luggage is in the trunk. I’m heading into the city. Let me give you a ride.”
    He won’t get an argument from me.
    • • •
    “I know you aren’t going to change your mind and I respect why you’re staying with CPD. You’ve done good there. You got your detective shield early. I’m sure Deidre made it sound like this will be your one-and-only chance to come work for us. She does that—especially when we tell her to. As long as I’m with the FBI, the offer stands.”
    “I’m honored, sir,” I say. “It just isn’t the right time . . . and frankly I’m not sure I deserve the offer.”
    “But you do,” he says. “I was very impressed with your work on the Cutter Shark serial killer case.”
    Why won’t the name Cutter Shark go away?
    “We have a great team here at the FBI,” he continues. “The best in the world. But one skillset we are not hiring enough of is old fashioned street investigators. I believe in the phrase ‘follow the money,’ so heaven knows we need our forensic accountants. But I’m not sure we focus enough on recruiting tough men and women that can be dropped into dangerous situations. That’s why I keep Austin close. He can do it all. And if there’s a fight, I want him on my side.”
    “I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me about this opportunity, sir.”
    “Bob.”
    “Yes, sir. Bob.”
    He laughs. We park in the no-parking curb in front of the United Terminal at Reagan. A D.C. cop walked our way to move us along but the driver showed him a laminated ID that convinced him to return to his previous spot to watch traffic flow. My flight departs in forty-five minutes. I don’t fly a lot and I’m starting to get nervous. It is all I can do to keep myself from looking at my watch. I will my eyes not to look down.
    “I know you’re ready to roll, Detective Conner. Don’t worry. You’re checked in and a friend of mine is going to expedite your passage through security.”
    “Thank you, sir. Bob.”
    “You’re not asking for advice and don’t need advice, but let me leave you with one small word of counsel from an old man.”
    “I