Completing her paperwork on the failed transport, she headed out for more fieldwork. Of course, she was actually going to meet her Homeland Security supervisor. Miss Maddie was not going to be happy about losing Petrov. The only part about losing the big Russian she regretted was not being the one to snip his stupid ass herself.

Johnny seeing her set up a man to be killed made her really uncomfortable. Johnny wasn’t supposed to be there this morning. She worried it would make him think she was capable of doing something like that to him. It was getting to the point that she didn’t know if it came right down to it, she would pick her sister or him if things went bad. She needed to focus on controlling the variables.

Thinking of Johnny put a cramp in her neck. He hadn’t looked too happy with her at the jail that morning. It left her with the feeling that maybe the Russian had come clean about her nefarious twin. God knows, if the old fashioned concept of a good and bad twin held any water, then Margaret would definitely be the bad twin. Her sister never had been one to make good decisions, but that didn’t mean she deserved to be locked in a cage like some animal and sexually abused by God only knows who.

Johnny was not prince charming himself, so maybe he’d understand that part. What he wouldn’t care for was being deceived. Then again, he didn’t seem to take that as hard as some more straight laced guys would.

Discretely, she rummaged through her desk, loading her purse with anything she didn’t want to leave behind. It was unclear if she was coming back to the FBI or if Homeland would immediately pull her. She hit the road and didn’t look back, feeling that something she couldn’t quite put her finger on was amiss.

Sliding into a booth at the coffee shop, she slid the flash drive across the table.

“They e-mailed me the report you just filed. I can’t believe he tried to run like that.”

“The other members of my team just opened fire on him.”

“I don’t blame them. Letting a monster like Petrov escape was not an option. What’s on the flash drive?”

He kept meticulous records on the women he took. It’s all in there. Names, dates, places and most importantly, who he sold them to.”

A stern male voice came from the shadows behind them. “I honestly didn’t believe it, Sarah. When you partner insisted you were dirty, I still couldn’t see it.”

Glancing behind her, she saw her sector chief from the FBI with a pistol trained on them. Standing at his side was her fuck up of an ex-partner grinning like a mad fool. Sarah didn’t bother to lift her hands, but she did speak. “It’s not what you’re thinking it is.”

“That’s what all criminals say.”

Miss Maddie tapped her cigarette lighter on the table top twice and within seconds as dozen HS agents stepped out.

“For crying out loud, you boys border on the incompetent. Have a seat Martin, Sarah is Homeland Security and I have approval from your chain of command for her to be embedded with your team.”

“I wasn’t told anything about that.”

Lighting a cigarette, she took a draw and blew the smoke in his direction. “I’m sure you supervisor would have told you if he felt it necessary. I don’t know what kind of clown show you’re running, but I’ve got the intel we need and I’m pulling my agent as of now.”

“This is not over.”

“Stop, Martin. Every time you open your mouth, you’re proving exactly why this operation was above your pay grade. Run along and play, the grown-ups have work to do.”

He turned on his heel and headed for the door with as much dignity as the situation allowed.

Sarah raised a brow at the older woman. “Provocative.”

“Serves the little prick right.”

“I’d like to take whatever leave time I’ve got coming to me.”

“Burned out from this case?”

“To say yes would be a lie. The truth is I need some time for a personal, family emergency.”

“You stayed with this case until the end, Sarah. You deserve to take the time, but go with the understanding that you did your country proud. We’ll track down every single one of those women, so don’t go messing with around looking for them.”

“I can guarantee you that I won’t go looking for any of the women from the flash drive or delve into Petrov’s other criminal activities.” Sarah was proud of the note of sincerity in her voice. Though she was telling the actual truth, she was leaving out her own angel.

“Something doesn’t feel quite right about this, but I can’t put my finger on it.” The woman’s frown struck her as amusing.

“I think you’re becoming like those old crusty CIA agents, seeing danger and intrigue everywhere you look.”

Smiling indulgently, she quipped. “You just might be right, Sarah Henson. Just don’t forget you have friends at Homeland.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t. I’ll be in touch when my leave is up.”

“Take care and stay away from that nasty gangster, he looks like evil incarnate most days.”

“Hey, I’m on vacation. I like my guys rough and ready.” Waggling her eyebrows at the older woman made her laugh.

“Whatever, you say. Just be safe.”

Nodding, she agreed. Feeling as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, she headed out to her vehicle. As she neared her SUV, she saw her ex-partner leaning against it with a smirk on his face.

“That was some serious slight-of-hand shit in there, Henson. You and the old lady got something going on? I thought you only did dirty mobsters.”

“Agent Thomas, are you trying to get me to kick your ass all over again? I don’t mind, cause I haven’t had a good workout in like forever.”

“Y0u caught me by surprise the last time.”

“You’re middle aged and out of shape, want to go another round?”

Before he could answer, a large fist clocked him out of nowhere. She watched Johnny clamp his huge boot over the ignorant agent’s throat. “I don’t like you this close to Miss Sarah.”

“Get the fuck off me.”

Crunching down, Johnny stared down at the man. “Do you have any idea how little your life means to me? Let me tell you, about as much as a spider on the sidewalk. I don’t know what in the fuck your major malfunction is, but…”

Martin Bradley’s voice interrupted his tirade. “I don’t know either. Whatever’s going on in your head is messing with my pay grade. Today’s little fiasco is proof of that. Now we find you stalking a Homeland Security Agent. I’m about two seconds from declaring you unfit to bear a firearm.”

Johnny eased back off the prone man, twirled, and grabbed Sarah by the throat. “I’m done being your little errand boy as well. You got the shit you needed. If I see your face again, you’ll get to see my angry asshole side.” With one jerk, he propelled her gently back and stalked off to his Harley.

Swallowing thickly, she announced to no one in particular. “I am so glad to be finished with this shitty assignment.” Without sparing the two stunned men a side glance, she climbed behind the wheel of her vehicle and sped off as both men scrambled to get out of her way.

Driving home, she dialed Johnny’s number.

“Yea Doll, what’s up?”

“Just checking to make sure you’re alright.”

“Sure am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know. What you said back there…”

“I was finishing things up in their mind. They thought I was your informant, now they think we’re finished. Just between me and you, your old partner is going to take a dirt nap if he come within twenty yards of you ever again. You and I got a couple of things to talk about.”

“Meet me at my place?”

“Headin’ there now.”