Unlike my office, which would require me to clear off room for someone to sit, her office is meticulously clean, free of any clutter. T-Bone and I perch in the chairs across from her without any need to make space for us.
"My superiors definitely don't agree that Markov should be placed in FUC custody," T-Bone says, shaking his head in regret.
"I heard you're up for a big promotion. Superintendent. You'd be quite young to achieve that." The fact that Director Cooper looks impressed makes me look at T-Bone in a whole new way.
Not just as this very hot, very strait-laced man but also one who is competent enough to climb the ranks quickly.
"That's two full years older than my dad was when he got the title."
There's a sort of odd bitterness to his words. It's more regretful than nasty. It's not the time to delve into that, but Director Cooper doesn't miss the emotion, either. She fully leans into it, as only she would do.
"And you'd put that promotion on the line, go against your superiors, and demand Markov be placed in our custody. Break from family tradition to boot."
T-Bone nods. "No personal advancement is worth going against what is right for the greater good. My own ambitions come second."
Director Cooper breaks out in a smile that is half victorious and half impressed. "That's very noble," she says.
And she's right.
It is noble. Most agents I know would definitely defer to their bosses if any sort of prestige were on the line. Not because they're bad people or bad agents. It's just human nature to look out after yourself before thinking of the impact on your fellow man.
The fact that T-Bone is challenging this long-held belief of mine makes me happy and uncomfortable all at once. It definitely doesn't help that he is so hot.
"Not noble at all," he argues. "It's what's right." He punctuates that last thought with a shrug.
I can tell that it's a sore spot for him that his father was superintendent already at his age. I wonder if that's a point of discussion during family gatherings.
The only thing Dad and I talk about during our family time is what movies we've seen as we pass each other the chicken fried rice and egg rolls. Usually, he repeats about ten times per hour how proud he is of me. Though it's nice, I know that my dad works hard to counteract how things turned out with my mother.
I guess every family has their hang-ups. Ours is that one of our third is a killer. T-Bone’s is because he is a lazy layabout who didn't make superintendent quickly enough to beat out the family average.
"And so now that we've decided that Markov is to be imprisoned in a FUC jail, what is the next step?"
How Director Cooper just assumes she will get her way is one of the reasons why I absolutely fucking love her. She's a hardass, and she will most definitely get her way on this. She's as hardheaded as any other llama shifter.
"Well, we already have a lead." T-Bone shoots me a nod and a crooked grin.
How Mr. Conservative can make my heart beat fast and my core clench while I'm sitting in my boss's office, I will never be able to understand. The attraction is inconvenient as hell.
If he were a tall, lanky dude rocking a band shirt with a few tattoos marring his skin, then maybe I'd get it. He's the polar opposite to what usually gets my juices going.
"I just showed him the map," I clarify.
"Ah, yes. The map. Agent Thrussell, as I told you earlier, I'm very much concerned about this escape. Agent Starling will go with you. That is not negotiable."
T-Bone turns to me, his eyes going to mine. "Though I agree you would be a great asset to have while I search for her, if you would rather stay here, that's fine."
His concern is tangible. It was pretty clear to both of us in my lab that I was going with him. I try to find the motive behind his action of saying this in front of Director Cooper.
The only thing I can think of is that he wants to make sure I feel like I have a choice. An option.
A way out, if I should choose to have one.
It feels nice.
I don't actually remember the last time I've felt like I had a choice. All of my actions, from the time I was a teen to this very moment, have been reactive.
A reaction to the fact that my mother has killed a bunch of people.
A reaction to the fact that I am the only thing my dad has left.
A reaction to the fact that I'm scared to be a monster. Like her.
Director Cooper's eyes are trained on me, slightly narrowed. "Well, Mila? You're up for this." It's not a question. Her long neck is a force to be reckoned with. She twists it toward me. She knows me enough to know that, come hell or high water, there is no way I am backing down from this. Even if it was nice of T-Bone to give me a choice.
"I'm going with him," I answer. "I'm ready to go." I gesture to the messenger bag.
"Have you had your daily bite?" she asks. Another bad vampire joke.
"Yes, Director Cooper. Thank you."
"Fine. Let's recap, shall we? As soon as she is found, Markov will be brought to a shifter prison. The fact that she was able to escape is unacceptable."
"I agree." T-Bone sighs. "We're looking into the how. We already know she had an accomplice. It'll be a matter of figuring out who this person is and how he plays into all of this."
"Hmm," Director Cooper says. "And you have a solid lead to follow on her location?"
"I do,"
