Izzy’s heart warmed, and she looked into her friend’s eyes. She wondered why they hadn’t been closer while they were on the force, but they’d overlapped for such a short time period, and then Alicia had left. Which reminded Izzy of a lingering question. “Why did you leave Arlington PD?”
“When I was offered the chance to be an instructor at Quantico, it was an amazing opportunity and far too good to pass up. It really had nothing to do with what was going on at the force. At least, I didn’t think it did, but now that you’re bringing all this up, it makes me wonder whether subconsciously the culture there was part of my decision-making process.” Alicia sighed and looked at her. “I’m really so, so sorry about what happened. I wonder if I had stuck around if there’d have been anything I could’ve done for you.”
“Honestly, no one could’ve helped me at that point. I’ve had to go through a long process of counseling and grieving and trying to pull my life back together.”
“How’s that going?”
Izzy could answer this honestly, and it felt good to be able to say it. “I’m actually in a great place. I’m at NCIS, and I enjoy my work, although I’m still considering options for the future. In bigger personal news, I finally started to date again, and I’m completely head over heels. His name is Aiden. He works for Virginia State Patrol.”
Alicia’s eyes sparkled. “I can see by how you talk about him how much he means to you.”
“It took me a while to be able to trust anyone. Especially another man. And to make it worse, another man in law enforcement. But Aiden couldn’t be more different from the sergeant. He is loving, caring, and I trust him with my life.”
“Sounds like he’s the real deal. I’m very happy for you. Whatever you need from me, just let me know.”
“I’ll talk to the detectives and point them in your direction. I can’t guarantee they’ll want to talk to you, but I hope they will, especially since you’re a former cop.” Izzy considered her next question. “I’m pondering what my next career move should be. How do you like being an instructor?”
“It’s really good. I like teaching. It suits my personality. Hey, once you have a few more years under your belt, I’d love to put in a rec for you. I think you could excel in that field.”
Izzy would need a lot more time working in law enforcement before that was possible. Alicia had at least a decade of experience. “That’s so generous of you. You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I’m actually batting around the idea of going to law school.”
“That’s a great idea! You would make a wonderful attorney. You will be a fierce advocate. What type of law are you thinking about?”
Izzy wasn’t sure how Alicia would react to her future career plans. “I want to be a prosecutor.”
Alicia gave her a knowing look. “Now, that sounds like a plan. After all you’ve been through, it makes a lot of sense.”
“A fresh start in my career could give me a new purpose. Putting scumbags like the sergeant behind bars would be fulfilling. Being able to seek justice in a different way. What I’m doing at NCIS is really important work, but I don’t know that it’s the long game for my career. Does that make sense?”
“Absolutely. I can see it in your eyes. If there’s anything else I can do, let me know.”
“You’ve already offered to do so much. And on that note, I’ll get out of your hair.”
“You don’t have to run off. I’ve got more cookies.”
Izzy looked down at the empty cookie plate and realized she’d eaten them all as they’d been talking. She laughed. “I might explode if I eat any more, but they were amazing. Just what I needed.”
“You should stop by more often. It was so good to see you.”
Izzy gave Alicia a tight hug, fighting back tears. She hoped this was the beginning of a massive break in the case. One that would ultimately get to the truth.
Zane’s mind was reeling from the interrogation he’d gone through that morning, still trying to figure out how he’d become a suspect in the DEA investigation. Someone thought he would be a convenient target, and it was his priority to figure out who was gunning for him. The cartel had more power and influence than most people could imagine. Unfortunately, their tentacles stretched wide and right into the belly of the DEA. The thought sickened him.
As a Marine, Zane could not imagine turning his back on his country and working for the cartel. And he was confident that once investigators looked closely at him and his background, they would realize that he could not be a traitor. He needed to figure out who could have the motive and the opportunity to set him up. But he also couldn’t allow himself to be totally focused on those issues, because his partner still needed him.
He’d told Mason that Cass was solid, but he had his doubts. She had taken all of this very personally—which he understood, given that the attacks were highly personal. He sat beside her now on the sofa in the DEA safe house as she worked on her laptop. She had a serious look on her face, and a frown pulled down on her lips. He wondered what was going on in her head.
He tried to give her space to work and act as normal as possible under the circumstances, but he knew there was a huge cloud hanging over her—one of stinging fear. And he hated seeing her like that. The woman he had worked with for the past few years had always been tougher than most of the guys he knew. That
