“Hey. Come on in. I popped in at your office but couldn’t find you. Take a seat.”
“Thanks. I needed a coffee and was in the breakroom.” Kate sat down. “You heard about Palmero?”
“I did, which was why I wanted to talk. I’ve been going back and forth with Palmero on his team’s progress and I know for a fact he’s been keeping them focused. But he mentioned something to me just yesterday.”
“What was that?”
“He’s been coordinating with the FBI office in Riverside, California as well.”
“Of course,” Kate replied.
“Apparently, there was some concern on the part of the local authorities in Riverside that there might be someone who knows more than he or she is letting on,” Duncan said.
“I’m not sure I get where this is going. About what, exactly?”
“His contact there says the local detective thinks one of the witnesses is reluctant. He thinks this witness might have a description for us.”
“Then why isn’t he volunteering to see a sketch artist?” Kate asked.
“I believe it’s because he’s illegal. At least, that’s what the detective seems to believe.”
“We’re not looking to have anyone deported. Haven’t the locals there made that clear? We have a possible serial killer on our hands. This information could prove critical.” Kate shifted in her seat with growing irritation.
“Hey, you’re preaching to the choir, Reid,” Duncan added. “What I’m getting at here, is Palmero wants us to pull some strings to help out this witness. He says his hands are tied and so are the Riverside agent’s.”
“What makes him think we can do anything about it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because we’re here in Washington,” Duncan replied.
“It’s not like we personally know the higher-ups in ICE or DHS. I have no idea who those guys are,” Kate added.
“All I’m saying is that we need to look into this. See if we can help out this guy so he’ll cooperate. I realize it’s a situation where we have a lot of moving parts, but I don’t know what else to do. I don’t want to risk the man fleeing and we get nothing from him.”
“So he’s using what he knows as leverage.” Kate nodded. “Smart. Then I suggest we get on it and see what we can do. Let’s try to have an answer for Palmero by the time he gets here.”
Duncan smiled. “I know just where to start.”
Nick had offered to pick up his former associate from Ronald Reagan airport, at which he now waited. It had been years since he’d seen Palmero, recalling the last time was at a continuing education seminar. This was back during his early days at the Washington Field Office, before Kate and before Dwight Jameson.
The moment he spotted a man approach, there was no mistaking that it was Agent Mitch Palmero. He might have been a little older, they all were, but he had changed very little. The black hair was a little thinner, but still worn short on the sides and longer on the top. A bit gangly but he appeared to have more confidence in his step than in his younger years. And how could Nick forget about the bolo ties? The man loved his bolo ties.
With an outstretched hand, Nick stepped forward to greet him. “Mitch Palmero. How are you, man? You’re looking good.”
Palmero took his hand with enthusiasm and shook it firmly. “Doing all right, my man. You look soft. Like you been spending too much time rubbing elbows with the upper echelons of the Bureau. The Scarborough I remember didn’t care about fancy suits and polished shoes.”
Nick smiled. “Yeah well, I might dress better now but I’ll take you on in a push-up contest any day. Soft, my ass.” He chuckled and patted the man on his back. “Let’s head out. You brought us one hell of a mess with this one. Better get down to business.”
They caught up on old times on the drive back to Quantico. Nick appreciated seeing someone from his past. It was like he was a young and hungry agent again. It had been a long time since he felt that way. The fire in his gut pushing him through a case. He missed those days and hadn’t realized it until now.
“Here we are.” Nick drove onto the grounds and headed toward the Division’s headquarters.
“Man, it’s still hard to believe you’re with BAU. That’s the dream.” Palmero gazed at the building. “I haven’t been here in a while either. I think the last time was a few years ago to catch up on some training.”
“That must’ve been before I was transferred. It’s a good place to be, don’t get me wrong, but there’s a lot of politics here. It takes some getting used to.”
“And are you used to it now?” Palmero asked.
“Nope.” Nick pulled into the parking garage and cut the engine.
“Kate Reid, she was that agent who was abducted as a kid, right?”
“That’s her. She and I live together.”
“No shit? Oh, sorry man. I didn’t realize. No disrespect.”
“How could you know? Besides, none taken. Let’s go inside and I’ll make the introductions. I hear the boss wants to get started on a meeting right away.” Nick stepped out of the car and Palmero caught up.
“What’s the deal with all that because you were the Senior Unit Agent, right?” Palmero held up his hands. “If I’m overstepping, just punch me in the gut. That usually shuts me up.”
“You’re not overstepping. Yeah, it was my gig for a while, and I screwed it up. Cost me the job and might’ve cost me the girl too. That remains to be seen.” Nick stepped onto the elevator and held the doors for Palmero.
The doors opened and Nick stepped off the elevator. “This is it. This is where it all happens.” He smiled at Palmero. “You ready to get started?”
“Better believe it.”
Nick led the way to his office. “You can keep your things in here until we can get you set up someplace else. How long are
