“Because you were lucky,” Janine tells me.
Lucky. There’s that word again. Who knew it could sound so offensive?
“Scratch that.” Janine takes it back. “You weren’t lucky. You just happened to have a good friend with insane computer skills who, unlike me, you informed of your plan, and who had the local police on alert even before you called.”
My eyes grow wide. She figured that out?
“Please don’t punish Taylor,” I ask her. “It was all me. Like you said, he was just being a good friend.”
“If he was a better friend, he would have reported you,” Janine says.
“He wanted to,” I inform her. “But I asked him not to.”
Janine sighs.
I get out of my seat. “So what? You’re going to punish us both? For putting Bruno Zane behind bars? For doing our jobs?”
“Doing your jobs?” Janine shakes her head. “Allie, when I told you we needed evidence to bring Bruno Zane down, that was a statement. I wasn’t giving you an order.”
“But I went and got it anyway,” I point out.
“I know. That’s why we’re having this discussion.”
“No. We’re not having a discussion. You are giving me a lecture when you’re supposed to be…”
I curl my hands into fists as I try to grasp the right words, then let my arms fall at my sides as I let out a frustrated sigh. I sit down.
“When I’m supposed to be showering you with high praise?” Janine finishes the sentence for me. “Giving you an award? A commendation?”
Well, those all sound better than what she’s given me so far.
Again, she shakes her head. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Allie, but you’re not getting any of that. In fact, I’ll tell you what you’re getting – a suspension.”
My eyes grow wide. “What?”
“Director’s decision,” Janine tells me. “After he heard about what you did.”
My eyebrows crease. “Director Willis decided to suspend me after hearing that I just brought down a man wanted for wildlife trafficking?”
Unbelievable.
“It’s not what you did, Allie. It’s how you did it.”
I give her a look of dismay. “So following procedure is more important than getting results?”
“The procedures are there for a reason. You know that. They cannot just be blatantly disregarded whenever you feel like it.”
“Okay. Fine.” I let my shoulders fall and proceed in a calmer tone. “I’ll be more… regardful of procedure next time. Just… don’t suspend me. Please.”
I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t work as an FBI agent. It’s what I’ve been for the past four years, what I’ve been dreaming of since I was twelve. It’s all I’ve been. I’ve given up so much for this. I’ve worked so hard. And I’m good at what I do. Damn, I’m one of the best. I can’t be suspended.
Janine sits back and taps her manicured fingernails on her desk. Then she lets out another sigh.
“I’m sorry, Allie. Maybe if this was the first time you ignored the rules, I’d forgive you. But we both know it’s not. It has to stop.”
No. She’s the one who has to stop. This can’t be happening.
Janine reaches across her desk for my hand. “Allie, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just a suspension.”
Just a suspension?
“You nearly died. You got hurt. Take this time to heal, to rest and to reflect on what you’ve done wrong…”
“I don’t need time.” I pull my hand away and shake my head. “And I haven’t done anything wrong. I did what I was supposed to do, what we’re all supposed to do. I risked my life to save the helpless, the innocent. Just because they’re not human doesn’t mean they should be left to suffer.”
“No one is saying that,” Janine tells me. “No one is leaving anyone to suffer.”
“Except me.” I point my finger at my chest. “I’m being punished for having the courage and the decency to do the right thing. It’s fucking unfair.”
“Language,” Janine warns me.
I ignore her and get on my feet. “This is unfair and you know it. But you didn’t even fight for me, did you?”
She doesn’t answer. Just as I thought.
“You know what? That’s fine. Because I can fight for myself. I’m not just going to sit back and take this crap. I’m going to…”
“Tell your brother?” Janine asks.
I frown.
I could, I guess. Grae will help me for sure. He’s got friends. And money. Lots of money. But no. I don’t need any help from him or my other brothers. I’ve already decided I won’t ask for any more help from them. I’m not a little girl anymore. I can fight my own battles.
“I’m going to talk to the Director myself,” I say. “And I’m going to tell him that he can shove – ”
“That’s enough, Agent Chandler!”
Janine slams her fist on her desk. Her glaring eyes look straight into mine.
I’ve never seen this look from her before, and I have to admit it is a little terrifying. Still, I keep my shoulders straight and swallow.