"I don't know what you're talking about, Eve." He turns and looks at mepointedly.
We arrive at the Foster Building and he stops the car and gets out, opens the door forme.
"Hey, listen, Eve," he says and stands close to me when I reach the stairs. "I know I give him a hard time, but Michel's really a good man. He hasn't been corrupted, despite everything. There's a part of him that's still pure, that still has hope, that still believes. Me?" he says and shakes his head, his hands in his pockets. "I'm jaded as hell. I wish I was like him, but I'm not. Physically, we're identical, but emotionally? We're opposites. He was always softer hearted. My father hated him because of it. Thought he was weak and tried to beat strength into him. It was up to me to protect him so I got hard,fast."
He says nothing for a moment, and I'm completely absorbed in what he's saying, thinking of this bond between these two brothers. He reaches his hand up to my face and strokes my cheek with the backs of his fingers, the way Michel has so many times and I feel a surge of warmth fromhim.
"You have to know I'd do anything for him. Anything. Even give you up. You can tell him that. Tell him to stopworrying."
Then he turns away and goes around to the car, opens the door and gets in. He drives off without another word, leaving me standing on thesidewalk.
* * *
Chapter 12
"Being deeply lovedby someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives youcourage."
LaoTzu
"I'm glad you're back," Ed says when I enter to the SCU. "I have a present for you." He hands me a box. Inside is a pair of thin leather gloves – exceptionally thin. So thin, I can pick up a dime off the counter. "They'll protect you from intrusions when you touch objects that might have been connected to amurder."
"Thanks," I say, slipping them off and putting them in my coatpocket.
"Most Adepts wear them. Once you start working, doing cases, you'll be more attuned to the traces left in crime scene evidence. Helps keep the crazy images and visions atbay."
I smile at Ed and take in a deep breath. Michel comes to my desk and examines thegloves.
"There's a development in Montana," Ed says. "A similar case. Same MO. Seems as if our killer's gone inter-state in his killing spree. I want you both to come with me andinvestigate."
"You want us to gowhere?"
I can hear the frustration in Michel's voice and see it in the lines on his brow. He shakes hishead.
"Montana," Ed says, as if he's unconcerned. "There's a similar murder. We need to investigate theconnections."
"I don't like the idea of leaving Boston when Eve isn't fully trained," Michel says. "Not a goodidea."
Another murder. I shrug, trying to appear calm at theprospect.
"Here," Ed says and places a paper bag on the desk in front of me. "We use the FBI for our cover. Your badge, your jacket and your permit to carry a weapon. You can go to weapons later and get yourself one. You won't have time to actually do your firearms training, so your magazine will be empty but we can't have a Special Agent walking around without a weapon on theirperson."
I take the badge out and hang it around my neck. I inspect the jacket. It's a blue windbreaker and has the letters FBI in yellow on the back and the insignia on the front. It feels like a costume rather than a uniform and I feel like an actor, not the realdeal.
"Sounds interesting," I say, trying to feel confident in my abilities. Truly, I would have preferred to spend a few more days reading and just becoming familiar with SCU procedures but I understand they want to find thekiller.
"Fill out the requisitions," Ed says to Michel, "and I'll sign them to approve your travelexpenses."
I'm not really sure I want to go to Montana but it will be a chance for Michel and I to work together as a team. I get to do some real work, and so, I'll put extra food in my cat's dish and pack my bags oncemore.
I can tell Michel isn't happy but he shrugs and gives in. Later, when we're finished making arrangements, he pulls me over alone in thehallway.
"Eve, I don't like this. I don't like taking you out of town when you're not trained. You'll be aliability."
"That's nice toknow."
"It's not your fault. I don't know why Ed's insisting, but we have orders from Headquarters. Please," he says, and tightens his grip on my arm. "If you're serious about being my Adept, this is the time to just obeyme."
He's so serious, his face so dark, I nod myhead.