Nicky thought on it. It was a convoluted trail--but it could lead somewhere. "So we should talk to Wentz," Nicky said, "not Brown."
The chief held up a hand. "One problem with that, Lyons. Wentz is dead. Brown killed him in his cell."
Silence spread throughout the room. Of course--with Nicky's luck, Wentz being alive would be too convenient.
"So the only lead we have is Brown," Nicky said. "And it's hearsay from a clearly deranged murderer."
"That's right," the chief said.
"But Brown is the only convicted killer we have with a possible connection to this case. We don't want to overlook a lead that could save a lot of lives, especially if it's this one."
"But what can we do with it?" Grace said, her doe eyes wide. "How do we even use this lead? Can't we just confront Brown with the information on Meghan Salinger and ask him to help?”
Ken let out a grunt. “I doubt it’d work that easily—the guy is a felon. He won’t be eager to help us.”
"I didn't say it would be easy," Grace said, her slender fingers drumming on the table. "But we have to try."
"You're right," Nicky said. "We have to try, even if there’s a slim chance this could lead us to find what happened to Meghan.”
"Then what do we do?" Grace turned to face Nicky, hope in her eyes.
Nicky nodded. She knew this case was going to be tough. But it could be done. She could do this.
"We'll proceed with caution," she said.
"You're in charge, Agent Lyons," the chief said. "Whatever you need, you'll get."
Nicky nodded. Now that most of her nerves had cleared, she could process how great this opportunity was for her career. This was her chance to excel. Nicky wasn’t the kid at the office anymore; she was twenty-nine, going on thirty in a few months, and she was eager to show everyone what she could do when given the reins.
"Good luck, agents." The chief flicked off the projector, leaving the room in darkness. Moments later, the light flicked on. The chief looked down at them. "I'm leaving this all in your capable hands. Remember, Agent Lyons is in charge." The chief looked at Ken when he said that. "Follow her orders."
With that, Franco left the room. Silence. Nicky glanced around the table awkwardly. Ken looked unimpressed. But Grace was looking to Nicky like a hopeful puppy.
"Well," Nicky began, clearing her throat. She needed a game plan for them, and she needed it now. This was her first time in charge of a team--but she didn't want it to be her last.
"I'm sure we can all agree that the prison lead is flimsy," Nicky said. She swallowed her nerves. "But it's the best thing we've got."
Nicky thought over the plan. No matter what, as the only other field agent, Nicky was going to end up working closely with Ken. Grace was a tech, so she was most useful staying here where she could have all the resources of the BAU at her disposal. The computers in the BAU's bullpen were state of the art. They had access to the latest forensic software and databases. They had access to the latest intelligence reports. Nicky was grateful for their help, but she knew that she couldn't rely on them. She had to be self-sufficient. That was why she was the field agent. She was the one who had to be able to think on her feet and make quick decisions.
"Okay, game plan," Nicky said. "Grace, you stay here at HQ and learn as much as you can about the victim, and this John Wentz guy while you're at it."
"You're the boss," Grace said.
"You go get set up," Nicky said, noting the time.
Grace left, leaving her and Ken alone in the room. Nicky felt her palms grow sweaty as she faced him. He eyed her up, and she wasn’t sure what he was thinking. But then he said:
“You’ve never led a team before, have you?”
A lump formed in Nicky’s throat, but she nodded. “No, Agent Walker, I haven’t.”
He nodded. “Well, I have. If you need any tips…”
She couldn’t help but glower at his tone.
“Or,” Ken said, “I could just take over if you’re not up for it.”
Nicky crossed her arms. She didn’t know Ken well, since he was still a new transfer to the office, but that meant he didn’t know her well either. She wasn’t the type to take patronization—from a man, no less. It was hard enough being a woman in a field like this, and she didn’t get as far as she did by having no voice.