CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
This was it, Cami thought. She felt a sense of deep regret that she’d been so impulsive, so thoughtless in her decision making. She’d been so triggered by Connor’s hard reluctance to let her go ahead with her idea, knowing that lives could be saved, that she’d lost her temper. She could have handled the whole situation better, but he’d gotten under her skin too deeply, and she hadn’t been able to regroup and retry.
She stepped outside, looking in surprise at the woman waiting there.
Jacenta was a tall, regal looking woman with raven-black hair and large, dark eyes. Her hair was coiled around her head in a tight, neat bun, and she wore a blue skirt and crisp white blouse. She had an imposing and forceful demeanor. She stared at Cami and immediately, Cami sensed this woman didn’t like her much. There was disapproval in her gaze. But that didn’t matter. It would probably make her job easier, in fact, given what she was here to do.
“I need to speak to you in private, Ms. Lark. Come with me,” Jacenta commanded. “We’ll find an open meeting room and get this done.”
Get it done? Cami’s stomach twisted.
Clearly familiar with the police department’s layout, Jacenta headed to her left, power walking down the corridor with Cami hurrying behind.
There was no time for anything. No time for preparation, for excuses. She’d brought this on herself, after all. A minute later, Jacenta had reached one of the meeting rooms, tapped on the door, and finding it empty, opened it, and led the way inside.
Cami followed her in. Jacenta closed the door.
The meeting room had a window overlooking the back parking lot, and a small, square table with six chairs. Rain was still spattering the window. The overhead light looked harsh and bright.
Jacenta indicated a chair on the opposite side and Cami sat. Meanwhile, Jacenta placed her briefcase on the desk and opened it, taking out a folder and a few documents.
Then she sat, and for a moment, she didn’t say a word. She simply stared at Cami, who felt as if she was going down in an elevator too quickly. That was the sensation she had as she stared back. Her mouth dry and her heart racing, she waited for what was to come, feeling as if she was trapped inside a slow-motion nightmare.
“I’m from the Boston office. I have been briefed on your background situation,” Jacenta continued.
Cami nodded miserably.
Jacenta put a hand to her chin, and Cami felt as if she was being sized up. “I’ve been given the background to the reasons you attempted to breach our system. And I’ve been apprised of the conditions you were given, the deal you were offered as an alternative to jail.”
“Understood,” Cami said, her stomach churning.
“The FBI feels you have potential, you possess skills they need, and that’s why you received the offer of being co-opted onto the team for this case. But they still recognize that your behavior and character is very out of line. Until this case is closed, you still have the alternative of a prison sentence, and that’s a reality. So, for this time, the FBI is considering you as a paroled offender. And I am your probation officer.”
“What?” Cami said incredulously.
This was turning out to be totally different than she’d thought. This scary official was not, in fact, here to escort her to prison. She was having a probationary hearing. Something she hadn’t dreamed would happen.
“You committed a felony,” Jacenta said sternly. “What you did was very serious, and I think you know that. But, if you comply with our conditions and show good behavior, the matter will be closed. Your liberty will be restored. And I’m here to provide you with any guidance you need to make sure you keep on the right path while you’re working with the FBI. I have a psychology and social work background, and I’m here to support and advise you.”
Cami shook her head. She still felt utterly blindsided by this. Jacenta herself was a scary character, she thought. She could see the woman didn’t like her as a person. Most probably she held her in contempt, the way a law enforcement officer might perceive a criminal. She didn’t know what support she could possibly provide.
“I don’t know what to say,” she said. “I think I’ve already messed up too badly.”
“Why’s that?” Jacenta asked.
“Because I had an argument with Connor just now. It was a bad one. I said I was quitting.”
Jacenta nodded. “Yes. He mentioned that when I arrived. He said he’d talk it through with you when I leave.”
“He did?” This meeting was providing one shock after another, Cami thought. She’d have imagined Connor would have been baying for her blood. There was a chance for her?
Feeling less edgy now, she listened as Jacenta continued.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” her probation officer said stiffly. “You were co-opted by the FBI because they believe you have the potential to help with a technical, complex case. That’s the whole point of why I’m here. But, if you breach their trust, you will end up in prison. Do you understand that? You’ve been given a second chance. Now, you have to prove you’re worthy of that trust.”
“But…but this whole argument happened because Connor doesn’t trust me,” Cami tried. “There was something important I wanted to do, and he wouldn’t allow me access.”
Jacenta stared at her. “And you couldn’t find a way around that? A way of working together with him? One thing I should tell you is that the FBI puts great emphasis on working in a cooperative environment. And it’s up to you to create that. Nobody is going to do it for you. So, if you don’t have those skills, you need to learn them. Fast.”