The Taker by Ethan Cross

Author:Ethan Cross
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books
Published: 2020-01-13T22:29:33+00:00

62

One week earlier…

The Houston FBI field office sat off to itself on a lot enclosed by white pillars and a black rod-iron fence. It was as long as it was tall, and a grid of mirrored windows covered its entire front. Special Agent Victoria Vasques’s office was on the fourth floor against the south wall, overlooking a room full of agents working away at cubicles. The whole place smelled of fast food and Pine-sol.

The young agent who had escorted Maggie from the front door excused herself. Vasques stood and moved to meet Maggie. They exchanged an awkward handshake, and then the FBI agent directed her to a chair in front of her desk.

Maggie immediately said, “Isn’t this place a carbon copy of your office in Chicago?”

Vasques shrugged. “You know the FBI. They have a leaning toward uniformity. So, Maggie how is everything?”

“Everything’s great,” Maggie lied.

Opening up a drawer in her desk, Vicky Vasques pulled out a foot-long meatball sub sandwich and asked with her eyes if it was okay for her to eat. Maggie replied, “By all means. I know how busy you are. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me and potentially help on the case.”

Vasques smiled. “After what you and your team did for me in Chicago, I definitely owe you one. Speaking of your team,” Vasques said as she unwrapped her sandwich. Then preparing to take a bite, she completed her statement, “How is Marcus doing?” The agent punctuated her sentence with what Maggie felt was an overly sensuous bite of the footlong.

Maggie wasn’t sure if Vasques was naturally territorial around other women or if she established dominance like this with everyone, but Maggie also wasn’t above bowing down a bit in order to get the information she needed. Maggie maintained her smile, but she wasn’t sure if she kept the look of offense from her eyes as she said, “We’re still together, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Vasques laughed. “Good for you, girl. You know, he may be the…hardest man I’ve ever known.”

“I’m not sure what you mean. Is that a euphemism for ‘he’s an asshole?’”

“No, I was actually thinking physically. We only kissed once, but I don’t believe I’ve ever been that close to a man who was quite so muscular. Not in a bodybuilder sense, but more that every inch of him was firm.”

Vicky took a bite of her sandwich and seemed to consider this.

Maggie, considering whether she would be able to shoot Vicky in the chest and then make it out of the building, said, “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not discuss you feeling up my man.”

Vasques seemed to shake herself awake and replied, “Of course. I’m sorry. I’ve been awake for seventy-two hours on a sting, trying to find a semi-truck full of kids coming across the border. They’re all meant for a life of prostitution in some US city. We haven’t found them yet, but anyway. Why don’t I chew and you talk and tell me why you’re

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