Devil Hath Come (an FBI/Romance Thriller ~book 7) by Morgan Kelley Page B

took fieldwork when they wanted to accept an assignment.
    “What can you tell me?” Elizabeth asked as she watched both men begin to simmer and boil. At least they couldn’t tell her she wasn’t going. This one was from their boss.
    “The chief of police from Circle Rock called into Quantico. It seems that the killer left a note personally addressed to you.”
    Blackhawk finally found his voice. “I don’t think this is a good idea. No, I know this is a terrible idea. The last thing we should do is give a killer what they want.”
    Gabe understood their angst. “It’s not like we have a lot of choice. The media has been infatuated with her lately. Now she’s going to have squirrels coming out of the woodwork, and we need to put out this fire fast.”
    That didn't make anyone feel any better.
    “I’m going with her,” stated Blackhawk.
    Gabe laughed and knew Ethan was already going to go there. “She can take either you or Callen. You know the budget is strapped and I can’t allow three directors out in the field, even if you’re slow there. I’m being called on every penny as it is. You’ll have to pick, Lyzee.”
    Elizabeth stared back and forth. She couldn’t choose one without hurting the other. “Gabe, I’m going to take Ethan,” she finally answered.
    Callen looked crushed and wounded by her words.
    “That’s fine. Callen can stay in house and run the place while you’re away.”
    Elizabeth went to stand beside her other partner. Gently, she touched his shoulder with one hand as she signaled her husband with the other. “He can’t Gabe. Ethan just approved his vacation twenty minutes ago. We have kid things going on this week, and he’s going to be playing mom and dad at the doctor for shots, checkups, and all the rest.”
    Callen relaxed as Ethan began typing furiously to get the vacation approval filled out.
    “I didn't get any vacation request,” he replied suspiciously.
    Blackhawk hit send. “Oh, you should refresh your tablet. Mine has been sluggish lately. You should call the tech department and ream their asses over it too. I hate when technology screws with me.”
    Elizabeth fought valiantly to not laugh.
    “ Oh, yeah, there it is.”
    Callen couldn’t help but grin. He couldn’t believe he ever thought she’d pick Ethan over him. Old fears had resurfaced, only to be pushed back down again. He needed to start working on the trust issue a bit more. Sometimes, the irrational feelings reared their ugly head.
    “Why do I think that you three are snowballing me?” Gabe asked, over the phone.
    “You’re suspicious, distrustful, and believe everyone is as sneaky as you,” Elizabeth added. “Now, who else can I take in?” she asked, refocusing them on the assignment.
    “We need this contained. You can take Ethan and two Agents. They have an ME on site.”
    She wasn’t happy with that answer. “I want my own ME. I don’t trust anyone to do the job right but the people that come out of FBI West. If this wackadoo is calling me out, I’m going in fully prepared and ready to go.”
    Gabe sighed. “Send in Doctor Leonard. The new guy is green. I don’t want Doctor Zane Legend out there butting heads with another ME. At least if Leonard goes in, he’ll play nice. In fact, tell him get a spine and be more aggressive. Sometimes, he’s too nice.”
    Elizabeth touched her lips with her finger to signal that Chris needed to remain silent.
    He honestly wondered if he was really too pleasant. Chris tried to utilize manners as much as possible and didn't let anger win often. Maybe, he’d work on that while on this assignment.
    She continued , “Okay, send me the file. I’m going to mobilize and get everyone ready for the field.”
    “Callen, have a nice vacation in Circle Rock. I hear they have some excellent museums that you can visit when you’re not standing watch over Lyzee,” Gabe added, hanging up.
    Blackhawk started laughing. “We would have got away with that had the man