Second Chances: A PAVAD Duet Read online

  “What will our purpose be?” Brockman stood behind his two female agents, one hand resting on each woman’s shoulder. Their teammate Royal sat to the left of Ed’s daughter. Their manner all shouted closeness to Fin.

  “Crime syndicates, acts of terrorism, serial killers, child abductions, all of it. Whatever and whenever a special request is made, I want this division to be able to pull from any unit and form a team more capable of solving the case quickly than just a regular field investigation team, more quickly than any team in any of the other fifty-plus field offices. I want St. Louis to stand out,” Ed said. “Once the trial period is over, you’ll basically go back to your original units or teams, with very minor changes. But this year is a proving ground for the entire new division. If it fails, every one of you is gone, reassigned anywhere. Probably in locations other than St. Louis. If it works—we’ll have a division that is ready at the drop of a hat, skilled, prepared, and trained in rapid responses to any situation. And I do mean any, from computer crimes to white collar—to complex.”

  “So what do you want us to do?” The daughter flipped open her file.

  Fin watched Hellbrook watch the daughter, a derisive light in his eyes. They’d prove to be a problem, he just knew it. Hellbrook’s redhead watched everyone, wide-eyed. Fin didn’t think he’d even heard the young woman speak; she couldn’t be more than a year fresh from the academy. Armitage and Angel spoke almost exclusively to each other. Ramirez and Royal hadn’t spoken at all. Brockman still stood sentinel over his female agents. Hellbrook’s eyes kept returning to Dr. Ed, much like a magnet. Fin found that interesting.

  And then there was Anastacia.

  He’d never forgotten her, though they’d only worked together for five months. She’d been fresh from the academy then, probably as young as Hellbrook’s redhead.

  He wondered if it was the trauma they’d experienced together or the results of that night in the storage closet that made him remember her so clearly. Or made her fear him so deeply.

  He wondered if she’d let him apologize.

  He reiterated an old vow to do just that the instant he got a chance. He’d waited this long, he’d not miss his chance. Even if he had to corner her. Again.

  ***

  Ana barely heard the director’s words, her mind instead focused on the past. And on Fin McLaughlin. He’d changed in the years since she’d seen him last. His hair was shorter, still as dark, the color of the most expensive coffee. His eyes weren’t the warm brown she remembered. They were cold, clouded. He’d smiled a lot during their short stint as partners, though she knew he’d not been happy having her assigned to him. She’d been a liability, he’d told her; in the end, he’d been right. She’d cost him his arm…

  Other Titles

  By

  Calle J. Brookes

  Paranormal

  The Blood King (Dardanos)

  Awakening the Demon’s Queen (Dardanos)

  The Healer’s Heart (Dardanos)

  Once Wolf Bitten (Dardanos)

  Live or Die (Dardanos)

  The Seer’s Strength (Dardanos)

  The Warrior’s Woman (Dardanos)

  The Dardanos, Co. Omnibus: 5-In-1 (Dardanos)

  Romantic Suspense

  Watching (PAVAD)

  Wanting (PAVAD)

  Calle Jaye Brookes is first and foremost a fiction writer. She enjoys crafting paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She reads almost every genre except horror. In her day job she is a fiction content editor for an epublisher that opened in 2011. She spends most of her time juggling family life and writing, while reminding herself that she can’t spend all of her time in the worlds found within books. Calle Jaye loves to be contacted by her readers via email and at www.CalleJBrookes.Wordpress.com