Wanted (FBI Heat Book 3) by Marissa Garner Page B

professional. In fact, the Avila contact implied the wedding story was all a lie, and Ms. MacKenzie never got married.”
    Conrad shot Dillon a sympathetic glance and then turned to focus his full attention on the fascinating view of the cloudless sky during the awkward silence that followed.
    Rex waited patiently, his stare pinning Dillon to the chair.
    He drew a deep breath. “The wedding wasn’t a lie. At least not the part about it being the reason for the two-week vacation.” He couldn’t meet his boss’s eyes any longer. He joined Conrad in looking out the window. “But the wedding didn’t happen…as planned.”
    “I see.”
    No way could two monosyllabic words suggest comprehension of the most traumatic experience of Dillon’s life, but he let it slide. Damn Kat for doing this to him. “What’s the bottom line?” he forced himself to ask.
    “No investigation. After all his inquires, Carter didn’t find enough credible intel to warrant an official FBI investigation.”
    Dillon swung back to Rex. “If he knew someone had shot out her tires and tried to break into her house—”
    “The answer is no , Special Agent O’Malley. Until you have evidence linking those events to—”
    He shot out of the chair, slapped his palms on the table, and leaned forward. “So we’re just gonna sit back and chance a nuclear meltdown triggered by someone who’s been rooting around in the Diablo Beach computer system?”
    His boss’s eyes narrowed. “What haven’t you told me?”
    Shit. Me and my big, fucking mouth. “Nothing. Are we done here?”
    Rex’s steely gaze never wavered. “Conrad, dismissed. Dillon, sit down.”
    He didn’t move, save the rise and fall of his chest with each strained breath. The silence stretched another thirty seconds after Conrad’s departure. Dillon felt the same rage that used to bubble up from deep inside him when he was getting sent to a new foster home. Finally, resignedly, he dropped back into his chair.
    Rex stroked his chin as he continued to scrutinize him. “This kind of situation can ruin a career, O’Malley. You’re not being objective. You’re mixing personal with professional, but I figure you have good reason.” He pointed his index finger at Dillon’s head. “Listen up and listen good. There is no official investigation. But if you need a few personal-time days to…let’s say, get that straight in your mind, you let me know.” He dropped his hand to the table. “Now, we’re done.”
    Rex’s words played over and over as Dillon marched down the hall. Was his boss suggesting what Dillon thought he was? That he’d approve time off to do an unofficial investigation? He needed a chance to think and cool down so he headed for the elevator.
    “O’Malley,” Conrad called.
    He wanted some time alone, not a pep talk from a concerned friend, but he trudged to Conrad’s desk anyway.
    “Hey, man, you okay?”
    “Yeah.”
    “I know you’re disappointed.” Conrad lowered his voice. “Look, if there’s anything I can do—” His desk phone interrupted him. “Hang on.” He grabbed the phone and then shot Dillon a meaningful look before positioning the phone between them so they could both hear. “Good morning, Ms. MacKenzie. What can I do for you?”
    *  *  *
    Kat took a deep breath. Protecting Skye was her highest priority. If it meant making hard choices, so be it. If it meant following a different path with her life, she’d do it in a nanosecond. If it meant leaving her soul mate behind again, she could handle it. She had already reached the decision that they needed to move. Last night’s scare only changed the timing from soon to immediately .
    “Actually, I’m calling to update you, Special Agent Regis,” she said and drew another fortifying breath. “A man tried to break into my house last night. I think it could be related to my car accident and my concerns about Diablo Beach.”
    “The CHP officer called Di…um…us with the news