FIFTY-SEVEN

Devyn, Nick, Morgan, Gordo, and Fitz all let out a collective sigh of relief as the FBI’s private plane left the runway in Washington, D.C. Even though Conroy had gotten approval for their small surveillance operation from his superior in D.C. beforehand, they still had a number of questions to answer. They also realized that there were a lot of law enforcement agencies unhappy with the Salt Lake Field Office agents’ involvement with Senator Grant’s fundraiser.

Having a couple of bodies to deal with made everyone’s job more difficult. The local FBI grilled them for hours and took possession of all of the audio and video data Gordo and Fitz gathered. Devyn wanted to fight for their evidence, but Nick advised her to play nice and let Conroy work his magic to get it back. Devyn reluctantly agreed with the promise of getting out of D.C. sooner.

Several seats ahead of her, Devyn watched Morgan snuggle tightly against Nick, his arm draped possessively around her shoulders. The bond between them was so strong it made Devyn ache for that same connection with Gage, but she worried it wasn’t meant to be or that she was too flawed to deserve a normal relationship.

Devyn reeled from the fact that somehow Morgan had once again been placed in danger on her watch. She didn’t see anyway Nick could blame her this time, but she still couldn’t help but blame herself. She should have argued against Morgan’s involvement in the operation even though it had presented a convenient and quick way to get close to the senator and it was all Morgan’s idea from the start.

Maybe she had become a little jaded to the dangers associated with the job after so many years. The incident served as a brutal reminder of how dangerous her career could be. She used to thrive on the thrill of a close call, but now with Gage in her life, thinking about how one misstep could turn deadly, no longer held any appeal. Not only did she fear leaving him too soon, but the thought of losing him to his job terrified her even more.

Leaning back against the seat, Devyn closed her eyes and tried to force the brutal images of Morgan’s earlier peril from her mind of that man’s hands around Morgan’s throat and the gun taking aim at Morgan’s fleeing back. Those scenes would haunt her forever. She had witnessed a lot in her career, but this incident hit too close to home. As the events ran through her mind for the tenth time, she felt someone drop down into the seat next to her.

“Go away, Gordo. I’m in no mood to be nice, and you don’t deserve to see the mean side of me. It’s ugly.”

“Can’t argue with you there, but I owe you a huge one.” Nick startled her, since she assumed it was Gordo who had come to comfort her.

“For what, nearly getting Morgan killed again?” Devyn asked.

“No. you saved her life. It wasn’t your idea; it was hers. Conroy sanctioned it. I was unable to change her mind. You stayed out of the argument I couldn’t win. Morgan is an adult, a very stubborn adult, and she was determined to do this.”

“My gut told me it was a bad idea, but it’s hard to make a convincing argument based on a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach,” Devyn said.

“I know. Remember, I had the same feeling. Morgan and I have had a long talk, and she promised to quit taking years off my life. She’s agreed we don’t need to be this involved in each other’s work.”

“If it hadn’t been Morgan who had such a close call, I’d be a little more excited about the outcome. I think once we’ve examined everything obtained through this operation, we’ll have learned a lot. We discovered Candace’s true identity, Sofia Wilks. Her office and apartment are sealed off and being combed over by a topnotch forensic team as we speak. As soon as we learn the identity of the big guy I shot, I bet that will shed even more light on everything. Unfortunately, Candace, I mean Sofia, slipped away again,” Devyn stated.

“I won’t admit it to her, and don’t you ever tell her, but Morgan’s involvement ended up giving us more in a few hours than we’ve gotten in the last month.”

“I thought the same thing, but you’re right. If we tell her, she may want to help even more. We’ll keep it between the two of us. Go to her. She acts tough, but this had to shake her up. It’ll be a long while before those bruises around her neck fade. I’m sure every time she looks in the mirror, the terror will return. If there’s anything I can do don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thanks but being her friend will be enough. She thinks the world of you and cherishes your friendship.”

“And you?”

“Well, tonight confirmed why there’s no one I trust more with my back than you, and I hope it goes both ways,” Nick stated as he stood and left.

Devyn smiled. It wasn’t a mushy declaration of his undying friendship and admiration for her but realizing that she still held his trust was enough.