FBI Headquarters, J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, DC. Six weeks later.
Jana got out of the Uber car and stared up at the building. Somehow, it looked smaller than she’d remembered. The morning sun had crested and there was a bright reflection on the glass. Traffic was heavy and, in the crisp air, people moved with purpose on the sidewalk, some entering the building.
She smoothed the jacket of her new business suit and felt a little flutter in her stomach. Her fingers made their way just inside the top button of her white button-down until they found the trio of scars. She swallowed.
But then she heard a voice behind her—a voice from her past. “Are you sure you want to do this?” the voice said.
She turned. Without saying a word, she put her arms around him. “Hello, Chuck.” It was Agent Chuck Stone, the father of John Stone, and the man that had started her on this path several years prior. Their embrace only lasted a moment. She smiled. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I couldn’t not be here. I got you into this.”
“I may have been just an intern when you recruited me, but I made my own decision.”
“I know you did.”
Jana grinned. “You look old.”
Chuck smiled. “Thanks a lot. But being retired from the Bureau has been good to me.”
“How’s Stone doing? I mean, how’s John doing?”
“He’s great. Healed up nicely from his injuries on Antigua. I can’t believe you and my son met each other, much less were dating.”
“He turned three sheets of white when I finally figured out he was your son.”
Chuck’s face stiffened. “That’s your father over there, isn’t it?”
“Yes. He shows up everywhere. He’s really trying. He just wants to let me know he’s close by, if I ever want to talk.”
“I guess he figures he owes you that much. Do you talk to him?”
“Sometimes. I’m trying. There’s still a lot of anger in there. But . . .”
Chuck nodded at the building. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Jana looked at it again. “I’m sure. I feel good again. I’m scared, but I feel something I haven’t felt in a long time.”
“And what’s that?”
She smiled. “Purpose.”
“I’ve always known you belonged here,” Chuck said. “Ever since I met you, back on the Petrolsoft case, I could see agent written all over you. Want me to walk you in?”
Jana looked into the reflection of sunlight on the glass. “No, this is something I have to do for myself.”
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