Black Sheep (37 page)
Authors: CJ Lyons
Mary Agnes took the bright orange donut and held it aloft. “We couldn’t have done
this without the guidance of Supervisory Special Agent Caitlyn Tierney. Thanks for
keeping us safe and smart, Agent Tierney!”
More applause. Yates paused the DVD again. “The new class beat the pants off the outgoing
class.” He left his chair and moved to sit behind Caitlyn’s desk in her chair.
She had to stand, twist the chair he abandoned around—it was the only spare one in
the tiny office—in order to sit facing him. Once she had, he arched an eyebrow at
her and she wondered if he’d meant her to stay standing at attention.
Oh well, he could only fire her once. And at least the NATs had learned something
from her. Pride flushed her cheeks, and she didn’t care if Yates saw it. She blinked
back a tear. Damn, she was going to owe LaSovage a beer after this.
“Every member of the New Agents in Training class added their personal endorsement
to the end of the DVD,” he said in a dour tone. “In case you ever want to start a
fan club.” He shuffled a few printed pages. “Which brings me to these.” He flipped
his reading glasses on. “Endorsements from a Butner SSI named Boone, a North Carolina
State Police captain in charge of their SWAT team, and a Sheriff Markle from Balsam
County.”
Caitlyn sat there, stunned. Not sure how to respond. “Sir, I hope you don’t think
that I requested or coerced any of those—”
“That’s the problem, Agent Tierney. I know you didn’t. Which creates a bit of a conundrum
for me. That footage of you taking down an outlaw motorcycle gang—with the help of
a leopard?” He tilted his chin to gaze over his glasses as if in disbelief. “That’s
gone viral. You have a flare for closing cases in a way that makes the FBI look good
to the public. Unfortunately those cases seem to rarely fall into our official purview,
especially now that the Bureau is moving away from criminal investigations and focusing
on counterterrorism and homeland security instead.”
He lowered the papers, eyeing her over the top of his glasses. “But the public and
local law enforcement still see us as primarily investigators. Blame TV and the movies,
but we’re stuck with the image. And in these days of local budget cutbacks, requests
from law enforcement for our assistance in cases have quadrupled. You see my problem?”
“You want to maintain the image of the FBI, avoid any public backlash from our being
unable to assist local law enforcement, while not actually using the Bureau’s resources.”
Typical government gobbledygook. Didn’t the idiots who decided where the FBI’s focus
should be realize that protecting the country and its citizens started locally? Most
of their major counterterrorism busts had begun with tips from local law enforcement—there
was no reason to treat smaller jurisdictions like they were idiot second cousins.
Yates nodded in approval. “Maybe there’s hope for you yet. My understanding is that
you want to remain in the Bureau, correct? Because if you want to resign, now’s the
time.”
She stood and came to attention. “No, sir. I want to stay.”
“Very well. Then I’m ready to give you your new assignment.” He glanced up at her,
his gaze softening. Maybe. A little. “You may not know it, but I began my law enforcement
career as a sheriff’s deputy in a small county in Nebraska. We were understaffed,
overworked, undertrained, and always short on money. But we served our constituents
well. I’m just as proud of the work I did there as I am of the work I do now for the
Bureau. So”—he inclined his chin to the right—“let’s just say that I understand the
challenges facing local law enforcement. As it seems you do as well. Which is why
I’ve decided that you’re to remain here, based at Quantico, part of the Critical Incident
Response Group. But you’ll be operating independently with an official title as local
law enforcement liaison.”
Sounded great. She stifled her grin before he could see it. There had to be a catch.
“Exactly what would my duties entail?”
“You’ll have a minimal budget, no staff, and you’ll be on call twenty-four seven.
You’ll be expected to triage requests from jurisdictions across the nation. The vast
majority you’ll be forced to decline—and do it in a way that doesn’t cause any public
relations backlash. The cases you decide to accept will be approved by me. I’ll assign
you any resources I deem necessary to aid in your investigations. You’ll report directly
to me and the executive assistant director.”
Tight leash, tons of administrative bullshit—not to mention the whole diplomatic aspect
of saying no to locals asking for help—but she got to choose her own cases, cases
anywhere in the country?
“Count me in, sir.”
“I wouldn’t rush in so fast, Agent Tierney. Most of these cases will be unsolvable
or political quagmires that local law enforcement can’t afford to get caught up in.
You’re not going to be making many friends out there.”
“But I get to do my job, my way? Take a case as far as I can, right?” She couldn’t
hide the excitement in her voice.
“As far as your resources allow you, yes. As long as there’s no negative backlash
on the Bureau.”
He didn’t say anything about obeying rules or regulations. Maybe Yates was smarter
than she gave him credit for.
She stood and extended a hand. “Thank you, Assistant Director Yates. I accept.”
ALSO BY CJ LYONS
Blind Faith
Praise for
Blind Faith
“This story is so fast-paced with so many mesmerizing characters, ‘fantastic’ is not
high enough praise. Lyons proves once again that she is a master of suspense.”
—
RT Book Reviews
(Top Pick! 4½ stars)
“
Blind Faith
is a haunting, intense, and multi-layered thriller that adroitly combines an action-packed
plot and delicately drawn, relatable characters.”
—Night Owl Reviews
“This stand-alone story starts slowly like an extreme roller coaster, but once it
crests its first peak, it rolls and twists and turns with nonstop page-turning adventure …
With its multi-layered secrets and betrayals, readers who love romantic suspense are
sure to find this a compelling read!”
—Fresh Fiction
Praise for CJ Lyons and her bestselling novels
“Everything a great thriller should be—action-packed, authentic, and intense.”
—#1
New York Times
bestselling author Lee Child
“Compelling … I love how the characters come alive on every page.”
—
New York Times
bestselling author Jeffery Deaver
“A pulse-pounding adrenaline rush.”
—Lisa Gardner,
New York Times
bestselling author
“The perfect blend of romance and suspense. My kind of read.”
—Sandra Brown, #1
New York Times
bestselling author
“A high-stakes adventure with dire consequences.”
—Steve Berry,
New York Times
bestselling author
“Packed with adrenaline.”
—David Morrell,
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bestselling author
“Tense, whip-smart medical scenes … gripping.”
—Tess Gerritsen,
New York Times
bestselling author
“Harrowing, emotional, action-packed, and brilliantly realized … an irresistible read.”
—Susan Wiggs,
New York Times
bestselling author
“Exciting … engrossing, intriguing.”
—Heather Graham,
New York Times
bestselling author
“An adrenaline rush and an all-around great read.”
—Allison Brennan,
New York Times
bestselling author
“Characters with beating hearts and three dimensions.”
—Newsday
“Breathtakingly fast-paced.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An intense, emotional thriller [that] climbs to the edge.”
—National Examiner
“Thrilling … you won’t be able to put this one down.”
—RT Book Reviews
“A powerful, taut thriller.”
—Mystery Gazette
“A master.”
—Pittsburgh Magazine
“Simply exceptional. The action never lets up … keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
—Roundtable Reviews
“Explodes on the page … I absolutely could not put it down.”
—Romance Readers Connection
“Sure to keep readers enthralled … a suspenseful and engaging tale that comes to an
exciting conclusion. Readers won’t want to miss this one.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Highly engaging characters, heart-stopping scenes … one great roller-coaster ride
that will not be stopping anytime soon.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CJ LYONS
is a pediatric ER doctor and
New York Times
bestselling author. Among other adventures, she has assisted police and prosecutors
in criminal investigations; worked as a crisis counselor, victim advocate, and flight
physician; and drawn from her life experiences to write acclaimed novels of medical
suspense. She is the author of several cutting-edge series including
Angels of Mercy, Hart and Drake,
and most recently,
Rock Bottom
with Erin Brockovich. Her books have earned her numerous awards including the Golden
Gateway, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.
You can visit CJ at
www.cjlyons.net
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed
in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
BLACK SHEEP
Copyright © 2013 by CJ Lyons.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN: 9781250015358
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / March 2013
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY 10010.