Page 30 of Only the Hunter

Given the brake line, it tracks. Still, I step past her, leading the way up the stairs.

“My office,” she says, directing me from behind.

“Have you been in any other rooms?” I ask, frustrated that I know the answer and it’s not the right one.

“No. But I just know.”

“Right. Excellent.”

“Gabe…” She sounds exhausted, maybe even irritated. Tough shit.

I scan the office and pull the door with her tucked inside. “Stay in here until I clear the place. Lock the door. If anyone other than me comes to this door, you dial 911.”

I don’t wait for confirmation but close the door and turn to clear the place.

I find no one. There’s nothing noticeably out of place. My examination of the doors and windows is quick, but long enough for me to be certain whoever broke in knew what they were doing. No trace. No forced entry. No tool marks. No disruption beyond intent.

When I return to her office, I rap against the door. “Evie. It’s me.”

The door opens.

The look she gives me—it’s different. A sadness… No, vulnerability.

It hits a tender spot. I tell myself it’s familiar—that I’ve always looked out for her, wanted to cheer her wins, ensure her safety. That’s true. It’s just not all that’s true.

But this isn’t safe.

Of course, she’s still Evie. She’d never admit fear.

Definitely won’t cave to it.

“All clear,” I say.

“Told you.” And with that, I’m looking at her back, down the curves of her black skirt, smooth except for a long crinkle where she must’ve sat pressed against a desk chair all day.

“What’d they take?”

“Pages from a case file. Specific pages.” She sinks down into her desk chair. “Material is missing from the DOJ server too. I haven’t cross-checked yet, but I’d bet it’s the same.”

“You realize this means someone within the DOJ is behind this, right?”

Her lips purse. “Protecting someone. Because no one I’m investigating…”

She lets the words trail. What she means is no public servant would play a role in human trafficking.

Along one section of a wall three psychological profiles are mapped. Always useful to keep as a reference, but also critical to remember they are guides, not rules. The labels are clearly for private use: Greedy Fucks, Entitled Fucks, and Sick Fucks.

Her head falls back to her chair and she closes her eyes. “I have so few options. Shonda thinks I’m paranoid. Michael probably does too. If I tell Rebecca, she’ll be pissed I didn’t follow her directive and drop it.”

“Maybe. Or maybe she’ll realize something more is going on.”

Evie opens her eyes and holds out her hands, palms up. “I’ve got no evidence. Nothing. And if someone inside is…” Her lips flat line, gaze distant once again. She tugs at her bottom lip with her thumb and index finger, deep in thought. “I’ve got to see if they missed anything. Track down Lina.”

“Evie.”

She glances up.

I’m controlled. Calm. Patient. I need her to hear me.