One Last Scent of Jasmine (Boone's File Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

appearing in the news media each year. One killed in early morning rollover. “Who?” she inquired in a quiet voice.
    “Rex,” Bradley said with another sigh.
    “Oh … damn. ” Boone bit her lip, leaning forward to read what details appeared in the story. Her eyes misted slightly before she determined to maintain her control.
    “Sorry, Boone. You guys came up together, I know.”
    “Almost right out of the gate,” she confirmed. “We were both on our first Embassy security gig back in the day. Two years in Berlin. We got drunk the night before I transferred out.” She sat back in Bradley’s leather visitor’s chair. “God, that was … six years ago.” Rex had made Senior on operations points after three more and was—as she had told Terry at the time—the right asset for the job. He went up the ladder to buy it in a friggin’ traffic accident? What a ridiculous waste.
    “You OK?” her Director asked.
    “I’m fine,” she insisted though her sad smile was a forced effort. “God, he never spent enough time here in the office. It’s been a year since I’ve even had dinner with him.” She accepted Terry’s offer of a tissue, using it to dab her eyes. “Now he’s gone … sands through the hourglass, right?”
    Bradley swung his monitor back into place. “His was a loss, Boone ... as a friend and as a Level Zero.”
    While she nodded in agreement, the tone in his voice aroused her innate ability to forecast his state of mind. He’s transitioning. This isn’t going to be about Rex any more.
    “Boone,” he continued. “The circumstances are horrible, of course. We’ll join the government in doing whatever we can for Rex’s family. But his loss leaves a professional vacuum as well. It’s one I wanted to discuss with you about filling.”
    Damn. It’s moments like this I really miss my absinthe . Boone sighed and rose, pacing to the bank of glass on the other side of his desk. There his view overlooked the bustle of USIC’s day-shift employees now arriving en masse ... though she hardly noticed. Using the tissue to dry her eyes, she almost complained. “Terry, you can’ t be serious.” From behind, she heard Bradley utter his disagreement with her assessment.
    “The OPM system panel tagged you as next up, Boone. Your seniority and experience makes you the obvious choice for Senior Case Officer.”
    She nodded, continuing to stare out of his window, realizing it was because she was unwilling to face him. “It would mean working together closer than ever,” she heard herself say. God, Boone, don’t show him your back this whole time. She turned around with her hand going on her hip. To her surprise, she found him just sitting there, his hands folded in his lap, nodding in return. She knew he shared every one of her own concerns.
    “Right down the hall. Forty hours a week plus,” he confirmed without hesitation.
    “Only forty hours is a fantasy, ” she countered.
    “Yup. Pretty much.”
    It was her turn to sigh. “Terry,” she said, walking up to his desk and sitting on the corner near him. She broke eye contact and stared at the ceiling before finally giving up the effort to find a subtle way to say it. “When we broke it off—right before you met Janine—it was because we knew what was happening would hurt both of us. It was going to blast our careers … just a matter of time before the system came down on us for unprofessional conduct. It was a considered decision we made together.”
    Bradley tilted his head to one side in concession. “This was the Office of Personnel Management’s idea, Boone,” he attempted. “Procedure required me to follow up, one way or another. It’s my job.”
    She peered at him intently. Raising her eyebrows, she did not have to say a word.
    Shifting in his chair, he shrugged. “OK, OK,” he admitted. “I am favoring the suggestion.” His eyes met hers. “We’ve been able to work well together in the past.”
    “Oh, yeah.” Despite