With a Pull of a Trigger

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Reini remained silent.

“Tiffany told me what happened. To say that I was unbelieving is a huge understatement. She told me about you, about Clarissa, about Sam. She told me about your death.”

The birds were chirping. Patrons all around them were chatting amicably in both French and English, and the scent of freshly-baked pastries was alluring. Reini remained in her seat.

“And then lo and behold, I met you. You were there, in the flesh, and everyone was as surprised as I was. I saw red,” she admitted. “I saw red because you never joke about death in the family. Death isn’t a topic to take lightly to. Deaths aren’t easy to move on from when you’re in our family. I hated you then because I saw how much Samuel hurt, and I saw how worthless it all was. At that moment, you were nothing, because I saw you as a fool who played a fool.”

Reini bowed her head, her eyes staring into the cup of coffee. The dark brown liquid reflected her face as best as it could, and she found that she couldn’t face even that.

“I’m sorry,” mumbled Reini, her eyes looking at the clean tabletop instead of Samantha’s eyes. “I’ve been in this business for longer than I’ve met your brother. I’m obligated to be loyal to what I do. You’re an artist, Samantha, so you’re wired to express your emotions through art. I’m an operative. I’m wired to display as little emotion as possible. In my line of work, people are just collateral damage.”

“Is that what he is to you, Reini? Collateral damage?” asked Samantha, one eyebrow arched.

Reini looked up, her eyes meeting Samantha’s. “Of course not. I cared, and I will continue to care. I love him, but I know that my job—the work I do—will always come first for as long as I do what I’m doing.”

Samantha nodded slowly. Her voice was soft, almost apologetic as she said, “well then you know why I don’t want you for him.”

Reini nodded. She understood, really, but it still hurt despite knowing that she probably won’t ever get Samantha’s stamp of approval.

Samantha stood up, opening her bag and taking out a vibrant red scarf with intricate orange patterns. She tied it around her neck, vibrant red covering satiny white, and took out a business card.

“You should go to gallery. I have a showing tonight. Details are on the card,” she said, handing out the card. She closed her bag, nodded once at Reini, and walked away.

Reini looked at her wristwatch and sighed.

She was going to be late.

Amrie looked up as she heard a knock on her door, raising her eyebrows as she saw who was outside her door.

“Come in,” she called out, sitting properly in her seat.

Charles walked inside, gently closing the door behind him. He sat in one of the chairs by Amrie’s desk, nodding once to the senior supervisor.

“What is it?” Amrie asked in a gentle tone as she closed the folder of the report she was reading, her hands entwined on her desk.

“Agent Saunders was traced. She took a plane from Seattle to Virginia,” reported Charles.

Amrie’s eyebrows rose even more. “Have you asked Langley to try trace agent Saunders?”

Charles nodded. “I have. I fear we’re too late though, as she has disappeared from the radar again. There were no card or check transactions, so she planned this in advance. No purchases, not even food.”

Amrie nodded, understanding the problem at hand. “Double your eyes on the airports. She left for a reason.”

Charles stood up. “Alright. Thank you for your time.”