Cliff frowned. “What the hell are you talking about, Alex?”

The younger agent let her head drop, and she solemnly regarded the sweating can in front of her.

“I thought it might be you, Cliff. I thought you might be the traitor.”

He opened his mouth and then shut it without saying anything. He too stared at the table.

“Why?”

“Lots of reasons. The phone call from your office. You were the only one in Washington that knew where we were meeting Brogan. You told us to get out of Philly, then declared me rogue.” She sipped her coke. “Plus, we discovered that the traitor was known as CJ.”

“And you thought it might mean Cliff Jackson.”

“Right.”

They were silent for a minute, then Cliff nodded.

“I can’t say I like that, Alex. That you thought I could do that. But, then again,” he shrugged, “you were in the middle of a bad situation. From what little I’ve heard, you and Mylos were running for your lives.” Cliff shook his head. “I can’t blame you for being suspicious of everyone.”

“Still. I should have had a little more faith.”

“With those clues? And being on the run? And Teren getting shot?” He snorted. “Not bloody likely.”

They both chuckled quietly.

“Now, you wanna tell me who the bastard is?”

“Yeah, but first, can you do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Get me another meeting with Collins, this morning. When I get this fucker I wanna do it as an FBI agent, not CIA.”

“CIA?” He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

She explained the cautions the FBI Director had taken to keep her investigation a secret from whoever was the traitor.

“So, you’re not really on long term suspension. Or under any kind of a disciplinary action.”

“Nope. But, I’m not officially FBI, either. Only Collins can change that, and I’d like him to do so before I arrest this guy.”

“You? Why do you get to arrest him?”

“Cause it was my partner that got shot — twice. David’s still on medical leave, and Teren’s not FBI. So, I get to do it. Got it?”

He nodded, grinning. “Got it. Wanna give me his name, please?”

She smiled at him.

Teren was waiting by the car when Alex came out of the house, followed by Cliff. She noticed Alex grinning, and let a smile cross her own face.

“Everything okay?”

“Yep. We’re to follow Cliff in, and then go directly to the Director’s office.”

“Good.” Teren glanced up at the older man as he approached. “Morning, Cliff.”

“Morning, Teren. How are you?”

“Ready to eat crow,” she said with a sheepish grin.

“Huh?”

“Well, I was the one who really suspected you might be our culprit. Alex tried to tell me otherwise, but I ….” she let her voice trail off. “Anyway, I’m sorry. I guess I should have trusted Alex’s instincts.”

“No problem. I hear they remove your ability to trust as part of the entrance requirement for CIA jobs.” He grinned and winked at her.

Alex seated herself behind the desk to wait. It was a nice office, she reflected, lined with wood panelling and furnished with a wide oak desk. The dark rust carpet was padded enough so that footsteps were hardly noticeable, and the large black executive’s chair was very comfortable. The desk was obviously a work desk, with stacks of files on both front corners. Well used writing utensils were held in a cup within easy reach, and a half empty coffee mug was sitting on a stained coaster that advertised a micro beer from a local brewhouse.

As she sat in the comfortable rolling chair, she wondered who would be using this desk next.

Moments later, the door opened, and the normal occupant of the office walked in, his briefcase in his hand.

Alex frowned. He was early.

He saw her and stopped.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Waiting for you,” Alex said easily.

“Well, who the hell let you in? You’re not even supposed to be in the building.”

“Really? Why’s that?”

The man approached the desk with a scowl. “Cause you’ve been suspended, and you know it.”

“Oh, but that suspension was lifted, just this morning. I thought you would have heard.”

His scowl deepened, his eyes throwing off angry sparks. “That’s not possible. The Director said he would not reinstate you until a full investigation was made, and that wouldn’t take place until after the case was finished.”

“Well, I met with him this morning, and presented my evidence. He found the charges against me to have no foundation. He threw them out, and even told me I’d receive pay for this whole period.” She smiled. “Pretty nice of him, wasn’t it?”

The man in front of her growled.

“Fine. So you’ve been reinstated. Now get the fuck out of my chair, and out of my office.”

“No.”

He stared at her. “What?”

“I said no.”

“I’ll have you up on charges of insubordination, Reis.”

“No, you won’t.” Alex kept her voice calm, and spoke with a smile on her face.

“And why not?”

“Because you’ll be dealing with too many other charges. Far too many to think about my insubordination.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Of course,” Alex continued, “after all that settles, and you’re in prison, then you might think about it. A lot. For a very long time.” Her voice was very mild as she leaned forward, folding her arms on the desktop.

He put his briefcase on the desk and leaned down towards her. “Look, you little dyke, you may be back in the Bureau, but if you don’t get out, I’m going to make your life hell.”

Slowly, her eyes locked on his, Alex stood. “You can try. But whatever you do? I’ll still be here, and you won’t.”

He laughed. “Why wouldn’t I be here?”

“Because I know who you are.”

“Really? And who am I?”

Alex smiled, with a feral tilt to her lips. “You are FBI Assistant Director Calivin James Bishop.” She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. “Or should I just call you CJ?”

His eyes widened and he reached for his gun.

“Ah-ah.” The muzzle of a .45 was pressed against the back of his neck. “I wouldn’t want you to do anything stupid, CJ.” Teren said. She reached inside his jacket and took his weapon, handing it to Alex, who immediately removed the clip. “Now, why don’t you just have a seat? I’m sure Dawkins and White would love your company in their holding cell — and we’ll have somebody come right in to take you down there.”

He sat down gingerly, his eyes never leaving Alex’s.

“Aren’t you going to ask how we figured it out?”

He didn’t say anything.

Alex continued. “It wasn’t that hard, really. Dawkins and White don’t like you very much.” She shrugged. “Of course, they couldn’t tell us your name, but once we showed them your picture, they had lots to tell us. White’s so angry about you having his wife killed, that it wasn’t too hard for the Justice Department to get him to agree to testify. Dawkin’s blames you for everything. Especially for sending Treville to try and kill him.”

Bishop spat on the floor. “May their souls all burn in hell.”

Teren shrugged, backing off but keeping the gun pointed at his head. “They probably will. Of course, you’ll be right beside them.”

He turned and glared at her.

“No. I will go to Heaven, and sit at the right hand of God, for all I have done has been for His glory, and in His name.”

“You killed people in the name of God.” Alex shook her head. “That’s just sick.”

“You’re the sick one, you dyke. You reject God’s word, and blaspheme His name. You defile everything you touch, you perverted —”

“That’s enough,” Teren cut him off. “You’ll make no converts here, CJ. Save your preaching. Maybe they’ll let you give a sermon before they strap you into the chair. But you’re finished here. It’s over.”

He glared at her, then looked back at Alex. “You think this is over?” Bishop sneered at her. “It hasn’t even started. You may have won this battle, but the war goes on, and we will wipe your evil from the face of the earth.”