Sitting next to him was Kate Pribbenow, one of the FBI's top prosecutors. She was in her forties and had a hell of a career.

Nicky was the youngest one there, only twenty-nine, but she'd worked hard to build up a good reputation at the BAU. Her methods could sometimes bend the rules a little, but she got results.

But there was someone else at the table too.

A beautiful woman in her fifties with ebony skin and matching dark eyes.

This was Senator Amara Gregory.

The senator whose daughter Nicky hadn't been able to save.

Nicky's stomach bottomed out. What was she doing here? She could see the resemblance between Amara and Masie, and it made her insides twist.

"I'm glad you could join us, Agent Lyons," the chief said.

Amara didnt meet Nicky's eyes.

"I'm glad to be here," Nicky said, although she felt uneasy. "What's going on?"

Chief Franco glanced around the room. "First, I want to say that I appreciate each of your being here on such short notice. I know you're all busy, and this is an unusual move to call all of you in at once."

He sounded nervous, which wasn't like Franco at all. Nicky had no idea what was going on here--but she had a bad feeling about it. It was very rare that they'd call their two top profilers into their office, and seeing Kate, the prosecutor, was like seeing some sort of rare species. She was exceptionally busy most of the time but had slotted away time for this meeting. That must mean it was important.

"You're all aware of what happened to Senator Gregory's daughter, Masie," Chief Franco said.

He glanced at Amara, who was sitting at the table with a grim, but stoic expression.

"Agent Lyons here was able to apprehend the killer, but unfortunately, Masie was already lost." A pause. Nicky looked down at the table, clenching her fists, trying to keep it together. "But she's not the only victim."

Nicky's stomach plummeted. She had to say something to Amara--she had to tell her how sorry she was, but Nicky couldn't find her voice.

Chief Franco said, "Officially, Masie Gregorys case had been labeled as cold, but we didnt give up, and we found the truth. Thats all thanks to you, Agent Lyons.

Nicky didnt reply. She knew she didnt deserve any sort of praise. Shed solved the case, sure, but she hadnt been able to save the victim, so none of it truly mattered.

Chief Franco looked at Amara. "Senator Gregory, perhaps you'd like to take it from here."

Nicky forced herself to glance at the senator. Amara's dark eyes were like a laser, focused on Nicky. But then she paced across the room, keeping herself elegant and poised.