But to be in charge of ten, high-profile missing women? That was a lot of responsibility. She was already feeling so many doubts about her abilities as an agent. What if she failed them like shed failed Masie? What if another agent was better suited for the job?

Nicky's stomach twisted. Her hands and face flushed hot.

The room went deadly silent.

"Thank you, Senator Gregory, but..." Nicky swallowed. "I don't think I can accept your offer."

The chief raised his bushy eyebrows and looked at her with his small green eyes. "Excuse me?"

"I... I can't do this," Nicky said. "I can't." Even as she was saying it, Nicky felt her heart squeeze. Maybe she was jumping the gun by saying no, but she wasnt sure how to proceed.

"Agent Lyons..." Chief Franco's voice was sharp, his gaze flicking from Nicky to the senator and back to Nicky. "I'm not sure what you mean. We can't have a team member who isn't fully committed to the cause."

Nicky's stomach turned over and she was almost sick with the realization of what she was doing.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But with yesterdays failure, I just… I dont know if I'm the right person for the job right now. After I couldn't save Masie, I..."

Guiltily, she avoided Amara's eyes.

Amara nodded, a grim expression on her face. "Then I understand why you feel that way," she said simply.

"Okay then," Chief Franco said. "But maybe you could take a few days to get your head together, and then we can talk it over, got it?"

"I'll do that," Nicky said quietly.

Amara's eyes fell on Kate and Ken. "Can I count on both of you to be involved?"

Kate nodded, adjusting her fancy suit jacket. "I'll be here to prosecute every kidnapper you find."

"Perfect." Amara looked at Ken. "And you, Agent Walker?"

Ken adjusted his suit jacket over his broad chest. "I can spearhead it if Lyons is out," he said.

A pause in the room. Nicky felt the tension, and Ken's venomous eyes glanced at her. He was still relatively new to the office, and theyd never worked together, but Nicky had heard he was a real by the books guy.

"We will think about that, Agent Walker," Amara said. "Right now, I'd like to give Agent Lyons a few days to think about it."

Nicky felt herself clam up. At this point, she'd rather they just give it to Ken so she could focus on another task. But the least she could do was give it a second thought.

"Thanks," was all she said.

Chief Franco stood. "You're all dismissed."

Everybody stood.

But then Senator Gregory said: "Not you, Agent Lyons. Hold on."

Damn. Nicky had hoped she'd be able to get away. But maybe the senator wanted to try her hand at convincing Nicky again.