“Like a rookie could keep up with you,” Gabe replied.

Ruby smiled in spite of herself. That was exactly her fear. At least Gabe could keep pace with her.

And he was pretty good at kicking down doors.

“What you said the other day…” Gabe started, “what you called me…”

Immediately, Ruby rubbed her hands against her face, hiding the flush of embarrassment.

“I was sleep deprived,” she said, “that’s it.”

Even Ruby wasn’t convinced of her own excuse, but she also didn’t want to psychoanalyze herself just yet.

They stopped in front of the elevators. It was almost strange not to be marching straight back to their war room to look at the evidence one last time.

“Hunter! Ruiz!” Bellisario’s voice carried down the hall. Ruby took a step back from the elevator, waiting obediently for him to make his way over. Just because they had caught their killer didn’t mean there would be no debrief.

“The families wanted to convey their gratitude. Sylvia Danes in particular,” Bellisario said.

Ruby nodded, uneasy about how to accept that kind of appreciation.

“Thank you, sir,” Gabe said politely. His posture straightened and Ruby could see that military background of his coming out.

“Glad to have you aboard, Ruiz,” Bellisario said.

Gabe glanced at Ruby quickly before responding.

“It’s good to be here,” he said, “I won’t say I’m excited for the next case, but I’m ready. If Agent Hunter is willing to keep me around.”

Bellisario didn’t even try to hide his smile.

“He has a good West Coast perspective,” Ruby said, as if it were a much harder decision.

“You’re both going to take some time to recharge. You,” Bellisario pointed at Ruby, “are not coming back to this office until a doctor says you can lift above your head. Got it?”

Ruby looked between the two men, deciding whether or not to object to this instruction. One apostle suggested many more. She hated the idea of doing nothing while somewhere out there, another devotee was plotting the next move.

“Fine, but I’m taking the old Vallejo case files home with me,” Ruby said.

“Boone Correctional has Vallejo under lock and key. No communication. No nothing,” Bellisario said. “There is no way he can conduct murders vicariously from behind bars.”

As much as Ruby wanted to be comforted by those facts, she wasn’t so sure that was enough. She just couldn’t explain why.

“You can repeat that to me the next time a Lucky 13 copycat kill turns up,” Ruby replied.

“I’ll take half of it,” Gabe said, glancing quickly to Ruby. “If there is a chance there are more of these disciples running around, I should be up on the old case details.”

Bellisario heaved a sigh, choosing to give up while he was ahead.