Mulligan sighed like he was dealing with a child, and I seriously wanted to wipe that condescending look off his face. “Agent Lawson, I’m sure you can admit that this case is too large for one person to handle. Besides, I still want you to teach your new classes as no one else is available at the moment, which divides your time.”

“So you don’t want me to give up my classes?”

“No. Your classes will still be conducted as scheduled.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to say that although I understand the importance of having more eyes and hands to help with this case, I don’t agree with the person that has the most knowledge to date being demoted.”

Mulligan stood from his desk and leaned on it as if that would make his point clearer. “Agent Lawson, are you questioning my authority and decision-making ability?”

This was a trap question. No matter how I answered, I was fucked. I’d learned this the hard way a very long time ago. “No, I’m not, Sir. Just trying to understand the situation better.”

“Unfortunately, I have another meeting starting shortly, so I will have to clarify this situation for you another time. That’s everything. Oh, and I trust you’ll share what you’ve gathered so far with Agent Hanson.”

“Of course,” I smiled and turned for the door as if I had a choice in the matter.

Yanking open the door, I walked out and could feel Hanson following me. I rounded on him when we were out of earshot from Mulligan’s office. “Just so you know, I don’t appreciate someone coming in and stealing my case.”

“Trust me. I don’t want to be here any more than you do. I’m sorry he pulled you off as the lead. I was told I was coming to assist, and that was all.”

I opened my briefcase, pulled out a thick file, and held it out to Hanson. “Here, I have a class to teach. You might as well make yourself familiar with what I’ve collected so far, but I will warn you the deaths are disturbing, and there are no solid leads.”

“Sounds like fun. Those are my favorite kind.” Hanson smiled as I hung onto the folder and finally released it with a sigh.

Turning, I marched away toward the other end of the building. “And I like Szechuan chicken with a side of rice, and get me an egg roll,” I called over my shoulder. If the man was taking my case, the least he could do was buy me dinner.

It had become something of an obsession to catch this Chameleon, the guy was most certainly unhinged and twisted, and I feared there were more bodies we hadn’t found and more yet to come.