Chapter 6: Part 3

Bill walked into Baker's office not sure that his boss would listen, but he had a chance to come out of this with some resources to work the Bahamas' case. Of course the FBI would probably scream no jurisdiction, but he didn't care.



"Rowland, nice work on that case the other night."



"Thanks. Just saw the pattern."



"That was more than just seeing a pattern. I think those boys in the BAU over at Quantico would be jealous. Took you almost no time to figure it out."



"Actually it was hours and hours of intense concentration over a few days. It was more than just me too, don't forget that."



"That's what I like about you Rowland, not afraid of hard work. Had to tell you, that when you first got here, I was afraid your money would hinder you. Not so."



"I'm dedicated to finding criminals and stopping them."



"Good, good. So, you needed to see me?"



"I received some more troubling information on those girls missing in the Bahamas."



"I thought we agreed there was no case there. Plus, there are jurisdictional issues."



Bill flexed his fingers, trying not to overreact. He wanted to scream and shout, but what the hell could he do. If Baker didn't want him working a case he most likely couldn't work the case. But he sure as hell would try to get his boss to listen.



"Sir, these women aren't just taking a swim late at night. Something troubling is happening."



"I agree, but let me state again that the Bahaman Islands aren't in our jurisdiction."



"But the women are all Americans."



"Still not for us to get involved without an invitation."



"Just hear me out."



Baker blew out a huge breath and propped his feet up on his desk. "Talk."



"Of the four women missing, one was out partying. I want that mentioned up front."



"Couldn't the other three just be out having fun?"



"Could, but I don't think so. They all had reasons to come back. None of them were depressed. Their lives in the US were regimented. They were model citizens, not party girls."



"The islands change people. They act different."



"Yes, well I received a call this morning about a girl who went missing. She's a choreographer for music videos. She was supposed to meet with a very huge pop star, Selena. They were to work on a project together."



"Selena?"



"Yeah, I know, I sure as hell wouldn't miss a meeting with Selena. But the missing woman never showed. This was her big break."



"Party girl? You know how those music people are."



Bill knew he would have a hard time convincing his boss. Women usually weren't taken seriously, even though most law enforcement agencies were better than they'd been even fifteen years ago, still it was an uphill battle convincing even FBI agents that women weren't at fault when they were attacked. "I haven't had time to do the background on this woman, but party girl or not, this meeting was huge."



"When did she go missing?"



"This morning."



"Rowland, get real. You aren't going to get resources on a woman who could very well be out playing with some boy toy."



This was how he thought the meeting would go. He couldn't lose his cool just because Baker didn't agree with him. "Selena. She was supposed to meet with one of the best musicians on the planet. She wouldn't have missed that meeting."



"Listen, there's this other case. It would make your career. The BAU would be impressed if you solved it."



"Mr. Baker, I'm not out to make my career on a case. I want to prevent other women from being taken."



Baker dropped his feet off the desk and stood. His gaze never left Bills. "We aren't vigilantes. As much as we see in our little office, you'll see much worse at the BAU."



"I'm not trying to be difficult. I just think some time spent in the Bahamas would help."



"First, I need you to look at this other case."



"First? That means there's a second."



"This other case before anything else."



"I'll stay here all night if I have to." Bill jumped up to leave.



"And Rowland, this is on your dime and your time. You lose your vacation."



"I'm fine with that. But once they invite us in, I'll come back from the dark side."



"Agreed. If they invite you in you belong to me again." Baker waved him away. Before he could hit the hall Baker called him back. "You know, Rowland, people resent your money. You could fund the entire department for a few months. Don't think that other's don't know it."



Bill's stomach went sour. "I do my work just like everyone else."



"Yeah, but who else would have the balls to ask for a specific assignment?"



"Rafferty, two months ago. Before that Gilley and Williams both asked to work cases in their home states."



"Fine, but it looks bad when you do it."



Bill held back the tirade about how discriminatory his boss was being. "This is the first time I've ever asked."



"True, but the Bahamas?"



"I'll get the other case done here before I leave. You won't miss me."



"Don't believe it for a minute, the guys know you're super smart."



"I'll wrap it up quickly and be back here before a week is out."



"That a boy, I'll have the case files brought to conference room four and you can work there. Just think of it as your personal playground for the next few days."



Bill walked out of his boss's office, perturbed at the money comment. The shitty thing was his boss was only partly right. He could fund the entire department and the payroll for years and years, never even noticing the difference in how he lived. Money wasn't his issue, time was.



A part of him would always want to push against the government lack and oversight. Rowland money was plentiful and powerful, and if he were honest he would admit that he wanted to use it to push around the brass, but he wasn't a vigilantly. He'd go by the book because you couldn't win a case unless you were one hundred percent in the right as far as the defense attorney was concerned.

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011