FBI Headquarters
8:55 am
Nikki had just walked into Special Agent in Charge, Rob McShay’s office. After exchanging greetings, Nikki sat in one of the chairs facing Rob and slid a piece of paper across the desk to him. Rob picked up the paper and read it, all the while his brows creasing further and further toward the note in his hand. He looked up after finishing reading,
“You’re resigning?” He said with an incredulous tone. “What’s this all about Nikki?”
Even though the door was closed to the office, Nikki leaned forward and lowered her voice, “I am sure you saw that Simon’s blog is active again Rob?” “I did, but look Nikki….” she cut him off raising her hand,
“Let me finish before you say anything.” Rob leaned back in his chair and waived for her to continue. “I was the agent in charge of the Simon case and based on my word, we closed his case. It’s obvious now, or will be shortly, that we don’t have the true Simon in custody and I know the Bureau needs someone to take the fall for it. Besides, I’m not sure after interacting with Simon that I believe what I used to, that I can still do this job.” She finished speaking and looked up at Rob trying to gauge his reaction. He studied her for several long seconds before leaning forward and addressing her,
“Look Nikki, I know you have been to hell and back”, his eyes dropping to Nikki’s missing pinkie finger as she sat with her hands folded together on the desk in front of him. “Who says you didn’t identify the right Simon? We have a man in custody with evidence from 3 of Simon’s claimed victims. Regardless of what is said on some fictional blog, we have real evidence tying Bernard to several homicides. In exchange for him pleading guilty to all charges, including the Simon killings, he will be sentenced to life without parole instead of the death penalty. They are finalizing that deal as we speak so you see, you did identify the correct person as far as the Bureau is concerned. This case will never be heard in open court and Bernard doesn’t have anyone inclined to believe anything other than he is guilty of murder”
Nikki leaned back, taking in all that Rob said. “I just don’t know Rob, I’m not sure I can continue doing this, I feel like a hypocrite. I can’t say that what Simon is doing is wrong and how can I justify that with my position here? I know we took out 3 serial killers with Simon’s help. Well, Simon took them out without our help but I can’t see how I can continue to do my job. It’s not supposed to be up to individuals to decide what is right and wrong, that is what our justice system is supposed to be doing.” A small smile crept up the side of Rob’s face,
“Nikki, I know you have always had a black and white vision of what the world around you is supposed to be like, but, and don’t take this the wrong way, you have been living in a cocoon for as long as I can remember. The world isn’t black and white, it is one big ugly shade of gray and our job is to keep more white than black in the equation. I had a meeting with the Director this morning because he also saw Simon’s post. Do you know what he said to me?” Nikki was staring at Rob wide eyed and she slowly shook her head no so Rob continued, his smile a little brighter,
“His words, “I don’t give a fuck who what or where this Simon guy is, point him at some more of our cases that need to get closed and keep doing what you are doing. Agent Sebastian is doing a remarkable job after everything she has been through and you do what you have to do to make sure she stays on this case and keeps a line of communication open with him.” Rob let that settle for a few moments and then continued “I have been in this job for 21 years Nikki and that was only the 2nd time the Director has spoken with me.” He looked into Nikki’s eyes and let her take in all that he had just said.
Nikki felt like she was on the roller coaster and had just launched off the first hill heading straight down into the ground, “This is all so unbelievable. I don’t know what to think or what I am supposed to do?” She looked down in her lap for a few seconds and after taking a breath she returned her gaze to Rob’s, “It’s more than professional Rob, I have…I am…” Rob nodded his understanding and cut in,
“I know Nikki, I read his blog. I can’t imagine what all this has meant to you, but I am here for you and will do anything I can to protect you or help you in any way you need. You are still on vacation until Monday, take the rest of your time to figure out what you want and where you see your life going from here. I hope to see you in your office Monday morning, we have a lot of work to do.” He smiled and stood up, offering his hand to Nikki.
She wasn’t sure how she got there, but Nikki found herself in her car in the parking garage at the office. She looked into those ever changing eyes in her rear view mirror and realized she had no idea whatsoever who Monique Ruthanne Sebastian really was and more importantly, what she was going to do next. She began the drive home hoping the answers would come.