"M-Mr. Reynolds," I stuttered, despite my best efforts. After I cleared my throat and put on my most professional persona I added, "It has been a while."

"It has, although it's Agent Reynolds now." Jason corrected with a smile as he held out his hand.

"Agent . . . Reynolds," I tried out while shaking his hand politely. "I see."

After a moment of intense silence I heard, "Well, this isn't awkward," to which I sent Oliver a death glare.

Director Redclaw looked between me and Jason before saying, "Is there . . . something I should know?"

"No!" I quickly answered. "No, there is nothing wrong, sir. It's just . . . surprising."

"Surprising?" he echoed.

"Yes. Surprising."

"Surprising!" Oliver cheered. When we all looked at him he backed down. "What? I thought that was like a thing."

"Your cheeks are red, Armi," Jason noted. "Are you okay?"

"I am just . . . it's warm in here."

"Yeah it is." Oliver waggled his eyebrows until I sent him the scariest look I could muster. "I'm sorry."

"I do not understand what is going on but Agent Kumar," Director Redclaw turned his attention to me, "if there is something we need to discuss I need to—"

"There is nothing to discuss, sir. My partners here are just . . . being obnoxious." To that I received a chorus of retorts. "Percy was right in thinking that Agent Reynolds and I would work well together." I turned to Jason to say in the most professional manner, "I look forward to working with you again."

He nodded. "Just like old times."

I sincerely hoped not.

"Well then," Director Redclaw cut in, "if that's that, then we need to get started soon. Kumar, Bailey, Reynolds, meet me back at the office for a debriefing in an hour. As much as I would love for us to stay with Agent Lawson, we have more pressing matters."

"Yes, sir," I said before gathering my things to leave.

"If I were you three, I would go ahead and grab some lunch. Because this is not going to be a short day."

And with that, we all went our separate ways with me practically racing out of the room before Jason could stop me. I knew it was childish and immature, but I needed a moment to gather my thoughts. It wasn't every day that the man you couldn't get out of your head turns out to be your new partner. And that wasn't like me. Sure we had a small connection when taking down The Flock. And sure, I found him attractive. But that didn't change the fact that I couldn't date. It was better to be single when working in this field. It was easier, safer. And yet I found myself thinking about Jason frequently, even after we parted ways from the last trial.

If only he hadn't kissed me.

"Please don't taze me."

That was what he said right before he threw my whole world for a loop. Not the most romantic choice of words, but still. It was overwhelming and for some reason, I couldn't forget it. I couldn't forget him. I couldn't forget that night in the hotel. And now look what happened.

With a groan, I decided to ignore all of this and instead focus on my usual routine: checking in on a family friend. Although I was closer to her brother who was my age and she lingered around Arman who was her age, that didn't stop us from being close. In those times when all of us were younger, everything was so much more simple. Now, it was a mess. But when I talked to her, I felt like nothing was different at all and I could be more like myself. Which was probably why I found myself spilling out more information than I should about Jason while cramming down my third sandwich on my way to the office. Although it was not my intention to put any attention on me and my issues, nor was it like me to discuss such a thing, she still managed to form an opinion about it.

"I don't see what the problem is, Armita. It's not like he is a bad guy," Prisha, my longtime family friend, said on the other end of the line.

"You don't understand because you are still young and have no concept of how the FBI works," I countered.

"I am almost twenty-three, I understand just fine. I think you are just worried that you will be distracted because you think he's attractive."

I rolled my eyes although she couldn't see me. "I am not discussing this with you."

"Why not?"

"Because I am just not."

"You can call to talk to me about other things besides how I am feeling, you know."

I felt a pang of guilt at those words. "I know that."

"Okay good. Because ever since you found out about my condition, that's all you call to talk about."

Even more guilt. "I just want to make sure you are okay."

"I know, and I appreciate it, but I would sometimes like to discuss other things than my health."

"We have before."

"Like what?"

I thought about it for a moment. "That time you thought about doing something to your hair."

"You mean when I wanted to dye it blue?"

"Yes, that one."

"That was months ago, but I do want to still do that."

"Because of that girl in your class?"

"She's not just a girl, she's a model. Like she hasn't even graduated yet and she's already got big industries looking at her."

"Oh, neat," I said putting my blinker on. "What was her name again?"

"Violet Rivers."

"Right."

"She's really awesome and gorgeous. Hey, didn't you know her or worked with her?"

"Violet? No. I helped her brother though. I didn't work with him."

"That's so cool. What was he like?"

I could only think of one word to describe Gage Rivers. "Annoying."

"You think everyone is annoying."

"I don't think you are annoying."

"That's because you've known me your whole life."

"That doesn't mean anything. But anyway, I'm pulling into the office."

"Okay."

I knew she didn't want me to ask, but still, I had to. "You have been taking your medicine, right?"

I heard her sigh. "Yes."

"And your roommates, you are getting along with them?"

"They seem nice. I think I will really know more as the semester continues."

"I see. They know about. .?"

"My muscular dystrophy disorder? Yes. That was the first thing I told them about me. Because that seems to be the only important factor about me."

I pursed my lips. "Prisha, that's not true."

"That's what it seems like."

Although I was parked at this point, I remained in my car to try and do damage control.

"You are much more than your condition, jaan. Don't forget that."

"If you say so."

"I do. Now go and do whatever college kids do. Dye your hair purple—"

"—blue—"

"—and have fun, okay?"

"I will. You go and have fun with your boyfriend."

My face heated up. "He is not my boyfriend."

"But you want him to be."

"This conversation is over."

"Ah, come on! You never tell me about your love life!"

"And I never will," I said as I unbuckled my seatbelt. "I will call you later."

"Yes, Maa." I rolled my eyes at her and was about to end the call when she said, "Wait. I wanted to ask you one more thing."

By the tone of her voice, I could tell it was serious. "Yes?"

"This mission you are going on, it's him, isn't it?"

My heart dropped as I told her what I wish weren't true. "It's him."

There was silence until I heard her take in a deep breath. "Do what you have to do, Armita."

Like a bad habit I couldn't kick, I looked at the old photo on my dashboard of me and my brother when we were kids. We were at the local park sitting in the new tire swing they installed a few weeks ago. Arman was flashing a toothy grin at the camera while I, unknowingly to him, gave him bunny ears. At the bottom was his handwriting that had faded over time but still visible enough to read "831."

"I know, Prisha."

8 letters.

3 words.

1 meaning.

"I will," I promised her.

I love you.

+ + +

"The subject we are after is not like the others," informed the director at our debriefing. "He is skilled, he is smart, and he is dangerous."

Director Redclaw pointed to the black and white image of my brother pinned on our corkboard. Much different from the one I kept in my car.

"Arman Kumar was arrested back in 2012 when members of his organization called the Remedium were illegally taking money from politicians and giving it away to charities along with other non-profit organizations. Although he committed several crimes by doing this, including smuggling, vandalism, identity theft, and more, he was seen as a hero by many because the money that was taken from corrupted politicians helped those in need. Regardless, he committed a crime. A federal one at that." He adjusted his glasses before pointing to a newspaper clipping from yesterday.

"A few days ago, the Tampa FBI office intercepted what they believed to be communications from an anonymous organization planning on busting Kumar out of the prison. To avoid this, plans were made to move Kumar to a different location a few days later. Everything went according to plan, but not for the prison."

We turned our attention to the monitor near the corkboard showing what appeared to be surveillance footage of three people walking Arman out the prison. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. They gave documents to the Marshall, everything appeared to be normal, they all got into the van, and drove off. The only reason why I knew something was wrong with the surveillance was because of what happened after the van drove off.

"We discovered this van was abandoned a few miles up the road here," he pointed to an area on the map not too far from the prison. "We believe that they had a backup car that took them to their location, wherever that might be."

"So all we know is that somehow our suspect had help getting him out," I stated

The director nodded. "For now, yes."

Jason added, "We don't know who or where they are going?"

"This assignment is still developing. We just have the basics, I'm afraid."

"I can run a face recognition program on that surveillance tape," Oliver spoke up. "That should at least help us find out who these people that busted him out were."

The director nodded when Jason spoke up. "It just doesn't make sense. If they had the ability to bust him out now, why didn't they years ago? What changed?"

I was secretly wondering the same thing too.

"There is a lot that doesn't make sense. But that's where you three come in," the director pointed to me, Jason, and Oliver. "You are going to find out how Kumar had help escaping, who helped, along with where he is going. We don't know what he is up to, but we know what he is capable of."

He didn't have to say anything else for me to get up from my seat. "Then we should get going."

"I'll drive," Jason offered but I stopped him right there.

"That's not happening."

"Why not?"

"Because I always drive."

Jason looked at Oliver who just shrugged. "I mean, she does."

"A little change won't hurt." Jason offered.

"You can drive if you want to, Agent Reynolds, but you won't be driving my car," I started walking away. "If you decide otherwise, I'll meet you boys in the parking lot after I grab my stuff. I suggest you do the same."

As I walked away I could hear Oliver cackle. "This is going to be fun."

_____________________________________________________________

Things are happening....

Oliver is definitely going to get a kick out of this, but I am not sure how Armita is going to feel. But I know everyone else is like

+Chapter Song: Come Together by Gary Clark Jr

+Questions: What are your thoughts on Arman so far? If you were in Armita's shoes and had to take down your sibling (again) do you think you could do it?

+Fun Fact: The "eight-three-one" part is from my hairstylist. She told me a story about how her family used it and I asked her permission to put it in my book.

If you are enjoying this book so far please leave a comment or vote letting me know!

Sincerely,
Snow