The security guards just had to tease Gillian when she arrived at the federal building with Russell on Monday morning. But she settled it by saying, "Him? Forget it, guys, I know him too well!" Which earned her a scolding from Russell, for giving him such a reputation on his very first day at his new post.

Gillian and Cooper had already met a few times at official events, and they both knew enough rumors about each other to pay them any attention. They were both hardworking, intelligent women, holding authority ranks in a man's job, so despite their contrasting differences, they were naturally inclined to respect each other.

Cooper focused on what Russell showed her, since Gillian kept her mouth shut, knowing her friend would present the case better than her. The Iron Lady—as people in the Bureau called Cooper—took a moment to go over the screen captures, tables and pictures, nodding slowly.

"You and your unit put all of this together," she said, turning to Gillian, and it was a statement, not a question.

Gillian nodded. "The local part, most of it. But I had help from your ranks: Agents Coleman and Brockner."

"Agent Brockner?" repeated Cooper, frowning.

"He was so kind as to help me with the suspects' profile on the murder case. Off the record, and only because I asked him. But his advice ended up leading me to all this."

"I see," muttered Cooper, her face screaming she didn't like that last bit at all.

Gillian fought back an ironic smile. Sorry, fed lady. The man is a genius, whether you like it or not.

Cooper turned to Russell, raising her eyebrows. "Well, looks like you and Agent Brockner already have something to get started," she said curtly.

Gillian stopped herself before turning to Russell for confirmation. Brockner was back in town? And back in the field? Wow, that was some news! Crap, Ron and Bennings were waiting for her to nail the Tindermann boy up, so she couldn't linger there to find out more about it. She checked her watch and flashed an apologetic smile, standing up. "I'm sorry, but I gotta go."

The other two stood up as well. Gillian and Cooper shook hands with a nod, and Russell walked Gillian out. Henderson came their way, carrying a heavy box full of files to the conference room. He paused to greet them.

"Agent Coleman." He nodded respectfully at Russell and grinned at Gillian. "Hey, Reg!"

Russell hid a smile at the way the young man looked at her. "Cases to review?" he asked, nodding to the box.

"Yeah, Agent Brockner asked us to bring them all here, 'cause his office won't be ready for a couple of days."

Gillian glanced past Russell, noticing the maintenance man painting the small office right by Cooper's. So he really was in town, and would be for a while and definitely back in the field, since they had assigned him a private office.

Russell motioned for Gillian to walk with him to the elevators, but she shook her head, smiling. "I know the way. Bye, lads, behave."

"We should catch up," said Henderson.

"Sure! How about lunch?"

"Sounds great."

"Call me," she said, already walking away.

Henderson nodded, flashing his big grin, and followed Russell into the conference room. Gillian looked ahead, still smiling, to find Brock striding straight to her from the elevators, folders in hand.

She felt the heat lashing her face when she met his piercing eyes beneath the shadow of his eternal scowl, and her heart raced as she tried to find her voice to at least say hi to him.

But Brock didn't even slow down his pace. He nodded at her, muttering, "Lieutenant," and went on toward the conference room.

Gillian almost spun around to look at him, taken aback by his unnecessary coldness. But she forced herself to keep walking to the elevators and stand there, not even glancing over her shoulder.

What the hell was wrong with him? Not that she expected him to hug her. But anyway! Stupid bitter man! He hadn't even stopped to say anything at all! Gillian felt as if Brock had just slapped her in front of all the people in the open office.

The elevator door slid open and she stalked in, keeping her back turned to the office until it was closed again.

Hey, thanks for keeping it a secret that I went to a crime scene when I wasn't supposed to go anywhere near it. Hey, I hope you liked the manual I signed for you. Hey, thanks for that hell of a whiskey. Hi, I've been transferred here, you know? Hi, how are you doing? Nice seeing you again. Good morning. Hello?

Nothing!

Gillian hung a smile on her face to wave at the security guards, pointing at her watch to excuse herself for not stopping to chat with them, and hurried out of the building, her ears still burning.

She'd been so stupid, expecting anything from him—even manners! To hell with him. She had plenty of things to worry about, way more important than how the stupid bitter loner addressed her, and her phone buzzed just to prove her right. Ron. Surely Bennings was all over about the Tindermann boy.