Ransom X

  *****

  Agent Bailey always appeared as if he was in the middle of a conversation. Mouth pursed, always awaiting the next point of contention. A self-satisfied smile hung on his lips like he was winning some kind of internal argument. The smile disappeared abruptly when somebody entered the room, as Wagner did now.

  Wagner suspected the behavior was a calculated way of throwing anyone who entered his domain off guard. It made every greeting an interruption, every entrance an intrusion.

  “Dear Agent Wagner, thank you for dropping by at this late hour.” A smoky clove scent hung in the air.

  The dim yellow lamp cast a different light upon Agent Bailey. His eyes shone like a cat’s in the shadows “I don’t know why you don’t just bring Legacy in here –” Wagner began.

  He saw that she needed a little push. “I got something for you, that psych profile on Legacy, it was done just after the meltdown.”

  “Have you read it?” Wagner asked. “I’m content in my own world, agent.” He bluffed.

  Wagner snapped back. “You’ve read it.”

  “Probably.” Bailey smirked, “Just to get perspective. Remember, though, the explanation of cancer won’t cure it.”

  “Everyone talks about him like he’s damaged –” Wagner answered.

  “Read the file, and if you want to defend him after you see all the damage he’s done – he was a traitor, you know – way before what happened to his wife.”

  Wagner raised her eyes in silence that lasted a full revolution of the earth.

  “I don’t believe you.” Wagner replied.

  “Why, agent?” He was stone-faced. “Talk to me.” He set his ashtray on top of Legacy’s file. Wagner had just enough curiosity weighing on her to convince herself that it was an investigation and not a betrayal that she was embarking upon. An hour later, after giving Bailey a complete briefing on the state of the investigation, Wagner left with the folder in her hands. She was already late, but she decided to stop at the corner coffee shop to sit down and read.