The number and extension on the display were familiar. It was Anderson. And Anderson usually only called when there was an unscheduled meeting being set up or if there was a case. He took the call while standing in front of the elevators, letting it pass by.
“This is Rivers.”
“Agent Rivers, I need you to come to my office. I’ve got a case that just came in that I need you on. It’s local, here in the city, and I’d like to have you headed to the crime scene as soon as possible.”
“Sure, sir. What’s the case?”
“All I know right now is it’s a murder. And the victim seems to be connected to another body that was found a few days ago out near Brandermill. So come on up and I’ll fill you in.”
“Sure, sir. Want me to grab Rachel on my way?”
In an eerie resemblance to his conversation with Douglas, there was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
“Agent Gift is on a temporary leave of absence,” Anderson said.
“She’s…what?”
“A leave of absence, for a period of at least two weeks.”
Jack wondered what this might mean. Had she finally told Anderson about her diagnosis? A wave of despair washed over him simply because he wasn’t quite sure what was going on. But he figured he’d not say anything about Rachel unless Anderson brought it up first.
“Rivers? Are you headed my way?” Anderson asked after a tense silence.
“Yes, sir. Be there in a few minutes.”
He ended the call, shocked and dumbfounded. A two-week leave of absence, and she hadn’t told him? It hurt a bit but beyond that, he found himself worried about her. Even as he pressed the button for the elevator, he wondered where she might be, and what she might be doing…and if he’d ever work with her again.