The Hunted

41

“He was pretty pissed,” Waller said.

“Great. Just great,” Knox said, pacing his office. “First Scarponi, then Melissa, then Stanfield… and now this.” He stopped to hold his temples. “I swear, I’ve got sledgehammers inside my head and they’re working overtime.”

Waller shifted in his seat. “I think he’s okay now, sir. But I’ve never seen him so upset. He nearly lost it. I don’t think he’s been sleeping too well.”

“Sleep deprivation, according to Noble. It can make you depressed, paranoid, even delusional. He was given Valium. You know if he’s taking it?”

“We ran some training exercises at Hogan’s yesterday, and he didn’t say anything about it. I’d think if he was taking it I would’ve noticed.”

Knox sighed. “AG’s on my back. Trial date’s set and we don’t have much time. A few weeks is all. I want him well rested and properly prepared for that trial. Not to mention we’re no closer to finding Scarponi.”

“Understood, sir.”

“I want a tighter lid kept on him. Do it in a way that doesn’t arouse his suspicions.” Knox released his temples and resumed his pacing. “Tell him that because of this Post story, his movements will have to be restricted until the trial. For his own safety, that sort of thing.”

“No problem.”

Knox stopped abruptly and turned. “Wrong, Agent Waller. There will be problems. Expect them. Just make sure you deal with them effectively.”