Cowboy Like Me: Criminal Minds

About Face

Sloane sat in her small office at the D.C. field office, the hum of fluorescent lights overhead adding to the quiet lull of the afternoon. She flipped through a case file, but her mind wasn't really on the details. It was one of those rare moments when she didn't have an active case on her plate. A quiet day. A rare one.

That peace was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Barrett, got a minute?"

She looked up to see her boss, SSA Dan Harper, standing in the doorway. He was a solid dependable man, but today, he had a look on his face she couldn't quite place.

"Sure, what's up?" she asked, closing the file and leaning back in her chair.

He stepped into the office and shut the door behind him, crossing his arms over his chest. "Just got a call from up high. Strauss."

Sloane raised an eyebrow. Assistant Director Erin Strauss didn't usually get involved with field agents, especially not on the day-to-day. That meant something was in motion—something bigger than the routine cases she'd been working.

"Strauss? What does she want with me?" Sloane asked, her curiosity piqued.

"She needs someone on loan for a case," Harper said, his tone more serious than usual. "The BAU needs help with something. You know how short-handed they've been lately, and she wants someone she can trust to go in and assist. Someone who's good with high-pressure cases and quick decisions."

Sloane frowned. The BAU. She'd heard about them, of course—who hadn't? The Behavioral Analysis Unit had a reputation for solving the worst of the worst cases, the ones that kept most people awake at night. Serial killers, dangerous criminals, psychological warfare. The kind of work that ate away at you over time if you weren't careful.

"I didn't think the BAU did loans," she said, trying to gauge just how serious this was.

"They don't usually," Harper admitted. "But this isn't a usual case. They need someone now, and Strauss thought of you. She's impressed with your work lately. You've handled yourself well under pressure."

Sloane nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and intrigue. She wasn't one to shy away from high-stakes work, but she hadn't expected this to be on her radar. The BAU was another level. And if Strauss had her in mind for the job, that meant there was no saying no.

"What's the case?" Sloane asked.

"Details are slim, but it's time-sensitive," Harper said, stepping toward her desk. "Something with multiple jurisdictions and a suspect that's escalated quickly. Strauss said they're briefing the team upstairs right now. Hotchner's team."

The mention of Aaron Hotchner sent a flicker of recognition through her. She'd met him just once, briefly, during that train incident. He hadn't said much, but his reputation spoke for him. Hard as nails. Brilliant. Driven. And someone who rarely asked for help.

The idea of working with him and his team sent a low hum of anticipation through her, though she kept her expression neutral.

"So, I'm being sent upstairs?" Sloane asked, already knowing the answer.

Harper nodded. "Just for this case. You'll be back here when it's over. But right now, pack up your desk. Hotch wants you in the briefing in ten minutes."

Ten minutes. Sloane swallowed down the rush of adrenaline that came with being thrown into something new. She'd been through it before—last-minute calls, urgent cases—but this felt different. The BAU wasn't just any unit, and Hotchner wasn't just any boss.

"Got it," Sloane said, already standing. "I'll head up."

Harper gave her a curt nod, satisfied. "Good luck, Barrett. Keep your head on straight up there."