Case Closed

Chapter 3

Bella's POV

    Grant stood among the agents with an earned authority. The new agents hung relentlessly on the words he spoke and scowled at anyone who disagreed with him. I guess working with the BAU for nearly twenty years led to constant recieved respect among your peers. It was said there was talk of him replacing the BAU's current section chief - Victoria Elaner.  Grant was a good, fair leader - at most times a bit too hard headed - but he allowed many to prosper. Myself included.

So, as I watched him speak with the agents that worked alongside our section, I focused on the faces before me. Taking in their expressions and curious glances my way. Of course, they had a reason for their curiousity. I stood besides Grant, my hands behind my back as he explained my temporary - for now - employment. I had no clue as to why it was necessary if I was only going to be working with my team, not these other people who had their own cases to worry about.

"Ms. Swan here is, as most of you may know, the daughter of the deceased, former FBI unit chief Charles Swan," Grant's voice wavered as he spoke the name of the man that brought me here. The only reason for doing what I do.

Although it has been nearly ten years, I winced as the sound of his name sliced through my heart.

They all remained eerily quiet. Their pity palpable. They had recalled the newspaper articles, the court case...the images of the crime scene. The day of his  murder was the day I lost a huge part of myself. That man was my best friend..my daddy.

I surpressed a sob as I glanced around and faced the same saddened, pitiful faces I witnessed for the rest of that fucking year; the year I turned 19.

Move along, Grant!

As if on cue, Grant cleared his throat and broke the screaming silence. "As I was saying, Ms. Swan will be here on a temporary stay, but it is still to be seen if it will in turn be permanent. If that is so, I wanted to state and only once for I wish not to repeat myself - Agent Swan has been transferred here purley on her extraordinary talent and intelligence not because of her father's prior involvement or any type of 'pity boost' as I heard many of you call it. Therefore, no such allegations will be tolerated. Understood?"

All of the agents and staff members nodded; dumbfounded by the sharp tone and heady glare Grant presented. I, myself, couldn't help but gape at all the shame-filled faces that suddenly avoided my gaze.

So this is what they've all been thinking? That I somehow slithered my way in?

Assholes.

"That is all. You may all get back to work," Grant said; the men and women fleeing like mice.

I narrowed my eyes as I saw both McCarty and Cullen staring at me with wide eyes...and that fucking pity. Im assuming they were only now remembering or becoming informed of my horrid past.

Great.

"All ready, Cullen..McCarty?" Grant asked.

"Yes, we're only waiting on you now, boss," McCarty said with a grin and winked my way. 

He was trying to deflect from the previous tense atmosphere. I liked him.

I responded with a smile and nodded towards a shame-looking Cullen. "Im all set."  I then said.

"Good. Head down to the plane, I'll meet you all there in a moment," Grant responded. All three of us nodded and began grabbing our bags and files.

Before I followed the two men, I put a hand on Grant's shoulder and whispered a quiet 'Thank you'.

"You're welcome, Bells," He smiled softly.