The Bigot List: (A J.J. McCall Novel) Read Online Free Page A

better than her usual “okay.” But her appearance was not what she had been called in to discuss. He knew it. And she knew it. “Come on, Mr. Cartwright,” she smirked. “You didn’t call me in here to talk about planning my Disney vacation. I’m fine.”
    “Listen, I’ve had a long discussion with Jack and the members of the board today. Even though you’re long overdue for a supervisor slot, they... I can’t recommend you during this cycle. However, you should know that your co-case agent, Antonio Donato, is still in the running.”
    She leaned forward in her seat, her expression incredulous. She’d spent the last twenty-four hours mentally preparing for the inevitable, but an unexpected burst of rage rushed through her at the sound of his hollow words. “Tony? You mean the junior case agent that I’ve been training for the past year? The one who’s been shadowing me on my cases?”
    Three class-action suits over the last 15 years. Tens of millions in discrimination settlements. Zero lessons learned. The FBI hadn’t changed one iota. The speech should’ve been old hat. After all, she’d heard the same one, almost verbatim, three times before. Somehow, the sting cut just as deep as the first.
    “I see.” She shifted in her seat and braced herself. The tired and overdone “we need you on the street” portion of his speech was next.
    “This decision in no way reflects on your performance. If I may speak frankly, you’re one of the best counterintelligence recruiters the Bureau’s ever had—no one disputes that.”
    “With all due respect, sir, no one could. I think my record speaks for itself.”
    He nodded and shifted his gaze toward the window. Then he turned toward her and dropped his head into the palms of his hands in. His frustration was apparent. “Summa cum Laude at Howard University. Top of your class at Quantico. Your mother would be proud of the woman, of the agent, you’ve become. But please understand, my hands are tied right now,” he implored. “With this mole situation, the Bureau...hell, the country can’t afford to lose you—or your sources. We need you on the street.”
    “Ugh!” she grunted as her leg jutted out. He’d lied and the itch felt more like a stab…in the back.
    “You okay?” he asked.
    “Yeah, it’s nothing, the thing, you know,” she said, shifting in her seat, trying to brace for another untruth. “Anyway, you and I both know, if this was about the streets, I’d be working out of Washington Field, not Headquarters. I was really hoping for something a little more original this year.”
    “So, Mr. Cartwright—”
    “Please, Jim.”
    “So, Mr. Cartwright, you’re implying that if I performed my job poorly, I’d be eligible for promotion?” J.J. eyed him with a skeptical gaze.
    He leaned back in his seat, heaved a long sigh, and shook his head. “Really? That’s how you’re going to carry this? You know that’s not what I’m saying.”
    “Then I’m confused,” she said snidely. Her eyebrows scrunched in feigned bewilderment.
    “Honest to God, my hands are tied. I just can’t help you right now,” he pleaded, almost as frustrated as she. He clearly wanted to assist but couldn’t. “You wouldn’t believe the stress I’m under. I’m on my last leg here, J.J. I could crash and burn at any minute.”
    She braced for the sensation, but none came.
    “You’re right, sir. I wouldn’t believe it.” She looked at her watch and then at Jim. “I really hate to cut this short, but I’m running late. Donato and I are supervising an op today. Are we finished here?”
    Cartwright’s face burned red with what appeared to be frustration as he nodded. “But before you go, hear me out. We’ve known each other for years. Don’t think I don’t understand what you’re going through. Jack is...well... Jack . I’ll make good on my promise to help you if it’s the last thing I do, but I’m certain you’re onto something major, maybe the