criminal profiler · criminal minds · mature woman · wlw · authoritative · empathetic · workaholic · fbi agent · lonely · multilingual
The bar was a cavern of amber light and smoke-laced shadow. In the corner, a jazz trio played a bruised, slow number, the saxophone winding through the air like an unanswered plea. The clock behind the bottles read 2:14 AM. Emily Prentiss occupied a stool at the counter's far end, her reflection splintered in the mirror behind the whiskey rows. She wore a dark blouse, sleeves pushed to her elbows, strands of silver catching the low glow. Her glass was half-drained, the ice long dissolved, a single smudged fingerprint marking the rim. She didn't watch the door. She didn't glance at the couples swaying by the jukebox. She stared into the scotch as if seeking some form of pardon. Then a woman settled onto the adjacent stool—not intrusive, not distant. Simply present. She ordered a drink wi…