SUBLIME, Hannibal Lecter

͙⁺˚*･ ( 15. a walking weapon )

'WHO KNEW EVIL GIRLS HAVE THE PRETTIEST FACE?'

That morning, Sloane sensed a strange tension within the B.A.U., the kind that always comes before something big. Disastrous, or life-changing. She stood by the coffee machine next to Alana Bloom, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the woman's profile as she spoke.

"Today they'll transport Abel Gideon to court," Alana explained, with her usual calm tone, the one she used to mask her concern. "He'll tell the world that Frederik Chilton manipulated him, convincing him he was the Chesapeake Ripper."

Sloane tilted her head to the side, lips curling into a sardonic smirk. "And is he?"

Alana chuckled, sipping from the coffee cup in her hand. "You know he isn't. But Gideon was definitely subjected to questionable treatment by Dr. Chilton. If what he says is true..."

"If it's true, Chilton would be disbarred and locked in a cell just like Gideon's," Sloane finished the sentence for her, voice dripping with contempt. "Not that it would surprise me. Chilton isn't evil, but he's an incompetent egomaniac—one of those people willing to do anything to stay under the spotlight, even manipulate a patient's mind."

Alana nodded slowly. "That's why I'm worried. Gideon is dangerous and now he has one clear goal. He wants revenge on Chilton."

She sighed deeply. "Well, if I were him, I'd do the same."

The psychiatrist looked her for a moment, as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't get the chance. Jack Crawford's sharp voice cut through the air like a whip.

"Winters. My office. Now."

Sloane instantly knew something was wrong. It wasn't just that they no longer spoke, it was the way he called her—cold and cutting. Alana gave her an uncertain look, but Sloane didn't even acknowledge it, too annoyed, before turning and walking toward Jack's office, shoulders stiff.

The door slammed shut behind her. Jack was already standing behind the desk, hands planted on the wood, eyes hard.

"You're done, Sloane."

There it was. The disaster of the day.

She forced herself to keep a neutral expression. "I'm afraid I don't understand, sir," she said stiffly, though she knew exactly what he meant.

Jack stared at her for a long moment, jaw clenched. "It means you're suspended. Effective immediately and indefinitely."

Silence fell in the room. Sloane felt her body freeze at the brutal truth. Her rock. Everything she had been saved from was now being stripped away right in front of her. And for what?

For caring about someone.

But Sloane didn't flinch. Her face stayed hard as stone, expression unreadable. "What are the reasons, sir?" she asked coldly.