Small Town USA An Agent Back on Track

The engineering and environmental science graduate degrees served her well at the EPA. Her scientific and analytical skills were well-known and she moved up the ranks quickly. But she thought it was the opportunity of a lifetime when Assistant Director Gutierrez had asked her to join the FBI Environmental Crime Division as a consultant. She would remain on EPA's payroll and try things out at the FBI. The ECU division needed people with her skills to fight the new breed of environmental criminals.

The ringing got louder and Juliana reached for the lamp on her nightstand, knocking over the glass of wine she'd sipped a few hours before, to help her sleep. "Hello" she said groggily.

"I'm sorry to wake you up so rudely but I have an urgent assignment for you, Agent Del Rio. You're going to need your FBI training. You need to fly to Wilburn, Virginia, ASAP to investigate a new case."

"Good morning Mrs. Gutierrez. Ahh it's 5:30 in the morning, ... What's the case?"

"Turn on the television. The newscasts will fill you in. You're leaving on the 7 a.m. flight and will be in Wilburn by noon. All details and orders will be on your e-mail. Good luck, Agent Del Rio." Mrs. Gutierrez hung up abruptly, as usual.

Juliana jumped out of bed, annoyed at Gutierrez's arrogant, domineering, and rude attitude. "She just thinks she's the queen bee," she muttered. "Damn that bitch!" she said out loud, and then quickly hung up the phone, hoping that Gutierrez hadn't heard her. A dial tone told her that Gutierrez had hung up. Thank goodness.