Agnes Hillburn . . . Profiler: Book Two of the Trees Series

By J. Cassandra Pointer

Agnes Hillburn, the only African American female profiler within the FBI Bureau, has the perfect life. Or so she thought. In the blink of an eye, her entire life turns upside down due to the disdain her daughter was harboring for her. Agnes could not believe her daughterher firstborn had put a contract hit out on her because she wouldnt allow her daughter to date a well-known thug.

Sandras thoughtless actions unknowingly caused turmoil and violence within what was once considered paradise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532030604

J. Cassandra Pointer

J. Cassandra Pointer holds a degree in criminal justice and has been a passionate volunteer at domestic abuse shelter where she encouraged, strengthened, and motivated female residents. As an abuse survivor, Pointer encourages positive change for all who seek it. She has seven grandchildren, seven nieces, and eight nephews, and resides in Talladega, Alabama.

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Copyright © 2017 J.Cassandra Pointer.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-3059-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-3060-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017912708

iUniverse rev. date: 08/31/2017

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"SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS guys" Agent Hillburn sang as she headed to the elevators Friday evening.

She was looking forward to the two weeks’ vacation her and her husband planed with the children. Two weeks in Hawaii is just what the Dr. ordered. Agent Hillburn was still drained from the case she assisted Agent Collins with in Talladega, Al. The details of the case still haunt her, especially since the person who was abducting and killing those innocent children was her childhood love interest.

I would have never thought in a million years that Michael Williams would have turned out to be a serial killer. I guess all that he’s been through, he just snapped. But how can you serve God yet be so evil?

Michael Williams is deceased now, Talladega is back to normal and I can put all of this behind me. Tuesday Morning I’ll be heading to Hawaii with hubby and children and I can relax.

Agent Hillburn’s husband was standing in the driveway when she arrived home. His facial expression told her something was wrong. She automatically assumed something happen to one of her children;

Herbert, what happen?

You need to call the Birmingham office. Something happen to one of the Agents, An Agent Collins.

Agent Hillburn called the Birmingham office right away. She learned that Agent Collins was shot and abducted. They needed her to return to Talladega and assist in the search and rescue. Agent Hillburn turned and looked at her husband;

What happen Aggie?

Remember the Agent I was working with in the child abductions and mutilations in Talladega? He has been shot and kidnapped, I’ve been asked to return to Talladega to assist with the search and rescue.

Tell them no Aggie! You got vacation plans. We have been planning this trip for months. The children and I are looking forward to this trip.

So am I Herbert, so am I

Then call them back and tell them that you can’t come. Herbert demanded.

Sweetheart, I can’t. This is my job. They are expecting me to be there. Look, you and the children can still go and I’ll meet you in Hawaii, I promise.

You always put that job before us Aggie.

To prevent an argument, Agent Hillburn walked away. She needed to inform her children about the change of plans and that would definitely cause a squabble.

Surprisingly Sandra and Herbert Jr. took the news better than Herbert Sr. did. They were understanding, especially after She promised them she would meet them in Hawaii. Agent Hillburn packed her suitcase, kissed her family, said her goodbyes and headed for the airport, Destination, Birmingham, Alabama. Riding to the airport, Agent Hillburn thought about Herbert Sr.’s last words and how they cut like a knife. What he said was true. However, if I wasn’t so ambitious we wouldn’t have this five bedroom house sitting on fifteen acres of land, nor would he have been able to quit his job and be a stay at home dad. It’s not easy being a female FBI Agent and a colored one at that too. I have to work harder than the men, show them that I can be just as masterful as all of them. I’m educated and I’ve solved twenty-five cases in my fifteen-year stent with the FBI. Shit, I’m a profiler, a fucking FBI Profiler making over $65,000.00 a year with overtime. Not too many-colored men or woman can claim that.

Agent Hillburn arrived at the airport, checked in and decided to call home. She didn’t want to leave town knowing her husband was annoyed with her. She needed to hear him say he loved her and that he understood how important her job was.

She called home several times, each time she got a busy signal.

Agent Hillburn tried over thirty minutes to contact her husband, she was unsuccessful each time. Agent Hillburn’s flight was being called

Flight 5434, nonstop flight to Birmingham Alabama is now boarding.

She boarded the airplane, sat in her seat and stared out of the window, reminiscing about her last conversation with Herbert. The flight is only two and a half hours long, she’ll try to contact him again once she lands. And then it hit her, he purposely took the telephone off the hook, making it impossible for her to get through to him. Something he does often when he can’t get his way. She laid her head back, closed her eyes and dozed off. It seemed as if she had only slept for ten to twenty minutes when she heard the Pilot saying;

We will be descending into Birmingham International Airport within fifteen minutes. Thank you for flying with American Airlines.

I must have been really tired. Agent Hillburn said to herself.

Great, we will be landing soon. I’ll call Herbert as soon as I can get to a telephone.

Agent Hillburn stepped off the plane and headed to the bank of telephones. Every phone was occupied;

Damn! Agent Hillburn shouted.

Agent Hillburn noticed one of the Field Agents she met last time she was in town. Agent Bernie Scott; Agent Scott was standing by the luggage carousel with a sign with her name on it. Agent Scott was fresh out of the academy and wet behind the ears. His eager behavior reminded Agent Hillburn of how zealous she was once she graduated. She couldn’t wait for her first assignment, in her mind she was going to solve each and every case within hours, do what other Agents were unable to do, she was sadly mistaken.

Agent Hillburn, Agent Scott, how are you doing?

I’m fine Ma’am. I need to rush you to headquarters. They’re waiting on you.

Agent Scott briefly brought Agent Hillburn up to date on the case. She learned that Agent Collins was on his way home. He was sitting at the traffic light and as per witnesses, a green colored van pulled up next to his car and opened fire. He was dragged from his car and placed in the van that pulled up next to his vehicle. The van pulled off, unfortunately, no one got the license plate number nor the description of the individuals that kidnapped him.

Why would anybody want to kidnap Agent Collins? Agent Hillburn inquired.

"I’m not sure Ma’am. The last case he was on he arrested a mother whose son was murdered at an amusement park. Mrs. Delbert had two kilos of cocaine in her possession and the bloody knife that killed her son. He was receiving calls from an anonymous person demanding the return of the two kilos or he’ll have to deal with the consequences. Agent Collins wasn’t one to let intimidations get to him.

I remember that case, we worked on that case together several months ago and you’re correct, he wasn’t afraid of anything or anybody.

Agents Scott and Hillburn finally arrived at headquarters. She met with special Agent Doug Douglas. Agent Douglas has thirty year’s experience yet dumb as a nail. Agent Douglas got his position with the FBI through nepotism. His father was the Director in Washington DC and before he retired he got his only son a position.

Agent Hillburn, glad you can join us. I’m Special Agent Douglas.

Nice meeting you Sir. What do we have?

"Agent Collins, one of our most seasoned Agents was shot and kidnapped.

Ok, so why was I called in?

We called you in because you worked on the Dilbert case with him several months ago.

What does Mrs. Dilbert have to do with this?

Agent Collins began receiving anonymous phone calls demanding the two kilos of cocaine that was confiscated during that arrest. First it was once a week, then twice a week and then it escalated to everyday. It is a possibility he was abducted by the owners of that cocaine and they want it back.

Any ransom or demand letters? What about Mrs. Collins, where is she?

We moved her to a safe house and assigned twenty-four hours security. We haven’t received any ransom letters or telephone calls as yet.

Can I hear the recorded telephone calls Agent Collins received?

You most certainly can, follow me.

Agent Douglas escorted Agent Hillburn to Agent Collins office. Agent Collins office was immaculate. Everything was in order, not a sheet of paper or ink pen out of place. There were framed personal thank you letters hanging on the wall and pictures drawn by children he has helped in the past. There was a five-by-seven picture of his wife on his desk on one side and a copy of their wedding picture on the other. The office also had a slight aroma of lavender piping through the vents, an aroma that’s used to calm the nerves.

I would like to be alone if you don’t mind. Agent Hillburn requested.