Cooper replies, studying the board, "The case in Colville is wrapping up, and I"m under a fair amount of pressure to allow myself to be reassigned to Seattle or Salt Lake on a permanent basis. As for why I haven't mentioned it..."

He moves his rook up three squares. "It seemed a fairly obvious choice. I have a long way to go before I reach the required years of service for retirement. The Bureau has a good applicant pool -- one of the best anywhere -- and Twin Peaks doesn't." Lightly. "So I think I can be of more use here than I can in Seattle. And I like it better here."