“Something with long hair,” Remie chuckled at the vet’s uncertainty.
“Hi, I’m Kaylee. I’m with Caden.” The demure green-eyed blonde held out her hand in greeting.
“So, this is the entire McAllister crew.” Remie’s mental note of physical similarities included Billy’s depiction of their striking differences; Matt’s penchant for order and discipline, Caden’s bent for practical jokes, Luc’s stoic demeanor, and Abby’s no-holds-barred forwardness. Ethan appeared to have softened when Lexi crash-landed in his existence.
Anticipation charged the atmosphere, an unspoken tension between Abby and Billy. Tightening of Royden’s shoulders and Matt’s dark look indicated a need to clear the air. The same look replicated in each McAllister when Abby stepped closer to Royden.
“As an attorney, Abby should stay clear of our discussions.” Luc spoke up, clearly unhappy with his sister’s presence.
“I needed to be here since Remie and Billy have been implicated. Get over it boys.” Abby elbowed Billy aside to set her bag on the counter.
Remie picked up her momentum. “You guys can bring in folding chairs from the hall closet. Not sure if we have enough.”
“No need. The girls can sit in our laps.” Caden smiled at Kaylee, the slightest caress of her cheek tilting her head for more.
“Sounds good to me.” Royden smiled at Abby, who rolled her eyes.
Billy and Matt both growled.
“Please don’t stir the pot tonight, Roy. We have work to do.” Abby stepped forward to stop Billy’s approach. One word, “No,” closed her brother’s mouth but didn’t stop the warning glare.
“Thank you all for bringing dinner. I wouldn’t have minded cooking.” Meetings don’t go well when they start off with such animosity.
“Considering the size of our crowd, Matt said this was easier.” Ethan mashed his lips together, his tact earning him a smile and pat on the back from Lexi.
“No problem. Guys, we don’t have time for trips to the ER. And we have business to discuss that Abby needs to hear.” Caden sat, then smiled to take the sting out of his words as he passed the bottle of soda, his lips thinning before he glared at Royden, the promise of future conversations visible.
Three buckets of chicken, potato logs, and various side dishes filled her table. Paper plates and plastic cups ensured an easy cleanup. Four large bottles of carbonated pop offered a choice of drinks.
“Remie, before we start. Tell me. Do you know Dr. Ballick, a biology professor?” Abby’s casual question drew all activity to a halt. “Guys, you all do your thing, and I do mine. I have to know certain background information in order to fend off legal attacks.” Without flinching, she met each of her brother’s cool stares with an arched brow.
“You all know something I don’t—or suspect me of something. I know that tone.” Remie looked to Billy for support.
“Answer the question, please.” Abby’s calm demand must’ve been successful in the courtroom.
“No, not really. She taught several of my classes in college, but I haven’t seen her since.”
Billy let out a breath, Matt sighed, and Ethan closed his eyes.
The meeting had started off in the wrong direction and veered like a roller coaster to hell.
“Told you someone was starting this shit up again.” Lexi slid her plate to the side to make room for her laptop. “Why plant the business card if—”
“Wait, Lexi.” Ethan touched her forearm, demanding her attention. “Hold a second.” He started to speak but frowned and looked to Billy. “You said her card was found in the professor’s desk, right?”
“What? Why would she have my card? I haven’t seen her in years.” Remie felt the noose tightening about her neck.
“We believe you, Dr. Tallin. However, the fact remains that someone is trying to set you up, both you and Billy.” Abby continued but directed her attention to Billy. “First, a college kid is killed in front of Remie. The prints on the murder weapon are Billy’s.” Her gaze swiveled to Remie. “Then someone dumped you in a stream after drugging and assaulting you.”
“He taunts you at Gena’s funeral with a body part left in my truck, indicating he’d killed Wendy.” Billy murmured as he slowed the fork-to-mouth progress then returned the implement to the plate.
“But Wendy’s body was intact, and I’ve been under surveillance since. Her time of death was just prior to the race’s beginning. I went over Wendy’s reports myself this afternoon, which is why I’m glad we’re all meeting tonight.”
“I think someone is trying real hard to screw with Remie, but damned if I know why. In each occurrence, either she has an alibi, or the evidence points in a different direction but still involves her in the periphery. Damned freaky. It’s like the killer’s manipulating everything and everybody.” Lucas, quiet until then, turned to Remie. “Royden noted the professor said one word to her assistant. Bioprinter. Can you fill in any gaps?”
“I can,” Billy replied. “I started reading about them after I saw one in the basement of ClickChip.”
“What does ClickChip have to do with this?” Remie hated playing catch up.
“Was… It was a company run by a psycho in conjunction with a couple doctors from Delaware and Portland. They were…” Matt hesitated and looked at Royden, then swiveled his gaze to Billy with a question in his eyes.
“The building fell down.” Billy supplied sheepishly.
“Fell down? You mean it tripped over its foundation?” Remie asked.
“Faulty construction,” Abby supplied.
“You mean the rest of it crumbled after it was blown to pieces.” Lucas grinned at his host.
“Holy shit. I knew it!” Royden set down his food and stared at his partner. “The bastards implanted one of their microchips in you, didn’t they?”
“Where the fuck did you hear that?” Billy’s controlled monotone withheld a world of rage as he stared down at his sister.
“I heard rumors. Plus, I have contacts with the feds, too. Everybody’s so damned closed mouth about it. It took a lot of digging.” His infinitesimal glance at Abby spoke of shared secrets.
“Fuck you, Royden.” Billy shoved his chair back to stand. “Abby—”
“Don’t talk like that in front of your sister.” Royden shot out of his chair. “We can discuss this like gentlemen outside if you prefer.” The southern drawl which appeared under duress stretched out in calm threat.
“Billy,” Abby began in her smooth, confident tone, “Royden is your partner and deserves better.”
Each McAllister stood—a united front despite confusion and uncertainty written in their expressions.
“Knock it off, cowboy.” Whirling on her brother, Abby continued. “Both of you. Now. There’ll be no fighting and no more hostility. I’ll decide what I deserve and where I sleep. Got it?”
“Billy.” Lucas gripped his brother’s arm, holding him in place. “Damn it, if Abby’s your only beef with him, drop it. If not, say what’s on your mind. We all need to hear it.”
“He’s been baiting me since our first meeting. Dropping hints and withholding information. I wanna know how it is the chief happened to partner me with the asshole who’s sleeping with my sister. I’ve learned not to trust coincidences.”
Matt, Ethan, and Luc’s stares could’ve bored through steel. Caden rapped his fingers on the table before adding, “That’s a real good point. One I think he should answer.”
“The captain and my uncle are golfing buddies. Since you guys seem to get in an awful lot of trouble, they figured adding a calm head to the group would help. Plus, since Abby’s family is top priority in her life, I needed to learn more and make sure her trust and instincts were well earned. Turns out they’re spot on.” The briefest of smirks twitched the corner of Royden’s lips.
“He’s not right for her. You all know that as well as I do!” A muscle ticked in Billy’s temple.
“That’s not our decision to make and you know that, too. Le
t’s settle one thing at a time. Right now, we have bigger problems.” Matt, the voice of reason, turned to Remie. “Okay, Dr. Tallin.”
“Please, call me Remie. Everyone does.” Remie had never seen such a tight-knit family. It seemed they accepted few into their circle, but once there, new additions were defended to the last breath. One couldn’t buy that kind of loyalty.
“Okay, Remie.” Matt nodded to Lexi and her laptop. “Billy said you have an ex. A doctor named Ari Slenktock. Anything about him we should know?”
“He wasn’t the one who attacked me and killed Gena. I would’ve known it. Yet something links Gena, the professor, and me. I have an idea what.”
“Spill.” Billy sat along with the rest then turned to give Remie his full attention.
“Ari is and has been a pioneer in the bioprinting industry. I suspect few could match his progress. I had a suspicion the evidence left in Billy’s truck at the funeral was manufactured, which has been confirmed. The same with the prints on the murder weapon.
“They can manufacture spare parts using a fucking printer?” Caden looked from Remie to Billy. “Tell me that’s bullshit.”
“Yeah, they can. Uh, as a matter of fact, Ari gave a lecture on bioprinter applications when I was in school. I don’t know what type of advances he’s made since then, but you can bet your last dollar he’s devoting every spare minute to research. He’s always been married to his work.”
“So, you’re saying Gena could’ve stolen samples from Ari and thought she’d slept with a sociopathic killer. You seem sure it wasn’t Ari though. Maybe he hired out for the wet work?” Ethan shook his head. “Lexi, see if you can find any connection between Ari, ClickChip, and CSV Pharmaceuticals.”
“What does CSV Pharmaceuticals have to do with this?” The hairs on Remie’s nape raised. The company had pioneered several vaccines in recent years.
“ClickChip manufactured self-dissolving microchips and the doctors at CSV Pharmaceuticals engineered the nanotechnology inserted into the chips, which were inserted—into people.” Lexi’s apologetic glance toward Billy met with a blank stare.
“Holy shit. The whole thing is true.” Royden scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Damn, partner. I’m sorry. I didn’t think that shit was real.” He didn’t shrink from Billy’s glare.
“That means, with bioprinted tissue, they can frame anybody. The ultimate way to plant evidence.” Megan held her hands out, the gesture supplementing her frustration. “Damn, I’m glad I only work with animals. I’ve read about manufacturing organs but find it difficult to believe.”
“They can actually make spare parts, like a liver, toe, or heart?” Kaylee shoved her plate back. “Like, you go to the specialist and say, ‘Doc, my heart’s getting ready to give out. Can you go print me a new one?’”
“I don’t think they can make sustainable organs, yet. That’s going to be a few years down the road, but not long,” Billy murmured.
“This can change the entire medical structure as we know it. People will no longer die from liver, heart, or lung disease. You get cancer in an organ—no problem—just print out another and have a surgeon pop it in. Holy shit.” Kaylee wrapped her fingers around her upper arms, fending off a shudder.
“There’s a sidebar to this, guys. Think of the billions, probably trillions of research dollars invested in developing drugs to fight specific diseases. I bet once those facilities discover the scientific workaround to particular medical issues, they won’t be happy about funding cuts or upstarts forcing them out of business. There are a lot of possibilities here. A lot of angles to consider.” Abby’s practical mind weighed both sides of the issue.
From one medical professional to another, Megan turned to the pathologist. “Remie, is there a way to distinguish bioprinted tissue from the original donor?
“Initially, yes. Depending on the tests done. If you were to test the bioprinted tissue, you would find the hydrogel matrix used to help support the structure until the host tissue filled in the space. After that, I don’t know. I haven’t kept up with research and not sure what strides they’ve made.”
“This is fucked-up. Wouldn’t a spare part have shown up during autopsy?” Caden smoothed his hands down Kaylee’s arms; a gesture meant to sooth his frustration.
“The DNA comes from the donor, so that would be the—oh fuck.” Remie felt the blood leave her face.
“What?” Billy jolted upright. “What!”
“Remember in the hospital when I wanted you to describe the bruise on my flank?”
“Yeah, you said you got bumped around in the fight.”
“What if he knocked me out to take ADSCs?”
“What?” Billy’s expression echoed each of the others’.
“Jesus. Here we go into another dimension.” Lucas looked to his better half, the veterinarian.
“Adipose tissue derived stem cells,” Megan supplied.
“They’re a better source for regenerative therapies than mesenchymal stem cells.” Remie nodded to the veterinarian while supplementing knowledge.
“Explain. But in English, please,” Matt demanded.
“They’re a better source of base material when trying to make spare parts.” The two women exchanged bits of conversation involving low immunosuppressive properties and trophic factors, numbing the rest of her guests’ mind if the blank expressions were an accurate indication.
“I have a bit of catching up to do, but I get the gist of it. Is there a way to establish a specimen as coming from a particular printer?” Megan’s excitement became contagious as the others caught her train of thought.
“I don’t know. I’d have to do more research. Also, I need to sit in on the professor’s autopsy.”
“Not gonna happen, Doc. Not with your business card in her desk drawer and you having witnessed the coed’s murder,” Abby affirmed.
“I didn’t kill either woman. I at least need to go over the reports. I might pick up something they missed.” A quick mental review solidified her perception of working relationships in the office. One pathologist remained aloof and unapproachable. The rest, she could finagle her way to a ringside seat. “I’ll have to check and see who was assigned.”
“Um, if it’s just the report you need, I can—” The brisk flurry of clicking on Lexi’s keyboard and intense stare signaled the hacker’s delving into secure files.
“Actually, no. As long as the boss didn’t assign Brent, I can get more information in normal conversation. I need to ask precise questions…” Remie wondered if the white-hat hacker had any limits or lines she wouldn’t cross.
“Sweetheart, I think we should let the good doctor use her contacts.” Ethan settled his larger hand over Lexi’s, stilling them.
“Okay, but if you need anything, let me know.” Nothing but the sincere desire to help emanated in the hacker’s gaze.
“Remie. We know you didn’t kill either woman, but protocols say we have to keep you clear. You know the procedure.” Billy’s voice softened in a rare bid for understanding.
Not only did the group not view her as a suspect, they had her back, a last line of defense. They were family.
“I’ll look into Ari’s financials and travel plans. See what I can find in way of connections to Remie or the other victims.” Lexi began another flurry of keyboard clicking.
“We can’t get a warrant for that, and Ari’s sure as hell not going to submit his financial records voluntarily, even if I ask nicely.” Abby clenched her jaw together, refusing to say more.
“Don’t worry about the paperwork.” Ethan chuckled.
“I didn’t hear that!” Abby snapped. You guys are legal Neanderthals.”
“But we keep you sharp while you keep us off the hot seat,” added by Caden, closest in age to his sister.
The rest of dinner passed with tense conversation. Each of the McAllisters, their partners, and Royden, added what little they knew about technology to place as many pieces of the puzzle on the figurative board. None found a
corresponding fit.
By the time they’d eaten and run out of possible scenarios, Remie confirmed they’d all accepted her innocence and included her as an integral part of the team. Her guests stayed through cleanup then sat once again for coffee.
“To sum it up, we have a killer who likes to toy with the police. Plus, a pathologist who’s become a living dimension of a clue game,” Abby reflected, blowing to cool her cup of coffee.
“He wants to keep Remie involved, but not as a serious person of interest,” Royden added. “What’s the point?”
“And he doesn’t want Billy near Remie. He wants her isolated.” Lexi sucked in a quick breath as the sound of keyboard tapping increased.
“What is it, hon.” Ethan leaned around to view the computer screen. “Oh, shit. Lexi, you shouldn’t have gone there.”
“Sorry. It just kinda happened.”
“What, Lexi?” Billy’s patience was at an end.
“I sorta stepped into Remie’s hospital records.” She appeared genuinely upset with tears brimming her eyes.
“Lexi, that’s crossing a line and you know it.” Billy turned to Remie and held out his hand in supplication. “She means well.”
They’ll all know. Memory of her mom during her last break from school blurred her vision while her heart stampeding against her ribs drummed out murmurs of apology. She couldn’t face the pity despite knowing she’d given the same to her mother. Now, she understood.
Remie bolted from the table. There was no way she could face the group and explain the biopsy results. The procedure had only taken minutes, with Billy pacing outside the room, then providing distraction on the way home. The news was too fresh and her emotions too raw to tolerate sympathy from her new friends.
Buckeye’s excited pants trailed her up the steps.
From the lower level came Billy’s supplication, then boots thudding on the hardwood. “Remie, wait.”
She slammed her door once her fur baby’s tail cleared the opening. Interior locks had never been fixed on the older home.
Looking out the window with her arms wrapped around her middle, she fought to hold back the tears.
McAllister Justice Series Box Set Volume Two Page 39
