by Karen Rose
‘Hospital security kept it out of the press through the end of the shift,’ Deacon said. ‘Eileen was probably dead by then. Which means the Professor has another source of information in the hospital.’
Kate frowned. ‘Trouble is, hospital grapevines are frickin’ notorious. It wouldn’t have taken long for the news to spread, especially since Decker had been a topic of conversation all along. We don’t know who would have told this Professor person that Decker didn’t die. Terrific. We have another crazy-assed medical professional on the loose.’
‘I’m glad Dani is out of that place,’ Adam said. ‘I didn’t like them because they treated her like shit, but now I’m glad because it could have become dangerous for her.’
Deacon scowled. ‘She’s going to work at the clinic at the Meadows. That’s not exactly safe.’
Kate snapped her fingers. ‘Roy and Eileen Show, guys.’ She picked her way around Roy’s car, careful not to disturb anything. ‘So Roy shows up to meet the Professor of his own free will, vials in hand. Why? Was he going to sell them? Trade them?’
‘Possible,’ Adam said again. ‘He was killed in his seat, so does that mean the Professor came to sit in his car?’
Kate peered in the closed window. ‘Maybe. If he did, and if he left anything behind, CSU will find it.’ She did a slow three-sixty, looking around. ‘Why here? I mean, I know why not his usual haunt, because it’s a crime scene now. But why here? How did he know about it? It’s part of the state park.’
Adam and Deacon shared a look and Adam shrugged. ‘Possible.’
‘What?’ Kate asked.
‘State parks in Kentucky and this part of Ohio?’ Adam said. ‘Especially in the corners where no one goes? Big for pot. Climate’s perfect.’
‘We’ll get some drug-sniffing dogs back here,’ Deacon said. ‘It would be nice to get a sample of his weed for comparison if we find a pot plot.’
‘We have a sample,’ Kate said with satisfaction. ‘Chelsea – Sidney’s roommate – bought weed from him. I found it when I searched her apartment last night after I was finished with Sidney’s folks at the morgue.’ And before she’d gone grocery shopping for Decker. And before all the stuff that followed.
Focus, Kate. Her mind snapped back. ‘But we’re not going to catch him here now. I wouldn’t come back here if I were a bad guy, even for the best pot plot ever. Not with cops crawling all over the place.’
‘Maybe not,’ Deacon allowed. ‘But we’re creating a profile here. And if we’re able to figure out how old his plants are, we’ll know how long he’s been growing. Another detail.’
She smiled at him. ‘You’re good with those.’ Suddenly impatient, she picked her way back to Eileen’s body. ‘He’s a fucking good shot,’ she commented, looking at Eileen’s mutilated throat. ‘She drove here, got out, saw Roy was dead, then came over to get the vials.’
Adam crouched by the body. ‘She was facing the car when she was hit by the first shot. It was a through-and-through, because the bullet got embedded in the door.’ He pointed at the empty hole. ‘Paint’s been chipped away. He pried the bullet out.’
‘So Eileen is shot facing the car,’ Kate continued. ‘She spins around, maybe planning to run, but the second bullet hits her in the throat before she can.’
‘That’s a through-and-through too,’ Adam said. ‘The exit hole is at the back of her neck. But she was standing up at the time, because there are no other bullet holes in the car.’ He backed away to stand behind Roy’s car, drawing a trajectory in the air with his finger. ‘Bullet should have hit the ground. If we’re lucky, he didn’t find it.’
‘Where did it come from?’ Deacon asked, looking around. ‘Where was he standing?’
Kate pointed to the treeline. ‘If it’d been me, I would have stood there, in those trees. Eileen came anticipating trouble, so she made it harder for him. Like I said, he’s a good shot to get her in the throat like that, especially if she was intending to make a break for her car. He had it timed just right.’
Deacon slid on his wraparound shades, the sun now over the horizon. ‘So we know he’s a good shot, that we need to search for a spent rifle cartridge somewhere over there,’ he pointed beyond Roy’s car, ‘and that he probably has at least one more mole inside the hospital. Have we talked to the son yet?’
‘Not yet,’ Adam said. ‘The uniforms I put outside his house found him last night trying to sneak in. He was wet and shaky and jonesin’, so I called for the medics. They took him to Children’s and I put a guard outside his door. I’m trying to find him a room in juvie rehab and Meredith is going to be present later this morning when I interview him. Hopefully Children’s will have gotten him stable – at least enough so that he can answer some questions.’
‘Good that Meredith will be there,’ Kate said, feeling sympathy for a kid whose mother had let him down so terribly. ‘He’s going to need therapy when he finds out his mother is dead. We need to be getting to Zimmerman’s office. It’s nearly time for his morning meeting.’
‘I’ll stay here until the ME and CSU show up,’ Adam said. ‘Meet you two there.’
‘I’ll get some decent coffee,’ Deacon offered. ‘You caffeinating this morning, Kate?’
‘Sure. I got some sleep last night, so a small cup of coffee won’t send me over the edge. Just no espresso, okay? That stuff makes my heart go into overdrive.’
Deacon walked her to her car. ‘So you got sleep last night?’ he asked, too casually.
She frowned at him. ‘What?’
He shrugged. ‘Nothing. Just thinking that you look a little more rested. It’s good.’ He slipped off his shades to meet her eyes squarely. ‘For now, it’s good. Just be careful, okay?’
Kate’s cheeks heated. ‘How do you always know stuff about me?’
He flashed a quick grin. ‘I told you – I’m awesome. And I looked the same way after I met Faith.’ His grin faded. ‘Adam didn’t like her and Scarlett didn’t quite trust her. But I knew. As soon as I saw her, I knew she was mine.’
She wanted to say, Me too. That’s how I felt when I first laid eyes on Decker. But she didn’t, because Deacon was giving her a steady, worried look that managed to make her . . . unsure. ‘I’m glad for you two,’ she said instead, meaning every word. ‘Really, really glad.’
‘I know you are. But I also know that your heart isn’t as ironclad as you’d have everyone believe. You’re in a vulnerable place right now. If Davenport can calm you, that’s good. Just understand that these guys who go undercover . . . they’re good at disengaging. You might think you’ve got your course set for happily ever after, when he’ll suddenly exit stage right without a second thought. I’ll pick up the pieces if I have to, but I’d really rather not have to.’
With that he slid his shades back on, got into his SUV, and drove away. Kate followed in her own car more slowly, wondering if he could be right. Her gut told her no, that Decker seemed to want roots. But maybe it was because she wanted them so badly herself.
She missed having roots. She missed having someone to come home to.
And she was being ridiculous. She’d known the man a day, really, because the time in the coma simply didn’t count. I’m going to slow this down. I’m going to see what happens.
I am such a damn liar. Because even as she made the vows, she was counting the minutes before she saw him again. Shit.
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Friday 14 August, 8.45 A.M.
Decker was pretty proud of himself. He’d showered all by himself, shaved, eaten every bite of breakfast the doc had put on his plate and still had time to work out some of the coded entries in the ledgers he’d reproduced.
And he’d managed to get to Zimmerman’s conference room, thanks to Agents Troy and Triplett. The two men had come to his assistance that morning, badgering Dani about allowing him to a
ttend the meeting, until she’d thrown up her hands in surrender. They’d also made sure he’d arrived at the field office safe and sound.
When he’d thanked them, they’d been pragmatic. He had information they needed to bring in the last of the traffickers – one who peddled kids. Catching McCord’s mystery partner was a high priority for them all.
‘What. The. Hell?’ Zimmerman came into the conference room and stared. ‘What are you doing here, Griff?’
‘Working,’ Decker said evenly. ‘The doc said it was okay.’
‘No she didn’t,’ Dani said sourly from the other end of the table. ‘The doc was steamrolled. The doc said you needed to stay in bed one more day. So don’t you go putting words in the doc’s mouth, Agent Davenport. Got it?’
‘Yeah,’ Decker grumbled. ‘I got it. Okay, the doc graciously allowed me to leave the safe house as long as I stay in the wheelchair and don’t overdo it. Better?’
Dani scowled at him. ‘Whatever. I don’t know why you even need me. You’re obviously healed,’ she said sarcastically. ‘It’s a miracle!’
‘I don’t think Dr Novak is happy with you this morning, Griffin,’ Zimmerman said mildly.
‘You will be, though,’ Decker said. He held up the notepad he’d filled with the traffickers’ code, but Zimmerman ignored it, taking the seat next to his wheelchair.
‘You really shouldn’t be here, son.’
Decker tightened his jaw. He wasn’t Zimmerman’s son. Even though he understood the man was trying to help, his attitude was patronizing, and Decker didn’t do patronizing well.
‘I really need to get back to work, sir. With all due respect, you don’t know my body.’ Only Kate did, but Decker shoved that thought back down to where it wouldn’t show. He hoped. He got hard every time he thought about those few minutes of searing pleasure the night before. He was sure that going without for four years had played a part in the intensity of his orgasm, but that it was Kate’s hand touching him . . .
Focus, Davenport. For God’s sake, you’re not a goddamn teenager.
‘Which is why we brought in a doctor to evaluate you,’ Zimmerman said, still patronizing.
Dani sighed. ‘I can observe him as well here as in the condo. And if we weren’t here, he’d be up walking laps like he did most of the night. He was even talking about using the treadmill.’
‘I thought walking was good,’ Zimmerman said, as if Decker weren’t sitting next to him.
‘It is, but not if he overdoes it. He can’t do that here, so it’s not a bad idea to let him sit still for a bit. He can walk when he gets back.’
‘His wounds?’ Zimmerman asked.
‘Healing nicely. Staying in the coma a few extra days did him some good.’ Her lips curved, but it was not a nice smile. ‘It might have been the only way to keep him compliant.’
Decker glared at her. ‘I am here, you know. Right. Here.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Dani said. ‘So maybe you’re getting an idea of what it’s like to be ignored.’
Decker winced. ‘I’m sorry. I will be the best patient you could ever ask for after this meeting is over.’
Dani rolled her eyes. ‘You said that yesterday, so forgive me if I don’t believe you today.’ She turned to Zimmerman. ‘Bottom line, he probably would have been discharged from the hospital after the weekend. Having him up and around most likely won’t do him any harm. Either way, he doesn’t need me watching him 24/7. If it’s okay, I’d like to use an empty office while you have your meeting.’ She patted the messenger bag she’d slung over her shoulder. ‘I got a few files in my email this morning. One patient I saw last week is having complications and it’s pretty serious. I might need to go into the clinic for a few hours, but I’ll make sure Agent Davenport is provided coverage. Meredith Fallon’s cousin is a nurse. Her name is Bailey Beardsley and she works with Wendi Cullen. I’ve known Bailey for several years. She’s good people. You won’t have to worry. She also has a current background check and fingerprints on file because she’s a drug rehab counselor.’
‘She sounds like a fine substitute,’ Zimmerman said. ‘I’ll have my assistant show you to an office.’ He looked down at the notepad that Decker was tapping impatiently. ‘What’s all this?’
‘I’ve been writing down what I remember of the traffickers’ ledgers. All the customers and suppliers are written in code. I didn’t think I had enough entries to wrap my brain around the code last night, but a few hours’ sleep seems to have made a difference.’ Actually, he thought the orgasm had done more to renew him than the sleep, but he wasn’t going to say that out loud. ‘If I can get access to decrypting software, I might be able to give you some actual names.’
Zimmerman looked pleased. ‘I’ll set you up with access after the meeting. I was able to connect to the server remotely from the safe house yesterday, so you shouldn’t have any trouble.’
The door from the hallway opened just then, and Zimmerman’s people filed in. Decker watched their faces until he saw the one he’d been waiting for. But Kate wasn’t any more pleased to see him than Zimmerman had been at first.
‘What are you doing here?’ she demanded, then turned to Dani. ‘He should be resting at least another day!’
Dani put her hands out like a traffic cop. ‘Yell at him and his two stooges.’ She pointed to Trip and Troy, who both blinked innocently. ‘I’m going to another office to work.’
‘He looked fine to us,’ Troy said when Dani had left the room. ‘Chill, Kate. He’s a grown man. He’s been wounded before. How many times, Decker?’
‘An even dozen,’ Decker replied. ‘I know my limits. Besides, Eileen is dead, right? So she’s not coming for me again.’
Kate dropped into a chair and rubbed her face. ‘Yeah, but this Professor asshole isn’t likely to give up. You’re by no means home free.’
‘All the more reason for me to pitch in,’ he said quietly.
She looked at his notepad. ‘You’re cracking the code,’ she said, sounding impressed.
At least he’d done something right. ‘Workin’ on it.’
She glanced up at him apologetically. ‘I’m sorry I growled. I was surprised to see you here. I still think you should rest, but I’d be chomping at the bit in your place.’
That made him want to growl right back – the thought of Kate in his place. He had to remind himself that the woman was a better shot than he was. Some men might have found that off-putting, but Decker was relieved. She could take care of herself.
Zimmerman tapped the table. ‘Let’s get this done, people. We have work to do today.’
Everyone had taken a seat and there wasn’t anyone here that Decker didn’t know, although he had expected there to be one woman he hadn’t met yet. The child psychologist, Meredith Fallon.
Zimmerman realized it at the same moment. ‘Where’s Meredith?’
Adam Kimble frowned. ‘She was right behind us.’
The door to the conference room opened and another redhead hurried in, talking on her cell phone. This must be Meredith Fallon. She crossed the room gracefully on four-inch heels that made her as tall as Kate, but that was where the similarity ended. Meredith’s hair was a darker red, almost auburn, and her skin was pure peaches and cream.
Kate was much prettier, Decker thought, her features sharper. Her hair every shade of the sunset. Her body was rangier. More athletic. She was exactly the kind of woman he liked. Lucky for me, then.
‘I’ll get the number here,’ Meredith said into her cell phone, speaking urgently. ‘I want you to call the conference room phone so that I can put you on speaker. I’ll get the number and text it to you. Just . . . sit tight.’ She hung up.
Zimmerman tore a sheet from Decker’s notepad, wrote down a number and gave it to her. ‘Who was that?’ Zimmerman asked.
‘Officer Kendra
Cullen.’ Meredith texted the phone number as she spoke. ‘She’s CPD, assigned to patrol. She has a lead I want you all to hear at the same time.’
Both Decker and Troy looked at Kate, who shrugged. ‘I don’t know what she’s talking about,’ Kate said as the phone on the table rang.
Zimmerman put it on speaker. ‘Officer Cullen? This is Special Agent Zimmerman. I understand you have a lead for us.’
‘I think so.’ The woman had a deep, husky voice. ‘Should I just start talking, or do you have a meeting agenda you need to cover first?’
‘Start talking,’ Meredith said. She looked at Zimmerman. ‘That’s okay, yes?’
‘You have the floor,’ Zimmerman said.
‘Thank you. Kendra, this is the meeting of the task force I told you about. In the room are Agents Zimmerman, Novak, Coppola, Troy, Triplett and . . .’ Meredith lifted her brows. ‘You’re Davenport, right?’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Decker said politely, and her lips quirked up.
‘And Agent Davenport,’ Meredith said. ‘We also have Detective Kimble from CPD.’
‘Is Scarlett not there?’ Kendra asked.
‘No, she had personal ties to this case, so she’s recused herself. Folks, last Saturday Officer Cullen stopped a possible assault in the parking lot of the Glenway Kroger. The victim will be of interest to this group. Kendra, go ahead.’
‘I was on break last Saturday and had gone into the Kroger for my lunch. I saw a man of about thirty following and harassing a young woman who was about eighteen. I followed them out to the parking lot where the man had the girl trapped against the trunk of her car, a rusted-out Chevy Impala, back bumper covered with primer. I asked the girl if she needed help, but she said no, that it was a misunderstanding. I got photos of her license plate and that of the man, just in case she filed a complaint later. He called her Sunshine Suzie.’
Adam sucked in a shocked breath. ‘What? Sorry, this is Adam Kimble. What did you say her name was?’
‘He called her Sunshine Suzie,’ Kendra repeated. ‘You know her?’
