The night before, she’d submitted various profile types into the database at Stonegate. The program had been designed by one of their programmers with the input of Katie and their resident FBI profiler and psychologist, Dr. Makala Liu.
Katie had inserted variables from the case into the system. During the night Makala must have been checking the files, because she had also added notes. Katie noted it was too early to call and chat with her favorite psychologist, but she read the notes.
“The attacks aren’t original, and are almost formulaic,” it said in Makala’s comments. “This is a practical person, who isn’t known for being the life of the party. He or she lives simply, and has a daily routine that is followed to the letter. My best guess given the parameters is a female. I’m seeing scorned lover here. Something has made her step out of her comfort zone, and other than a death in the family, a love relationship would be next on the list, followed by loss of job or serious illness. Talk with the client and see if he’s had any disagreements with a love interest in the last six months.”
Several scenarios ran through Katie’s head. Had Mac had an affair with the younger girl?
Katie’s stomach turned. Maybe she liked Mac too much. Their whirlwind relationship had been so fast and furious she’d never stopped to think about how it would actually affect the case.
She’d insisted they keep it as professional as possible during the daytime hours, but at night all bets had been off. Her judgment was clouded.
This is why you aren’t supposed to get involved with clients. She cringed. Had she let her feelings for him get in the way of the case? She didn’t want to admit it, but it was true.
First she had to talk to Mac. Standing up and walking to his lab was one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do.
MAC WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED when he saw Katie’s face on the security screen. He buzzed her in.
“Did you change your mind about the lab table?” He’d remembered what she’d said when she left.
She glanced up to the camera.
“I’m not stripping again to come in there. I need to talk to you and I’d appreciate it if you’d come out here.”
He wasn’t the best at discerning human emotion, but even Mac could tell there had been a definite change in her attitude toward him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked through the speaker.
“Dr. Douglas, I need you to come here, please. Is there anyone in the lab with you? This needs to be a confidential conversation.”
Dr. Douglas. Crap. “I’m alone. Give me three minutes to put my samples away and I’ll meet you in the conference room. It’s the door to the right.”
Washing his hands, he opened the door from the lab that led directly to the conference room. Katie didn’t sit at the table. She stood with her arms crossed against her chest.
He moved to kiss her, but she held up her hands in a stop motion.
“Dr. Douglas, please sit down.”
“Katie, why are you being so formal? What happened with the dean?”
She pulled out a chair across the table from him and sat down. He followed suit. Holding a pen over her notebook, she merely stared at him.
Mac couldn’t read her face.
“I didn’t speak with the dean. Not yet. I need to ask you some questions. It’s important you answer truthfully. I’ll know if you are lying. I’m good at that sort of thing.”
Mac’s brows furrowed. “Why would I lie to you? I can’t give you details about my work, but other than that I’m an open book. You know that.”
She sighed. “No, I don’t. Listen, this is important. You need to put whatever mistakes we made these last few days behind us, and answer my questions.”
“Mistakes?” How could she say something like that about their time together? Mac admitted he hadn’t known her long. Still, he’d come to care for her.
“Yes. I should never have given in to you that first night. It’s not your fault. I have a weakness where you’re concerned. One I readily admit. Unfortunately, I’m afraid it’s over now. I’ve come to my senses.”
“The hell it is.” Mac stood now. “I don’t know what’s happened, Katie, but we are most definitely not over. What could have made you say these things? You’re acting like some cop, not the woman I—” He’d almost said the word love.
No, it couldn’t be that.
Katie held up her hand. “Please, stop. I need you to sit down and answer my questions. The faster you do it, the quicker we can be done with this.”
Mac didn’t know if she meant their relationship or the case.
“Fine.” He sat down again. “I’m sitting. Please ask your damn questions.”
Katie leaned forward with her elbows on the table. “Have you ever dated or slept with one of your students? Specifically Megan, the girl I observed in your class yesterday?”
How could she ask him something like that? “I’ve never heard such a ridiculous question, and for the record, Ms. McClure, no. I haven’t,” Mac ended the words on a growl.
He thought he saw her shoulders drop, but her face gave no indication if she were relieved or if she believed him.
“Dr. Douglas, I need you to be honest with me. What you tell me is confidential, but I have to know the truth before I question Megan. I’ll be talking to her in front of the dean, and if she says you had an affair we are going to need to take preventative measures.”
Mac glared at the ceiling. “Let me get this straight. You think I slept with Megan, and yet you still want to protect me so the dean doesn’t bring me up on an inquiry.”
“Yes,” Katie growled.
“May I ask why you would want to protect me? The dean is paying your fee, so shouldn’t your allegiance be to him?”
“Technically, he pays the fee, but he made it clear from the beginning you are my client. And yes, when you signed the papers allowing us to investigate your case, one of the clauses is we protect you no matter the outcome.”
“Katie.” Mac clasped his hands in front of him to keep from banging the table. “The only woman I’ve slept with in the past five years is you. As I may have mentioned, I’ve been consumed with my work. I’ve been on the occasional date, never with a student. Never.”
Mac sat back in his chair and crossed his arms against his chest. Fury pounded through his veins, causing his muscles to tighten and face to heat. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so angry. He felt as if Katie had betrayed him in some way. Yes, the logical side of his brain told him she was only doing her job, but it hurt that she would think him so low and despicable as to sleep with a student.
“Do you have any idea why Megan, or anyone in her family, would want to cause you harm?”
Mac glared at Katie. “Megan doesn’t have the sense to find her way into the classroom most days. She may have a crush on me, but she’s not the person behind these attacks. I know this is rude, but she doesn’t have the brains for it.”
He leaned forward the same way she had. “Now I’d like you to explain how the hell you could think I would do something like that?”
14
KATIE HAD ALWAYS prided herself on keeping her emotions in check, but it was difficult where Mac was concerned. He was incensed that she thought he’d slept with Megan. She’d never been more relieved in her life when she discovered Mac spoke the truth—everything about his posture, mannerisms and face told her that. So did her gut.
Still, she had to make sure. “Would you be willing to submit to a polygraph?”
Mac leaned back with his arms against his chest. “Right now I’m angry you’d even ask, but yes, if it were necessary I would agree to the test. I’m telling you the truth.”
The man was furious with her, but she couldn’t let her personal emotions get in the way. Oh, who was she kidding? She’d messed this one up from the get-go. It didn’t get any more unprofessional than sleeping with the client. Katie had been consumed with disgust and jealousy, and had jumped to illogical conclusions.
>
Once she stopped being blinded by all the silly emotions, she could see from his body language that he told the truth. Before he’d leaned back in the chair, his upper body, arms and chest had been open to her. There hadn’t been any unusual ticks or twitches around his mouth when he spoke to her, and he’d stared directly into her eyes, his gaze never wavering.
“Thank you for your honesty,” she said.
“That’s it? A thank-you,” Mac said angrily.
“Yes. The questions had to be asked, no matter what you think. The girl allegedly had a history with a professor at this school. If you’d had an intimate relationship with her it would explain why she, or someone near her, is seeking retribution.”
“You’re talking about her problem with Caroline,” Mac said. “That’s why I steer clear. I was on the inquiry board. The dean insisted, or I would have had nothing to do with the mess. Her father made a huge endowment to the school, which is why she is here. She’s a confused, flaky young girl. It’s obvious she has an aptitude where her studies are concerned, because her grades hold up. But her behavior is bothersome. I suggested the dean expel her, but as is usual with him, he was worried it might bring adverse attention to the university. There was also the question of what would happen to the endowment. The dean is all about appearances. He couldn’t have that.”
“The incident was six months ago, but Megan is a freshman.”
“She began at the university the first summer term,” Mac answered. “Her only class was Professor Carson’s. The inquiry panel decided Megan had developed an unusual attachment to her instructor, and created these fantasies. This happens a great deal when young people are away at school for the first time and haven’t learned how to socialize yet. Unfortunately for me, it’s my turn this semester. Lucky me.”
“Did she know you wanted to get her expelled?”
Mac didn’t bother to look at her. “I honestly have no idea. Since it didn’t happen, I assume not. You’d have to ask the dean.”
“I will,” she said. “Well, thank you for your time, Professor. I need to speak with the dean now.”
Mac moved quickly to block her exit. “I think you owe me an apology, Katie.”
“I refuse to apologize for doing my job, Professor Douglas. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“No, I’m not going to excuse you. What is this? Why are you acting this way? It’s as if you’re another person.”
“I assure you, Professor Douglas, this is who I am. The woman who spent the last few days with you is an anomaly. Perhaps since this was my first trip, I had the same problem as Megan. I developed an unnatural attachment to the first person I met.”
“That’s it,” Mac said through gritted teeth. “You are not going to turn what we have and make it something ugly. I won’t let you.” He pointed a finger at her forehead. “I’m not sure what’s going on in that brain of yours, but you’re wrong, Katie. Our relationship is not a mistake.”
“Relationship? Please. I’ve known you for a few days. There’s no relationship. It was a casual fling, Mac, and now it’s over. Excuse me.” Katie’s gut churned with the lies she told. No one had ever meant more to her than Mac, but she couldn’t risk letting this go any further—even if he hated her. The idea tore at her, but she had to do what was right for both of them.
She moved past him and opened the door. This time he let her pass. Katie didn’t like leaving him angry, but it was better this way.
Though she would never tell him, their time together was no mistake. As he had said, they had been some of the best days of her life. But once she solved the case, she’d have to leave. Better to make the break now. She also needed her focus. Questioning the girl was her first priority.
Katie pushed back all the emotions, especially the ones causing the tears to brim. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before pushing the button for the elevator. Long ago she’d learned how to push the emotions down deep. A Bronx detective often came across some of the worst crimes humanity had to offer. To stay sane, one had to learn how to compartmentalize the events and make it a part of the job. Though Mac was impossible to compartmentalize, she had to try.
Katie rubbed the ache in her stomach, which was rivaled only by the one in her heart. She wished the idea of leaving Mac and London behind didn’t make her feel this rotten.
WHEN KATIE EXPLAINED to Mrs. Gates her reason for wanting to see the dean, he was called out of his Regents meeting. The investigator warned him of her suspicions. He was disturbed and grateful at the same time to have some kind of lead on the threats.
“I should have expelled the young woman as Dr. Douglas suggested.” The dean led Katie into his office.
Katie knew exactly why he hadn’t expelled the girl, but she didn’t say anything.
At the door he asked Mrs. Gates to check the girl’s schedule and have her sent to his office.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d let me question the girl,” Katie said. “I’m trained in these situations, and it might help her, even though I’m a stranger, to relate to a woman. I can tell you I don’t believe she’s in this alone. But we have to be very careful if we’re going to get her to admit her accomplice.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll be here in observation capacity only. I appreciate your quick work with this. What was it that clued you in to the girl?”
Katie didn’t want to confess she’d seen the file—no use getting Mrs. Gates in trouble for helping her out. “I observed her in the classroom with Professor Douglas. He tried his best to keep a professional distance, but she kept invading his personal space. She also asked for personal tutoring, even though he told her several times that there were study groups.”
The dean shook his head. “He should have told me she’d become a nuisance. She’s been warned. We were more than lenient after that last escapade. Luckily for Professor Carson, we were able to keep things quiet. That sort of thing doesn’t help the adult in question, even if they are exonerated.”
“Oh, so there is a link to Professor Carson,” she said, acting surprised. “I wondered.”
The dean smiled. “Mrs. Gates tells me everything, Detective. She sent me a note, so I’m aware you read the file, even though I’d warned you it was confidential.”
Katie smiled back. “Well, subterfuge isn’t my favorite thing, but it was necessary. I had the feeling the cases might be related.”
“Dean, the student you asked for is here,” said Mrs. Gates over the speakerphone.
“Send her in, please,” the dean instructed.
The girl walked in, visibly upset. Her hands were shaking as she moved toward the dean’s desk.
“Megan, please have a seat,” the dean instructed.
The young girl eyed Katie before sitting down, her lips turning into a straight line.
Katie held out her hand, and the girl took it. “Hi, I’m Katie. I’m helping out with something and I wanted to ask you a couple of questions.”
The girl looked from Katie to the dean. “She’s American. What is this?”
The dean leaned forward to say something, but Katie held up a hand to stop him. “I’m here working a very special case.”
Megan chewed on her lip. “What does that have to do with me? I don’t know anything about a case.”
Picking up her notebook, Katie wrote down the girl’s name. When she glanced up, Megan was even more nervous. “Actually, Megan, I believe you do. Unfortunately, I think someone may be using you. Maybe someone who may even want you to take the fall for them.”
“What do you mean?” the girl asked.
Katie cocked her head. “There have been some attacks on a certain professor, one you know quite well.”
“Who?”
“Professor Douglas, your environmental science teacher.”
Surprise flashed across the girl’s face, then worry. “What do you mean someone tried to hurt him?”
Katie pursed her lips. “I can’t give you specifics, but the last incident landed the pr
ofessor in the hospital.”
The girl shook her head. “No, I like Dr. Douglas. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.” She looked to the dean. “I know you think I’m crazy, but I’m not. I’d never hurt anyone.”
The fear in the girl’s eyes confirmed for Katie exactly what she’d suspected. This girl hadn’t been the one to hurt Mac directly, but she might have knowledge of who did.
Katie reached across the chair and patted the girl’s hand. “Stay calm, Megan. We aren’t accusing you of anything, I promise you that.”
The girl’s eyes became wild. “Do I need to call my family’s barrister? I swear to you I had nothing to do with this—” She stopped talking and sat back in her chair.
A strange look passed over the girl’s face. “No, it couldn’t be,” she said.
“Someone asked you to do something, Megan. Who was it? And what did they want?”
Tears brimmed in the girl’s eyes. “She told me that he was the one bothering her. That if I kept an eye on him and let her know his schedule, then she could avoid him. She promised to help with my expenses if I could get hired as his lab assistant. My dad is paying my tuition, but after what happened last summer, he made me move out of my flat and he’s cut off all my charge cards. I’m a prisoner at home. She told me she understood and—”
“Who offered you money to spy on Dr. Douglas?” Katie cut her off. She could tell the person had played some serious mind games with the poor child.
“You aren’t going to believe me if I tell you,” she said, glancing at the dean. “But I swear I’m telling you the truth.”
“I’ll believe you.” Katie pulled Megan’s attention back to her.
There was a long pause. The girl took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “She’ll just deny it again. I can’t believe I fell for her tricks. I love her very much, and this is the way she treats me?”
She took another deep breath and let it out slowly. “We had a fight and she almost got me chucked out of here. I just wanted to show her she couldn’t kick me around. That’s why I filed the complaint. We made up months ago. When she asked me to keep an eye on him, I was trying to protect her. I thought he was trying to find out about her research or something. She’s very protective of her work. I thought it was weird, but it’s hard for me to tell her no.”
She Who Dares, Wins Page 10
