“You know what’s going on?” Finn asked.
“No one’s told me anything,” Luke said. “A little surprised to see Noah here so soon.”
“Yeah.”
Gavin sat on the other side of Finn, and Luke saw him scowl at the sight of Noah, who stood just inside the doorway, his K-9 Rottweiler, Scotty, seated obediently at his side. Gavin’s jaw tightened, but he simply sat back and placed a hand on Tommy’s head. The Springer spaniel looked up at Gavin with adoring eyes, then settled at Gavin’s feet, placing his nose between his paws.
Once the team was seated around the table, leaving the end spot open, the deputy commissioner entered, followed by the commissioner, Luke sat up a bit straighter.
The commissioner stood at the head of the table and pressed his hands against the tabletop podium. “Thank you all for coming so quickly and on such short notice. I had a few things to say to you and this seemed the easiest way to get it done. And—” he paused “—I wanted it to be more personal.”
With his forefinger, he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and blew out a low breath. “First, I want to say I’m truly sorry at the loss of Chief Jordan Jameson. He was an outstanding officer and I considered him a friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.”
Silence fell for a moment. Then the commissioner continued. “I know you all have been working overtime trying to figure out the connection to Chief Jameson and anyone who might have held a grudge against him. We have detectives also working alongside of you who are anxious to make sure Jordan’s killer is brought to justice. I cannot express how badly I want this person caught.”
He paused. “I know I don’t have to express it. I know you feel the same. I want to say that I appreciate you keeping me updated and request that you continue to do so each step of the way. Now,” he said, “my staff and I have been deliberating—some might even use the word agonizing—over who will step into the mighty big shoes Chief Jameson left behind.”
Gavin shifted, and Luke caught his laser-like gaze. He gave a small shake of his head and Gavin’s scowl deepened. The room held its collective breath while the commissioner glanced at the paper in front of him. Luke suspected he didn’t need it but was simply gathering his thoughts.
“Each person we looked at held extensive qualifications for the job,” the commissioner finally said, looking up and letting his gaze land on each person at the table. “You are all exceptional officers. In the end, we chose Noah Jameson as interim chief until a candidate is found to fill the position on a permanent basis. I know you all will treat him with the respect you offered his brother and I know that Interim Chief Noah Jameson will do an outstanding job. Thank you. That’s all for now. Do good and be safe.”
No one moved, no one breathed. The commissioner nodded and exited the room.
Noah stepped to the podium and cleared his throat. “I will admit that this came as a shock when the commissioner asked me to step in as interim. I wasn’t looking to do so but feel like I can honor Jordan by carrying on where he left off.” He sighed. “You guys know me. You know how I work and I know how you work. I trust each of you with my life and I know Jordan did, too. Let’s continue to keep each other in the loop and do our jobs.”
All heads nodded in agreement. Except, Luke noted, Gavin’s. The man glared, and Luke suspected he was biting his tongue raw.
“Okay,” Noah said. “That’s all on that matter. Just a couple of things and we can get back out there.” He opened the file folder in front of him. “Luke, do we know any more about the man who kidnapped Sophie from the auditorium?”
Luke stood. “Unfortunately, no. We just know that she found herself on his radar when she caught him in the auditorium looking through Jordan’s notes and called him on his presence. As near as we can figure, he knew the schedule and the people involved in the graduation ceremony, got there early and slipped the suicide note into the folder. Of course, Sophie was there early, too, and things went downhill from there. One thing that’s very clear is he wants Sophie dead and will go to great lengths, including taking risky chances, to make that happen. He’s also slippery as an eel and knows how to blend in with his surroundings—including a funeral with hundreds of officers in attendance.”
“Then you stay with her.”
“I plan to.”
“Good. Anyone else have anything that might help us catch this guy before he can get close to her again?”
Gavin stood. “We’ve looked at the security footage from the restaurant to see if we could find any information that would lead us to the guy on the motorcycle, but so far we’ve come up empty. He was on camera, but he had a helmet on and there was no plate on the back of the motorcycle.” Gavin dropped back into his seat and Luke couldn’t read the man’s expression.
“What about Snapper?” Noah asked. “Any word on him?”
Brianne stood this time. “I talked to the people in the lab just before heading over here to the meeting. They got the results back on the blood found in Jordan’s SUV. It’s animal blood. And while it wasn’t much, it’s possible that Jordan’s killer killed Snapper and wrapped him in something to keep the seats...clean. Then hid his body better than he did Jordan’s.” She choked on the last few words, swallowed and quickly regained her composure. “Or, it could be that Snapper had a slight injury and simply left the blood behind.”
“Thank you, Bree,” Noah said, his voice rough. “I appreciate the update. Anyone else have anything?”
A knock on the door interrupted them and Sophie stepped inside to pass Noah a piece of paper. For a moment, her gaze locked on Luke’s and the memory of their kiss blindsided him. He shot her a tight smile and looked away, but couldn’t help wondering if it was at all possible to have a happy ending with Sophie. He’d admit to being halfway in love with her already. Halfway. Didn’t mean he had to go head over heels. But if he didn’t put some distance between them, he was going to. Their kiss had left him rattled and running a bit scared.
Part of him wanted to talk to her and get an idea of what she was feeling, yet at the same time, he wondered if he shouldn’t run while he could.
Coward.
Maybe, but he had no doubt that Sophie had the power to break his heart and he didn’t know how he would survive that a second time—especially if he had to see her on a daily basis.
When the door shut behind her, he ordered his heart to throw the walls back up.
At least until Jordan’s killer was found. Then maybe he could revisit the idea of a relationship with Sophie.
Maybe.
* * *
The commissioner had just left, but everyone else was still in the conference room. Before stepping into the meeting, the commissioner had stopped by to inform her that Noah would be the interim. Sophie had approved his choice and he’d seemed pleased with her confirmation.
Sophie settled behind her desk once more to grab the ringing phone. If it was another reporter calling—
“K-9 Headquarters, how may I help you?”
“He can’t watch you forever.” Click.
The voice belonged to the man who’d kidnapped her. She’d recognize it anywhere. Sophie closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. She would not freak out, get upset or otherwise give him the pleasure of rattling her. Not that he would know it if she did, but she would.
It took her a few seconds to get her shaking under control, then she called a friend in dispatch and asked for a trace on the number. She could get Luke to do it but didn’t want to interrupt the meeting.
“I’ll see what I can find out,” her friend said.
“Thanks. It’s probably linked to a burner, but I have to try.”
“Of course. Stay tuned.”
As Sophie disconnected the call, she wondered if maybe she should consider that safe house after all. She’d talk about it with Luke on the ride home.
Luke.<
br />
And that kiss.
Whew.
Thinking about that was one way to get her mind off the fact that someone wanted her dead and had just threatened her.
A shudder ripped through her and she pushed back from the desk to stand. And pace. And think.
Until Finn entered the room. “Sophie? You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re a lousy liar.”
She huffed a low laugh. “Thanks.” She waved a hand and told him about the caller.
His brows dipped. “That’s not good. Have you told Luke?”
“Not yet. I think he’s still in the meeting.”
“He was finished when we were.”
“Oh. Well, maybe he’s working on something or talking to someone and will be out in a bit.”
“Probably.”
Or was he avoiding her for some reason?
Surely not. Finn and Abernathy disappeared down the hall and she returned to her desk to lose herself in emails and sorting files for Noah, making notes about each one. She and he would have to sit down together, and she’d walk him through the cases, as well as the duties Jordan had assigned to her. He could decide if he wanted her to continue doing her usual or change them up. Either way, she felt better about her job security. For the time being anyway.
When her phone rang, she stretched the cramp in her neck and checked the number before answering. Her tension eased slightly when she saw that it was her friend in the dispatch office calling back. “Hi, Carol.”
“Sophie, I checked the number and you were right. It was from a burner phone. There’s no way to trace it exactly, but according to the towers, I can put it about five miles from you. I sent a cruiser out to the area to see if they could spot anyone fitting the description of your kidnapper, but I doubt he stuck around long after making the call. He knows we’re looking for him.”
“Okay, thank you.” She hung up and dropped her head into her hands. When would this end? With a sigh, she went back to her notes and forced herself to concentrate.
The next time she looked up, Luke and Bruno were standing in the doorway watching her. She blinked at the frown on Luke’s face. “What is it?”
“You didn’t tell me you got a threatening phone call.”
“Finn?”
“Yeah, he texted me and told me to check on you and make sure you didn’t go anywhere alone.”
She shrugged. “I was planning to tell you when I saw you.”
“Did you recognize his voice?”
“Yes. It was the same guy.”
Anger flashed in his eyes for a brief moment. “I’m going to stop this person if it’s the last thing I do.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t figured that out yet. Let’s see if we can come up with a plan on the way back to my place. Are you done for the day?”
“I could work another forty hours and not be done.” She closed her laptop. “But I’m starving, and my eyes are burning. It’s already past six so I’m ready to call it a day.”
“I’ll feed you,” he said. “What do you want?”
The words were Luke, but the standoffish expression wasn’t one he’d ever used with her before. She bit her lip, considering his features, and decided that if he was going to do his best to put distance between them, he would have to work through whatever was bugging him.
Probably that kiss.
Then again, maybe it hadn’t affected him like it had her if he could so easily alter his behavior and treat her so coolly. Or maybe he was waiting on her to bring up the topic. But why should she? He was the one who’d kissed her and apologized.
Since they were alone, she started to say something about the kiss and stopped. He looked worn out. Maybe his demeanor had nothing to do with her. Maybe she was giving herself too much credit. Whatever the case, compassion stirred, and she decided to drop it. “It was a tough day, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
She nodded. She was being selfish. They were all grieving and she was obsessing about a kiss. Later, after some time had passed, she’d bring it up. Maybe. If he regretted it, did she really want to know about it? Open herself up to the humiliation that would bring?
That was a big fat no.
She needed to let it go. For now.
And hope Luke would bring it up.
As strange as it may be, she had to admit that whenever she was with Luke, she felt safe. His determination to protect her allowed that. In spite of the person who seemed just as determined to kill her. She grabbed her purse. “Luke, can we talk about—?”
“Luke?”
Sophie turned to see Tony waving at Luke.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Tony said, “but could I have a word? I can see you’re ready to leave, but this can’t wait.”
* * *
“Sure.” To Sophie, Luke asked, “You mind waiting?”
“Of course not.”
He shot her a swift smile, then joined Tony in the small office off the hallway. The room was mostly used for storage—and private conversations. “What is it?”
Tony paced from one end of the area to the other—as much as he could pace with all the boxes stacked around the perimeter. “Reed and I were talking.”
“About?”
“Gavin.”
Luke leaned against one of the larger boxes and crossed his arms. “Again, about?”
“About...” Tony raked a hand over his head. “Look, I know Noah’s the new chief, but I’d rather not bring him into this. Yet.”
“Into what? Something’s bothering you in a big way. Spill it.”
“What if it was Gavin?” Tony asked, his gaze not quite meeting Luke’s.
“What if...what was Gavin?” Luke didn’t like where the question was taking the conversation.
Tony sighed. “What if Gavin killed Jordan because he was still mad about Jordan beating him out for the position two years ago? What if his anger has just been growing ever since and he finally snapped? There. I said it. I should be kicked off the team for even thinking it, right?”
“No,” Luke said softly. “I have to admit it crossed my mind, as well.”
Tony froze for a second, then finally lifted his gaze to meet Luke’s. “Really?”
“Yeah. For a brief moment, I wondered. Then felt like you. I can’t believe that would even cross my mind.”
“Oh man.” Tony sighed. “I’m so glad you said that.”
“Have you discussed this with anyone else besides Reed?”
“No. Neither one of us likes thinking it, much less discussing it, but I think...”
“What?”
“We should at least investigate and make sure he has an alibi.”
Luke palmed his eyes and drew his hands down his face. He gave a slow nod. “Okay. I think that’s a valid argument considering their history, but I’m going to go on record in saying that I don’t believe it.”
“Then let’s prove it so we can defend him if it comes up with whoever winds up taking Jordan’s place.”
“Good idea.”
“I’ll get the ball rolling on that. You want to discuss this with him? He’s going to be hurt and angry that we feel we even have to do this.”
Luke shut his eyes and nodded. “Fine. I’ll talk to him.” He and Gavin seemed to have the least amount of conflict. He’d never been close to Gavin but had never had anything against the man except his attitude when it came to Jordan and his ambition. “Is he still here?”
“Yeah, I think he headed to his desk.”
Tony left, and Luke joined Sophie at her desk once more.
“Everything all right?”
“Just some things I need to think about with the investigation. I have one more thing I have to take care of, then we can head out, okay?”
Luke left her and went in search of Gavin. He found him sitting at his desk, head in his hands. The big man looked defeated, his dark brown hair in need of a trim, his broad shoulders slumped. For a moment, Luke simply stared at the man, wondering if he was doing the right thing by bringing up the topic. He turned to leave, then stopped. No, it was probably better coming from him, because if he didn’t ask, Tony would—and that would be a recipe for disaster for the whole team.
“Gavin, you got a minute?”
Gavin dropped his hands and turned. “Sure. Have a seat.”
Luke settled himself in the chair next to the desk facing Gavin, and Bruno stretched out on the floor next to Luke. Gavin’s dog, Tommy, shifted and crept closer to his handler, eyes on Bruno. “I need to ask you something,” Luke said, “and since there’s no right way to ask, I’m just going to spit it out.”
With a frown, Gavin nodded.
“Do you have an alibi for the day and time Jordan went missing?”
Gavin didn’t move. His eyes never left Luke’s, allowing Luke to see the change as they went from friendly to frosty. “Why do I need an alibi?”
“Because it’s been brought up that you and Jordan’s rivalry may have escalated, and it would be a good thing for you to have it on record that you provided an alibi. Should it be questioned by anyone.”
“Sounds like it’s already been questioned.”
“Not so much that anyone believes you had anything to do with Jordan’s death, but out of the desire to protect you and have an answer if we’re questioned about it.”
“Questioned by whom?” Gavin flicked a glance at the others gathered near Sophie’s office. “My unit members? Men and women I trust every day? People I’d die for? Them?”
“No,” Luke said. “People who don’t know you like we do.” The statement stopped him. His own words echoed around him and he clasped his hands together as he leaned forward. “I don’t think you had anything to do with Jordan’s death. Not one thing. But it’s well-known that you two went head-to-head occasionally and that he got a promotion that you were hoping for. For some people that would be enough to hang you right there. We want to be able to refute any such claims.”
Justice Mission Page 16
