Edge of Mercy (A Kate Reid Novel Book 11)

by Robin Mahle

  “Yes, it is. Thanks again.” Walsh returned to his car.

  Nick was on his phone while Palmero sat in the office and waited for him to finish the call. “And you can issue a visa for now, is that correct?” Nick nodded. “And when it runs out, what will happen? Uh-huh. Okay, so interviews and statements. Got it. What are the chances it’ll be turned down?” Nick waited again while the person spoke. “I see. So long as he can prove self-sufficiency. Okay. Well, I can’t thank you enough. This is going to bring us that much closer to solving this case.” He laughed. “Oh, I know how much I owe you. Believe me, it won’t be forgotten. Thanks again. Bye.” He set down his phone.

  “Well? It sounded positive,” Palmero said.

  “They agreed to issue a temporary visa. It’s all we can do for him for the time being. The rest will be up to him.”

  “I hope that will be enough,” Palmero replied.

  “There’s always a way we can turn the tables, but I don’t think either of us wants to do that.”

  “Threaten him with deportation if he doesn’t talk,” Palmero added.

  “That’s right. I’d rather catch flies with honey but if this won’t do it for him, it could get ugly.”

  “I don’t know how you did it, but I think this will do the trick. I should let the agent in Riverside know where the FBI stands.” Palmero pushed off the chair. “I’ll bring Duncan in on the conversation since she’s been working with him too.”

  “Okay. Good luck. We need it.” Nick watched as Palmero walked into the corridor. But before he could turn away, Walsh appeared.

  “Palmero, you need to hear this too,” Walsh said as he stood outside Nick’s office. “We all need to hear this. Is everyone here?” he asked Nick.

  “I believe so. When did you get back?”

  “Just now. We should gather in the conference room for five minutes. I’ll round up everyone.”

  “Okay.” Nick stood and met Walsh in the corridor. “Just an FYI, we got a solution to our immigrant blackmailer.”

  “Blackmailer. That’s a strong word,” Walsh replied.

  “Withholding information to get what you want. What else would you call it?”

  “Politics? I don’t know.” Walsh patted Nick on the back. “Good work, Boss.”

  “I’m not the boss anymore.” Nick followed.

  Walsh didn’t respond and continued to round up the rest of the team. “I’ll meet you in the conference room in five.” He headed toward Duncan’s office. “Hey, can you spare a minute for a quick rundown in the conference room?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m gathering everyone now. Meet you in there.” Walsh disappeared.

  Within minutes, the team waited in the conference room for Walsh to return. Kate was the last to enter and Walsh trailed her.

  “Thanks for dropping everything,” Walsh began. “Dr. Theodore Bishop.” He held up a photo of Bishop that appeared to come from an ID badge from his previous employer. “According to the attorney representing the family in the wrongful death suit against Baltimore EMS, this is the man who they allege was neglectful in his treatment of the elderly woman, and mother to the man who filed the case.”

  “They must not have anything to point to criminality,” Kate said.

  “They do not,” Walsh added. “Which makes this more difficult for us because we are going to have to run on the assumption this man here is the same man who killed five others at two different humanitarian efforts.”

  “How can we prove this man also aided in those disaster zones?” Duncan asked. “We still need our witnesses to sit with a composite artist to get us a rendering.”

  “You’re right about that. However, I have a call into Bishop’s previous supervisor who I will ask to confirm whether Bishop was given leave to offer assistance.”

  “He doesn’t know?” Nick asked.

  “I didn’t get to speak to him. He wasn’t there. However, some folks were very helpful and suggested I visit the office of the EMT National Registry. As luck would have it, Bishop is a registered member.”

  “Are you saying we know where he’s at?” Kate added.

  “That’s what brings me to call on all of you now. We have a name. We have a reason to suspect this individual is our unsub, but what we don’t have is proof. Not yet and not until we, at the very least, get our hands on a sketch. What I need to know is how confident everyone is that we should approach this man who now happens to work for the Charlotte fire department as an EMT.” Walsh looked around the room. “Fisher, this will ultimately be your call, but I thought a general consensus would be helpful.”

  Fisher nodded. “If we drag this guy through the mud and it turns out not to be him, we’ll have likely damaged his reputation and career and will face a substantial lawsuit.”

  “You’re saying we have to wait until we get corroborating testimony from our two witnesses before we approach him?” Kate asked.

  “In this situation, Reid, I’m not sure we can run on circumstantial. I’m not saying your theory is wrong. I know you and I know how reliable your insight is. But we might have to sit on this until we know more.” Fisher glanced at the other team members. “Unless anyone has a better idea? I’m open to all options.”

  Nick set his sights on Palmero. “We have two potential witnesses. It might be best if you head back to Houston and get with the Oakview detective to help him run down Dr. Valente.” He turned to Duncan. “You’ve been in contact with the Riverside field agent. If Fisher’s good with it, you and I can meet up with him to get his witness to come forward. Since it’s my State Department contact who pulled the strings, it would be a good idea for me to go with you to offer assurances to his man.” Finally, Nick looked to Fisher. “Walsh and Reid can keep track of Bishop in Charlotte while continuing to gather evidence to support Reid’s theory. What do you think? It’s your call.”

  Nick had just taken charge again and Kate wondered if Fisher noticed. Hell, they all must’ve noticed. She believed in Nick’s plan. It was the right course of action, but it wasn’t Fisher’s idea. And by the look on Fisher’s face, he knew it. The team waited for his response and Kate was sure the temperature in the room dropped 20 degrees in that moment.

  “I agree with Scarborough. It’s a good plan. Let’s do it.” Fisher left the room before anyone else.

  Palmero got to his feet and looked at Nick. “What was that all about?”

  “It’s a long story, my friend.”

  Kate approached Walsh. “Hey, so I guess it’s you and me, huh?”

  “Always.” He leaned in and lowered his tone. “That was awkward as hell.”

  “Tell me about it. Fisher made the right call, though. He’s a good man and I don’t envy him his position.”

  “I think your boyfriend might have a different take on that.” Walsh put his arm around her. “Let’s find out more about the good Dr. Bishop, shall we?”

  Nassau’s airport had opened for humanitarian and rescue missions the day following Hurricane Florence. The majority of the island was without power. Tourists flocked to the airport in droves in search of ways to leave the island. Some were allowed to board the cruise ships that arrived at the port to offer assistance. Others tried to arrange charter flights to Miami.

  When Theo Bishop, whose name was now Eli Parnell, arrived, he slipped through with ease thanks to the bedlam. The last thing he needed was local police asking questions as to his purpose on the island. He’d yet to secure any identification that would associate him with one of the humanitarian convoys that had already arrived. That was first on his list of things to do.

  At the baggage claim area, several people waited, huddled around the conveyors in a swarm. Bishop kept his eyes out for anyone with a Red Cross emblem, Doctors without Borders, anyone who looked like they were part of the rescue efforts. When his eyes landed on a young woman, a nun, who appeared to be on her own, he waited for her to move toward the conveyor and when she did, he approached.

  “Excuse
me, Sister, can I help you with your luggage?” He pointed to a bag that was coming near. “Is that one there yours?”

  “No, it’s that one, just there. Blue.”

  Bishop smiled and stepped toward the conveyor. He pulled off the blue bag and set it next to him.

  “That one there as well, if you’d be so kind,” she said.

  “You got it.” Bishop reached for the second bag and once he had both, he rolled them toward her. “Here you go, Sister.” He spotted the name of a church on her luggage tag. “Are you here to offer aid to the hurricane victims?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes. I am traveling with others; however, I was the only one with checked bags. Supplies for the victims, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you for your kindness, sir. Might I ask your name?” She pulled her bags closer.

  He paused a moment and quickly recalled his new name. “Eli Parnell. It’s nice to meet you, Sister.”

  “It’s Anne. Just Anne.” She retrieved a card from her carry-on bag. “If you need anything or wish to join us in our efforts, feel free to reach out to me. This is my number.”

  Bishop peered at the card. “Our Lady of Mercy.” He smiled.

  “That’s right. We’re based in Miami, but of course, we go where God needs us most. Good day, Mr. Parnell.”

  “Good day, Anne.” Bishop held the card between his fingers and twirled it. Was it a coincidence he used to work at a hospital with that very name? He turned his gaze to the ceiling. “Maybe you just know where I am at all times.”

  11

  The resorts offered rooms to anyone associated with the humanitarian efforts. Bishop arrived at the Blue Vista Hotel.

  An islander in a uniform top that had a striking resemblance to a bowling shirt smiled at him. “Good evening, sir. How may I help you?”

  “Good evening. My name is Eli Parnell. I’m here with the Our Lady of Mercy mission to aid in the hurricane recovery efforts.” He set down the card the nun had given him. “That’s my supervisor who can vouch for me if required.”

  The man examined the card. “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Parnell. I’ll get you checked in. We welcome all who come here to help our Bahamian brothers and sisters. We are grateful to have you.” He turned to his computer.

  Bishop scanned the lobby. Only a few people were there, and all looked as though they were there to help. He couldn’t spot a single tourist. “You must be pretty empty right now.”

  “Oh, we are, sir. Everyone evacuated when the first warnings came. The rest of us call this place home. There was nowhere else for us to go.”

  “I’m very sorry to hear that. I hope your home remained intact.”

  The man smiled again, only this time it was a closed lip grin that revealed the answer to Bishop’s question. “I’m afraid not, sir.” He reached for a keycard and wrote down the room number. “You’ll be in room 3729. As you can see, we are extremely understaffed, so all we ask is that you are patient with us and understand we may not have the ability to change linens or clean your room on a daily basis. We will do our best, however.”

  “Please. It’s totally unnecessary. I can take out my own trash. I’m here to help, not to be a burden. Thank you.” Bishop took the key and rode the elevator to the third floor. While the hotel was a three-star at best, it beat the hell out of his studio apartment in Charlotte’s questionable urban area. Bishop walked inside and set down his bags. It was already late and there would be nothing for him to do tonight. First thing in the morning, he would find the ones who needed him the most.

  Walsh walked into Kate’s office with his hands tucked into his pockets. “Hey, it’s getting late. What’s say we call it a night and grab some food?”

  Kate pulled her attention from her computer and checked the time. “Oh, wow. It’s almost ten.” She sat back and raised her arms in a long stretch. “I could use some food.” She closed the lid of her laptop and grabbed her coat and purse. “I just want to stop in and see Fisher on the way out. Is that okay with you?”

  “Be my guest. After you.” He stepped aside and waited for her to leave the office before following.

  “What about that supervisor?” Kate looked over her shoulder. “Did you talk to him yet?”

  “He hasn’t called back. But I called right after he supposedly got on shift and he didn’t answer.”

  “That’s odd. You’d think when a badge wants to talk to you, it might be a good idea to return the call.”

  “It’s right up there with the rest of the dumb shit people do,” Walsh added.

  They arrived at Fisher’s office and Kate walked in. “Hey. I see you’re still here too.”

  “Still here.” He gazed at them. “Looks like you two are heading out.”

  “We’re going to grab a bite to eat,” Walsh began. “Care to join us?”

  “You know what, I think I will. Thanks for the invite.” Fisher shut down his computer and stood. “Oh, by the way, I just got a call from Duncan. She and Scarborough arrived in Riverside and are going to get checked into a hotel then meet up with the agent first thing in the morning.”

  Kate nodded. “Oh. Good. I was wondering if they’d arrived yet.” Nick hadn’t called her and in any other circumstance, he would’ve texted his arrival at the very least, followed by a call before he went to bed. She wondered now if even that would happen.

  “You ready, Reid?” Walsh asked.

  “You bet. I’m starved. Mind if I hitch a ride with one of you? I drove in with Nick this morning.”

  “I’ll take you. I can drop you at home too. I’m closer to you than Walsh,” Fisher replied.

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  Kate stepped into the passenger seat of Fisher’s Infinity Q80. It was a far cry from her Ford Explorer, which she’d splurged on after her transfer to Quantico. “Thanks for letting me hitch a ride. If we’d known Nick was going to fly to California, we would’ve taken separate cars.”

  Fisher pressed the ignition button. “Hey, no worries. These things come up in our line of work. Walsh said we were going to go back to the Bar and Grill?”

  “Yeah. I guess he likes it there. And it’s close.” Kate hadn’t been chummy with Fisher and certainly not in the way she was close to Walsh. Of course, she and Walsh tended to be teamed up more frequently, but maybe it was long overdue for her to forge a bond with Fisher. “You know, about finding a lead profiler, I want you to know that I’m on board with whoever you choose.”

  “I appreciate that, Reid. And just so you know, I wouldn’t want to bring on anyone you weren’t comfortable with.”

  “Hey, I get along with virtually everyone.” She turned to him. “Well, except Quinn. That whole thing started off on the wrong foot and had nothing to do with you or the others on the team.”

  “I don’t pretend to know all that went on between you two, but I knew Quinn pretty well and I was aware of his tactics. I’m sorry you were subjected to them.”

  “Don’t be. I let him get too close and I paid the price. So did Nick. But that doesn’t mean what I did in response was acceptable. I get that it wasn’t, and I know I face a censure hearing.”

  “Cole has his way of doing things that I don’t always agree with, but I’ll be there in your defense if you need me to be. I guarantee you that.”

  “Thanks. That’s nice to hear. I know we don’t say much to each other, but I want you to know that I have no animosity about you taking on the Senior Unit Agent spot. None. You were here long before Nick and maybe it wasn’t fair for him to swoop in and take over.”

  “Cole had his reasons. Take earlier today for example. Right off the bat, Scarborough pulled together a comprehensive plan to approach this case. The guy’s smart. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been in a leadership position. I haven’t until now. But I hope I can live up to Scarborough’s reputation at the Bureau. Minus this most recent situation. I don’t want to let any of you down.”

  It was the first time she saw
Fisher. Saw who he really was. He was a good guy. He had his flaws, but they all did. Nick among them. Maybe it was time Kate remembered that he had been a good guy too. Nick was smart and knew how to handle a case. In all of this, she’d forgotten that about him. He screwed up. But who among them hadn’t?

  To look at the clear blue skies now, it had been difficult for Bishop to believe Mother Nature had unleashed a devastating hurricane on the people of this island. He stood outside a marketplace with downed awnings and splintered wooden carts scattered about the sidewalks and streets. Debris littered an area the size of a football field.

  His reason for being here now was a far cry from the others who had gathered, traversing the area with saddened faces and dried tears on their cheeks. Bishop didn’t care about any of that and he wondered if this had been the right call. Where were the first responders? Where were the people being carted in with life-threatening injuries?

  “Excuse me,” Bishop approached a Red Cross volunteer. “I’m with Our Lady of Mercy church and have medical training. Might I be of use somewhere else?”

  “Please, come with me.” The volunteer started toward a nearby station that had been set up. The tent displayed the Red Cross insignia. “Good morning. This gentleman has a medical background. Is there a need for him at another location?”

  The woman smiled, pushed her glasses up on her face, and studied Bishop. “Absolutely. There is another area much harder hit where medical aid is currently being rendered. I can take you there. It is not far.”

  “Thank you. Anything I can do to help.” Bishop followed the older woman to a Jeep and stepped up onto the passenger seat.

  “You are a doctor?” The woman turned the engine and pulled ahead.

  “I am, yes,” Bishop replied. “Dr. Eli Parnell.”

  “Well, Dr. Parnell, they will be most grateful to have your assistance.”

  Bishop held onto the handle above the door of the Jeep. The roads undulated through the city. The woman swerved to avoid large rocks that tumbled from the hills and landed in the middle of the lanes, which were scarcely wide enough to handle two cars passing at once. “How much farther?”