Deadly Sins (43 page)

“I’m thinking he might be only too happy to buy it.” He went for his coat, where it was folded over an armchair. “You may have noticed, he’s not my biggest fan. Tomorrow he’s going to see the report that Macy Reid tied the man who blackmailed Lambert to Ferrell, who tried to kill me. He’s going to consider that proof that I’m all wrapped up in this thing.” He slipped into his overcoat. “I’m not going to wait around to hear what spin he puts on it.”

She folded her arms across her chest, suddenly cold, although she’d changed out of the scrubs immediately upon arriving home. “What will you do? What was that you said to Paulie? What’s a code eight?”

“I’m shutting down Raiker Forensics headquarters. When they don’t find me at home, they’ll go there.” He looked around for his briefcase. Discovered it just inside the door. “We have a plan in place for just such an eventuality. A secondary secret location where we’ll prepare.”

“Prepare? To do what?”

“To figure out who the hell is behind this and why they’re so intent on pinning it on me.” His tone was fierce. “Somehow, I don’t think I can count on the bureau to clear my name.”

Sick fear twisted through her. “I should have seen this today. Should have put it all together. It was too weird, what Bolton said about the caller asking about me. Where’s that interest coming from?”

“Where indeed? At the risk of sounding egomaniacal, Bolton ties to me. Reinbeck. Cote, a more nebulous link there, only through Jerry. Nothing that I can think of with Patterson. Then there’s Ferrell, who’s connected to Lambert through the written communications from the killer. And Lambert’s link to LeCroix, which leads right back to me.”

He stopped then, and she read his thoughts as easily as if he’d spoken them out loud. “There’s no reason to believe I’m the next target.”

“The possibility can’t be discounted. Why draw you into the scene with Bolton? As the reporter told you, he has lots of contacts in the bureau. But you’re tied to me, too. And right now anyone with a connection could be in danger.”

“How would the DC killer know about us?” She shook her head. Adam was an enigmatic man at the best of times, but she knew how his mind worked. “I’m not leaving. I’m not joining Royce in Disney World or whatever plan you’re hatching in that mind of yours.”

The look of affront he wore told her better than words that she’d followed his line of thought seamlessly. “It would be safer all around . . .”

“Here’s what I am going to do,” she told him calmly. The best way to handle Adam Raiker was with logic and unyielding determination. “I’ll continue working the investigation from the inside. Focusing on the ties to you without getting caught up in the ridiculous assumption that you’re the DC killer. I can do more here, especially now that I don’t have to worry about Royce.”

She returned his glare with equanimity. “I want to hear from Hedgelin himself what he’s thinking. Maybe I can make him see reason.” She knew Adam recognized the futility of the thought. But there were suspects in this case who hadn’t been fully investigated yet, angles that had yet to be explored. She wasn’t going to allow the assistant director to focus on Adam while ignoring the countless other possibilities.

“I don’t have time to debate this with you.”

The irritation in his voice almost made her smile in spite of the seriousness of the situation. He wasn’t used to people arguing with him. Which was all the more reason she couldn’t give the man an inch. “You’re right; you don’t. Go meet Paulie. Give me the number of that safe cell you mentioned.”

Grudgingly, he told her. She mentally repeated the digits until she was certain she had them memorized. “Wait. You’ll need the statements I had the Newell family write today for Macy to run tests on.” She carried her briefcase into her bedroom, took them out, and made copies.

Reentering the living room, she found him standing in the same place she’d left him. She handed him the pages, watched him fold them and tuck them in the pocket of his overcoat. Then she looked at the clock. “You need to go.” The words brought a pang, one that had to be firmly set aside. There was no telling how long ago the warrant had been issued. “They’ll be looking for your car.”

“And they’ll find it at Ray’s Auto Body in Manassas. This is a rental, so it might take them longer, but you’re right. It won’t be long.” He was at the door. Easy enough to turn. Go through it. He was known for his abrupt departures.

But he made no movement toward it. And something in his gaze had her heart doing a slow flip in her chest. It was she who crossed the room in the end. Walked into his arms and hugged his hard waist. “Don’t be a hero.”

His laugh sounded choked. “Haven’t you heard? My press has taken a definite downturn.” With one crooked finger beneath her chin, he tilted her face up. The brush of his lips across her forehead was whisper light. “Love and sex just muddy the issue.”

Immediately recognizing his oft repeated phrase, she supplied the rest of the quote. “‘People always see much clearer without either clouding their instincts.’ ” He’d preached that time and again in classes. On the job. “I heard a brilliant investigator say that once.”

“Too bad he can’t take his own advice.”

When her head jerked up so she could look at him, he took the opportunity to take her mouth in a bruising kiss. Released her. “Lock the door after me.”

She folded her arms around her middle. Nodded. Then watched the man walk out her door without a backward glance.

And at that moment, the threat posed by the DC killer didn’t seem like the biggest danger she was facing.

Diving headlong into love with Adam Raiker again was.

Shepherd was already in Hedgelin’s office when Jaid arrived. She slipped into a seat, surreptitiously watching the assistant director’s expression for signs of his thoughts. But nothing showed in his expression but the familiar vague impatience. “Special Agent Marlowe. I trust you’ve recovered from the incident you were involved in yesterday?”

No weaknesses were ever allowed to show on the job. In this environment personal vulnerabilities could be used to bury an agent. Her voice was clear when she responded. “I’m fine, sir.”

“Because you know we have counselors available for that sort of thing.”

Jaid wasn’t entirely sure she was able to keep her reaction to those words from showing on her face. “That won’t be necessary.”

Hedgelin took off his glasses. Withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and began to polish them. “I was just updating Special Agent Shepherd. We have a warrant out for the arrest of Adam Raiker. Hence his absence this morning.”

Her voice hardening slightly, she said, “Yes, I heard.”

“You heard.” Examining the results of his efforts, he finally resettled the glasses back on his nose. “So maybe you have an idea how his fingerprint got on the note card Bolton was showing you when he was shot.”

“The evidence was never out of my possession.” She glanced at Shepherd. His face looked drawn. Worried. Shifting her focus back to her superior, she said, “Adam was in shooting review, and I was reporting in my own sessions. He didn’t have access to it.”

“Which makes it even more suspect to find his thumbprint on the note card, doesn’t it?”

“Suspect?” She didn’t attempt to mask her sarcasm. “What’s
suspect
is believing that the most brilliant criminologist in the country”—she noted his immediate reaction—“excuse me,
one
of them was so careless that he accidentally made an amateurish mistake on the fourth card left at a murder scene. We need to be thinking about how else his print could have gotten there.”

“When we hear hoofbeats on a ranch, Agent Marlowe, we don’t go looking for zebras. But you make a valid point. I’d very much like an opportunity to discuss the matter with him. Coupled with the report you filed connecting the man who tried to blow up Raiker’s place with whoever was manipulating Lambert . . . surely you see how he’s tied into this investigation.” He took a moment to survey them both. “If either of you has any knowledge of his whereabouts, now would be the time to tell me.”

Relief flared. It took effort to keep it from her expression. Her voice. “He hasn’t been located?”

“Not yet. But that’s just a matter of time. Agent Shepherd.” Hedgelin’s change of topic was swift. “Have you located that priest, Jerry Benton, yet?”

Jaw dropping, she demanded, “You’re arresting Benton, too?” Adam would be devastated if he learned his friend was caught up in this mess because of their association.

“No,” Shepherd put in hastily, seeing her expression. “There are just more questions I want to ask him. But no, sir, I haven’t been able to find him. There’s a retired priest covering his duties at the church, and all I’ve been told is that Benton had an emergency to tend to.”

“Convenient. Keep digging in that area.”

“Have the linguists at Quantico duplicated the authorship tests run by Adam’s forensic linguist yet?”

“The impetus of the investigation has shifted.” Hedgelin flicked a glance at the other agent after answering Jaid’s question. “You’re excused, Shepherd.”

After a brief hesitation, the other agent rose. Left the room silently. Dread pooled in Jaid’s stomach. She steeled herself for what might be coming next. Hoped she was wrong.

“Special Agent Marlowe, it occurs to me that despite your vows otherwise, you may need some time away from the demands of this investigation.”

The words ambushed her. “I am more than capable of continuing my work, sir.” Anxiety had her muscles tensing. Of all the scenarios she’d envisioned, somehow being removed from the case hadn’t even occurred.

“The personal nature of Bolton’s request, the way he sought you out to meet with him is troublesome.”

Her breath came out in a rush. She hadn’t been aware that she was holding it. “I’m willing to assume that risk, sir.”

“Well, I’m not.” He avoided meeting her gaze by straightening the file folders on his desk. “Not to make light of your contributions to this case, but I have nearly three hundred investigators involved here. I can afford to lose one, especially if your removal ensures your safety.”

“Sir . . .”

He did look at her then, and his voice turned cutting. “Don’t make the mistake of believing you have a choice in this matter, Agent. You’ve been reassigned. Talk to your immediate supervisor for your new duties.”

Tamping down her disappointment and anger, she said, “I was going to ask, sir, to take some personal leave now instead.” His sharp look was full of suspicion. “My son broke his arm a few days ago. I haven’t been able to spend much time with him.”

It took effort not to squirm under his penetrating stare. After a long moment he gave a jerky nod. “See human resources.”

She got up. Reached for her briefcase and purse. She got as far as the door before his voice stopped her. “Please turn in your copy of the case file. If I hear you are involving yourself in this investigation in any way in the future, Agent, there will be disciplinary action involved.”

Jaid sent him a look over her shoulder. “Not to worry, Assistant Director. I’m going for a little R and R.”

It had taken over an hour to fill out the necessary leave paperwork.

So when Jaid saw Agent Shepherd lingering near the elevator when she finished with human resources, she immediately knew he’d been waiting for her. “Tom.” She stabbed the Down button with her index finger.

“I wanted to talk to you one-on-one about Adam’s friend. That priest.”

The doors opened silently. When Jaid entered the compartment, the agent followed her. “I’ve been removed from the case.”

Shepherd looked dumfounded. “Removed? Why?”

Rolling her shoulders, she said, “Party line or the real reason? Hedgelin claims it’s for my safety. Somehow, I think his motives are somewhat less altruistic, but who knows.”

He lowered his voice as if someone would hear him. “This whole thing smells bad. This perpetrator is one of the most careful, organized ones I’ve ever seen. But all of a sudden he makes a rookie mistake like leaving a print? Bullshit.”