CHAPTER NINE
Kate hated being angry.She especially hated being angry at Marcus.She doubly hated being angry with him when he wasn’t doing anything wrong.
She couldn’t help it, though.She knew this shit was going to happen.For reasons she couldn’t fathom, Marcus was dependent on Cheryl.The moment she reached out, his entire life rearranged itself to whatever shape best fit her desire.
It had taken a few minutes of coaxing, but Marcus eventually admitted his cold feet came from a phone call from Cheryl.He’d been working and asked to call her back, and she, predictably, had reacted badly to the idea of Marcus having a life outside of catering to her every whim.Marcus, just as predictably, had decided that if Cheryl was mad at him, he must be a worthless piece of shit and should stop doing whatever had made her upset, in this case, Kate.
Yeah, except he never reallydidme, did he?
And on the heels of that thought,who asked out who?
She sighed and dropped her fork onto the table.“Marcus, look…”
Before she could stumble through an apology she didn’t feel but Marcus deserved, the door to the breakroom flew open.The other conversations taking place stopped as Rivera strode toward the two Portland agents.
The look on Rivera’s face told Kate what he was going to say before he said it.Hearing it aloud still felt like a sledgehammer to the gut.
“Guys, we’ve got another body.Medical center on the river.”
***
The Miami River was the most prominent feature that Kate never thought about when she thought of the city.The five-and-a-half-mile expanse was lined with luxury high-rises and businesses for most of its length, with the occasional stretch of “historic” type businesses, particularly those on the riverwalk or immediately adjacent.
The Miami River Health Center was near one of these historic stretches, and its seven-story rhomboidal concrete and glass structure clashed badly with the more modern glass-wall high-rises north and the whitewashed wood plank eateries and rental services south.Its sign boasted a myriad of services not typically advertised at your ordinary hospital including chiropractic services, sports massage, cosmetic surgery, laser eye care, and mental health expertise.
Dr.Hammond was one of two doctors in the center providing the latter and boasted a coveted first-floor office.Or had up until tonight.
The interior of the building clashed once more, this time with itself.Smooth gray concrete was replaced by that peculiar sort of buffed ceramic tile that caused every beam of light to scatter into glaring smears.The stainless steel of the reception desk and benches in the lobby exacerbated this problem.If they’d had daylight to contend with and not just the ubiquitous fluorescent lighting, Kate might have needed sunglasses.
“Sounds like she stopped screaming,” Rivera said as they approached the office.To Kate’s questioning glance, he replied.“The night watchman who called it in told me the girl who found the body was screaming nonstop.”
They entered the office and saw the girl in question vibrating like a tuning fork on one of the waiting room chairs.These, thankfully, were muted earth tones that softened the light rather than smearing it.
The girl, maybe nineteen or twenty with red hair, dark brown eyes and a cherubic face above a slender body, muttered to herself.Her eyes were wide open and staring through the police officer standing in front of her.The officer fixed Kate with a stricken glance, upset that he couldn’t comfort the poor girl.
She was muttering to herself, something Kate couldn't make out at first, but that resolved into, "He cut it out of her, he cut it out of her, he cut it out of her," when she leaned in close.
She shared a look with Marcus, intending to ask him to talk to her.His good looks, dazzling smile, and strong appearance usually worked wonders comforting people in shock.
The dark frown he wore now, and the downturned mouth usually worked the opposite.Kate rolled her eyes and said, “Go check the scene.I’ll talk to her.”
Marcus headed for the office without another word.Rivera pulled the police officer aside to discuss the timeline.That left Kate to try to reach out to the terrified girl.
She noted there was no blood on her.Her hair was wild and her eyes wilder, but her clothing was put-together and well-organized, but not particularly fresh.Kate doubted like hell this was the killer they were looking for, but seeing visual support for that doubt helped confirm it.
She pulled one of the chairs so she sat in front of the trembling young woman and smiled.“I’m Special Agent Kate Valentine.What’s your name?”
The woman’s eyes flickered to her but didn’t remain.She still shook like static on an old film camera.He cut it out of her.He cut it out of her.He cut it out of her.
Kate turned to Rivera and his companion.“Name?”
“Jenna Fritz,” the police officer replied.“Dr.Hammond’s receptionist.”
Kate wanted the victim’s name too, but she would follow up on that with Jenna.“Miss Fritz?Or do you prefer Jenna?”
"He cut it out of her, he cut it out of her, he cut it out of her…"
A touch of irritation rippled through Kate.She firmed her voice a little.“Jenna, I need to ask you about what happened.I need you to talk to me.We’re going to do everything we can to find the person who did this to Dr.Hammond, but I need your help.Can you help me?”
