Stand down?“I thought we needed to do everything possible to solve this case.”
“We need to keep up that appearance.”
“Appearance?”
“For PR’s sake, we need to make it look like we’re still working this case to the last officer,” said Parson. “But I’ve been told to pull everyone back.”
Officers pulled back. Just as her samples went missing. Jamey frowned. “Who’s getting in our way? The FBI?”
“No,” Parson said brusquely. “Higher.”
Ah. Of course.
“I’m only telling a select group,” said Parson. “I know you have a personal stake in this case, so you especially have to step back.”
“Sir—”
He held up a hand and cut her off. “Get out there and flash your badge. Shake things up, talk to the press, talk to the lawyers—”
“But don’t actually solve the multiple homicide in my city.” Oh, this really was some bullshit. She was going to get Reece safely out of town, and then Evan Grayson was going to have a lot to answer for.
“It wasn’t my decision,” said Parson, “but we’re going to respect it,andwe’re going to keep it quiet. Let everyone else think everything is business as usual—well, as far as anything about this case is usual. You got me?”
“Sure,” she said, glad Reece wasn’t around to hear her lie.
As Jamey left Parson’s office, she heard Liam’s voice from the elevators.
“Jamey!” As handsome as always, Liam wore his familiar sweater vest and tie combination, his hurried movements sending his glasses sliding down his nose. A few quick steps brought her to meet him halfway across the bullpen.
“You look stressed,” she said, as soon as they were close enough that Liam would hear a whisper.
They were the same height, their eyes level as Liam shoved his glasses back into place and read from his phone. “I don’t use my phone behind the wheel and neither should you.Hashtagdrive like an empath.” He waved the phone in the air. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“That Reece doesn’t think it’s safe to answer the phone or check texts while driving,” she said. “And that he refuses to do it.”
For a man who was perfectly polished in front of a camera, Liam sure could swear creatively in private. “But this is an emergency!”
“And if you figure out how to make him care, let me know,” Jamey said, with feeling.
Liam’s face puckered up like he’d sucked on a lemon. “Come with me?”
She followed him through the bullpen as he led her not to his interior office but to the closest window. He pointed through the rain-streaked glass to Fifth Avenue one story below, to the sea of plastic ponchos dotted by fuzzy microphones. A crowd of reporters gathering right outside HQ’s front doors.
“There has to be a way to stop Reece before he walks through that circus.” Liam put a hand on the window. “I sent him three texts.”
“I’m sure he’ll read them in time,” Jamey said weakly. Reece would’ve heard that lie too.
Liam looked around the bullpen, then moved closer. In a quieter voice, he said, “I have more bad news. My dad’s plane is in the shop. He flew in a storm in the Tongass Narrows two days ago and one of the floats busted against the dock.”
Shit.
“My dad’s asking around, calling his contacts, but I can’t promise someone else can keep a secret.”
“I’ll figure something out,” she said, although what that would be, she had no idea. “Thanks for trying; I know Reece makes your job tougher.”
“Yeah, but he’s yourbrother.” Liam shrugged. “You eat kimchi for me, I put up with Reece’s big mouth for you.”
“Ilikekimchi,” she pointed out. “I like it spicier than you.”
