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Nate sniffed. “It demonstrated a disturbing lack of discrimination and judgment on her part. Which is why someone was sent to retrieve her.”
“Her, or the box?”
“Both. You know about its importance.”
“I’m not sure we do.”
“I explained it to you this morning.”
Rawlins said, “Yeah, but we’d like to take another look inside.”
“I can’t risk exposing the contents to light and air again until I’m in a sterile environment.”
“Fine. We’re free now.” Rawlins motioned down the hallway toward the elevator. “Is your car in the garage here? I’ll ride with you. Wilson can follow us.”
Nate tried to conceal his alarm. Meanwhile his mind was darting about in search of an excuse. He took a deep breath and drew himself up. “Gentlemen, Brynn’s conduct this morning is uncharacteristic of the professional I know. But I don’t believe for a moment that she was involved in any law-breaking activity last night, or today, or at any time, although I don’t have the same confidence in the integrity of the man with whom she shared several hours in a cabin.
“I’m certain that Brynn will soon come to her senses and resume her responsibil
ities to our patient. If she doesn’t, she’ll suffer consequences which could impact her professional future. I have a substantial amount of influence at the medical facility with which we’re both affiliated.”
He looked at his watch, then shot his cuffs.
“Now, I appreciate your commitment to your duty. I admire you for conducting such a thorough investigation into the assault on Mr. White. But, presently, you really must excuse me. I have an appointment.”
“And we have a search warrant,” Rawlins said.
Nate’s sphincter clenched. “You have a search warrant?”
“For the box.”
“Wh…why did you feel it necessary to obtain a search warrant on Thanksgiving night?”
“Because we thought you might balk.”
“I beg your pardon. I do not balk.”
“Sheriff’s office here cooperated,” Wilson said. “We stopped at the judge’s house to get the warrant signed.”
Rawlins produced it from an inside breast pocket of his puffer jacket, unfolded it, and held it out for Nate to read. “Open the box, Dr. Lambert.”
The more he protested, the worse it would look for him. Recognizing that, he backed into the office and motioned them toward the desk. Trying to keep his hands steady, he scrolled the dials on the padlock and opened it. He raised the metal lid.
Rawlins pulled on a pair of latex gloves and methodically removed the sealed test tubes, examining each one before placing it on the desk, leaving four circular cutouts in the foam.
“There,” Nate said. “What did you expect to find?”
Ignoring him, Rawlins dug his fingers into the edge of the foam and began working it up and away from the metal. “Let’s see what’s under here.” He pulled the lining up and out.
Nate’s slick, shiny head broke a sweat.
6:02 p.m.
The room had been booked in Dash’s name, his real name, the one on his platinum card. That could be advantageous if anyone were to canvass local hotels in search of a Rye Mallett or Brynn O’Neal.
It was a chain hotel near the airport. Rye had to show the check-in clerk his photo ID, but the harried young man gave it only a cursory glance, which he wasn’t likely to remember. He was overrun with demanding complainers who had set up camp in his lobby while waiting for either a room to become available or for the airlines to put them on a flight, whichever came first.
Rye wouldn’t have been all that surprised if Brynn had pulled a vanishing act while he was checking in, but she was waiting for him at the elevator bank as agreed. They rode up in silence and got out on the seventh floor, which was blessedly quiet compared to the mob scene in the lobby.
