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“I know something about Miss Meadows,” Jeff said, disgust in his tone. “She doesn’t have any children.”
Alex just shook her head. She felt stupid for walking into a trap, but now she was angry as well. It was clear that Portia Meadows wasn’t concerned about anything but her ratings.
“Can I ask why you didn’t know who she was?” Jeff asked. “Don’t you ever watch the news?”
“No, not really. But if I do, I watch channel 9. They seem a little less biased and work harder to simply report the news. Channel 5 likes to actually create it.”
“Well, that certainly proved true this time,” Logan said. “I’ve seen Portia Meadows, but I wasn’t impressed.”
“The problem is we came off as insensitive and uncaring,” Jeff said. “Someone higher up will be issuing a statement later today, but don’t worry. They have your back. I’m going to let them know what really happened. They’ll report it just as you told it to me. Hopefully, Portia won’t come off well.”
Alex wanted to believe Jeff, but if people got it in their heads that the FBI didn’t care about the missing women, it might be hard to change their minds.
“That woman will never get near me again,” she said.
“Good.”
“I’m a little concerned about something else,” Logan said.
“What’s that?” Alex asked.
“You. You were just on TV, and you look like the abducted women.”
Jeff swore softly before saying, “He’s right. You need to be careful, Alex. Stay armed, and don’t let anyone you don’t know approach you.”
Although she knew she should be a little concerned, she wasn’t. “The kidnapped women weren’t trained FBI agents. I’m sure the UNSUB won’t risk being captured.” She shrugged. “Although, I have to say, I wish he would come after me. I could take him down, put a stop to this, and maybe find out what happened to those women.”
“I appreciate the sentiment,” Jeff said, “but you’re a behavioral analyst, not a field agent. I don’t want you forced into a position like that. You’ve been put in enough danger.”
Alex didn’t argue with him, but she’d kept up with her training. She was one of the most accurate shots the FBI had, and she was proficient in hand-to-hand combat. She’d love to get the chance to confront this guy, but Jeff was right. It wasn’t her job.
“Is your profile ready?” Jeff asked.
“I think so.” She looked at Logan. “I’ve been working on it, but I’d like to go over it with you before we turn it in.”
“Okay. We can do that this morning.”
“Then we’ll have it to you by noon,” Alex said to Jeff. “I wish we had more information about the other missing women. But because most of them were viewed as having taken off for their own reasons, there isn’t much in their files. Not yet anyway.”
“Just do the best you can. As it turns out, Bethany and Nathan are working a case, and I have another one for Robin and Todd. Monty won’t be back to work until next week. So for now it’s up to you.”
Alex nodded. It would be hard to walk away from this case once their part was done. It was happening right in their own backyard, just like the case they’d handled a few months ago. Alex pushed images out of her mind that tried to force their way in. Not now. Not in Jeff’s office.
Alex stood, and Logan did the same. As they headed back to their work area, Logan said, “Do you want us to work at your desk? Or should we go to one of the conference rooms?”
“Conference room. I can’t handle all the files on my desk.” She stopped and grinned. “I notice you never say we should work at your desk.”
Logan shrugged. “I’m one of those people who can only create in the midst of chaos.”
“Yep, that certainly describes your desk,” she shot back.
“Funny. Let’s grab those files and get a room before someone else thinks of it.”
A few minutes later they were settled in a small conference room. As they finalized their profile, Alex couldn’t help but glance at Logan from time to time. He hadn’t even mentioned last night or his MRI. Something wasn’t right, and it bothered her. God wanted her to help him, but how could she do that if he shut her out?
When Tracy opened her eyes, she reminded herself that she had to be good. That’s why she’d drunk the tea last night, the only thing they’d brought her.
She still wanted to talk to the other women, but she had to be careful. She needed to find the right time.
When she sat up, she saw a food tray on the floor. Hoping her punishment was at an end, she first got up and used the toilet, then washed up and changed clothes, once again thankful for the curtain. The guy in the hallway didn’t like to talk about sex and probably felt the same way about watching his captives clean or relieve themselves. He’d said we, so she assumed both men felt that way. Could she use that somehow?
She carried the tray, which felt lighter than usual, to the table, then lifted the lid. Nothing but a note.
You have one more chance. If you don’t do as you’re told everyone will be punished. No food, nothing to drink except tea, and no lights for three days.
She stared at the note, thinking. This was how they kept the women from fighting back. So she would be a good girl. Do what they asked until she could formulate a plan to get everyone out of here safely. Whatever it took, she would put an end to this and make them pay.
