AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Without clearing it with us first.”
“I was afraid you wouldn’t approve.”
“You’re damn right we wouldn’t approve. Especially the sneaking out part. I’ll withhold judgment on the interview until after I’ve seen it. Was Calder in on it?”
“We thought it would be better if he wasn’t.”
She chuffed. “No doubt of that. So where is he?”
“I’m not sure.” Which wasn’t a lie.
“Elle, stop playing with me. He’s not at Ms. Foster’s secret hideaway, he’s not at his new apartment, and his parking space is empty. We’ve looked.”
“He’s running an errand but said he would be back at Glenda’s house by five o’clock to watch the interview.”
“Should Perkins and I prepare ourselves for some shocking disclosure to come out of that interview?”
“No. I swear I didn’t say anything that would impede your investigations into the Fairground shooting, or the safe house, or Frank Whitley’s murder. Speaking of, have you gotten a progress report on Dawn?”
“Health-wise, she’s improved. Otherwise, a mess. She’s still under observation. The group therapy doctor.”
“Dr. Sinclair? That’s good.”
“Back to the interview, Calloway didn’t sabotage you by—”
“She tried.”
“Elle was the better saboteur.”
“Who was that?” Compton asked.
“Glenda. She’s chauffeuring me even though it’s eating up her workday.”
Glenda waved that off.
Compton asked, “Where are you now?”
“En route back to the hideaway.”
“And Calder’s zipping around in his own car, which is about as discreet as the Batmobile.” Compton blasphemed under her breath. “You’re both taking unnecessary risks, Elle, and not just to yourselves. You’re putting Perkins and me in jeopardy. If something were to happen to you two, like what was done to Frank Whitley, Weeks and Sims, Perkins and I would be crucified by our own colleagues.
“We don’t like having to monitor you any more than you like being monitored. But we’re not playing around here. This isn’t a game of hide-and-seek. The stakes are life or death.”
“I understand that. So does Calder.”
“I don’t think you do. Because you’re sure as hell not behaving like you’re targets for this guy. He murdered three people within hours yesterday, and we have no idea who he is. What we do know is that he’s audacious and smart as hell.
“To people like Perkins and me, who are the knowledgeable veterans here, not a couple of would-be Nancy Drews, that combo of audacity and smarts is terrifying. Especially the audacity. So far he’s got us all flummoxed, and that’ll embolden him. He’ll wonder just how far he can push it, how much more he can get away with.”
Elle sighed. “I accept everything that you’re saying.”
“Good. Get to the hideaway house and stay there. Calder won’t answer if I call him, but he’ll pick up if you do. Tell him to get his ass back to that house, that Perkins and I will see you both there no later than five o’clock, and it’s not optional. Some things have cropped up that we need to check with you.”
“What kind of things?”
“Discrepancies.”
“In what?”
