Page 26 of Night Watch
“We do. But you’re…you’re not just any client.” Erik crossed his arms.
“We can do recon on the lab,” Aiden said. “And find a way to let her work.”
Erik shook his head.
“Let’s go ahead and do a risk assessment,” Aiden suggested. “And then we can decide if transport is safe.”
His brothers murmured their agreement.
“Fine.” Erik was still looking at her, but his jaw wasn’t clenched now. “I’ll do an in-person evaluation while you remain here.”
“Okay.” She wanted to get to the lab, but she didn’t want to unnecessarily risk her life or cause Erik additional grief. That was going to happen as they spent time together, and on this, she was willing to compromise.
Instead of sitting around waiting for Sarge to call back, Erik and Clay headed out to evaluate Wanda Walker’s lab. It sat across the road from the river, and Erik focused as he drove into the lot that abutted a large single-story building painted a drab yellow. One side held loading docks, and a sign offered space for rent.
“Separate entrance and exit from the lot,” Clay said.
“Good.” Erik slowed to take a careful look around. “Gives us two options for a fast getaway if needed.”
“And good visuals for the entrance. Plus, Brendan could take a stand on the roof. Not only to keep us informed of any movement, but he’d have good line of sight for a shot.” Clay sat back. “Unless there’s a problem inside, I’d put this at a low-risk situation.”
Erik wouldn’t call anything that involved Kennedy’s safety a low-risk situation. Sure, Clay was right so far, but Clay hadn’t once loved this woman more than anything. Clay’s gut wasn’t tied up in knots over it.
“Let’s take a look at the lab entrance.” Erik drove closer to the building until he found the entrance to Suite G, which held the lab. He parked in front, scanning the vehicles and nearby suites. They were all small manufacturing companies. “No red flags here.”
Erik’s phone rang, and he saw the PPB ID, so he tapped the screen and answered.
“Your message said you have some unknown prints and DNA from Wanda Walker’s home,” Sarge said in his usual gruff tone. “Still not sure that’s enough to open an investigation here.”
“I get that.” Erik concentrated on breathing evenly instead of snapping at the guy and losing even more hope of getting his buy-in. “But you have to know the prints and DNA are meaningless to us unless they can be run through law enforcement databases.”
“Yeah, that’s a problem. But there’s a lot of paperwork and time involved in one of my detectives opening an official investigation that will likely go nowhere.”
“Can’t they run them unofficially?”
“You know they can’t.” Sarge’s deep voice pounded through the phone.
Erik focused on that calm breathing. “What can I do to make this happen?”
“Tell you what,” Sarge said. “I’ll go to my guys and ask around. See if one of them will do all the paperwork for this. If I get a bite, I’ll contact the Veritas Center and give them my approval to run the prints and DNA. ’Course the results will come to us, and depending on what we see, we might not be able to share them with you.”
“Trust me, I get it,” Erik said. “Can you text me if one of the detectives steps?”
“Sure thing.” Sarge sounded positive on the surface, but there was a cautious bent to the undertone.
“And make sure you tell them one of their former officers is asking for the help. Maybe that will help me.”
“Wouldn’t count on it.” Sarge disconnected.
“Let’s hope we get someone who doesn’t hate an officer who moves to the private sector.” Clay slid out of the truck.
Erik removed the keys and got out, forgetting about the call and keeping his head on a swivel for their suspect. He unlocked the suite door, flipped on lights, and tapped the security alarm code on the keypad.
Erik spun to take in the entire space. “No windows or doors.”
“Makes protecting Kennedy easier.”
“Once we get her safely inside.”
