Page 88 of Night Watch
“You sure do work late,” Drake said.
“As apparently do you.” She laughed. “How can I help?”
“I’ve just learned that Kennedy’s mom had a rare kind of lymphoma,” Erik said. “I have a call in to the ME’s office, but I wondered if you might be able to tell me if a blood cancer like that could be missed in an autopsy.”
“Sure.” She sounded tired, and he felt bad for bothering her. “I’d have to have more details to be positive, but yeah. It could be missed.”
“I’ll try to find out more and get back to you. For now keep this between us.”
“Will do.” There was a long pause. “And FYI, I haven’t found any sign of drugs in the containers from the lab. I know I’m not supposed to share results with anyone but Johnson, but I figured, since everything is negative so far, it can’t hurt to tell you.”
Another lead, dead. “Thanks for the info. We’ll just have to keep looking.”
“Or resign yourself to the fact that Wanda either made a mistake or chose to end her life.”
Erik didn’t want to admit that, but he didn’t know what to think.
“Sorry for bothering you so late, but thanks for your help.” Erik ended the call.
“So, looks like Nora could be telling the truth,” Drake said.
“But how it relates to Wanda’s death is still up in the air.” Erik shoved his phone into his pocket just as his brothers drove into the lot.
“The cavalry has arrived.” Drake laughed and got out of the SUV.
Clay parked right next to the company SUV and Erik got out to join them.
The moon hung bright in the clear sky littered with sparkling stars. Good for seeing their target, but bad for being seen. A soft breeze did nothing to cool the eighty-degree-plus weather, unusual at this time of night.
His brothers piled out, and he held out his phone. The screen displayed a satellite view of Gordon’s property. “Take a look at the place while I bring you up to date.”
He gave his phone to Clay and told them about Wanda’s boyfriend. “I haven’t told Kennedy about this, so not a word to her. In fact, if one of you even hints at it, I’ll deck you.”
“Our baby bro taking charge big time.” Brendan laughed.
The others joined in, and Erik gritted his teeth. He would always be the baby. He couldn’t change that, but he could continue to work hard to change his brothers’ perception of him. He wasn’t angry or even hurt. He just needed them to see him as the man he’d become. “I know you all think it’s funny, but I can hold my own and you know it. I’d appreciate it if you stopped with the baby comments.”
Brendan held up his hands. “Touchy much?”
“Put yourself in my place for once.” Erik faced his brother. “How will a client respect me if you don’t?”
“We respect you,” Clay said.
“Speak for yourself.” Drake chuckled.
Erik was starting to get mad, but he swallowed it down.
“Seriously, bro, we do,” Drake said. “But we’re not here to get all touchy-feely, are we? We’re here to find a way to keep this suspect from bolting so we can interview him.”
He was right, and Erik let this go. For now, but he would continue to bring it until they took him seriously.
“Just a quick anthrax check,” Clay said. “Mom’s been bugging me to report.”
“I’m fine.” Erik turned his attention to Drake. “You’ve had a lot of experience bringing in criminals who don’t want to be captured. Not saying this guy is even bad or that he’ll balk, but we have to assume he will. So what do you suggest?”
“We get eyes on the place and determine if the suspect is on the premises. If he is, we cover all exits and windows, then move in.” Drake dusted his hands together. “No biggie.”
Erik didn’t agree. “We need to assume he could be Wanda’s killer and take precautions.”
