committee had lobbied the bureau to have Shepherd reinstated to his old post, at Adam’s request.
“So are you going to report tonight to Hedgelin?”
Unerringly, Paulie touched on the most troublesome portion of the night.
“The bureau didn’t want me anywhere near this case.” A thought was forming, fueled only partially by paranoia. “It occurs to me that tonight’s little drama could hand them a perfect excuse for my removal.”
He didn’t have to say more. Samuels followed the line of thought seamlessly. “They’d have to reject their own conclusion that Jennings was working alone and switch gears. Suggest that your would-be assassin is still out there. Still targeting you.”
“Or that I’d attracted a copycat. Either of which would be a huge distraction for an investigation that’s already knee-deep.” The issue settled, he flicked his friend a glance. “I think not.”
“Probably a good idea.” Paulie eased the car onto the interstate. Headed south. “I’ll put some of our people on it. I think Abbie and Ryne are due back from that spree killing case up in Maine, aren’t they?”
Adam frowned, didn’t answer immediately. He was uncertain whether he wanted to bring more attention to the events of the evening by putting the Robels on it. On the other hand, the husband-and-wife team was free, having just wrapped up their most recent case. And they were very highly skilled.
They had to be, or they wouldn’t be working for him.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. At least not yet.” One hand went to his thigh to massage away the cramps that had seized it. They were a leftover from the nerve damage he’d suffered several years ago. He could only hope that an hour in the hot tub later would soothe the worst of them.
Broodingly, he watched the steady stream of lights in the oncoming traffic. It occurred to him that he hadn’t mentioned the other agent he was working on the case with. Paulie knew Jaid, too, even better than he did Hedgelin and Shepherd. They’d all been at the bureau together, a lifetime ago. And although the omission hadn’t been deliberate, he made no attempt to right it now.
He settled his head against the headrest. The other man would have plenty to say about Jaid’s reappearance in his life. At the best of times his comments on the subject would be unwelcome.
Adam was already aware that of all the distractions this case came loaded with, she might well end up being the biggest one of all.
Chapter 4
It was early. Nearly an hour before Adam was due to meet Jaid and Shepherd. But the run-down apartment bearing Danny Shelton’s address wasn’t all that far away from the Hoover Building in actual miles.
It was a lifetime away in terms of inhabitants.
“Doesn’t look like a great place, sir.” Reno Tripp’s voice dripped doubt. As one of the drivers in Adam’s employ, he’d driven in far worse areas. Adam wondered if the man’s show of nerves came from recalling the fate of Adam’s driver in Philly, who had returned fire with Jennings after Adam had been shot. Had taken a bullet himself. “Relax.” His hand went to the door handle. “I won’t be inside long.” Or maybe not at all if Shelton’s family refused to talk to him. “Keep circling until I call.”
“Not much choice,” the man muttered. And that was true enough. Both sides of the narrow rutted street were lined with vehicles in various stages of disrepair. Given the hour, Adam hadn’t expected to see many people about, and other than a few hurrying down steps or along the cracked sidewalks, he was right. The building he was interested in, however, had a steely eyed young man in his twenties sitting on the stoop in a decrepit lawn chair. When Adam exited the car and headed in his direction, the man slowly rose. Positioned himself before the doorway.
Recognizing a sentry when he saw one, Adam climbed a couple steps and halted. “I’d like to talk to Rosa Shelton if she’s feeling up to
“So are you going to report tonight to Hedgelin?”
Unerringly, Paulie touched on the most troublesome portion of the night.
“The bureau didn’t want me anywhere near this case.” A thought was forming, fueled only partially by paranoia. “It occurs to me that tonight’s little drama could hand them a perfect excuse for my removal.”
He didn’t have to say more. Samuels followed the line of thought seamlessly. “They’d have to reject their own conclusion that Jennings was working alone and switch gears. Suggest that your would-be assassin is still out there. Still targeting you.”
“Or that I’d attracted a copycat. Either of which would be a huge distraction for an investigation that’s already knee-deep.” The issue settled, he flicked his friend a glance. “I think not.”
“Probably a good idea.” Paulie eased the car onto the interstate. Headed south. “I’ll put some of our people on it. I think Abbie and Ryne are due back from that spree killing case up in Maine, aren’t they?”
Adam frowned, didn’t answer immediately. He was uncertain whether he wanted to bring more attention to the events of the evening by putting the Robels on it. On the other hand, the husband-and-wife team was free, having just wrapped up their most recent case. And they were very highly skilled.
They had to be, or they wouldn’t be working for him.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. At least not yet.” One hand went to his thigh to massage away the cramps that had seized it. They were a leftover from the nerve damage he’d suffered several years ago. He could only hope that an hour in the hot tub later would soothe the worst of them.
Broodingly, he watched the steady stream of lights in the oncoming traffic. It occurred to him that he hadn’t mentioned the other agent he was working on the case with. Paulie knew Jaid, too, even better than he did Hedgelin and Shepherd. They’d all been at the bureau together, a lifetime ago. And although the omission hadn’t been deliberate, he made no attempt to right it now.
He settled his head against the headrest. The other man would have plenty to say about Jaid’s reappearance in his life. At the best of times his comments on the subject would be unwelcome.
Adam was already aware that of all the distractions this case came loaded with, she might well end up being the biggest one of all.
Chapter 4
It was early. Nearly an hour before Adam was due to meet Jaid and Shepherd. But the run-down apartment bearing Danny Shelton’s address wasn’t all that far away from the Hoover Building in actual miles.
It was a lifetime away in terms of inhabitants.
“Doesn’t look like a great place, sir.” Reno Tripp’s voice dripped doubt. As one of the drivers in Adam’s employ, he’d driven in far worse areas. Adam wondered if the man’s show of nerves came from recalling the fate of Adam’s driver in Philly, who had returned fire with Jennings after Adam had been shot. Had taken a bullet himself. “Relax.” His hand went to the door handle. “I won’t be inside long.” Or maybe not at all if Shelton’s family refused to talk to him. “Keep circling until I call.”
“Not much choice,” the man muttered. And that was true enough. Both sides of the narrow rutted street were lined with vehicles in various stages of disrepair. Given the hour, Adam hadn’t expected to see many people about, and other than a few hurrying down steps or along the cracked sidewalks, he was right. The building he was interested in, however, had a steely eyed young man in his twenties sitting on the stoop in a decrepit lawn chair. When Adam exited the car and headed in his direction, the man slowly rose. Positioned himself before the doorway.
Recognizing a sentry when he saw one, Adam climbed a couple steps and halted. “I’d like to talk to Rosa Shelton if she’s feeling up to
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