Page 72 of Fatal Attraction

“Based on what I’ve seen,” Karl said confidently. “Blaire’s paychecks haven’t been deposited for at least five months, which led me to believe she had a second bank account. Detective Hutch confirmed they checked into it and that wasn’t the case, so if Blaire didn’t have a second bank account—”

“Then she was having her checks cashed,” Cap said as he pieced it together, sighing as he ran a hand down his face.

“A different set of eyes couldn’t hurt,” Spike continued. “We’ve all been majorly stressed out and it is possible there could be more things we’ve overlooked. Show him the boards and have him go over all the evidence top to bottom.”

“He’s safer here than out there in the open,” I added.

“I promise I won’t get in the way. Please, just give me a chance. I swear you won’t regret it.”

“Fine,” Cap agreed, which had the three of us gasping. “He can stay here. Karl, take the file and head to the conference room. I’ll meet you there soon.”

Karl hauled up the file, offering Captain Burgess a grateful look before he turned to us and whispered, “Thank you,” with tears in his eyes.

“Here’s Felix’s address,” Peter said, accepting the pad and pen Cap offered him. He scribbled it down and then ripped the page from the springs, passing it over to Spike. “Before you go, I need to ask you something. Cap and I were talking about the cases, and he mentioned Amber and Daniel Strickland were drugged with Rohypnol.”

“That’s right,” I nodded, my stiff brows raised. “What about it?”

“Did you talk with Gibbs and Hammett about it?”

Spike bobbed his head. “We did, but they didn’t have much to tell us other than the main street dealer was a man called Rio and that he was killed in prison.”

“What?” Peter shook his head, confused. “They didn’t tell you about—”

“Peter,” Cap cut him off. “You know you can’t talk about that.”

“But Cap,” he pleaded. “They need to know. It-it might be related—”

“Enough, Peter!”

“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?” I roared.

“I’m afraid that’s confidential,” Cap said softly, sadly. “Not even I can talk about it, not unless Gibbs or Hammett clear it.”

“But you’re the fucking Captain!” jeered Spike. “And from what Peter’s saying, it sounds like they’ve been withholding information that can help us!”

“Be that as it may, I’m not in charge of Narcotics. I run Homicide and Sex Crimes. It’s not my call.”

“This is bullshit,” Spike uneasily grumbled, scoffing as he angrily shook his head, his brows furrowed. “Fucking bullshit.”

“However,” Cap went on, “instead of speaking with Gibbs and Hammett again, I recommend you reach out to their captain. His name is Keeton. Elliot Keeton. Go after Felix first. If you can’t find him, then lean on Captain Keeton as a last resort. Understood?”

Neither of us spoke, just glared.

“Do you understand me, Detectives?”

Spike scoffed again, rolling his eyes before he spun and fled the room.

“Yes, Captain.” I wasn’t happy about it, not one fucking bit, but an order was an order and if Felix really was out there somewhere trying to hurt himself, we had to get to him before it was too late. He was more important. “We understand.”

Twenty Nine

Charlotte

My head spun weakly as I opened my eyes, having dozed off since my encounter with Perry earlier this morning, and discovered him sitting upright in the chair beside the bed with another tray of food equipped with a bologna sandwich, a small bag of chips, and a bottle of water.

“Did you have a good nap, my love?” he asked with a twisted grin on his face.

I scowled at him, wishing I could tap deep into some hidden superpower and rip free from the restraints so I could steal back my gun and shoot him between the eyes. Of course, doing so would mean I’d have to overpower him and given my brittle, pathetic condition, it was impossible. My arms were unbearably stiff and sore from being stuck in the same upright position, as was my poor, aching back. My legs frantically wobbled every time he’d let me out to use the bathroom, and thanks to the nasty bruises on my torso, I knew there was nothing I could do. I hated admitting it, but I was way too physically weak to properly defend myself against him. It also didn’t help that I hadn’t been eating and retaining the nourishment my body desperately needed either.

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