Page 54 of One Final Target

Sam heard it in her tone, saw it in her posture, and felt it in the atmosphere of the room: Jodie wasn’t happy to see him. Sam thought of Doc Roe. Psychologists were big on people spilling their guts about stuff. Talking, talking, talking. Sometimes it helped; sometimes it didn’t. As far as Sam was concerned, only prayer helped all the time.

He’d been avoiding Doc Roe, and it looked like Jodie was avoiding Bass.

Bass smiled at Jodie as she tried to hide her shock at his presence. While it was no secret she’d talked to him, somehow his being here at this scene made her feel exposed, guilty, and very weak.

“I called him,” Chief Masters said. “He did the psych exam on Collins. His observations may be helpful.”

Jodie relaxed, a little embarrassed she’d overreacted and gotten defensive.

“How are you feeling, Jodie?” Bass asked.

“Feeling?” She shrugged. “We finally have a name, a face to pin the carnage on. This is what I’ve wanted for months. I know who killed my team. It’s just a matter of catching the dirtbag. I’m fine.”

She stated the last two words emphatically.

“I’m glad you now know where to direct your anger,” Basssaid. “I truly hope this leads to the closure you need. I understand there’s a room full of photos?”

“Yes, there is. I’m creeped out by what I saw. But I’ve been proved right on a lot of things, so I feel a lot better than the last time I talked to you.”

He held her gaze for a moment. “Good to know. Just remember I’m here if you do need me.”

Jodie caught Sam’s eye as he squeezed around Bass and sat next to her. He leaned in and whispered, “I totally understand. If Dr. Roe had shown up at one of my scenes, even invited, I wouldn’t like it either.”

Her irritation fled. “Thanks.”

“What do you remember about your interview with Dennis Collins?” Masters asked the doctor.

“Nothing in his demeanor would have alerted me to this type of behavior. He was shy, introverted, but nothing he said or did indicated he was dangerous.”

Masters nodded and took the seat at the head of the table. “Detective Smiley,” she began, “I’ve reactivated the original task force, including you in it. I’m thankful Detective Gresham was able to defuse the device today.” She turned her gaze toward Sam. “Sergeant Barstow tells me this neighborhood would have been severely impacted had there been a detonation.”

Jodie saw Sam redden. He probably found it easier to take rebuke than praise. Tiny was the same way.

“I did what I was trained to do. Right place, right time.”

Masters nodded and her attention fell on Jodie. “Jodie, we’re going to take your car and sweep your home. This guy has been watching you. From what I saw, it looks as if he’s crawled under your skin, and we don’t want any nastier surprises.”

If there was a tracking device on her vehicle, Jodie wanted to know, and she wanted it off. Hopefully there would also be evidence to help lead them to Collins. What was harder to accept was having to be out of her apartment for a bit.

“Where will I go?”

“You can stay with me,” Mike said.

“And put you in danger?”

“You know I’m prepared.”

“Collins was ready to take out half of this neighborhood. How can you prepare for such devastation?”

“We would provide uniformed resources, as much as possible for protection,” Masters said.

“And put more cop lives at risk?” Jodie didn’t like where any of this was going, and she did not want to be responsible for another officer’s death.

“We’re ready now,” Mike said. “No one would be a sitting duck.”

“I hope you’re right. I still want to err on the side of caution.”

Sam spoke up. “I know a possibility. A retired cop in the mountains. He has a spare room. It would be the perfect place to stay low for a bit.”

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