Page 360 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Lately we’ve had a rash ofunexplaineddeaths. Some with the odd distressing characteristics.” He sighed. “The police have done what they can, but you come highly recommended. I’m hoping you can shed some light on what’s happening here before it goes public and people start to panic. I’m sure you of all people can sympathize with the epidemic of fear. It affects all of us.”

“Of course.” For once someone wasn’t digging for information on her experience. Instead, he lumped her in with everyone so that she was no different than the residents who hadn’t come face-to-face with a killer. They’d been safe at home watching news reports and praying they weren’t next.

She had been next. And she had the scars to prove it.

Zimmerman had told her she was uniquely qualified for this. She understood things about dangerous crime that the average cop only reported on. They, hopefully, would never live it.

Addie squared her shoulders. “None of us wants the public to panic unnecessarily. I’m here to do everything I can to figure this out.”

He nodded. “With your expertise and background, I’ve been assured you’re the right person for this job.” He clipped to her and held out his hand again. “If you need anything, go ahead and let my assistant know.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll let the chief know he can have those files sent over.”

“Thank you, sir.”

She watched him leave and tried not to jump up and down with glee. Once again, she couldn’t help thinking that nineteen-hour nap must have loosened something in her. Whatever it was had been wound tight for years. It was that or being back in town that brought out a little of who she’d been before life beat herdown. The idea of diving into work was a familiar salve on that wound.

Addie couldn’t be the teen she’d been, not if she was an FBI agent here. She’d be the professional she was.

Being in Benson wasn’t going to turn back time. She’d been an adult for years, but no one here saw that. They only knew the teen was then. Which meant she needed to prove who she was now—so they’d all see.

Minutes later a train of uniformed agents headed for her door. Addie held it open and watched them file across the hall with cardboard boxes. Coming from the police department across the hall into her tiny office. They had nearly seventy-five staff. Those with shields and those who worked for the department as civilians. She was supposed to hire an assistant, but only if she needed one.

If she needed backup immediately, she had to call PD. If she required personnel, the Seattle office would send agents to her. But the assistant director there had made it plain they had no one to spare unless it was an emergency, or she was compromised somehow.

“Special Agent Franklin.” One of the offers strode past.

“Hey, Officer Hummet. How are you today?”

A couple of the others looked over, like the two of them were a curiosity. Addie shook his hand. “Dumping all your work off on me. Is it cause I’m a girl?”

Hummet barked a laugh and lifted both hands. “I’m not touching that one”—he saluted—“ma’am.” He hurried to the door. “There are plenty more boxes to bring.”

Addie grinned. “Coward.”

Someone snorted. Addie figured the road to getting them on her side would be rocky but might be best served by bringing donuts. No, they’d think she was making fun because they werecops. Scones? Cupcakes? Something good. She’d have to find out if the bakery in town delivered.

Maybe a giant “Welcome to the FBI” cake, so it looked like she thought they worked for her now. Addie nearly laughed out loud at that thought. She’d have to find out if they could take a joke first.

A tall African American man rapped his knuckles on the doorframe. “Make it fast, people. We just got a call from the high school on Pinter. There was a scuffle in the lunchroom, and we’ve got multiple students injured and even more involved.”

“Yes, Captain.” A stocky man in slacks and a shirt dumped a box on top of another and spun around. “Let’s move out, people.”

He gave her a nod and headed for the door.

Addie grinned to herself alone in the office, now full of boxes. She’d done something detrimental coming home and taking that nap.

She was looking forward to this.

CHAPTER TEN

Jacob put the towel over his shoulders and headed out. The building had a gym, and his preference had him using it before dawn when few others showed up to work out.

The routine didn’t settle his mind. Even with his earbuds in, running seven miles should’ve calmed him, but he still heard the words of that distraught mother in his head.

He wanted to think about Addie.

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