Page 96 of Facing the Enemy
Nearing 6p.m., Risa appeared in the doorway of my cubicle. At the sight of her, my earlier anger dropped into the trash. The tiny lines around her eyes showed she needed sleep. I stood and drew her into my arms, a place I wanted her forever.
“You must have completed your paperwork,” I said.
“I have. And a report from an approved psychologist delivered to the SAC. I agreed to a minimum of five more sessions, every other day.”
I rested my head atop hers. “Impressive. Who did you see?”
“Dr. Looney.”
I laughed. But I’d heard good reports about the psychologist. “Sorry. The name just doesn’t fit the title.”
Risa stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s excellent, and I really liked her. Gage, I understand you’re furious with me, and I’m ashamed and embarrassed. My idea resembled a rookie agent’s, and I put far too many people in danger. I’m sorry, and I meant what I said about your needing another partner for this case. The SAC may have cleared me, but I lost your trust today. Who knows? Jack could make a speedy recovery and join you soon.”
I took her hands into mine. “I don’t want another partner unless we decide it’s best for our relationship. I’m as much to blame todayfor not having backup in place or not informing the ASAC or SAC. We made a mistake, which we can’t afford to happen again. Right now, we’re both exhausted and stressed. But it’s not all about us ending these crimes. The law enforcement agencies working alongside us aren’t giving up either.” I stopped. “But I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.”
“Reminders never hurt.”
“We’ll get through this and be stronger for it,” I said.
“Right. Maybe we could see Dr. Looney ... as a couple.”
“Sounds good to me. She’ll need a crowbar to pry out my past.”
Her lips touched mine, and warmth spread through me. I didn’t want to think of another day without Risa. “I ... made progress in forgiving myself and God. But I couldn’t bring myself to forgive his killer. Would you keep me accountable?”
“That works both ways. Really glad she helped you.” I glanced around us at the empty cubicles. “We couldn’t get by with this during the day.”
She stepped back into my arms. “I’m taking advantage of it.”
“Me too.”
“Any new developments while I had my session?”
Risa had said all she intended for now. Dr. Looney had helped and would continue to help her work through the trauma. I brought her up-to-date on the afternoon.
“Do you think the person who hid behind the dumpster was possibly Emily Lock?” she said.
“I’m digging up everything we can find on her, including pics taken with Florakis, Peilman, and Harvey Sinclair. Locate her and she just might lead us to an arrest.”
“I want to study the security cams later on tonight,” Risa said.
I led her to the chair in my cubicle and remembered Ms. Wright’s call. I updated Risa. “I’d like for you to join me in the morning to interview the intake woman. I’m requesting agents pick her up for an eight o’clock meeting. Are you okay to be here early to go over info? Or should I pull in ASAC Kendall?”
“Give me a time, and I’ll be ready.”
“Around seven and I’ll have coffee and breakfast burritos.”
“Perfect.” Weariness crept deeper into her lovely face. “I’m going to call it a day.”
“I’ll walk you out. My car should be sweet-smelling by now. Want to grab a bite to eat somewhere?”
“Two stipulations,” she said. “Someplace fast and I buy.”
“Deal. Tomorrow’s got to have a positive spin somewhere.” But the moment the words fell out of my mouth, a chill skittered up my spine. A prickly sensation told me this case would get worse before it got better.
53
Myra Cummings didn’t protest to having agents bringing her in for questioning. Risa and I studied her through the mirror before engaging in the interview. Age forty-five, light-olive skin, dark hair minus any gray, but she could color it. Nothing on her record indicated any problem. Married with a son and daughter in college. No nervousness. No touching her face or hair. I almost wished I could see a trace of guilt.
