Page 25 of The Perfect Revenge
“What is it?”Jessie asked.
“What?”
“You sounded like you were going to say something else.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Jessie imagined that Jamil was looking over at Beth for how to respond.When he did answer, it was clear that she was right.
“There’s something else, but it can wait,” he said.“It doesn’t have to do with this case.”
Jessie could tell that he was parroting what Beth had just whispered to him and was tempted to press him.But she also knew that the genius researcher had delicate sensibilities.She didn’t want to upset them when they had a potential serial killer on the loose.
“Fine, you can fill me in later.For now, let’s prioritize what Susannah said and get those warrants.”
Jessie agreed that getting authorization to access Brennan’s personal and work records was the key right now.But she wasn’t done with the doctor just yet.Even if he wasn’t a killer, he was repugnant.And not because of the gambling.
Assuming he was innocent, he knew that this delaying scheme was preventing them from pursuing other suspects.If he would just open his records voluntarily, they could theoretically clear him and move on.Of course, there was always the possibility that he was using his gambling issues as a smokescreen to hide other wrongdoing.Hiding one crime behind other disreputable behavior would be a clever tactic.
“I’m wondering if we should go directly at him with the gambling stuff,” she mused aloud.“Maybe he’ll cave on the records to keep his personal issues under wraps.”
“Maybe,” Susannah said.“Or would it be better to hold off and hit him with that when we really need a win?”
Jessie wasn’t sure.And the uncertainty, combined with the lack of sleep, was giving her a headache.
Maybe we just go kick his ass and see what he says.
She decided not to voice that idea out loud, at least for now.
“Okay, let’s wait on going back at Brennan on the gambling,” she said instead.“We’ll see what else we can dig up.But I reserve the right to come at him with a bulldozer later.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Dallas Henry wasn’t sure exactly what was going on, but he liked it.
For the second time since he’d arrived at Hannah’s house, she sent a call to voicemail.
“Everything okay?”he asked as he put her backpack in the trunk of his car.
"Yeah."She shook her head in frustration as she got in the passenger seat."I'm just pissed at my sister, Jessie."
Dallas got in the driver’s seat.He tried to sound sensitive as he asked, “how come?”
Hannah looked over at him.She seemed to be weighing how forthcoming to be with him.Finally, she sighed heavily.
"It's personal stuff.I can't really get into it other than to say that she wasn't honest with me about something important, and I don't feel like engaging with her right now."
“Are you sure you still want to go camping with that hanging over you?I don’t want it to ruin the weekend.”
"No, it's fine."She waved her hand dismissively."It's not like we'd be talking much anyway.She's working a case, and we'll be gone until this time tomorrow.I'll deal with her when we get back.Besides, you drove all the way down here from Bakersfield.I don't want you to have wasted your time."
“Okay,” he said, hiding his relief as he started the car.“Then let’s get going.”
They were both quiet for a minute before he broke the silence.
“I’m still a little surprised that you decided to come.You sounded on the fence the last time we talked about this.”
He suspected that her change of heart might be a way to spite her sister, but wasn’t about to mention that.He didn’t want to do anything to change her mind.He had big plans for Hannah this weekend.
“Let’s just say that this felt like a perfect time for me to get away from my normal life.”
