Page 46 of Dead Fall (The Quantico Files 2)

“He might not have known she’d be here when he mailed this,” Gorman said. “My guess is he’s found out by now, though. You need to be especially careful.”

“If this guy can get to Kaely, he’s inside somewhere,” Logan replied. “And unless it is Reinhardt, that’s impossible.”

“I don’t know,” Kaely said, speaking for the first time since they’d read the letter. “We’ve wondered how the UNSUB knows so much about us.”

“Well, he doesn’t know everything,” Gorman said. “My guess is that the UNSUB believed Davis was armed, that he had his gun with him. That means he’s not infallible.”

“But how did he know Jeff was on his way to see his daughter last night?” Alex asked. “I find that concerning.”

“The UNSUB must have followed him,” Monty said.

“Maybe,” Alex said slowly. “But I agree with Kaely. He knows more than he should.”

“Are you saying you think the UNSUB is someone we know? Someone in the Bureau?” Monty asked, a look of surprise on his face.

“Not necessarily one of us,” Kaely said. “But someone close to us. Someone who knows where we’re going to be. Or maybe someone inside this case is giving him information.”

After using her technique earlier, Kaely said she thought the UNSUB could be at the academy. But Logan had been reluctant to believe anyone in law enforcement could be the killer or even help the man when Alex told him what Kaely said. She was reluctant to believe it too.

“Chief Gorman,” Logan said, “please don’t be offended by this question, but can’t these files be accessed by quite a few people in your department?”

“Yes, of course. But they can only read about the case. There’s nothing in there to indicate where you are. I’ve kept that private, per the request I received from Agent Cole. The only people who know besides me are Detectives Cooper and Palmer.” He nodded toward the two. “I trust them implicitly.”

“Are you certain no one could figure it out?” Monty asked.

Gorman hesitated long enough to make it clear he couldn’t give Monty the assurance he was looking for.

“If you’re not sure, that means everyone in your station is suspect,” Monty said.

Alex frowned. “Someone has to be working with our UNSUB. Someone who’s privy to information that should be private. It’s the only thing that makes sense.” She shook her head. “I just don’t think he’s the only one behind this.

“You mean maybe his helper could be the one who went to Texas to film Davis’s wife?” Kaely asked.

Alex nodded. “Exactly.”

There was a long silence before Logan spoke. “Chief, I need you to quietly investigate your officers and staff. Check their phone calls. Emails. Find out if any one of them could possibly be working with our UNSUB. If you need help, bring in people you trust. But whatever you do, don’t tell anyone else what you’re doing.”

Gorman’s face turned red, and he started to speak, but Logan held up his hand. “I’m absolutely not accusing your people. Believe me. We just need to be sure. I’m going to be checking out our agents and staff as well. If we have someone working against us, we need to find them immediately. We need to know if we have a traitor in our midst.”

The chief swallowed hard, but his color returned to normal. “All right. I can understand why you’re concerned, but I know my officers. I guarantee you we’re clean.” He stood. “I’ll give you some time to review your profile. I’ll use Cooper and Palmer here to help me quietly investigate, but this could take some time.”

Gorman left the room. Cooper followed him, but Julie Palmer held back.

“Look, I agree with the chief,” she said to Logan. “Our people are clean. But I understand why you have to look at everyone. I’m sorry he got so upset.” She shrugged. “If the people in your unit were accused of helping this awful man, you would probably react the same way.”

“You’re right,” Logan said. “I’m sorry the chief was offended, but we have a dangerous, clever killer who isn’t finished. I want him stopped. I can’t be worried about anyone’s feelings. I hope you understand that.”

“Of course I do. And the chief will come to that conclusion too, as soon as he calms down. He’s very protective of us. I think you’re doing an incredible job. I hate what’s happening, but I love watching you work.” She paused a moment before adding, “If anyone at the station is involved in this, we’ll find them.”

She was headed toward the door when Logan called out, “Thank you, Detective Palmer.”

When the door closed behind her, Logan sighed and said, “If any of you see anyone acting suspiciously, or even if someone makes you feel uncomfortable, come to me. If we do have a mole who’s helping the UNSUB, we’ve got to find them. If we don’t, the police might not be able to stop this guy. He’ll continue to be one step ahead of us, and more people could die.”

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