Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Walter nodded, eyes narrowing as he glanced back at the apartment. He’d seen the inside and knew the damage wasn’t random. Someone had gone through Tyler’s things with purpose. If it wasn’t Tyler himself, then who?
Even though this wasn’t his jurisdiction, he couldn’t just let it go. Not when blood was involved. Not when his brother—his own blood—was missing.
Hopefully, Laurel would use her big brain and help him. Walter had a good gut, but Laurel had a mind built for putting puzzle pieces together. And right now, nothing fit.
Chapter 6
Huck strode into the hospital room, steeling his shoulders and tucking his phone into his back pocket.
Abigail Caine looked up at him, one eyebrow arching. “Huckalicious. This is a nice surprise.”
He doubted that very much. “Dr. Caine, I’ve been assigned your case.” He moved closer to the bed, forgoing the one orange chair to lean against the sterilized counter. “If you’re up to it, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”
“Only if I may ask you a few,” she purred.
He kept his expression blank. Hearing the bullet whizz by him earlier had taken him back to a place he didn’t want to visit. “This is an official inquiry, Dr. Caine.”
She settled the soft-looking white blanket over herself. In the bed, she looked smaller than usual, and it was always fucking odd to see Laurel’s stunning eyes and unreal auburn hair on another woman. One who was a predator, through and through.
She glanced down at the bandage partially peeking out from her hospital gown. “An attempted murder is a far cry from chasing poachers around and checking fishing licenses, Captain. Somebody tried to kill me. I’d like the best working on this. Where’s my sister?”
Half sister. “The FBI doesn’t have jurisdiction. Who wants to kill you?”
Abigail blinked once. “I can’t imagine anybody wanting me harmed.”
Ha. He could more than imagine it. “Hypothetically, say you experimented on sociopaths, or psychopaths, to get them to embrace their darker sides. I need a list of those people as well as an idea of which one or ones would come after you. Plus anybody with sniper or military experience.”
Her eyes widened, showcasing the green star in the blue eye. “I’ve performed no such experiments.”
Bullshit. She’d created a serial killer whom Huck was pretty sure she’d later murdered. Not that he could prove it. “Dr. Caine. Someone wants you dead. Work with me here.”
Her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip. “Hypothetically, if I had created such clinical trials, not one of my subjects would want to shoot me. I promise.” She reached for a plastic cup on the tray next to her and took a sip before continuing. “Now. How was your trip to Cabo with my sister?”
“I’d like access to the records of your, ah, trials.”
She rolled her eyes now. “You wouldn’t understand a line of it. No offense.”
“Will you turn them over?”
She lifted one delicate shoulder. “I’m sorry, but no. Even if I didn’t consider those records confidential, and even if I didn’t want to protect my subjects, my hard drive crashed and I lost all of my documentation for those trials.”
Right. Huck kept her gaze. The woman stared back at him. Was there life in there? A soul? He’d faced psychopaths before, and they all had a stare that defied description. As did Abigail. Although hers also glinted with obvious intelligence. “That’s unfortunate.” Could he get a subpoena for a victim’s records that no doubt included medical data? Probably not. He switched tracks. “Considering you’ve been charged with killing Zeke Caine, we need to explore who’d now want you dead.”
She lifted both hands, showing neutral painted nails. Oh, she’d definitely toned down her style for her hearing earlier. “I’d look at his entire congregation. Some of those people followed him with terrifying devotion.”
“Can you narrow it down?”
“Is Laurel over the loss of the baby?” Abigail’s expression smoothed out. “Are you, Huck?” The capricious curiosity in her expression chilled down his spine.
He crossed his arms. “Stay away from Laurel.” He’d never hurt a woman in his life, and he didn’t want to harm this one. But if she ever came at Laurel, he’d protect her. How could two sisters, who looked so much alike, be so different? While Laurel led with her impressive brain, she had a kindness and softness to her that brought out a side of him he’d considered long buried. “I’m done messing around with you about that.”
Abigail gasped and pressed a hand to her chest, looking like a damsel in an action movie. “Are you threatening me, Captain Rivers?”
Shit. “Of course not.” If he gave her an inch, she’d get him kicked off this case. And he wanted in. Wanted to know who tried to kill her and if that put Laurel in the crosshairs. “I will find the person who fired upon you.” Might’ve killed her without the vest.