“At Hopkins, he gave a seminar on the benefits of using 2D and 3D cell culture systems to develop models that mimic the brain’s 3D structural arrangement. There were several large corporations vying to recruit him.” Remie tapped the table, frowning as if trying to pull up an elusive memory. “At the time, he contemplated going into neurobiology research.”
“He wants to create brain tissue? How can that be possible? The number of challenges would be insurmountable unless their research has leapt lightyears forward.” Megan ticked off items on her mental list, one finger at a time. “Blood supply, the vasculature network couldn’t be created intricate enough or strong enough. The scaffold, hydrogel, won’t stand the test of time until new growth fills in.”
“Freaking damn scientists are sniffing at the heels of a higher power. Not gonna end well for any of us.” Royden tapped his fork on his plate for emphasis.
“From what I’ve read, stem cells renew and differentiate but only to the point of a prenatal brain. So what’s the point? Not to mention the fact that they have to obtain the neuro stem cells to begin with, which means a paper trail with their victims,” Megan suggested.
“Unless they’re obtaining cord blood, but I can’t see Ari involved in that type of dirty work. He doesn’t have it in him, not even for research,” Remie replied.
“We have three women viciously killed,” Matt summarized. “The killer is leaving conflicting, contradictory evidence at the scenes. Why?”
“When Remie and I were attacked, they took adipose tissue, which doesn’t contain neural stem cells, right?” Billy wondered where the freakish nightmare ended.
“Not necessarily,” Remie replied. “Both adipose tissue and bone marrow contain a good variety of stem cell populations. Some are similar to embryonic stem cells and respond to neuronal growth factors. They expand in vitro to form neurospheres–similar to cells harvested from embryonic brain tissue.” Remie shrugged a shoulder with the open-mouthed stares. “Hey, I did more research.”
“That means, what, that we have a two-pronged approach—or two different minds at work. One creating spare noses and fleshy parts, while the other is trying to create brain tissue? This is fucking nuts.” Billy rubbed his sore chest, wondering when the ride to fantasyland ended.
“It may not be as far-fetched as you think. I’m pulling up any number of companies specializing in stem cell research in conjunction with bioprinting.” Lexi turned her laptop to face Billy. The list consisted of dozens of research facilities.
“We need to look inside Ari’s lab.” Billy’s comment earned agreeing nods around the room.
“He co-owns a structure on Haverstead Road with his partner. It’s called Celtronics.” Lexi grinned at Ethan, no doubt thinking about a late-night search.
“We don’t have evidence for a warrant.” Abby stabbed the air for emphasis. “And I don’t want to hear about any break-ins over Royden’s police scanner at two in the morning.”
“Why the hell would you be listening to his scanner at that hour?” Luc narrowed his gaze and clenched his fists on the table.
“You’re right.” Abby smirked. “We’re usually asleep by then.”
“Son of a bitch!” Matt shoved his chair back and stood. “I haven’t watched over you all these years to let some city slicker—”
“Knock it off, Matt. It’s my life and I’ll sleep where I choose. Try to tell me otherwise and I might just visit with each man in your unit.” Abby stood, nose to chest with her eldest brother.
“Now hold on a minute, Abs. Cool heads prevail, remember?” Royden stood and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Each McAllister lurched to his feet, uncertainty written in tightened shoulders and furrowed brows.
“This isn’t exactly the way I had in mind to break the news of us moving in together, Abs.” Royden closed his eyes, no doubt wondering how many broken bones he’d suffer in the coming twenty-four hours.
“Hey, guys. Can we table the discussion until after dealing with the string of murders and threats to our family? Or have you forgotten the note which said family would be next?” Lexi’s practical side surfaced in the midst of chaos. “If we’re at each other’s throats, we can’t watch each other’s backs. How about everybody take a seat.”
Though the stare-down ended with everyone sitting, McAllister hostility pulsed in the air.
“As I was saying, we need to see Farabee’s lab.” Billy nodded to Caden and Lucas, the only males not on the force.
“Billy, you can’t go, you’re a cop still. You, Lucas, are another story.” Caden grinned at his older brother. I’ll pick you up at dusk.”
“Damn it! I’m not gonna hear this. You’d better be talking about going out for an evening latte!” Abby glared in Caden’s direction.
“I like a late evening coffee,” Remie said. “How about you, Lexi?”
“Oh shit. Here we go.” Ethan gripped Lexi’s forearm. “You are not going into that building. Understand?”
“I don’t need to—” Lexi began.
“But I do.” Remie spoke up quietly. “You two won’t know the difference between surgical instruments, or any other equipment you’re likely to see.”
“If we find damning records, I’d find a good use for any instrument there,” Billy replied.
“The bottom line is that I have to go—” Remie hesitated with Abby’s arched brow, “with you to get the coffee, to make sure it’s the right kind. Men are incompetent with flavors.”
“Jesus. We’re all going to end up in jail. I think it’s time for me to leave. Thanks for dinner, but you don’t need a lawyer in your midst right now.”
“You don’t go anywhere alone. Not from here on out until we’ve seen this shit through.” Matt opened his mouth to say more, but hesitated when Royden spoke up.
“Don’t worry, McAllisters. I’ll stick to her like glue.” Royden stood and held his hand out to Abby.
“Fuck. God damn it.” Matt pressed the heels of his palms against his closed eyes. “How in the hell did I not see this coming from the start. I thought it was just a fling.”
Abby kissed him on the top of his head. “Don’t sweat it, Matt. I’m a big girl, had to grow up sometime.”
Royden’s jaunty steps followed her out. The slight squeak and click of the front door not easing the tension in the room. The threat to all of them was real and fast approaching.
Flashbacks of lifting an unconscious Remie from the stream focused Billy’s thoughts. “Remie, you’re not going without me. There’s got to be all kinds of security on that place.” No way would he allow the pathologist to risk her career. The comfort of her warm fingers resting under his hand encouraged the deep-rooted realization that Ethan, Lucas, and Caden hit the nail on the head when defining their relationships. The deeper connections with their better halves had changed them. The strength he saw in Remie’s gaze declared she’d be there for him after the dust settled. Like resolve echoed in his soul.
“You’re not risking your badge to go with me. I’ll be fine with Lexi, Caden, and Lucas.” She rotated her wrist to slide her palm against his warmer hand then squeezed his fingers.
“We’ll wear mics so you can listen.” Caden added.
“I can circumvent their security from nearby.” Lexi began another search. “Yep, I can do this. Meanwhile, I’ll tap into Farabee and Ari’s records again and see if there are any changes or mention of Wendy, the professor, or Gena.”
Three women were dead, and the killer threatened his family. “Okay, Caden, I won’t go with you, but I will keep an eye on Farabee while you’re out.” Billy nodded to Matt. “How about you and Ethan keep tabs on Ari, and I’ll keep Megan and Kaylee with me. That way we’ve accounted for everyone.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Matt agreed.
Chapter Twenty
The eerie chill seeping into Remie’s bones induced a shiver. She’d pulled enough evening shifts in her career that late nights had never posed a problem. Her anxiety or
iginated from what they expected to find and kept her stomach in a state of churning acid carving a burning path through her chest. “I’ve done a lot of weird stuff in my time but nothing like this.” The handle of the dart gun she’d borrowed from Megan jabbed her waist.
The hint of perfume from emerging honeysuckle hung thick in the air while the sound of bullfrogs in the nearby creek accelerated her apprehension. The itchy mask covering her face was worth every irritating tingle and her lightweight gloves were slick with sweat. The night had just begun.
“Yeah? What kind of trouble have you found? Nothing showed up on file.” Caden sucked in a quick breath and turned his face away. “Sorry, professional curiosity.”
The building’s location miles from town lent little satisfaction. There were so many ways the night could go sideways. Each risked their career for information and to stop a killer.
Forty yards of clear space on the structure’s three sides separated it from surrounding woods. Security cameras mounted at each visible corner of the glass and block structure reminded her of the risk they took.
“You did a background check on me?” Incredulous was the first emotion roiling in her gut, followed by anger, then the realization of the necessity. “I’ve been a victim in all this.”
“Yes. And in looking at someone’s background, we often find potential persons of interest,” Lucas explained, holding a branch back so she could pass. “Besides, we wanted to make sure you didn’t have a killer alter ego hiding under the sophisticated packaging. Billy doesn’t need the hassle.”
“Don’t feel bad, Remie. They always check out each other’s love interests.” Lexi, back in the van concealed by shrubs and undergrowth off the narrow road, justified McAllister motives. “Each one is as protective as the next.”
Remie adjusted her headset under her balaclava. “Damned creepy, guys, but from what Billy’s told me about his recent past, I understand.” Their mutual attraction had passed the point of sharp interest but remained untested by unspoken agreement. Each conversation, shared interest, and innocent touch tested her restraint.
“Doctor, you avoided the question.” Moonlight strobed through the budding branches to deepen the shadows on Caden’s mask.
Figures. “I got caught with a couple of classmates when they decided to test their theory on cow tipping. Dumbest damn kids I’ve ever met. It took that incident to realize they weren’t the type of friends I wanted.”
“Seriously, I’ve heard of that but didn’t know if it was a real thing.” Lexi’s excitement dwarfed her dog’s whine.
“It’s not real and getting caught trying was a bitch. The farmer wasn’t sure I was innocent, even though I was the only one sober.” Remie laughed self-consciously.
“Guys? Are you still skimming the wood’s edge?” Lexi’s tone held an unusual hesitation.
“Yeah, we’re about fifty yards from being parallel to the building’s front. Why?” Lucas stopped and held his hand out.
“Because I saw headlights pass this turnoff. I’m not sure, but I think the vehicle either stopped or the driver kept going and turned off his headlights.”
“Shit, we’ve got to finish this. Is the security system down, Lexi?” Caden asked.
“Yep, their state-of-the-art system is waiting until you’re finished to be reactivated. Camera feeds are all looped. I’m surprised they don’t have personnel present, but maybe they were counting on secrecy and flying under the radar with their activities.”
Muddy light from low-voltage lamps lined a concrete walkway to the double doors. A small sign attached to the front bore the name Celtronics in neatly printed letters while the gravel parking lot stretched along half the structure’s front. She wondered how many visitors Ari and Farabee entertained at work. Lexi’s digital snooping had revealed nothing but a few private investors.
“We need this information, and we may not get a better chance.” Lucas scrutinized the glass-fronted building before leading them farther toward the rear.
Remie knew nothing of spying and covert work. Each time they stopped, she listened for the telltale signs of someone’s approach, a snapping branch, heavy breath, or an increase in the oppressive atmosphere perceived by a sixth sense.
Caden stopped to readjust his pack, snagged on a low branch. “My drone flyover earlier showed the back is composed of cement block without windows, so we can’t be seen from the inside. According to the blueprints, once we enter the back, the lab is to the left and storage space is on the right. Remie and Luc, you search the lab. I’ll check out the other side. Keep your mics open.”
“Luc, attach your first wireless camera at the edge of the woods at your current location. It’ll give me a better view of the outside area.” Lexi’s request hinted at experience.
“Ready for my first-ever break-in.” When old friends had emailed to suggest Remie get out more, they probably hadn’t had the current scenario in mind.
“Hopefully, it’ll be your last,” Luc advised as he attached the small wireless device to a pine bough. “How’s that, Lexi. Got the feed?”
“Yeah. It’s online. One more parallel to the back and you’re good to go.”
Farther along the tree line, Remie slowed to take some deep, calming breaths. If Lexi saves the footage, I’ll have something to show my grandkids assuming I survive this.
Parallel to the back, Luc attached another camera to ensure a visual of both exits. If anyone approached the rear, her group would roll out the front.
Remie considered herself reasonably intelligent and generally aware of her surroundings. Yet someone knew her whereabouts, enough to know Billy had remained close since her attack. It seemed plausible the mysterious “they” might know, or at least expect the break-in considering the spare parts left as a taunt.
She took a deep breath. Everything happening was so out of her league, yet she couldn’t stop. Sooner or later, the puppeteer behind the scenes would tire of the game and end his play, along with another life.
The cool breeze failed to penetrate the mask wicking up perspiration. Sweat dampened her sports bra and slicked her palms inside her gloves. Unlike Lexi, I’m not cut out for spy crap. She jumped when Lucas tapped her shoulder and gave a thumps-up sign.
“Okay. Let’s go. Stay hunched over. It helps obscure your shape.” Caden led the way across the well-manicured lawn.
Moonlight underscored their race, allowing the cameras to follow their progress. Remie wondered if she looked as ridiculous as she felt.
Lucas kept pace on her other side, his keen intensity blunted by shadows. A silent foreboding wreathed the night in endless possibilities while each stride forward thrust her deeper into a web in which she held no control.
When she flattened herself against the cool block wall, her breath came in quiet gasps, her heart thudding so loud she couldn’t make out Lexi’s next words. Rising panic stretched each second into hours.
“Lexi?” Caden hesitated before touching the back door.
“Unlocked and ready to go, guys.”
This group works well during illegal activities considering they’re a family of current and former cops.
They entered through a large storeroom where lack of air circulation, buildup of moisture, and darkness, led to the growth of mold, the taint caused by the release of gas with which she was familiar in her line of work. Beside her, the click of Caden’s small flashlight made her jump.
“It’s okay, Remie. We’re good.” Luc took her hand and tugged her to follow Caden through the doorway midpoint on the north wall.
A gray cinderblock hallway denied visibility of the interior. Two doors, one on either end, offered a different approach.
Luc nodded to his brother then nudged her to the left, the hollow sounds of soft steps echoing in the confines. A twisted version of a game show came to mind where she chose the wrong door and out popped a lunatic with a gun.
Once again, Luc’s flashlight pierced the darkness back and forth after he prompted her throu
gh another doorway. “Lexi, the lab is enclosed, no windows. Lights, please?”
“Coming up.”
White light flooded the room to reveal a researcher’s paradise. Of course, everything would be automated and state-of-the-art.
She expected a sterile room full of bioprinters, computer workstations, shelves containing various fluids, and massive temperature-controlled storage units. Still, the scene took her breath away. Long islands contained workspaces and large monitors waiting to magnify specimens undergoing study. Massive round lights on adjustable mechanical arms would spotlight work at each station.
“Wow. Can you imagine how much money went into this setup? If I had a fraction of it to sink into our lab at work…”
“Hey, Doc. Let’s not get carried away here.” Luc chuckled, heading past the equipment toward what appeared to be a moderate-sized office.
A glass partition divided the smaller space into two sections. Wall to ceiling glass fronted each with a divisional metal chair rail. “I’ll search the offices and leave the lab to you. Catch up when you’re ready.”
“Right. Here to do a job. I’ll see what I can find in the storage compartments first. Unless they’re labeling things using code, it should be straightforward.” Despite the creep factor surrounding the circumstances, Remie was amazed at the resources available. If she had taken a different path, this could have been her work area. With the possibility of making me an accessory to murder.
Listening to Luc and Lexi talk over their coms became background noise as she immersed herself in the task of defining the goals of her one-time crush and his partner.
The search yielded nothing but envy. “Guys, I don’t see anything to raise suspicion. They’ve got all raw materials labeled or coded in a straightforward manner. Nothing’s out of place or crossing any lines that I can see. No mini brains growing.” Remie blew out a breath, frustrated and relieved at the same time. With everything neat and well organized, it didn’t take long to finish in the lab. She’d have to cross-reference the materials list with specific experiments to know the origin of the specimens. Luc was still in the first office when she opened the door.
McAllister Justice Series Box Set Volume Two Page 44