Look Behind You

by Iris Johansen

  Not now.

  Because she had been going over the list of people she cared about and checking it twice.

  And Adam Lynch was very high on that list.

  This was her battle. Face it alone. Keep him away.

  She began to dial Griffin’s number.

  Circle the wagons …

  Guilin, China

  Lynch gazed down at his phone as he leaned back in his chair.

  Kendra had never before asked him about one of his missions. She knew they were confidential and he didn’t talk about them. The question had come out of nowhere. A deterrent?

  And she had stressed that she was not going to have an active role in this investigation—that was causing him to be increasingly uneasy.

  And she had asked him if Griffin was his source. Why?

  Put them all together and he didn’t like the result.

  What wasn’t she telling him?

  He started to punch in the number of his contact at the State Department. He hadn’t used Griffin because he had a tendency to ask for favors that were pricey in both his time and efforts. State and Justice had their own moles that were more easily controlled and usually knowledgeable.

  Maybe not this time.

  He hung up after checking with both contacts. He knew no more than they’d told him previously.

  He had no choice.

  Griffin.

  He punched in Griffin’s number.

  He answered in two rings. “It’s after one in the morning here, Lynch. In case you’ve forgotten, I don’t take kindly to having my sleep disturbed.”

  “But you sound so wide awake. Almost as if I’m not the only one who’s called you tonight. Could that be true?”

  Silence. “I get a lot of calls. I’m an important guy. That’s why they call me Special Agent in Charge. But I don’t get many calls like yours that I wouldn’t choose to accept if asked.”

  “But I’m certain that you took Kendra’s call with no argument. Did she tell you I might phone you?”

  “I believe it’s time I hung up. We have nothing to discuss.”

  “Wrong. Can you tell I’m a bit irate? Kendra is trying to shut me out and that annoys me. You’re aiding and abetting and that makes me angry. I don’t think you’ve ever seen me really angry, Griffin. I don’t believe you ever want to.”

  “Then I suggest you go back and talk to Kendra.”

  “Maybe. But right now I have to know what I’m going to be facing. We both know how difficult Kendra can be.” He paused. “Or you wouldn’t be giving me such a hard time. But I won’t give up until I know what she’s keeping from me.”

  “Why are you so certain that she’s keeping anything from you?”

  “She doesn’t want me there. For some reason she doesn’t want me to work this case. She didn’t even want to talk about it. Now when I texted her before I didn’t get that response. That means something happened that was more than what I could find out from my other sources. Whatever it was, you’re keeping it undercover and top secret to such an extent that the info can’t be accessed in the usual ways. And it seemed so bad to Kendra that it closed her down.”

  “Imagination.”

  “Don’t tell me that. I know how she thinks, how she feels. Now you tell me what happened to her.”

  Griffin was silent.

  Lynch knew he could keep pushing, but his impatience was growing by the minute. He needed to know. “Okay. What do you want?”

  “If I did know anything, it would be something that I wouldn’t want leaked to anyone,” Griffin said warily. “Particularly not to the press. This case is proving to be a real hot potato. We’re dealing in very sensitive issues.”

  “What do you want?” Lynch repeated.

  “Only your cooperation when I ask for it. At my discretion, of course. What else?”

  “One job, that’s all.”

  “I realize how valuable your time is, Lynch. Would I ask anything more?”

  “If you thought you could get away with it. You can’t. I’m coming to you because it’s quicker. Otherwise, I’d go through Metcalf or one of your other agents.”

  “And they’d end up without a job.”

  “But you know I’d get my answers and no price for me to pay. So don’t try to squeeze me, Griffin.”

  “I’ve already agreed to terms.” He paused. “But only because I believe it’s best for Kendra. Honestly. I even tried to tell her that she should accept any help anyone wants to give her.”

  “She must have really appreciated that advice,” he said sarcastically. “Do you even know her?”

  “Yes, but this time I had to say it,” Griffin said soberly. “I like her, Lynch. She’s a pain in my ass, but I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

  And that scared Lynch more than anything he’d heard since the conversation had begun. “Nothing’s going to happen to her,” he said roughly. “I won’t let it. And I’ll make sure you don’t let it happen. Now tell me what I need to know.”

  8:40 A.M.

  “They did a good job.” Kendra gazed critically at the motion sensor the security company had attached to the frame of Olivia’s painting. “Hardly noticeable, but it works with every movement.”

  “Providing it doesn’t drive me crazy,” Olivia said as she felt her watch that was monitoring the movement. “But I think I can live with it.” Then she grinned. “Play on words. Get it?”

  “Oh, I get it,” Kendra said. “But I’m not amused. That’s what all this security gear is all about. Make certain that you use it.”

  “I will.” She went over to the desk. “In fact, I feel like burrowing down here and not coming out until you get this guy.” She sat down in the chair. “But that’s not going to happen. I won’t let him do that to me. Screw him. I’m going to keep on living my life exactly as I have in the past.”

  “Well, maybe not exactly,” Kendra said. She’d known that would be Olivia’s reaction, but it still scared her. “I’ve arranged to have one of Griffin’s agents maintain surveillance on you while you’re not in the condo, but it still might be smart to rein in a little. Look before you leap.”

  “Now that’s a truly ridiculous statement when addressed to me.” Her smile faded. “Hey, I realize that you’re really freaked out about all this. You’re blaming yourself and I can feel you hovering, but back off, Kendra. It’s my life, and it’s Zachary who invaded it. You’ve done everything you can to keep me safe. Anything else is up to me.”

  “Bullshit.” She sighed. “Okay, okay. I’ll try to restrain myself or at least try a more subtle approach.”

  “Subtle?” Olivia repeated warily. “I don’t like the sound of that. Totally out of character.”

  “Maybe I’m trying to change.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Give me a break,” she said quietly. “You’re my friend and I love you. Work with me.”

  “We’ll see,” Olivia said as she turned on her computer. “It might be amusing to see you trying to be subtle.”

  “I’m glad you think that this situation has any entertainment value.” She turned to leave. “Want to have dinner with me at my place tonight?”

  “Again? So you can keep your eye on me?” She grimaced. “Be real. Once you get pulled into all that high-powered FBI stuff today, there’s no way that you’ll be home before midnight. Get out of here.”

  “Rude. Very rude.” She headed for the door. “If you need anything, if something’s not right, call Metcalf. I put his number on your speed dial, and I’ve told him to expect it. Then call me.”

  “Kendra.”

  “Not subtle enough?” She opened the door. “Guess you’re right. But I feel better about it. I promise we’ll find a middle ground.” She closed the door behind her and drew a deep breath. Olivia clearly thought she was overreacting, but how could you overreact to something this frightening?

  But she couldn’t push too hard or Olivia would rebel and that would be counterproductive. And a midd
le ground that would satisfy both Kendra and Olivia? Where the hell was she going to find that?

  Don’t think about it right now.

  Instead, concentrate on what was waiting for her at the FBI office this morning. Oh, and check in with Jessie about anything she might have learned from her military contacts since yesterday. She could phone her while she was in her car driving to the FBI office.

  But she didn’t start her car when she got into the driver’s seat. She sat there, frozen, because something had suddenly occurred to her. By hiring Jessie Mercado to dig out information about Zachary, she had placed a bullseye squarely on her forehead. It had not immediately struck her because Jessie was tough and smart and thoroughly capable. But for all those same reasons Zachary might regard her as a threat to be eliminated. And if his research was at its usual high standard, he would also know Jessie was Kendra’s friend, another reason to make her a target.

  Take her off the case.

  It was her immediate impulse, but Jessie would never accept that as an option. Besides, the harm had probably been done now. But what she could do was to tell Jessie exactly what had happened and warn her. Then hope that Jessie would back out on her own.

  Not likely.

  She quickly punched in Jessie’s number. Jessie answered in two rings but her tone was rueful. “Come on, Kendra. I know you want this guy, but I’m not a miracle worker. Give me a chance.”

  “I take it you haven’t come up with anything?” Kendra asked.

  “Nothing very helpful, I’m afraid. At least not yet. But I did hear back from my source, and he says there was no single member of the armed forces who was stationed in these places during the time span of these murders.”

  Kendra’s heart sank. “Of course not. It would have been too easy. Are you sure?”

  “I trust my source. It doesn’t mean that he wasn’t doing something else connected with the bases, like maybe a contractor. It’ll take a lot more digging to see if that’s the case. You’re probably better off cross-checking names through the IRS or the Postal Service.”

  “Yeah, we already have requests in for that.” Kendra was sure Jessie could hear the disappointment in her voice. “Thanks for checking, Jessie. I appreciate it.”

  “Hey, I haven’t given up yet. This is only the opening play. I’ll think about it and see what else I can come up with. I don’t like to lose.”

  And because she didn’t like to lose, Jessie would be continually in danger, Kendra thought. It was time she let her know what to expect. “Neither does this maniac we’re dealing with, Jessie. He’s beginning to strike close to home.” She quickly related everything that had occurred since she had received Olivia’s call yesterday. “It scared me, Jessie.”

  “It should have scared you,” Jessie said soberly. “You’d be nuts if it hadn’t. And that poor Olivia must be a basket case, blind and not able to even see that creep in the same room with her.”

  “Well, not exactly a basket case.” Kendra had forgotten Jessie had never met Olivia and didn’t realize how strong she was. “But naturally she was terribly upset. She’s trying to work her way through it.”

  “Good luck to her,” Jessie said. “Someone should castrate that bastard … scaring a helpless woman like that. She might be scarred for a long time.”

  Jessie’s protective instincts were obviously flying high and Kendra was remembering she’d had the same response to her former employer Delilah Winter. “I hope castration is the least of what we manage to do to him. But he’s very dangerous, Jessie. Keep that in mind.”

  “You keep it in mind,” Jessie said. “You’re the one who seems to be in his crosshairs. Does Lynch know?”

  She should have known that was coming, she thought in exasperation. “No.” She changed the subject. “But I’ll have more help than I need or want with Griffin’s posse coming to town.”

  “In Afghanistan I always found that posses tended to get in the way.” She shrugged. “But that’s only my experience. Anyway, it may be a while before I manage to find out the info you hired me to unearth. Anything else I can do to help?”

  Kendra started to shake her head and then went still. Maybe …

  It was risky on several levels, but it might work.

  Go for it.

  “Actually, there may be something.”

  “Name it.”

  “Oh, I will,” she said and then quickly began to speak.

  And to circle the wagons …

  * * *

  “GOOD TO SEE YOU, KENDRA,” Metcalf said quietly. “We were taking bets on whether you’d really show up today.” He held her visitor badge out to her as she walked across the lobby of the FBI field office.

  “Why?” Kendra took the badge and clipped it on. “Just because a psychopathic mass murderer broke into the apartment of my best friend? Okay, you saw how shaken I was yesterday. But after that, nothing could keep me away.”

  “I just thought when the shock faded, it would sink home that our killer is obviously fixated on you. You were already reluctant to join the case. There was some thought that you might want to distance yourself.”

  Yes, distance herself and everyone she cared about, but she couldn’t do it. Not possible. Kendra walked with him to the elevator. “Is that what the FBI wants?”

  “No way. Like Griffin keeps telling us, it’s all hands on deck.”

  She’d thought she’d read Griffin right when she’d talked to him on the phone last night. Opportunity, he’d said. He might be regarding her as a weapon to be wielded. “Speaking of which, is your ‘dream team’ here?”

  “Yep. The last of them arrived late last night. They’re up in the war room right now getting briefed on our case here in San Diego. After that, each of them will give presentations on their cases.” Metcalf shook his head as he and Kendra entered the elevator and the doors closed. “They’re an interesting bunch. I’ve been reading up on them and they’re brilliant guys. You can’t take that away from them.”

  “But…?”

  Metcalf paused to choose his words with care. “I met them all this morning. Law enforcement is a collaborative profession. We work with each other, we sometimes team up with police detectives, and on big cases like this one, we join together on task forces. Teamwork, you know? But these guys, the one thing they have in common is that they all seem to be loners. I thought there was even a bit of tension when they were introduced to each other.”

  “But aren’t they good at what they do?”

  “The best. Maybe that’s why they’re so good. They look at things differently than everyone else.”

  Kendra shrugged. “I don’t have any right to criticize. I don’t always work and play well with others.”

  “That occurred to me. In any case, they’ve each spent years wanting to catch this guy. Some of them have been in almost constant touch with the victims’ families, promising that the case hasn’t dropped off their radar. It’s personal to them.”

  “Good. It should be.”

  “Oh, and there’s another thing they have in common.”

  “What’s that?”

  “They’re extremely interested in meeting you.”

  The elevator doors opened on the fourth floor.

  She frowned. “Me?”

  Metcalf followed her into the corridor. “Of course. You’ve become a key part of this case. The minute Griffin told them about Zachary’s message to Olivia, you could see their eyes light up and their heads lift as if sniffing prey. Something about you attracted the attention of this killer. Those investigators want to know everything about you.” Metcalf pointed to a freestanding bulletin board near the entrance of the war room where two assistants were working.

  To her horror Kendra realized that the assistants were in the process of putting up photos of her and her previous cases.

  Metcalf nodded. “Griffin gave you your own bulletin board. If that doesn’t make you feel important, nothing will.”

  “It doesn’t make me feel importan
t,” she said tightly. “It makes me feel like a piece of meat at the butcher shop. Or maybe one of the victims in their case histories.”

  “Oops.” Metcalf added soothingly, “It’s just a way to efficiently display a potential asset, Kendra. If it wasn’t you he’d targeted, you know you’d want to have the most thorough information available.”

  She realized he was right, but it didn’t make her feel any better about Griffin using her more as a piece of evidence than an investigator.

  Shake it off. Today was going to be difficult enough and she didn’t need to start out with a chip on her shoulder.

  Kendra stopped as she spotted Griffin across the room, waving a remote in his hand as he delivered projected PowerPoint slides to a small group. “That’s the dream team?”

  “Yep.”

  “Tell me about them.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes. I’d like to know something about them before we meet. Fill me in.”

  “Well, Griffin already told you about Richard Gale. That’s the tall guy with the bushy eyebrows. He’s with the Bureau in New York City. Griffin wasn’t kidding when he said Gale wasn’t a people person. He’s managed to insult just about everyone here already.”

  “Including you?”

  Metcalf ran his hands through his thick, somewhat unruly hair. “Oh, yeah. He thought my hair style showed a flaw in my character, a lack of precision.”

  “Hmm. He may have a point there.”

  “Nice. The guy standing next to him, the thin one with the curly hair? That’s Edward Roscoe, he’s a homicide detective with the LAPD. He’s laid-back and kind of quiet. He cracked the Echo Park murders in LA a few years back.”

  Kendra nodded. “I remember that … Wasn’t there a movie?”

  “Yeah, a really crappy one. Roscoe was played by Matthew McConaughey.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Not to McConaughey. He still trash-talks the movie on talk shows.”

  “Yeah? And who’s the older man with the buzz cut?”

  “That’s Arnold Huston, Washington, D.C., homicide. Old school all the way. I offered him a desk with an Ethernet port, and he told me he hates computers. But he’s great at witness interviews. Huston can pull more out of a witness than just about anyone. People like and trust him.”