by Lesley Davis
“Yes, it’s not the same over a conference call or talking on the phone.”
“Do you think she’ll like me?” Ashley’s voice was quietly subdued, all traces of her teasing gone.
Rafe wrapped an arm around Ashley’s shoulder and pulled her in close. “She’s going to see how much I love you and how perfect you are for me. She’ll witness how wicked smart you are and just how beautiful you are too. She already knows you’re a brilliant investigator. What’s not to like?” She kissed Ashley on the top of her head. “But we’ll not mention the massive tattoo you sport on your back. She’s a profiler; she’ll lay all your secrets bare and leave you whimpering.”
“Guess I’ll save my best party trick until you think she’s truly ready?”
Rafe nodded. “You always save the best for last, Sparky. And believe me, that trick is going to bring the house down.”
*
The unexpected sound of a text being received sounded loudly. Blythe was surprised to get it on her private phone and not on the Chandler-Kent cells they had been furnished with. She opened it and smiled.
“Everything okay?” Daryl asked from her side of the table. Since she’d returned from Claire’s she’d contacted the team to get the courier to swing by in his fake FedEx truck to pick up the hair samples Daryl had snagged from Justin’s hair brush. Blythe had been impressed that an excuse to use the bathroom had yielded them more new evidence thanks to Daryl’s swift snag and bag tactics. Now they were both searching the Miller agency records for all female employees. No one was there that matched the description of their abductor. She’d been appalled that she’d come into contact with the woman and never realized it. Blythe had assured her that in the context of their meeting, she wouldn’t have questioned the woman’s identity either. Now they both sat in their office checking through the mundane details Trace had been finding on the Miller adoption agency. The hospital video feed had not provided them with anything they could use so far so it was back to research and digging through the employee records now that there might be a lead. Blythe and Daryl had been reading up on personal and professional lives of the staff, managers, and the secret investors of the Cranston Heights adoption agencies. They’d also been discussing whether Mia Connelly’s involvement was deliberate or just plain helpful, which seemed to be her biggest personality trait.
“It’s from Rafe. I don’t believe it; she’s here.” Blythe read the message again to make sure.
“Here in Connecticut? I thought she operated out of Chicago?”
“She does, but this says she’s here and wants me to meet her tonight.”
“That’s cool. We were just kicking back tonight anyway so take the car and go see her. Just be sure to come back with some kind of grocery bag or takeout box when you return. You know, just in case neighborhood watch is at the window cataloguing your movements.”
Blythe knew Daryl wasn’t joking. Mia didn’t miss a trick in the street. She messaged Rafe asking what time she was free and where they should meet. “I wonder what she’s doing here? It’s usually hard to get her away from her desk in the Windy City.”
“She’s with the DDU too, isn’t she?” Daryl leaned away from her computer screen and stretched her arms above her head.
Blythe watched the play of muscles underneath Daryl’s thin T-shirt, and for a moment, she wasn’t able to remember what she’d asked. The movement made Daryl’s breasts lift, and Blythe couldn’t tear her eyes away. She forced herself to concentrate and not be caught staring at such an obvious place. She came to her senses when Daryl relaxed and lowered her arms, shaking her shoulders a little to work out some kinks.
“Yes, the DDU in Chicago is Rafe’s baby. It’s a small team, but they’re all fantastic investigators.”
“Didn’t they have that serial killer case recently? Where the guy was cutting open women’s backs, revealing their spines?”
Blythe nodded. “That was Rafe’s case. She had me do a profile for her. From what she told me after, I was pretty spot on.” She recalled the call she’d gotten when Rafe had informed her that the killer had been caught. “The suspect killed himself quite dramatically too. Some psychopaths have such a flair for theatrics.”
“So you worked on that case?”
“Not officially, but when Rafe asked me for help I couldn’t say no. She knows I’d do anything for her, and I know she’d move heaven and earth if I asked her to for me.”
“She sounds like a good friend.”
Blythe smiled. “She’s the best. Even if she is very by the book in her investigative style, which still drives me crazy sometimes.”
“And you’re such a maverick?”
“According to Rafe, I was in the academy. I’d like to think my subsequent years at the FBI have matured me so that I’m less exasperating to her.”
“You’re an agent who marches to the beat of your own drum; even I can see that.” The look Daryl gave her made Blythe’s insides spark and ignite.
“Whereas Rafe would want to check the sheet music first, examine the instruments, and then, and only then, let the music play to her specific rhythm.”
“And you brought her a cat,” Daryl said with a grin.
“She needed the spontaneity. Four paws and a purring engine provided that for her.”
“Think she’s here for a reason?”
Blythe shrugged, staring at her cell phone once more as if expecting to find the answer there. “I don’t honestly know. Rafe never does anything without a reason.”
“Do you think she’s heard about our case?”
“I told her the basics when we first got the assignment, but I doubt there’s a link between here and Chicago.” She leaned back in her chair and considered this for a moment. “That would be too horrible to contemplate. I’d hate to find these kidnappings were more widespread than we have found so far.”
“Even if the feds are chasing that angle. However, I was only shown here,” Daryl said then added somewhat hastily, “What I mean is my investigation directed me here alone. I didn’t find any links to suggest more kidnappings outside this area.” She moved back behind her screen out of Blythe’s eyesight.
“No one is questioning the research you did beforehand, Daryl.” She wondered at Daryl’s flustered words and sudden nervous demeanor. She tapped a fingernail on her cell phone screen, curious as to what had necessitated Rafe’s message. “I guess I’ll find out tonight what Rafe wants.” She pushed the phone away. “Any preference on the food I bring back as a distraction?”
“Thai?” Daryl said. “And while you’re gone I’ll try and tidy up the front yard.”
Blythe couldn’t help herself; she laughed. “I’m sure you could wrangle any one of the neighbors with a green thumb to come over and tidy the yard to save you bothering.”
“I’m enough of my father’s daughter to know which way to hold a broom. The next-door neighbor’s tree has shed all over the driveway. It’s been bugging me.”
“You’re going to make someone a marvelous wife,” Blythe said, enjoying the flush her comment brought to Daryl’s cheeks. Blythe tried to ignore the pang in her chest at the thought of Daryl with someone else.
“Well, for now, I’m yours so they’ll have to wait in line for my sweeping skills.”
Blythe’s cell phone buzzed as another message came through.
“I’ve got to meet Rafe at seven p.m.” She brought up a map on her computer to check the address she’d been sent. “She’s staying almost right on our doorstep.” She printed off the map of directions to Rafe’s hotel and sent back a text of confirmation. She couldn’t stifle the feeling of disquiet that rumbled through her bones at Rafe’s appearance. Especially since Blythe was deep undercover on a very sensitive case. She knew Rafe requesting a meeting had more than a friendly reason behind it. Now she was worried what that reason was. Rafe’s health had been sorely affected by an assault she’d sustained at the hands of a killer. Blythe feared it was something connected to that which ha
d prompted Rafe’s out of the blue call to meet. For a moment, her blood ran cold as she feared the worst. She quickly tempered down her frightened thoughts and forced herself to continue reading into the case at hand. But the niggling worry that something was wrong plagued her and wouldn’t calm down no matter how much she buried her head in the paperwork.
Chapter Sixteen
The hotel was easy to find and Blythe parked her car without a problem. Inexplicably nervous, she headed inside and walked straight for the elevator. It came quickly and Blythe tried to regulate her breathing to calm herself down. She watched the floors tick by intently. She felt Daryl’s absence keenly and was surprised by how much she had gotten used to being with her at all times. She knew if Daryl had been there she’d have some calming words to impart to make Blythe feel less fraught. She stepped off the elevator and searched for Rafe’s room number on the endless sea of look-alike doors. She knocked on one before she could hesitate further. The door opened and Rafe stood there looking healthy and happy. Blythe bit back a sob that had risen to her throat and flung herself into Rafe’s arms.
“Well, hello to you too!” Rafe said, hugging Blythe tightly to her and laughing at the strong grip Blythe had on her.
Blythe pulled back and smacked Rafe on her arm. “That’s for making me think you were here to tell me you were dying.”
Rafe’s eyebrows shot up her forehead. “Dying? Fuck, Blythe. I pay you a visit and you’ve got me buried six feet under instead?”
“You never just visit,” Blythe said, wiping at her eyes and huffing at Rafe. She let herself be pulled into the room while Rafe closed the door. “And I’m on an undercover assignment. I’m not supposed to have people just dropping by.”
Rafe nodded at that. “I know, and I’m sorry for this. I’d be pissed too, but I have a good reason why I’m here. Can I introduce you to someone first before I get into all that?”
Blythe realized that there was someone else in the room with them. A small blond woman with startling blue eyes was seated on the settee watching them in amusement.
“You’ll have to forgive Rafe, Blythe. It’s my fault we’re here.”
Blythe shook hands with the woman she remembered from the case they’d worked on years previous. “Ashley Scott, right? You’re the private investigator.”
“And my girlfriend,” Rafe added with a smug smile as she settled beside Ashley and took a hold of her hand.
“So you’re the woman brave enough to take Rafe on?” Blythe settled herself in a seat opposite them both.
“She wasn’t so hard to tame,” Ashley replied. “I’ve found she’s a bigger pussy cat than Trinity is.”
Blythe’s amusement doubled at the look of disgruntled disbelief Rafe threw at Ashley. She could see the love Rafe had for Ashley. It was very clearly emblazoned on her face. It did her heart good to see Rafe so relaxed and obviously happy.
“Sorry, Blythe,” Ashley said. “But your friend here is incorrigible.”
“I am?” Rafe said with a wicked glint in her eye.
“I’ve waited a long time to see Rafe look this good, so no apologies are necessary.” She leaned forward in her seat and rested her elbows on her knees to give Rafe a thorough once-over. “You’re looking better than the last time I saw you over the conference video link.”
Rafe ran a hand over her head self-consciously. “The scars are fading and my hair is growing over them. I’m feeling fine.”
Blythe looked to Ashley for confirmation of this.
“She’s doing okay, and I’m making sure she looks after herself.”
“She’s moved in,” Rafe added. “Trinity has two mommies now.”
“And to think you were so dead set against having a cat.”
Rafe just grumbled at her. “You didn’t exactly leave me with much of a choice. You spun your tale of woe of how she was the last in the litter and needed a home. Then you started in on how perfect she’d be for me and that I’d enjoy coming home to such a happy cat.” She pulled out her cell phone from her pocket. “Look at her.” She handed the phone over to Blythe. “Tell me she doesn’t rule the house.”
Blythe flicked through the photos featuring the very familiar black cat in various poses. She came across one that had Rafe and Ashley cuddled together with the cat between them like a proud child. She held this one up. “Who took this? It’s wonderful.”
“Ashley’s friend Eli took it for us. He’s on cat-watch while we’re here.” Rafe accepted her phone back and settled back in on the settee. “So how are you doing, Blythe? Enjoying your undercover lover role?”
Blythe wondered just how much she should admit. Ashley shifted slightly in her seat.
“I could leave if you two need to talk more privately?” she said.
Blythe shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m just really finding it hard to separate work from what I feel for my new partner.”
“This Daryl Chandler, is she having the same trouble where you are concerned?” Rafe asked.
“We’re both very aware there’s an intense attraction between us and we’re trying so hard to toe the professional line.”
“Playing lovers has got to be hard,” Ashley said.
“It’s difficult to know when the kissing can stop,” Blythe admitted quietly. “But you’re not here to hear about how hard it is for me to keep my hands off the detective I’m playing house with, so spill.”
Rafe squeezed Ashley’s thigh. “I told you she wouldn’t do small talk.”
“I want to know why you’re here instead of back home in Chicago running your own DDU and feeding your own darn cat. And don’t give me that lame excuse you were just passing though.” Blythe looked to Ashley. “Unless your family is out here and you’ve just introduced them to Rafe, and if that’s so then I apologize for being suspicious.”
“I’ve no family to introduce Rafe to,” Ashley stated baldly. Blythe was taken aback by the finality in her tone. “We’re here for you, actually.”
“Me?”
“You and your investigation into these child kidnappings to be more precise,” Rafe said.
“The case is strictly need to know. We’re operating undercover, Rafe. That means no trace of what we’re doing is on record at the moment because of the feds’ involvement and our blatantly going against them. I only told you because you’re my friend and a trusted fellow officer.” Blythe couldn’t stop the bitter tone escaping.
“We don’t want to involve your DDU just yet and I have no interest in the feds,” Ashley said. “They’re pursuing a line of investigation that is totally incorrect, but it will leave them out of your hair and ours while we investigate the truth here.”
“Can you tell me why a private investigator is interested in a case that the DDU is already involved in?”
“I’ve been asked to look into this situation as just another pair of eyes,” Ashley said simply.
“By who? Daryl came to us with her suspicions and we’re not the only ones looking into these cases. The feds and the Connecticut FBI are doing their own investigation, right or wrong. So who has you on their payroll to do the same?”
“I’m not at liberty to divulge that.”
“But you’ve had your girlfriend tell you what I told her?” Blythe took a deep breath to try to dampen her anger that was threatening to boil over. “Rafe, what the hell is really going on here? You don’t operate like this. The DDU doesn’t operate like this either, at least not in my unit. The feds stupidly kicked Daryl out of their investigation so I know they wouldn’t take on another outside source. And to my knowledge, none of the mothers or their extended family hired a P.I. to investigate further into their child’s disappearance.”
“I never said it was a family member,” Ashley said.
“Then who?” Blythe asked again, this time more firmly.
“Someone who wishes to remain anonymous for now. They’re sending me in to investigate the places you can’t while you’re undercover as prospective adoptive parents
.”
“So am I to believe there’s a third investigation running under the knowledge of the Chicago branch of the DDU that is flying under the radar of my own branch and the feds themselves?”
“I’m sticking to the hospitals and the Baby Aid stations,” Ashley answered instead.
“We’ve had those under surveillance.” Blythe couldn’t help but wonder why Rafe was looking so calm in the face of her growing annoyance.
“Have you found anything?” Ashley asked.
“We’re only working with a vague description of the woman involved in the actual snatching. We don’t have a great deal to go on in the footage we’ve acquired so far. But we think we’ve narrowed it down to the agency she apparently works for.”
“I need to know which agency,” Ashley said, more to Rafe than anyone else.
“You can’t just walk in on my case and take it over. I’m part of an undercover operation already set in place here.”
“I won’t infringe on your cover story, Blythe,” Ashley said. “Do you remember the last case we were both involved with?”
Blythe nodded. “The pedophile ring. I know you were involved, but you were never a part of the team I was assigned to.”
“Exactly. Your team went after the men and the children they had hidden. I was called in after the lowlife that was on the outer edge of the ring.”
“You went after the distributor of the porn footage the guys were making from the house.”
“Yes, and my investigation didn’t tread on anyone’s toes while you did your job and got those children free. The same will apply here.”
“I heard the guy killed himself as your team went in.”
The corner of Ashley’s mouth twitched into a small smile. “A special place in hell was waiting for him no matter what path he took to get to it.”
“What tipped Chandler to look specifically here, Blythe? I couldn’t find anything definitive that pointed to this exact location. Yet, according to the feds’ report, she came here and has already located a child in his new adoptive home and claims the others are somewhere there too.” Rafe frowned at her. “That’s some major league good luck.”