Colton 911--Suspect Under Siege

by Jane Godman

  “Ah. She likes her sleep.” Abigail smoothed down the blanket she’d used to cover the baby’s legs. “But she’ll wake up hungry.”

  “It’s not relevant to the case, but why did you foster her?”

  She was quiet for so long he wasn’t sure she was going to answer. When she finally turned away from Maya to look at him, the sadness in her eyes hit him like a punch to his gut. “Maya is my best friend’s daughter.”

  “I’m sorry. This is clearly painful for you—”

  She shook her head. “I live with her loss all the time. Talking about it doesn’t make it harder. Veronica Pérez and I met in high school. We had a lot in common.” A slight smile twisted her lips. “Her parents were from Cuba, and my mother was Cuban, too. Her father worked away a lot. My mom had left my dad by that time and, although I lived with him... Well, I didn’t see a lot of him. Veronica and I became each other’s family. Our friendship stayed just as strong throughout our adult lives.”

  As she was talking, her hands twisted in her lap and her eyes focused on a point outside the window. “Sixteen months ago, Veronica came to see me and gave me some devastating news. She had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.” Abigail turned to look at Maya. “But there was another bombshell. She was also pregnant.”

  “Her partner...?”

  “She didn’t have one. Maya was conceived during a drunken one-night stand. When Veronica contacted the father to tell him about the pregnancy, he offered to pay half the cost of an abortion but flatly refused to have anything else to do with the baby. She told him about the cancer, and he said his position hadn’t changed.”

  “Even if he could have been made to accept his parental responsibilities, he doesn’t sound like the right person to care for a child.” Griffin’s expression was grim.

  “That’s what I said.” Abigail nodded her agreement. “And Veronica was an only child with no other family. Her parents had died in a car crash years before. There was no one else.”

  “Didn’t her doctors advise a termination?”

  “She wouldn’t consider it,” Abigail said. “The only treatment available to her was palliative, and she was determined to refuse anything that would affect her baby’s chances of survival.”

  “Even so, you made a life-changing decision when you took her child.” The words couldn’t adequately express how much his opinion of her had changed. She was Wes Matthews’s daughter. As far as the RevitaYou investigation went, that meant he should regard her as the enemy. But Griffin knew how it felt to be ripped out of a home as a child. He knew the damage it had caused to his developing identity. Even though he’d found a loving home with the Coltons, his ability to form bonds had been damaged beyond repair.

  That was why Abigail’s generous heart touched him so much. She had given Maya everything. A home, a mom, the love every baby so desperately needed. She had given the little girl an identity.

  “I didn’t have to think about it. Veronica would have done the same for me.” She gave a soft laugh. “But you’re right. For someone who hadn’t given children a thought before this, suddenly becoming a mom has been life changing.” She pointed to the bulging bag that had been the cause of her earlier embarrassment. “Just getting out of the door is like mounting a polar expedition.”

  “What happened to Veronica?” He wasn’t sure how tactful it was to ask for details about the brave woman who had carried her baby knowing she wouldn’t live to see her grow up.

  “She died when Maya was three months old.” Abigail hitched in a breath. “Although she was very ill during that time, the three of us got to spend some quality time together. After her death, Maya went through the foster system.”

  Griffin tapped his pen on the desk. “Presumably, if the adoption has been proceeding, the father has given his permission?”

  “Yes. That was agreed while Veronica was still alive.” She frowned. “There haven’t been any problems. Until now.”

  “Okay.” He was surprised by how much he wanted to make this right. The families were important, of course, but usually his motivation was the child’s well-being. This time, his focus was equally divided between Abigail and Maya. He checked the time on his cell phone. “It’s late and I may not get an answer but let me see if I can contact your caseworker.”

  Griffin knew most of the caseworkers in the city and he had a vague recollection of John Jones as a young, earnest man who worked hard for the children in his care.

  Although he didn’t say it to Abigail, because it sounded boastful, he also knew that his own reputation went before him. If the name Griffin Colton came up on a cell phone display—there wasn’t a caseworker alive who would ignore it.

  Sure enough, John Jones answered almost immediately. Griffin put him on speakerphone so Abigail could hear the conversation. “Mr. Colton? Hi, what can I do for you, sir?”

  “I’m representing Dr. Abigail Matthews. She tells me that the adoption proceedings for her foster daughter, Maya, have been put on hold. I’d like some more details about that decision, please.”

  He was aware of Abigail’s dark gaze fixed on his face as he waited for a reply. In the stroller, Maya murmured quietly in her sleep and waved a chubby hand, as though signifying her own impatience to learn more.

  “Um. This is maybe something we should discuss face-to-face.” Jones sounded uneasy.

  “If the issue is the situation with Dr. Matthews’s father, we can talk openly about it.”

  “No, the RevitaYou situation is not the problem,” Jones said. “The reason her paperwork has been put on hold is that I’ve received information that Dr. Matthews is being investigated as part of her clinical trials to halt the effects of memory loss.”

  From the way she half rose from her chair, it was clear that this information was news to Abigail. Griffin raised a hand, signaling that he would deal with it. To his relief, although she looked pale and tense, she remained silent.

  “Do you have any details about the investigation? And who made the allegation?” he asked.

  “I don’t have any information about who made the allegations. All I know is that the suggestion is that the doctor has been using an illegal enhancement compound—” There was the sound of Jones turning pages as though he was consulting notes. “A designer, non-FDA-approved drug called Anthrosyne. It appears that, instead of merely halting memory loss, Dr. Matthews has been attempting to boost some of her participants memories in order to gain recognition for her work.”

  “Can you expand on that?”

  “Well, uh... the allegation is that, if Dr. Matthews successfully boosted the memories of her subjects, she would gain considerable attention among her peers. But, of course, she would have been playing with people’s lives for her own gain.”

  Abigail gasped and shook her head but when she tried to speak no sound emerged. Worried for her well-being, Griffin quickly ended his call with the caseworker and went to crouch in front of her.

  “Are you okay?”

  “It isn’t true.” She clutched his hand. “There must be some mistake. I’m working on a research project called Mem10, which aims to halt memory loss in Alzheimer’s subjects. I’ve never even heard of Anthrosyne until just now.”

  “We’ll find out what’s going on.” If this was an act, it was the best he’d ever seen. “But right now, you have something more important that needs your attention.”

  As he finished speaking, Maya, who had been starting to stir, sat up straight. Hurling her teddy bear to the floor, she gave them an accusing glare and, opening her mouth wide, let out a wail.

  Blowing her nose on one of the tissues she still had clutched in her hand, Abigail nodded. “You’re right. She comes first. She always will.”

  Chapter 2

  When she had made the decision to foster Maya, Abigail had taken her usual methodical approach to finding the right daycare. She’d cr
eated a spreadsheet setting out criteria such as distance from her home and place of work, qualifications of the staff, and reviews. When she’d looked at the website for each place, she’d given each one a score.

  By that time, Veronica’s illness had been so far advanced that it hurt Abigail to see how frail she was. When Veronica had reached for her hand, and her fingers were so thin, they felt like the delicate claws of a bird.

  “How will you score the way they feel?” her friend had asked.

  Abigail had been slightly bewildered by the question. “Well, I’ll go and look at them, of course. I mean, if any of them didn’t seem like a comfortable place for a baby...”

  Veronica had laughed. “Go take a look at them. Then tell me what you think.”

  It was only when she’d walked through the doors of the Rainbow Daycare Center that Abigail had understood what her friend had meant. It wasn’t the closest to her home or work, but the small center had a warm, welcoming approach that was exactly what she wanted for her daughter. More importantly, Maya loved it as well. And Abigail had ripped up the spreadsheet, a circumstance that had made Veronica smile.

  The morning after she’d met with Griffin Colton, Abigail dropped Maya at the center at her usual time. At least she knew that the baby would be well cared for while she tried to untangle what was going on. After a sleepless night, she was eager to get into work and see what she could find out.

  For the past five years, she’d worked as a research scientist at the small, private Danvers University. Her most recent project involved leading a clinical trial on participants to test the efficacy of a new memory-boosting, over-the-counter supplement called Mem10. After a long, difficult fight with Alzheimer’s, Abigail’s paternal grandmother had died from complications of the disease. The personal aspect meant that this was a field that was dear to her heart.

  As she drove from the daycare center to the university, she tried, yet again, to make some sense of what John Jones had told Griffin. But there wasn’t anything rational about what the caseworker had said. Abigail was in charge of the Mem10 trial. She knew exactly what had gone on at each stage of the process. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was impacting the adoption process, she would have dismissed the idea that an illegal compound could have been introduced into the trial as absurd. She found the idea that she would attempt to enhance her reputation in such an underhand way deeply offensive.

  Although she couldn’t understand why anyone would breach the security of her laboratory or lie about it being breached, she was keen to get in there and double-check her systems and paperwork. As she pulled into her usual place in the parking lot, she was conscious of a few severe glances sent her way, and she squared her shoulders. Working at the university had always been enjoyable, but that had changed when the RevitaYou scandal broke.

  These days, Abigail had grown used to getting the evil eye from people who believed she knew all about her father’s fraud. She’d had several of her participants’ adult children refuse to work with her. A colleague who she’d considered a friend had even confronted her publicly, humiliating her before vowing to never speak to her again.

  As far as she knew, none of these people had actually invested in RevitaYou. They simply refused to believe that she wasn’t involved.

  Determined not to let her father’s actions affect her work, she’d overcome her natural reticence and held a meeting to assure her colleagues and participants she knew nothing of her father’s pyramid scheme and that she had no idea where he was.

  It had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done. Staring at a sea of politely disbelieving faces, she had plowed through her explanation. Although everyone had listened to what she had to say, she knew that she hadn’t changed their minds. The realization had hit home. Her name would forever be linked to the RevitaYou scandal.

  She had felt it again when she’d met with Griffin. It was obvious that his reaction to her plight had been driven solely by his desire to help Maya. The difference had been Abigail’s reaction. She’d wanted to do whatever it took to persuade him of her innocence. . It was only her pride that had made her hold back.

  He’d agreed to take her case. She’d secured the best attorney to help her keep Maya. He didn’t have to like her or believe in her. So why, when she had so many other things on her mind, did his opinion of her matter so much? The question still occupied her thoughts as she left her vehicle.

  “You’ve got some nerve.” someone said from behind her as she walked to her office. The man’s voice was soft, but there was no mistaking the menace in his tone.

  Abigail swung around sharply. She recognized him immediately. Ryan Thorne was the son of one of her former participants. When the RevitaYou scandal broke, he had withdrawn his father from the Mem10 trial. Although Abigail had tried to persuade him that his dad, Billy, was showing signs of improvement, Ryan had been adamant. He wasn’t going to let his dad be experimented upon by a doctor who he thought had been involved in a pyramid scheme.

  “Mr. Thorne.” She glanced around. The parking lot was quiet and they were all alone. “How’s your dad?”

  “Not good, thanks to you.” He took a step closer.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. But you know his place in the program is still open.”

  He gave a harsh laugh. “You think I’d let you near him again after what I know now?”

  “Please believe me, Mr. Thorne. I am not involved in the RevitaYou scheme.” As she spoke, another car pulled up close by and she recognized one of her administrative team.

  “That line might work with other people. Not me.” Thorne threw her a look of disgust. “I’ve been talking to the others who’ve withdrawn their parents from your program. You’ll get what’s coming to you. Just wait and see.”

  Shoving his hands into his pockets, he stomped away. Shaken, Abigail entered the building and crossed the lobby toward the elevators.

  “Dr. Matthews?” Abigail turned to see her boss, Dr. Evan Hardin, standing by the reception desk. His presence in the building a full hour before his usual arrival time was enough to set alarm bells ringing, but the way he used her title instead of her first name worried her most. “Would you come into my office, please?”

  Her legs had started to shake so violently that she had to take a moment to get them under control before she could follow him. Under the interested gaze of several of her colleagues, she went along the main corridor in his wake. Following on from her encounter with Ryan Thorne, she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to deal with a confrontation with her boss.

  “I’m sorry.” Dr. Hardin closed the door behind him. “There’s no easy way to say this. I’m suspending you pending an investigation into allegations that you’ve been using an illegal enhancement compound as part of the Mem10 trial.”

  “Evan—” Abigail could barely hear her own voice for the roaring sound in her ears. “Who made this allegation?”

  “I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.”

  Abigail shook her head from side to side. She had to know who was responsible for these malicious rumors. If no one would tell her, she’d have to track down the source on her own. “You can’t believe I would do this.”

  “It doesn’t matter what I think.” His face was sympathetic but determined. “I have a duty to the Mem10 program and the participants. Until my investigation is complete, I can’t let you continue to take part in the trial.”

  The tremors had taken over her whole body and Abigail sank into one of the chairs opposite his desk. Her boss was a kind man, and they’d worked well together over the years. She could tell from his manner that he didn’t want to take this action, but he was right. He couldn’t allow his personal feelings to jeopardize the research—or their subjects. Even so, Mem10 was her project. She overseen its every step. There was so much more than her reputation at stake here.

  As Evan handed her a glass
of water, she forced herself to focus on the practicalities. “We’re at a crucial point. If you halt the program now, it could have a detrimental impact on the outcome.”

  He lowered his gaze. “I won’t halt the program.”

  Abigail took a sip of water. “What do you mean? You don’t have time in your schedule to take over.”

  “I will appoint a replacement to oversee Mem10 in your absence.”

  “Oh.” Her professional pride shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. At the same time, she thought of the individuals involved the trial, each of whom she had come to know so well. Their lives would be impacted by any change, however minor. “Please choose wisely. There are several competent researchers on my team, but few are qualified to do the role justice.”

  He lifted his glasses, rubbing his nose wearily. “Thank you for your concern. In addition to this investigation into the illegal use of Anthrosyne, I have another, equally urgent, staffing matter to attend to. If you’ll excuse me, Dr. Matthews...”

  And that was it. He was no longer using her first name, even in private. It was a polite way of reminding her that she was off the program. And that she should go.

  She walked to the door, the shaking in her legs replaced by an unnatural stiffness. Once she was outside and in the corridor, the oddest thought flitted through her head. She really needed to speak to Griffin about this. But why? He was an adoption attorney. He couldn’t help her with an employment issue, but most of his siblings were in law enforcement and this was a false allegation. Maybe the CI team could help... She reached into her pocket and drew out her cell, swiping through her address book for his number. As she did, approaching footsteps made her look up.

  “Hi, Abigail.” The woman approaching gave her a sweet smile. Until recently, Dr. Jenna Avery had been Abigail’s closest friend at Danvers University. They’d eaten lunch together each day, gone out for dinner now and then after working late in the lab, even met up at the gym a few times. Then Jenna had confronted Abigail one morning in front of the whole team, hurling abuse at her over RevitaYou. It turned out Jenna was one of the people who’d bought a bottle of the tablets and got sick.