Part 21 Poison.
Mark returned with his bag and began preparing the injection for the IV line.
"Dad," Steve said his voice still strained and quiet. He had another question that he had to ask before his father gave him the pain relief which he knew, in his current weakened condition, would probably send him to sleep again. Not that it wouldn't be welcome, since he had awoken the pain had increased considerably as the anesthetic wore off completely, but, having completed his explanations, there was something he needed to know before he allowed himself to surrender once again to the luxury of sleep.
There was something about his son's tone that made Mark stop mid action and look down, pausing to wait for the question that he knew would follow.
"Jesse?" Steve asked. "The last time I saw him he was.... How is he?"
Mark spotted the guilt which once again washed across his son's features. He could also see the deep lines of pain etched on his forehead and the change in breathing pattern as Steve used his breaths to help try to control the pain and yet still his only concern was for others, first to ensure that his father knew why he had taken the course he had. It had been important to Steve that Mark should understand, to explain some of the emotional trauma, and now his concern was for his friend Jesse.
Mark sighed, perhaps if Steve worried a little more for himself then he wouldn't end up hurt and hurting so often. Then again Mark wouldn't have him any other way.
"He's going to be fine Steve, you got him to the hospital in time." Mark replied, continuing to prepare the injection. "Now you concentrate on getting yourself better so that we can sort this mess out." He made the injection directly into the IV line and sat back waiting for it to take effect.
Steve let the relief wash over him with the painkiller. The combination of the two along with the comforting presence of his father gave him a fuzzy sense of well-being that seemed to start at his shoulders and permeate out as his whole body released its tension. For the first time in days Steve relaxed and, just as he had known it would, sleep claimed him.
Amanda sat upright in the chair attempting to shake off the dejection. "We're not sure what it was yet but I'm not entirely happy that it was natural causes so until I've had time to do an autopsy it's being treated as a suspicious death." She looked at Jesse and Alison in turn. "I'm afraid that I'm going to have to leave you again in a few minutes as soon as they have done the preliminaries and moved the body."
"That's OK," Alison said smiling at Jesse and trying hard to lift the mood before they all descended into despair. "I'm sure that I can keep Dr. Travis company. From what Steve has told me, and from what I've seen, I don't think we'll have much trouble making conversation."
"Hey it's Jess to my friends," Jesse said grinning back, "and the first topic of conversation can be ' What has Steve told you about me?'"
"Trust me it's all good," Alison continued the smile, "Well almost all," she added mischievously. Even Amanda found her mood lifting slightly at the light banter. No wonder Steve liked this woman. Not for a second did Amanda doubt her concern for Steve and Mark it was clear in her eyes that the worry was still there, but she had recognised that remaining morose was not going to help anyone
"Besides," Alison continued, "I have an ulterior motive for being here. From what Steve has told me about all of you, I know that you help him out a lot on his cases, so I thought that maybe.." she paused unsure of whether she was speaking out of turn, changing tack mid sentence as she thought of another way of putting her suggestion. "That is, if you are helping out, in the investigation to find out what is going on then.... maybe I could help too." She looked first to Jesse and then to Amanda trying to gauge their reaction.
Jesse hadn't really been involved in anything so far, apart from being one of the victims, but now that he was awake the idea of helping out appealed to him, even if all he could do was listen to facts and offer his opinions. On more than one occasion his insights had led to a valuable break in an investigation, and with Steve and Mark missing he wanted to do all he could.
Amanda had been considering asking Nathan what else she could do, apart from the latest autopsy. Looking across now at Jesse, whom she knew would be keen to do anything that he could, and the young woman who had just offered her help, it occurred to her that it couldn't hurt. She smiled, "If there is any chance that we can do anything to resolve this more quickly then I'm sure our help would be appreciated." She replied.
"Good," Alison picked up the bag she had brought with her and pulled out a laptop. "I was hoping you'd say that because I've taken a couple of days leave of absence from work and I've made a start on a few files, but please don't tell the good detective Turner exactly what I have been up to. Going through the proper channels could take time that we don't have."
Jesse and Amanda watched amazed at the rapid switch in their companion as she went from being slightly reticent about asking if she could perhaps help out, to confident professional who had seemingly already made a start. She powered up the computer and started tapping away at the keyboard. She looked up briefly and then back at the screen, concentrating on her task before stopping what she was doing as their surprised expressions registered in her mind. She looked back up at them. "I'm sorry is there something wrong?" she asked.
Amanda replied for both of them. "No, we just didn't expect.... I mean we normally get our information from police reports and then do a little investigating of our own
"I know I'm just trying to save us all a little time." Alison looked across at them, her eyes narrowed. "Steve did tell you what I do for a living didn't he"
"That you work in the DA's office?" Jesse asked.
"Yes, but he didn't tell you what I do there?"
They both shook their heads.
"Well I'm employed as a legal expert on all cases involving computers, theft, fraud, hidden files. You name it, I deal with it. Which means that if there is anything that you want to know and it's on a computer somewhere I can usually find it."
She looked down at the screen. "So perhaps you'd like to see what I've found out so far," and she turned the computer to face them.
Baker put the last of the files that he had been rechecking away just as Dobbs and Steele reentered the office. He smiled at them but got only scowls in return, especially from Dobbs who looked distinctly unhappy.
Dobbs sat down at his computer and started pulling up files straight away, whilst Steele went over to get some coffee. Baker took the opportunity to join him and strike up a conversation. "Here I can do that if you like?" He offered.
"Thanks but I think I'm safer over here," Steele replied nodding across to his partner. "I don't think I've ever seen him in a worse mood." He turned back keeping his tone low so that Dobbs would not overhear, not that he seemed to be paying either of them much attention. "Ever since we've been on this case it's been like working with a bear with a sore head but today, since the shooting incident this morning, he's been unbearable." Steele looked around as though he were once again checking that they could not be overheard. "And I blame Agent Harris. If you want to report to your superiors about why this thing is falling apart then I'd say it's down to her interference. Both Dobbs and I had an excellent track record until she took over."
Baker was surprised, he had expected to have to work much harder to get any information out of Steele and here the man was opening up to him without even being asked. Obviously the resentment ran deep. "I could mention it in my report," he said joining in the conspiratorial tone. "If you think it will help anything."
Steele fixed his brown eyes on the young man. "Yes I think it would, Thanks." He picked up his coffee and, no longer having an excuse to stay by the machine moved back to his desk.
Baker watched him go and then turned his attention back to watching Dobbs. Steele's explanation for his partner's bad mood could be true. On the other hand there could be another explanation, if Dobbs was indeed a rogue agent.
Amanda and Jesse were both amazed at the amount of information that Alison had managed to put together on the case. She had taken what Mark and Amanda had told her and used it to put together a thorough background on all of the people involved.
She was still showing them what she had so far, when a nurse put her head around the door. "Dr. Bentley they told me to come and tell you that they are ready for you to move the body now."
Amanda stood. "OK I'll be right there." She turned back to her companions. "I'll leave you to see what you can come up with. And you." She fixed her gaze firmly on Jesse, the strain of being awake was beginning to show. "Make sure that you don't overdo it. You need to rest."
"OK mom," Jesse joked "I'll be good and take a nap soon," but despite the quip he appreciated the concern.
"Don't worry," Alison said. "I'll make sure that he gets some rest soon."
Jesse looked at her. "That's all I need, two of you to gang up on me."
Amanda smiled, "No, I think that's exactly what you need," and with that she left the room.
"What do you mean by..." He started to ask but Amanda had already gone. He turned to Alison "What do you think she meant by that?"
Amanda entered the room next to Jesse's past the police guard who, until they had finished checking on the cause of death would remain on the door.
Nathan and Stephanie were still both in the room. Stephanie stood by the window talking into her cell phone whilst Nathan sat in a chair in the corner watching the forensic team work. He still looked a little green around the edges. Now that he worked homicide he was getting used to seeing dead bodies but he had not stood and watched many people die in front of him and experiencing that for the first time had left him feeling nauseous.
They had been attempting to ask the man some questions when he started to look distinctly unwell. At first they had both thought that he was putting it on but it soon became clear that he was having difficulty breathing. That was when he had gone to fetch Amanda but he was already too late.
Amanda smiled at him as she walked over. "Hi how are you doing?" She asked, remembering how hard she had found it when she had watched a patient die in front of her for the first time. She touched her hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Had it been anyone else expressing concern Nathan would have felt embarrassed at his feelings but he looked into Amanda's dark brown eyes and saw understanding. "I'll be fine," he said. "It's just a bit of a shock, talking to him one minute and then...." He didn't finish the sentence. Instead he returned her smile. "Really I'll be fine," he said, switching back to professional mode. "The forensics team is checking the room out just in case you're right and somebody got to him."
"I'll go up and do the autopsy straight away. If you want to hang around until I've got my preliminary findings I shouldn't be more than an hour."
Nathan looked at Stephanie who had by now completed her call and had joined the conversation. "You stay here and wait if you want," She replied to the inquiring glance. "I'm going back to the office to check into this guy's background. I'll call you later." She headed for the door, turning just before she reached it "Oh and detective," she added, "Remember our earlier conversation. I'll expect you to call me with a report as soon as you have anything." Making the most of her exit line, with what could only be described as a flourish, she pushed the door open and let it swing shut behind her.
Amanda and Nathan watched her leave. Nathan turned to look at her. "Do you think she took drama at college or can you learn how to do that somewhere else?"
"Oh the sad thing is I don't think she learnt that at all. That woman is just a natural." Amanda replied and they both started laughing, grateful for the excuse amidst all the tension.
Mark watched Steve sleep. There was something oh so comforting about watching the gentle, even, rise and fall of Steve's chest, knowing that it was just sleep and that he would wake again soon.
He relaxed back in the chair. He now had time to think, to employ his sharp mind doing what it did best. If there was ever any doubt about the idea that the more active the mind was, the more active it would remain even as you got older, Mark was living proof that it was unfounded. If anything age, and the wisdom it brought with it, had sharpened his thinking skills.
Before considering the case, however, he could not help but examine the new insights the last few hours had given him into his son. He had wondered for a long time why Steve had never found 'the right woman,' the one he could settle down with, start a family with. He had thought that perhaps it was Steve's work. Dedicated as his son was to his job, it could lead to very antisocial working hours, not to mention the danger and worry his chosen profession put potential partners through, but Steve had dismissed that idea, saying it was nothing to do with the job. It was "just him."
Until today Mark hadn't really understood that comment, thinking that possibly Steve was just afraid of commitment but it ran deeper than that. In Steve's mind he had found the right person to share his life with but she had chosen to leave him, and it was clear to Mark that she had been in Steve's mind and heart ever since. He had never dealt with the emotions of losing her, had never given himself a chance to heal so that he could move on, and so whenever he had found someone new, still raw emotions would resurface and any hope at a long term relationship was doomed before it began.
Mark sighed aloud as this last thought occurred to him. Steve had been holding on to this pain for thirty years. He only hoped that seeing Emma again would act as some sort of catharsis, purging the emotions that prevented him from the contentment that Mark knew he desired. Contentment that Mark wished with all his soul that he could help him find.
"Right that's it." Dobbs growled angrily. "I've had enough for one day." He looked across at Steele. "I say we call it a night and let little miss high and mighty do the overtime tonight on this one." He shut down his computer as he was speaking. "What do you say Steele? We call it a night?"
"Mmm," Steele muttered obviously distracted by some information on his screen. He looked up finally registering the question. "No I think I'll just finish up with this but you go. I'll catch up with you in the morning".
"Suit yourself." Dobbs replied standing up and grabbing his coat ."See you tomorrow." He did not seem to even notice Baker in the corner much less acknowledge him as he marched towards the door and out of the office.
Baker had been 'ghosting' Dobbs' computer screen for the last hour, fairly easy if you knew what you were doing. As a consequence he had read everything that Dobbs had. He shut down his own machine and stood. "I think I'll call it a day too," he said nonchalantly. "I need to sort my hotel room out anyway," and, trying not to look too hurried, strolled out of the room after Dobbs.
Outside he watched as his fellow agent crossed the car park and as discretely as possible he started to follow him. Suppressing the nagging thought that he shouldn't be doing this, that Dobbs was a potential killer, he carried on into the night.
Nathan entered the path lab hesitantly, having no desire to come across the cut up remains of the man he had watched die, fortunately all of the bodies were covered. Amanda stood up from her desk as he entered.
"I got your page."
"Yes," Amanda replied moving over and handing him a file. "It's all in here but we are definitely dealing with murder. He died from poisoning, specifically poisoning from potassium cyanide."
Nathan stared blankly at her this was like something out of a spy novel. "Are you sure?" was the only intelligible thing he could think of to say.
"Positive."
"How? He didn't eat or drink anything whilst we were there."
"Well cyanide can come in the form of a gas, you can inhale it or it can even enter through the skin, but if that had happened then both you and agent Harris would have been affected too. So I started looking for other ways it could have entered the body."
"And?"
"And it gets even more like some spy thriller. The cyanide was placed directly into the IV bag in trace amounts. So small that it would take minutes, possibly even hours before enough had entered his system to kill him."
"So, our suspect list consists of anyone who had access to that bag in the last few hours."
"Pretty much."
"In that case I'd better set about background checks on all of the hospital personnel who had access. For the time being they are all suspects." He let out a long breath. "Looks like it's going to be a long night."
"Don't forget there are at least six other people apart from the hospital staff on that list." Amanda added. "The two officers on the door, all three of the NSA agents and yourself."
Nathan smiled at the last comment. "And the only one of those I can definitely rule out on that list is me."
"Are you sure of that," Amanda teased. "The way this case is going I wouldn't be surprised if you'd been drugged and hypnotised into administering the fatal poison by some foreign power."
Nathan smiled at the idea. "You've been watching too many made for TV movies." He returned. He flipped his notebook closed. "I'd better go and make a start on this and report in with what we've found. Any idea how the cyanide was introduced into the bag."
"There seems to be a small hole near the top above the fluid line when it's hung. A small pellet or capsule could have been dropped through it and into the bag." She looked over at the covered body. "The really sad thing is it was introduced so slowly into his system if we had realised what we were dealing with we could probably have saved him."
"Hey, don't weep for him too hard." Nathan said meeting her gaze as she turned back to look at him. "We've just had it confirmed that his fingerprints were found on the shell casings taken from the roof after Jesse was shot and from the wreckage of the beach house. He doesn't deserve our sympathy."
"Maybe not," Amanda said quietly, "but he didn't deserve to die either."
"Well that's why we're going to figure out who did this and stop them." Nathan said resolutely.
Baker hid in the shadows and watched as Dobbs went into his house. He checked his watch, damn he was going to be in trouble with Collins. He was supposed to have checked in over an hour ago but he had felt the need to follow up on his hunch about Dobbs. If he was right then it would be worth taking the flack from his boss. If he was wrong well...
He was debating whether he could get any closer without being seen. He did not hear anything, did not see anything. He didn't even feel the blow strike. He just felt himself falling into blackness and then nothing.
Part 22 A Peaceful night?
By the time Amanda made it back down to Jesse's room he was asleep again. Alison had remained sitting next to his bedside and was typing quietly. She smiled up at Amanda as she entered.
"How's he doing?" Amanda asked quietly nodding to her friend's sleeping form.
"He's fine, he drifted off to sleep about half an hour ago and do you know everything Steve told me about him is true." Alison replied, also keeping her voice down so as not to wake him.
"How so?"
"I've never met anyone with so much energy. If this is what he's like when he's drugged I'd hate to meet him when he's fit and well. He's been giving me ideas and suggestions faster than I can type. He's um.." She paused for a second to repress her own doubts, "convinced that we will find both Mark and Steve and they'll be OK. He just thinks we need to figure out where to look."
Amanda's smile broadened, that sounded like the Jesse she knew and loved. Part of her was very relieved. She had been worried that the ordeal that he had been through would have affected his normal enthusiastic zest for life, especially since two of his best friends were missing, but his hopeful optimism seemed thankfully irrepressible. "That sounds like Jess all right. So what have you found?"
Alison spent the next hour or so talking quietly through her findings with Amanda. She had managed to discover Richard Fielding's connection to the NSA and some details of the case he was involved in. She had also done checks on the three NSA agents and the death of a fourth agent who seemingly had been stealing files.
"Don't ask me where I got all this information from because I could tell you but..."
"Then you would have to shoot me," Amanda finished for her.
"Something like that," she smiled, "So what do you think?"
"I think that it's all too complicated." Amanda answered. " There are two many unanswered questions for me to even know where to start but thanks to you at least we now know what the questions are." She thought for a moment. "Maybe the key is in those stolen files. If we find them I think we'll find our killer and more importantly Steve and Mark."
"I'll start seeing if there is anything more I can find out."
At that point the phone started ringing. Amanda cursed silently, she had forgotten to do something about the phone divert from Mark's beach house. Who would be ringing so late? She moved over to the phone and picked it up as quickly as possible watching Jesse to see if it had woken him. Fortunately he just shifted slightly but remained asleep.
"Hello Dr. Amanda Bentley speaking."
"Ah hello Dr. Bentley, I have someone to speak to you but first I must know are you alone." The voice on the other end of the line spoke with a very heavy accent that Amanda could not identify.
"I don't.." Amanda began but the voice interrupted.
"Please it is extremely important that you answer the question. Are you alone?" the voice repeated.
"No I'm here with a friend of mine, Miss Porter, and Dr. Travis but he's sleeping at the moment." Amanda answered too curious to find out what this person wanted to offer any more protests. "Now what..." but she was interrupted again by a voice she recognised.
"Amanda it's me," Mark said dropping the phony accent.
Amanda almost dropped the phone in shock "Mark?" she asked her tone a mixture of relief and concern. "Is that you? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine Amanda but listen to me it is very important that you don't tell anyone at all that you've heard from me. I just wanted to put your mind at rest about me, but no one else must know."
Alison who had heard Mark's name and seen Amanda's shocked reaction had stood up and was now next to her trying to catch what was being said.
Amanda looked at her. "Mark as I just told you Alison's here she's very worried about Steve?" She didn't add, she didn't have to, that she was worried too.
Mark looked down at his sleeping son. "Steve's going to be just fine, although he will be very sore for a while. Jesse was right he had been shot too." He sighed, wishing he could tell his friend more but he did not dare stay on the line too long. There was an outside chance that it was being monitored. "Tell Alison and Jesse when he wakes up, but make sure no one else knows not even Nathan. I'm fairly sure that whatever is going on involves one of the NSA agents and until we've had time to figure this out we're all in danger. I wish I could talk more, How is Jesse?"
"Fine the surgery went well." "That's great, tell him I'm thinking of him but I'm going to have to go now," Mark said regretfully.
"Give our love to Steve," Amanda replied quickly. "And be careful." Amanda heard the line disconnect and hoped that Mark had heard the last of her reply, not that he was very good at following that particular piece of advice.
There were tears glistening in her eyes, tears of relief. "They're both alive and well, " she said as she looked across at Alison and saw an expression that mirrored her own She put her arms around her and gave her a quick hug as they shared the release of fear and tension.
"Thank God for that," Alison said pulling back and sinking back down on to the chair.
Amanda looked at her watch. It was getting late. "I think we should both call this a night and get back to this fresh in the morning." She said suddenly feeling very tired.
"I agree, now we know that Mark and Steve are going to be OK we'd both be better with a fresh eye and," Alison looked over at Jesse, "I think he's out for the count anyway."
Mark put the cell phone down on the table and dropped back down into the chair. Talking to Amanda had made him feel better at least now she wouldn't be worried about him. He had thought the case through from every angle and until he could talk some more to Emma there wasn't much more he could do and he wasn't about to wake her.
So he settled back, making himself as comfortable as possible. He had considered going back into the bedroom but did not want to leave Steve on his own just in case he needed him.
It was dawn when noise from the kitchen woke him. Having checked on Steve, he went in to investigate. Emma was busy making coffee. She turned round and jumped as she spotted Mark. "Dr. Sloan, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"That's OK," he smiled at her, "How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad thanks the sleep helped."
"Good," He moved over to help her, "because you and I have a lot to talk about."
Once they were both settled at the kitchen table with their coffee, Mark explained patiently why he believed that somewhere in her memory of events she held the key to solving the whole mystery.
"I know that it's difficult for you but I need for you to answer some questions for me, about what happened on Saturday. Do you think you're up to it?"
Emma looked deep into Mark's blue eyes, they weren't quite as bright as Steve's but they were just as sincere, just as intelligent and as happened with almost everyone who met him, Emma found herself trusting in the kindness that she saw there. "I'll try my best."
So Mark began gently at first, taking her through the routine things of the day, getting up making breakfast, seeing her husband off to the meeting he had arranged. Emma didn't falter until she got to the point where the envelope was delivered.
"I had had my suspicions anyway," she said quietly. "You know the sort of thing, I would answer the phone and the person at the other end would hang up. Richard would come home late and claim that he had had a meeting with someone from the NSA, but it wasn't until I opened that envelope and saw those photographs..."
"Photographs?" Mark prompted gently as Emma hesitated.
"They showed Richard with a young blonde embracing and then going into a hotel room." Emma managed to continue. She was trying hard to repress the accompanying emotions appreciating Mark's attempts to help. "After that I spent the remainder of the morning drinking and building myself up for when Richard came home. Before that I had been slightly worried about him. Once I saw those..... pictures. I no longer cared."
Up to this point she had been staring at her coffee cup, now she looked up at Mark, "I wanted him to die Dr. Sloan. I truly hoped that something would go wrong and that he would get killed," She looked down again there were tears in her eyes. "When he did come home I was so angry." She paused again as she dealt with the memories.
"Tell me exactly what happened. Everything you can remember." Mark said gently squeezing her hand. "It's important."
Emma took a deep breath and did her best to recall the events of that morning
She heard the car pull into the drive and stood waiting for him to enter.
Richard entered quickly, he was in a panicked state anyway but his eyes widened in disbelief when the ceramic pot hit the door frame inches from his head.
"How could you," Emma yelled accusingly at him. "You promised that you would never betray me again."
"But I..." he barely got out before a second pot flew across the room. Instinctively he ducked and put his arm up to defend his head. Lucky that he did as the second pot shattered against his forearm.
"You promised me," she stated again as though the breach of the promise was as bad as the betrayal itself.
By now Richard was across the room as Emma hurled a torrent of abuse at him, calling him every name she could think of in an effort to assuage some of the pain.
"Emma really I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't broken any promise I didn't..." He tried to take hold of her arms but she pulled away.
"Don't lie to me I've seen the photographs. A pretty little blonde. Well I hope you enjoyed it." She almost spat the last words.
"No Emma," Richard protested finally realising what his wife must have been shown. "That was all a cover for meeting the NSA. You don't understand.."
"Oh that must have been really convenient for you. All of this cloak and dagger stuff coming along at just the right time. What a perfect excuse to fool the unsuspecting wife at home."
"Emma I'm telling you I didn't, I haven't.."
"Stop denying it."
"But I..." Richard once again did not get to finish as Emma's anger spilled over and she came out with another torrent of names.
"Emma listen to me," he finally said when she reached the end of her latest tirade. "Everything went wrong today I have to get out of here. They're going to be coming for me."
At this point Emma lost control completely. What she read into Richard's words were that he was leaving her. No doubt to be with the woman in the photographs. "No I won't let you go I'll kill you first. You are married to me." She screamed almost hysterically.
"No listen to me. You have to listen. If anything happens to me I've hidden the files in my favourite place. Remember that," Richard no longer waited for her to stop speaking he just tried to speak over her. It was clear that he was not going to get any rational sense out of her. So he just repeated his message hoping that she would remember.
By now the argument had led them to the kitchen. "You can't leave me. I won't let you."
Emma had done her best to recall the conversation in as much detail as she could although she did not tell Dr. Sloan all of the things she had called her husband but after that last comment, the one she had made in the kitchen, she stopped.
"Go on," Mark urged.
Emma looked him directly in the eye. "That's just it Dr. Sloan. I don't remember anything else. Nothing until I saw the knife and then I found Richard and.."
"It's OK," Mark said, "I think you've remembered enough."
"But I don't know if.."
"If you killed him?" Mark finished for her. She nodded. Mark squeezed her hand again. "I know that you didn't. You'll just have to trust me on this one. I saw the results of the autopsy and without going in to detail there is no way that you were responsible for your husband's death."
Now that Mark had met Emma he knew that she was not capable of the sort of slow torture that had been inflicted on her husband. Besides whereas a frenzied attack followed by traumatic amnesia might be a reasonable explanation, Mark could not believe that anyone could torture someone for several hours and then 'forget' about it. There had to be another explanation.
Mark did not dwell on Richard's death he was more interested in a phrase Emma had remembered. "He said that he hid the files in his favourite place. Have you any idea where that could be?"
Emma thought about it carefully. Richard had never been one for going out much. What would he describe as his favourite place? Somewhere in the house perhaps? Then a thought occurred to her. "His boat," she said eagerly. "Well not his boat exactly. It belongs to the company but he had exclusive use of it whilst in LA. He spent a lot of time down at the Marina. He loved it out on the water."
"Then that sounds like a good place to start looking."
Nathan had also been woken at dawn. Blearily he answered the ringing phone. "Nathan Turner,"
"It's Dobbs," a female voice at the other end of the line stated without preamble. It certainly didn't sound like agent Dobbs.
"What, who.." Nathan began trying to wipe the sleep out of his eyes.
"Agent Dobbs disappeared last night." Stephanie replied. "We got an anonymous call to check out his apartment. When we got there it looked like someone had packed up in a hurry. His bank account has been emptied. So Dobbs is our man."
Nathan had shaken off the last vestiges of sleep and was already getting dressed. "Where can I meet you?" She gave him the address. "I'll be right there."
Mark returned with his bag and began preparing the injection for the IV line.
"Dad," Steve said his voice still strained and quiet. He had another question that he had to ask before his father gave him the pain relief which he knew, in his current weakened condition, would probably send him to sleep again. Not that it wouldn't be welcome, since he had awoken the pain had increased considerably as the anesthetic wore off completely, but, having completed his explanations, there was something he needed to know before he allowed himself to surrender once again to the luxury of sleep.
There was something about his son's tone that made Mark stop mid action and look down, pausing to wait for the question that he knew would follow.
"Jesse?" Steve asked. "The last time I saw him he was.... How is he?"
Mark spotted the guilt which once again washed across his son's features. He could also see the deep lines of pain etched on his forehead and the change in breathing pattern as Steve used his breaths to help try to control the pain and yet still his only concern was for others, first to ensure that his father knew why he had taken the course he had. It had been important to Steve that Mark should understand, to explain some of the emotional trauma, and now his concern was for his friend Jesse.
Mark sighed, perhaps if Steve worried a little more for himself then he wouldn't end up hurt and hurting so often. Then again Mark wouldn't have him any other way.
"He's going to be fine Steve, you got him to the hospital in time." Mark replied, continuing to prepare the injection. "Now you concentrate on getting yourself better so that we can sort this mess out." He made the injection directly into the IV line and sat back waiting for it to take effect.
Steve let the relief wash over him with the painkiller. The combination of the two along with the comforting presence of his father gave him a fuzzy sense of well-being that seemed to start at his shoulders and permeate out as his whole body released its tension. For the first time in days Steve relaxed and, just as he had known it would, sleep claimed him.
Amanda sat upright in the chair attempting to shake off the dejection. "We're not sure what it was yet but I'm not entirely happy that it was natural causes so until I've had time to do an autopsy it's being treated as a suspicious death." She looked at Jesse and Alison in turn. "I'm afraid that I'm going to have to leave you again in a few minutes as soon as they have done the preliminaries and moved the body."
"That's OK," Alison said smiling at Jesse and trying hard to lift the mood before they all descended into despair. "I'm sure that I can keep Dr. Travis company. From what Steve has told me, and from what I've seen, I don't think we'll have much trouble making conversation."
"Hey it's Jess to my friends," Jesse said grinning back, "and the first topic of conversation can be ' What has Steve told you about me?'"
"Trust me it's all good," Alison continued the smile, "Well almost all," she added mischievously. Even Amanda found her mood lifting slightly at the light banter. No wonder Steve liked this woman. Not for a second did Amanda doubt her concern for Steve and Mark it was clear in her eyes that the worry was still there, but she had recognised that remaining morose was not going to help anyone
"Besides," Alison continued, "I have an ulterior motive for being here. From what Steve has told me about all of you, I know that you help him out a lot on his cases, so I thought that maybe.." she paused unsure of whether she was speaking out of turn, changing tack mid sentence as she thought of another way of putting her suggestion. "That is, if you are helping out, in the investigation to find out what is going on then.... maybe I could help too." She looked first to Jesse and then to Amanda trying to gauge their reaction.
Jesse hadn't really been involved in anything so far, apart from being one of the victims, but now that he was awake the idea of helping out appealed to him, even if all he could do was listen to facts and offer his opinions. On more than one occasion his insights had led to a valuable break in an investigation, and with Steve and Mark missing he wanted to do all he could.
Amanda had been considering asking Nathan what else she could do, apart from the latest autopsy. Looking across now at Jesse, whom she knew would be keen to do anything that he could, and the young woman who had just offered her help, it occurred to her that it couldn't hurt. She smiled, "If there is any chance that we can do anything to resolve this more quickly then I'm sure our help would be appreciated." She replied.
"Good," Alison picked up the bag she had brought with her and pulled out a laptop. "I was hoping you'd say that because I've taken a couple of days leave of absence from work and I've made a start on a few files, but please don't tell the good detective Turner exactly what I have been up to. Going through the proper channels could take time that we don't have."
Jesse and Amanda watched amazed at the rapid switch in their companion as she went from being slightly reticent about asking if she could perhaps help out, to confident professional who had seemingly already made a start. She powered up the computer and started tapping away at the keyboard. She looked up briefly and then back at the screen, concentrating on her task before stopping what she was doing as their surprised expressions registered in her mind. She looked back up at them. "I'm sorry is there something wrong?" she asked.
Amanda replied for both of them. "No, we just didn't expect.... I mean we normally get our information from police reports and then do a little investigating of our own
"I know I'm just trying to save us all a little time." Alison looked across at them, her eyes narrowed. "Steve did tell you what I do for a living didn't he"
"That you work in the DA's office?" Jesse asked.
"Yes, but he didn't tell you what I do there?"
They both shook their heads.
"Well I'm employed as a legal expert on all cases involving computers, theft, fraud, hidden files. You name it, I deal with it. Which means that if there is anything that you want to know and it's on a computer somewhere I can usually find it."
She looked down at the screen. "So perhaps you'd like to see what I've found out so far," and she turned the computer to face them.
Baker put the last of the files that he had been rechecking away just as Dobbs and Steele reentered the office. He smiled at them but got only scowls in return, especially from Dobbs who looked distinctly unhappy.
Dobbs sat down at his computer and started pulling up files straight away, whilst Steele went over to get some coffee. Baker took the opportunity to join him and strike up a conversation. "Here I can do that if you like?" He offered.
"Thanks but I think I'm safer over here," Steele replied nodding across to his partner. "I don't think I've ever seen him in a worse mood." He turned back keeping his tone low so that Dobbs would not overhear, not that he seemed to be paying either of them much attention. "Ever since we've been on this case it's been like working with a bear with a sore head but today, since the shooting incident this morning, he's been unbearable." Steele looked around as though he were once again checking that they could not be overheard. "And I blame Agent Harris. If you want to report to your superiors about why this thing is falling apart then I'd say it's down to her interference. Both Dobbs and I had an excellent track record until she took over."
Baker was surprised, he had expected to have to work much harder to get any information out of Steele and here the man was opening up to him without even being asked. Obviously the resentment ran deep. "I could mention it in my report," he said joining in the conspiratorial tone. "If you think it will help anything."
Steele fixed his brown eyes on the young man. "Yes I think it would, Thanks." He picked up his coffee and, no longer having an excuse to stay by the machine moved back to his desk.
Baker watched him go and then turned his attention back to watching Dobbs. Steele's explanation for his partner's bad mood could be true. On the other hand there could be another explanation, if Dobbs was indeed a rogue agent.
Amanda and Jesse were both amazed at the amount of information that Alison had managed to put together on the case. She had taken what Mark and Amanda had told her and used it to put together a thorough background on all of the people involved.
She was still showing them what she had so far, when a nurse put her head around the door. "Dr. Bentley they told me to come and tell you that they are ready for you to move the body now."
Amanda stood. "OK I'll be right there." She turned back to her companions. "I'll leave you to see what you can come up with. And you." She fixed her gaze firmly on Jesse, the strain of being awake was beginning to show. "Make sure that you don't overdo it. You need to rest."
"OK mom," Jesse joked "I'll be good and take a nap soon," but despite the quip he appreciated the concern.
"Don't worry," Alison said. "I'll make sure that he gets some rest soon."
Jesse looked at her. "That's all I need, two of you to gang up on me."
Amanda smiled, "No, I think that's exactly what you need," and with that she left the room.
"What do you mean by..." He started to ask but Amanda had already gone. He turned to Alison "What do you think she meant by that?"
Amanda entered the room next to Jesse's past the police guard who, until they had finished checking on the cause of death would remain on the door.
Nathan and Stephanie were still both in the room. Stephanie stood by the window talking into her cell phone whilst Nathan sat in a chair in the corner watching the forensic team work. He still looked a little green around the edges. Now that he worked homicide he was getting used to seeing dead bodies but he had not stood and watched many people die in front of him and experiencing that for the first time had left him feeling nauseous.
They had been attempting to ask the man some questions when he started to look distinctly unwell. At first they had both thought that he was putting it on but it soon became clear that he was having difficulty breathing. That was when he had gone to fetch Amanda but he was already too late.
Amanda smiled at him as she walked over. "Hi how are you doing?" She asked, remembering how hard she had found it when she had watched a patient die in front of her for the first time. She touched her hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Had it been anyone else expressing concern Nathan would have felt embarrassed at his feelings but he looked into Amanda's dark brown eyes and saw understanding. "I'll be fine," he said. "It's just a bit of a shock, talking to him one minute and then...." He didn't finish the sentence. Instead he returned her smile. "Really I'll be fine," he said, switching back to professional mode. "The forensics team is checking the room out just in case you're right and somebody got to him."
"I'll go up and do the autopsy straight away. If you want to hang around until I've got my preliminary findings I shouldn't be more than an hour."
Nathan looked at Stephanie who had by now completed her call and had joined the conversation. "You stay here and wait if you want," She replied to the inquiring glance. "I'm going back to the office to check into this guy's background. I'll call you later." She headed for the door, turning just before she reached it "Oh and detective," she added, "Remember our earlier conversation. I'll expect you to call me with a report as soon as you have anything." Making the most of her exit line, with what could only be described as a flourish, she pushed the door open and let it swing shut behind her.
Amanda and Nathan watched her leave. Nathan turned to look at her. "Do you think she took drama at college or can you learn how to do that somewhere else?"
"Oh the sad thing is I don't think she learnt that at all. That woman is just a natural." Amanda replied and they both started laughing, grateful for the excuse amidst all the tension.
Mark watched Steve sleep. There was something oh so comforting about watching the gentle, even, rise and fall of Steve's chest, knowing that it was just sleep and that he would wake again soon.
He relaxed back in the chair. He now had time to think, to employ his sharp mind doing what it did best. If there was ever any doubt about the idea that the more active the mind was, the more active it would remain even as you got older, Mark was living proof that it was unfounded. If anything age, and the wisdom it brought with it, had sharpened his thinking skills.
Before considering the case, however, he could not help but examine the new insights the last few hours had given him into his son. He had wondered for a long time why Steve had never found 'the right woman,' the one he could settle down with, start a family with. He had thought that perhaps it was Steve's work. Dedicated as his son was to his job, it could lead to very antisocial working hours, not to mention the danger and worry his chosen profession put potential partners through, but Steve had dismissed that idea, saying it was nothing to do with the job. It was "just him."
Until today Mark hadn't really understood that comment, thinking that possibly Steve was just afraid of commitment but it ran deeper than that. In Steve's mind he had found the right person to share his life with but she had chosen to leave him, and it was clear to Mark that she had been in Steve's mind and heart ever since. He had never dealt with the emotions of losing her, had never given himself a chance to heal so that he could move on, and so whenever he had found someone new, still raw emotions would resurface and any hope at a long term relationship was doomed before it began.
Mark sighed aloud as this last thought occurred to him. Steve had been holding on to this pain for thirty years. He only hoped that seeing Emma again would act as some sort of catharsis, purging the emotions that prevented him from the contentment that Mark knew he desired. Contentment that Mark wished with all his soul that he could help him find.
"Right that's it." Dobbs growled angrily. "I've had enough for one day." He looked across at Steele. "I say we call it a night and let little miss high and mighty do the overtime tonight on this one." He shut down his computer as he was speaking. "What do you say Steele? We call it a night?"
"Mmm," Steele muttered obviously distracted by some information on his screen. He looked up finally registering the question. "No I think I'll just finish up with this but you go. I'll catch up with you in the morning".
"Suit yourself." Dobbs replied standing up and grabbing his coat ."See you tomorrow." He did not seem to even notice Baker in the corner much less acknowledge him as he marched towards the door and out of the office.
Baker had been 'ghosting' Dobbs' computer screen for the last hour, fairly easy if you knew what you were doing. As a consequence he had read everything that Dobbs had. He shut down his own machine and stood. "I think I'll call it a day too," he said nonchalantly. "I need to sort my hotel room out anyway," and, trying not to look too hurried, strolled out of the room after Dobbs.
Outside he watched as his fellow agent crossed the car park and as discretely as possible he started to follow him. Suppressing the nagging thought that he shouldn't be doing this, that Dobbs was a potential killer, he carried on into the night.
Nathan entered the path lab hesitantly, having no desire to come across the cut up remains of the man he had watched die, fortunately all of the bodies were covered. Amanda stood up from her desk as he entered.
"I got your page."
"Yes," Amanda replied moving over and handing him a file. "It's all in here but we are definitely dealing with murder. He died from poisoning, specifically poisoning from potassium cyanide."
Nathan stared blankly at her this was like something out of a spy novel. "Are you sure?" was the only intelligible thing he could think of to say.
"Positive."
"How? He didn't eat or drink anything whilst we were there."
"Well cyanide can come in the form of a gas, you can inhale it or it can even enter through the skin, but if that had happened then both you and agent Harris would have been affected too. So I started looking for other ways it could have entered the body."
"And?"
"And it gets even more like some spy thriller. The cyanide was placed directly into the IV bag in trace amounts. So small that it would take minutes, possibly even hours before enough had entered his system to kill him."
"So, our suspect list consists of anyone who had access to that bag in the last few hours."
"Pretty much."
"In that case I'd better set about background checks on all of the hospital personnel who had access. For the time being they are all suspects." He let out a long breath. "Looks like it's going to be a long night."
"Don't forget there are at least six other people apart from the hospital staff on that list." Amanda added. "The two officers on the door, all three of the NSA agents and yourself."
Nathan smiled at the last comment. "And the only one of those I can definitely rule out on that list is me."
"Are you sure of that," Amanda teased. "The way this case is going I wouldn't be surprised if you'd been drugged and hypnotised into administering the fatal poison by some foreign power."
Nathan smiled at the idea. "You've been watching too many made for TV movies." He returned. He flipped his notebook closed. "I'd better go and make a start on this and report in with what we've found. Any idea how the cyanide was introduced into the bag."
"There seems to be a small hole near the top above the fluid line when it's hung. A small pellet or capsule could have been dropped through it and into the bag." She looked over at the covered body. "The really sad thing is it was introduced so slowly into his system if we had realised what we were dealing with we could probably have saved him."
"Hey, don't weep for him too hard." Nathan said meeting her gaze as she turned back to look at him. "We've just had it confirmed that his fingerprints were found on the shell casings taken from the roof after Jesse was shot and from the wreckage of the beach house. He doesn't deserve our sympathy."
"Maybe not," Amanda said quietly, "but he didn't deserve to die either."
"Well that's why we're going to figure out who did this and stop them." Nathan said resolutely.
Baker hid in the shadows and watched as Dobbs went into his house. He checked his watch, damn he was going to be in trouble with Collins. He was supposed to have checked in over an hour ago but he had felt the need to follow up on his hunch about Dobbs. If he was right then it would be worth taking the flack from his boss. If he was wrong well...
He was debating whether he could get any closer without being seen. He did not hear anything, did not see anything. He didn't even feel the blow strike. He just felt himself falling into blackness and then nothing.
Part 22 A Peaceful night?
By the time Amanda made it back down to Jesse's room he was asleep again. Alison had remained sitting next to his bedside and was typing quietly. She smiled up at Amanda as she entered.
"How's he doing?" Amanda asked quietly nodding to her friend's sleeping form.
"He's fine, he drifted off to sleep about half an hour ago and do you know everything Steve told me about him is true." Alison replied, also keeping her voice down so as not to wake him.
"How so?"
"I've never met anyone with so much energy. If this is what he's like when he's drugged I'd hate to meet him when he's fit and well. He's been giving me ideas and suggestions faster than I can type. He's um.." She paused for a second to repress her own doubts, "convinced that we will find both Mark and Steve and they'll be OK. He just thinks we need to figure out where to look."
Amanda's smile broadened, that sounded like the Jesse she knew and loved. Part of her was very relieved. She had been worried that the ordeal that he had been through would have affected his normal enthusiastic zest for life, especially since two of his best friends were missing, but his hopeful optimism seemed thankfully irrepressible. "That sounds like Jess all right. So what have you found?"
Alison spent the next hour or so talking quietly through her findings with Amanda. She had managed to discover Richard Fielding's connection to the NSA and some details of the case he was involved in. She had also done checks on the three NSA agents and the death of a fourth agent who seemingly had been stealing files.
"Don't ask me where I got all this information from because I could tell you but..."
"Then you would have to shoot me," Amanda finished for her.
"Something like that," she smiled, "So what do you think?"
"I think that it's all too complicated." Amanda answered. " There are two many unanswered questions for me to even know where to start but thanks to you at least we now know what the questions are." She thought for a moment. "Maybe the key is in those stolen files. If we find them I think we'll find our killer and more importantly Steve and Mark."
"I'll start seeing if there is anything more I can find out."
At that point the phone started ringing. Amanda cursed silently, she had forgotten to do something about the phone divert from Mark's beach house. Who would be ringing so late? She moved over to the phone and picked it up as quickly as possible watching Jesse to see if it had woken him. Fortunately he just shifted slightly but remained asleep.
"Hello Dr. Amanda Bentley speaking."
"Ah hello Dr. Bentley, I have someone to speak to you but first I must know are you alone." The voice on the other end of the line spoke with a very heavy accent that Amanda could not identify.
"I don't.." Amanda began but the voice interrupted.
"Please it is extremely important that you answer the question. Are you alone?" the voice repeated.
"No I'm here with a friend of mine, Miss Porter, and Dr. Travis but he's sleeping at the moment." Amanda answered too curious to find out what this person wanted to offer any more protests. "Now what..." but she was interrupted again by a voice she recognised.
"Amanda it's me," Mark said dropping the phony accent.
Amanda almost dropped the phone in shock "Mark?" she asked her tone a mixture of relief and concern. "Is that you? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine Amanda but listen to me it is very important that you don't tell anyone at all that you've heard from me. I just wanted to put your mind at rest about me, but no one else must know."
Alison who had heard Mark's name and seen Amanda's shocked reaction had stood up and was now next to her trying to catch what was being said.
Amanda looked at her. "Mark as I just told you Alison's here she's very worried about Steve?" She didn't add, she didn't have to, that she was worried too.
Mark looked down at his sleeping son. "Steve's going to be just fine, although he will be very sore for a while. Jesse was right he had been shot too." He sighed, wishing he could tell his friend more but he did not dare stay on the line too long. There was an outside chance that it was being monitored. "Tell Alison and Jesse when he wakes up, but make sure no one else knows not even Nathan. I'm fairly sure that whatever is going on involves one of the NSA agents and until we've had time to figure this out we're all in danger. I wish I could talk more, How is Jesse?"
"Fine the surgery went well." "That's great, tell him I'm thinking of him but I'm going to have to go now," Mark said regretfully.
"Give our love to Steve," Amanda replied quickly. "And be careful." Amanda heard the line disconnect and hoped that Mark had heard the last of her reply, not that he was very good at following that particular piece of advice.
There were tears glistening in her eyes, tears of relief. "They're both alive and well, " she said as she looked across at Alison and saw an expression that mirrored her own She put her arms around her and gave her a quick hug as they shared the release of fear and tension.
"Thank God for that," Alison said pulling back and sinking back down on to the chair.
Amanda looked at her watch. It was getting late. "I think we should both call this a night and get back to this fresh in the morning." She said suddenly feeling very tired.
"I agree, now we know that Mark and Steve are going to be OK we'd both be better with a fresh eye and," Alison looked over at Jesse, "I think he's out for the count anyway."
Mark put the cell phone down on the table and dropped back down into the chair. Talking to Amanda had made him feel better at least now she wouldn't be worried about him. He had thought the case through from every angle and until he could talk some more to Emma there wasn't much more he could do and he wasn't about to wake her.
So he settled back, making himself as comfortable as possible. He had considered going back into the bedroom but did not want to leave Steve on his own just in case he needed him.
It was dawn when noise from the kitchen woke him. Having checked on Steve, he went in to investigate. Emma was busy making coffee. She turned round and jumped as she spotted Mark. "Dr. Sloan, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"That's OK," he smiled at her, "How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad thanks the sleep helped."
"Good," He moved over to help her, "because you and I have a lot to talk about."
Once they were both settled at the kitchen table with their coffee, Mark explained patiently why he believed that somewhere in her memory of events she held the key to solving the whole mystery.
"I know that it's difficult for you but I need for you to answer some questions for me, about what happened on Saturday. Do you think you're up to it?"
Emma looked deep into Mark's blue eyes, they weren't quite as bright as Steve's but they were just as sincere, just as intelligent and as happened with almost everyone who met him, Emma found herself trusting in the kindness that she saw there. "I'll try my best."
So Mark began gently at first, taking her through the routine things of the day, getting up making breakfast, seeing her husband off to the meeting he had arranged. Emma didn't falter until she got to the point where the envelope was delivered.
"I had had my suspicions anyway," she said quietly. "You know the sort of thing, I would answer the phone and the person at the other end would hang up. Richard would come home late and claim that he had had a meeting with someone from the NSA, but it wasn't until I opened that envelope and saw those photographs..."
"Photographs?" Mark prompted gently as Emma hesitated.
"They showed Richard with a young blonde embracing and then going into a hotel room." Emma managed to continue. She was trying hard to repress the accompanying emotions appreciating Mark's attempts to help. "After that I spent the remainder of the morning drinking and building myself up for when Richard came home. Before that I had been slightly worried about him. Once I saw those..... pictures. I no longer cared."
Up to this point she had been staring at her coffee cup, now she looked up at Mark, "I wanted him to die Dr. Sloan. I truly hoped that something would go wrong and that he would get killed," She looked down again there were tears in her eyes. "When he did come home I was so angry." She paused again as she dealt with the memories.
"Tell me exactly what happened. Everything you can remember." Mark said gently squeezing her hand. "It's important."
Emma took a deep breath and did her best to recall the events of that morning
She heard the car pull into the drive and stood waiting for him to enter.
Richard entered quickly, he was in a panicked state anyway but his eyes widened in disbelief when the ceramic pot hit the door frame inches from his head.
"How could you," Emma yelled accusingly at him. "You promised that you would never betray me again."
"But I..." he barely got out before a second pot flew across the room. Instinctively he ducked and put his arm up to defend his head. Lucky that he did as the second pot shattered against his forearm.
"You promised me," she stated again as though the breach of the promise was as bad as the betrayal itself.
By now Richard was across the room as Emma hurled a torrent of abuse at him, calling him every name she could think of in an effort to assuage some of the pain.
"Emma really I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't broken any promise I didn't..." He tried to take hold of her arms but she pulled away.
"Don't lie to me I've seen the photographs. A pretty little blonde. Well I hope you enjoyed it." She almost spat the last words.
"No Emma," Richard protested finally realising what his wife must have been shown. "That was all a cover for meeting the NSA. You don't understand.."
"Oh that must have been really convenient for you. All of this cloak and dagger stuff coming along at just the right time. What a perfect excuse to fool the unsuspecting wife at home."
"Emma I'm telling you I didn't, I haven't.."
"Stop denying it."
"But I..." Richard once again did not get to finish as Emma's anger spilled over and she came out with another torrent of names.
"Emma listen to me," he finally said when she reached the end of her latest tirade. "Everything went wrong today I have to get out of here. They're going to be coming for me."
At this point Emma lost control completely. What she read into Richard's words were that he was leaving her. No doubt to be with the woman in the photographs. "No I won't let you go I'll kill you first. You are married to me." She screamed almost hysterically.
"No listen to me. You have to listen. If anything happens to me I've hidden the files in my favourite place. Remember that," Richard no longer waited for her to stop speaking he just tried to speak over her. It was clear that he was not going to get any rational sense out of her. So he just repeated his message hoping that she would remember.
By now the argument had led them to the kitchen. "You can't leave me. I won't let you."
Emma had done her best to recall the conversation in as much detail as she could although she did not tell Dr. Sloan all of the things she had called her husband but after that last comment, the one she had made in the kitchen, she stopped.
"Go on," Mark urged.
Emma looked him directly in the eye. "That's just it Dr. Sloan. I don't remember anything else. Nothing until I saw the knife and then I found Richard and.."
"It's OK," Mark said, "I think you've remembered enough."
"But I don't know if.."
"If you killed him?" Mark finished for her. She nodded. Mark squeezed her hand again. "I know that you didn't. You'll just have to trust me on this one. I saw the results of the autopsy and without going in to detail there is no way that you were responsible for your husband's death."
Now that Mark had met Emma he knew that she was not capable of the sort of slow torture that had been inflicted on her husband. Besides whereas a frenzied attack followed by traumatic amnesia might be a reasonable explanation, Mark could not believe that anyone could torture someone for several hours and then 'forget' about it. There had to be another explanation.
Mark did not dwell on Richard's death he was more interested in a phrase Emma had remembered. "He said that he hid the files in his favourite place. Have you any idea where that could be?"
Emma thought about it carefully. Richard had never been one for going out much. What would he describe as his favourite place? Somewhere in the house perhaps? Then a thought occurred to her. "His boat," she said eagerly. "Well not his boat exactly. It belongs to the company but he had exclusive use of it whilst in LA. He spent a lot of time down at the Marina. He loved it out on the water."
"Then that sounds like a good place to start looking."
Nathan had also been woken at dawn. Blearily he answered the ringing phone. "Nathan Turner,"
"It's Dobbs," a female voice at the other end of the line stated without preamble. It certainly didn't sound like agent Dobbs.
"What, who.." Nathan began trying to wipe the sleep out of his eyes.
"Agent Dobbs disappeared last night." Stephanie replied. "We got an anonymous call to check out his apartment. When we got there it looked like someone had packed up in a hurry. His bank account has been emptied. So Dobbs is our man."
Nathan had shaken off the last vestiges of sleep and was already getting dressed. "Where can I meet you?" She gave him the address. "I'll be right there."