Eye for an Eye, an (Heroes of Quantico Book #2): A Novel (4 page)

“What happened to the boy?”

At Emily’s soft question, Mark stared at his hands. “He didn’t make it.”

The silence in the room was heavy, mirroring the burden that weighed down his soul. When he felt a touch on his shoulder, he forced himself to look up.

“I’m so sorry, Mark.”

“Yeah.” The word rasped out, and he cleared his throat. “I am too.”

“I can tell the physical wound is healing. What about the emotional one?” The question was soft. Caring.

He tried to smile, but his lips wouldn’t cooperate. “You’re being a psychologist.”

“No. A friend.”

Nodding, he accepted that. With gratitude. “That’s taking a little longer.”

“Have you talked to anyone?”

“A psychological assessment is required after an incident like this. The counselor didn’t think I was ready to rejoin the team.

I didn’t argue.”

“What team are you referring to?”

“I work in a division of the Critical Incident Response Group.

We deal with large-scale, high-profile crises.”

She searched his face. “You’re on the Hostage Rescue Team, aren’t you?”

“You know about that?” His eyebrows rose in surprise. Most civilians had never heard of it.

“I read a book a few years ago by a former HRT sniper. It was . . . eye-opening.”

“I’m not a sniper. I’m on an assault team.”

“That’s just as dangerous. Maybe more so.”

“We’re well trained, Emily.”

“Grant was too.” Her eyes grew distant, and a flash of pain echoed in their depths. “Training doesn’t eliminate danger. Or risk.”

In silence he reached for her hand and laced her cold fingers with his, unable to refute her statement.

With an obvious effort, she refocused her attention on him.

“Sorry. We were talking about you. Tell me about the letters and calls.”

Shrugging, he tried to downplay them. “Some people have long memories, and Waco and Ruby Ridge didn’t engender a lot of positive public sentiment for the Bureau. We do everything possible to avoid the use of excessive force, but even in a situation like the convenience store—where a tactical resolution is justified—we get beat up.”

“It sounds like you took the appropriate action, given the circumstances.”

“That’s what the review board concluded.”

“But it doesn’t bring back Jason Wheeler.”

“No.” He should have figured Emily would zero in on the guilt that had been gnawing at his gut for close to three months. Even before she’d become a psychologist, she’d had good insights.

“He was seventeen. An honor student. He had a great future ahead of him.”

She thought about that for a few moments. “Would you do anything differently if faced with that situation today?”

It was a question he’d asked himself many times. And he gave her the answer he’d memorized. “No. I did what I had to do, despite the tragic outcome.”

He knew in his head that was true. But his heart was still struggling to accept it.

“How did his family react?”

“I don’t know. They were fully briefed on what happened by senior people in the Bureau while I was in the hospital. And I sent them a letter, carefully vetted by Bureau lawyers, who were convinced we’d be sued.” A mirthless smile twisted his lips, and he shook his head. “But we never heard a word from them.”

“Not everyone is litigation-happy. Perhaps they recognized that you did your best.”

“It’s possible, I guess.” He knew his disheartened tone suggested he didn’t hold out much hope of that, and he gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I didn’t intend to get into all of this today.”

“I’m glad you told me.”

He was too. But it was time now to talk about the present.

“Do you feel up to giving a statement to the police?”

“Yes. Although I doubt I can tell them much.”

“That’s okay.” He pulled out his BlackBerry as he spoke. “They won’t expect a lot. I couldn’t help them much, either. Except to suggest that the shooting might be connected to the convenience store incident.” He punched in Steve’s number. It was answered on the first ring. “It’s Mark. I’m with Emily. She’s ready to talk to the police.”

“Good.” Steve sounded relieved. “Oakdale is pushing. I’ll let them know they can send someone over.”

As Mark said good-bye and slid the BlackBerry back into its holder, a nurse entered to offer another round of pain medication. “Is it going to knock me out again?” Emily asked.

“That’s a possibility.”

“Can I wait a bit?”

“Sure. Press the buzzer whenever you’re ready.”

Watching the woman exit, Emily wrinkled her nose. “I hate medicine. Besides, your visit is far more effective than a pill in distracting me, anyway.”

“I’m flattered. And the feeling is mutual, by the way.”

She smiled. “You always were a charmer.”

As he looked at her across the bed—and across the years— Mark suddenly couldn’t remember why they’d lost touch. “How come we didn’t stay in contact after that summer?”

“We did for a while. But a serious relationship wasn’t on our agenda in those days. We had other priorities.”

“The foolishness of youth,” he murmured.

Giving him a quizzical look, Emily asked a question of her own. “How is your family? Do they still live in Tennessee?”

“Yes. Dad died a few years ago, but Mom’s doing well. My sister has three kids now and lives close to her. I get down as often as I can.”

“Tell me about them.”

She plied him with questions, and he was able to conjure up a few stories about his nieces and nephew that elicited some much-needed laughter. When he ran out of those, he turned the tables on her.

“How about you, Em? How’s your dad?”

She’d had little family, he recalled. The summer she’d come to visit her grandmother, a few months after her mother died, it had been just her and her dad, a military officer. She’d spent her youth moving every few years as her father’s assignments took him all over the world. Six months after her visit to Tennessee, her grandmother had suffered a fatal stroke. The last time he’d seen her was at that funeral.

“He died ten years ago,” she told him.

Meaning she was alone. Emily had told him once that with all the moving, she’d never had a chance to build long-term friendships. He wondered if she had fared better on that score after settling in St. Louis. Good friends would have helped sustain her through the loneliness and the losses.

He took a back-door approach to that question. “We’re going to try to keep your name out of the media, but we may not be successful. Is there anyone you need to notify about this before they hear it on the news?”

A slow shake of her head answered his question before she spoke. “No. I’ve already called my secretary and my pastor, who has my medical power of attorney. There’s no family. And Evelyn knows.”

“Evelyn?”

“My neighbor. A wonderful widow lady in her seventies who’s like an adopted grandmother. She took me under her wing when I moved into my condo after . . . when I lost Grant. She’s the one who brought over my pajamas.”

No mention of close friends her own age, he noted. Why not?

A knock on the door interrupted them. And as Mark rose to admit the detective who had come to question Emily, he realized he had a lot more questions of his own.

4

“Dr. Lawson? Sergeant Montgomery, Oakdale PD. Sorry to bother you with this, ma’am. I’ll try to keep it brief.”

“No problem, Sergeant.” As the detective took the chair Mark had vacated, Emily looked at the man who’d made this day bearable—and who was now heading out the door. A wave of panic swept over her. “Aren’t you staying?”

Mark paused. “It’s not protocol to have two victims or witnesses in the room together when one is being interviewed.”

“But you’ve already given your statement. Please . . . I’d feel better if you’d stay.” The trauma of the past twelve hours had shaken her secure little world, and she needed the moral support his presence would provide.

His gaze dropped to her hands, which had clenched the sheet into a tight wad, and he exchanged a look with Sergeant Montgomery. “It’s up to you. But she might be more relaxed if I stay.

I can leave at any point if either of you wants me to.”

The man considered Emily’s tense posture. “Okay. Let’s try it this way.”

With a nod, Mark propped one shoulder against the wall and shoved his hands into his pockets.

The detective recorded the basic information first, for which Emily was grateful. It gave her a chance to calm down a little before he began asking about the morning’s events. But her pulse ratcheted up again as his questions got more specific.

“Do you walk in that park every morning, ma’am?”

“Yes. With rare exception.”

“Did you notice anything out of the ordinary prior to the shots being fired?”

“No.”

“Is there anyone in your acquaintance who has a grudge against you, or has threatened you?”

That query threw her, and she shot Mark a startled look.

“It’s a routine question in a case like this, Emily,” he told her. She looked back at the detective. “No. I have no enemies.”

“Is there anyone in your acquaintance who you consider to be capable of violence?”

“You mean, someone who might shoot me?” Incredulity rippled through her voice.

“Anyone you think capable of violence of any kind. Friends, family, co-workers, clients, the guy who cuts your grass . . . any person you’ve had any contact with.”

Jack Hanley.

The name flashed across her mind like a neon light, jolting her.

Jack Hanley wasn’t happy with her, but taking out his frustration with a gun? She couldn’t imagine it.

At her hesitation, Mark frowned and pushed off from the wall.

“What is it, Em?”

“Nothing. I just . . . I do have one client who’s rather peeved.

A referral from a corporate employee assistance program. But shooting at me . . . the whole notion is surreal.”

Mark exchanged a look with the detective and took a step closer. “Tell us about this guy.”

“He’s a senior-level manager who didn’t appreciate being sent to me by his company’s EAP three weeks ago. Nor did he appreciate my suggestion that he enroll in an anger management course. When he elected not to take my advice, I recommended he be put on paid leave until he worked through his issues.”

“Why?” Mark asked.

“With workplace violence at an all-time high, it’s best to diffuse potentially risky situations.”

“In other words, you thought this guy was capable of violence.” “Not necessarily. But I didn’t think it was wise to take any chances. My recommendation was more precautionary than anything else. The leave was intended to send him a strong message about his need to get help. In any case, I can’t see him as a shooter.”

“When did all this take place?” Sergeant Montgomery asked.

“He was notified of the leave yesterday.”

The two men exchanged another look.

“Has he ever threatened you?” Mark asked.

“He called to rant a little yesterday after HR informed him of the company’s decision. But he’s never threatened me.”

“We need to check him out.”

Emily shook her head. “I can’t reveal a client’s name. That would compromise the confidentiality my work is based on.”

“Confidentiality can be breached if criminal activity is involved,” Mark said.

“We don’t know that there is.” Emily understood the legalities of her profession. And the ethics. Her instincts, as well as her professional training, told her Jack Hanley hadn’t been the shooter. Yes, his explosive outbursts and callous treatment of his direct reports was what had brought him to the attention of his management. But she didn’t believe he would pick up a gun to express his anger. Identifying him would not only be wrong, it would add unneeded stress to a life that was already crumbling.

“Where there’s a reasonable suspicion that a person may present a danger of violence to others, you’re under no obligation to protect his identity,” Mark reiterated.

“I don’t think there is a reasonable suspicion,” Emily countered, holding her ground.

Mark regarded her for a moment. Then he turned to the sergeant. “What else do you need?”

“I’m done.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

The detective stood. “Thanks for your help, Dr. Lawson. We’ll be in touch if we have any additional questions.”

As the two men disappeared out the door, Emily closed her eyes and drew a shaky breath. The interview had taken a turn she hadn’t expected. Or liked. Until a few minutes ago, she’d assumed the shooter had been either a fanatic or someone after Mark. It had never occurred to her that she might be his target.

Even now, the whole notion was ludicrous. Aside from Jack Hanley, there was no one in her life capable of
thinking
about shooting her, let alone doing it. And she was certain the troubled executive wouldn’t take such extreme measures, either.

However, given the look on Mark’s face, she suspected that convincing him of that was going to be a formidable challenge.

“We need this guy’s name.” Sergeant Montgomery turned to Mark as the door shut behind them.

“I know.”

Coop rose as the two men stepped into the hall. Mark filled him in as they clustered outside Emily’s room.

“We can always resort to legal means to get his name, if necessary,” the detective pointed out.

“I’d rather not go down that road if we can avoid it. Let me work on it.”

“Besides checking this guy out, I don’t see any obvious reason why Dr. Lawson would be a target.”

“Me neither. I’ll be in touch, Sergeant. Thanks.”

With a wave, the man headed toward the elevators.

“The background check on her may be finished by now,” Coop offered. “We could ask Steve to have someone fax it to Nick’s house.”

“I doubt it will be much help, but let’s take a look. I’m heading back in to give this one more try.”

“I’ll call Steve. Good luck.”

The determined set of Emily’s jaw as Mark reentered her room wasn’t a good sign. But he was more concerned about the drawn, pinched look around her mouth and her lack of color.

She needed the pain medication. Now.

Moving beside the bed, Mark perched on the edge instead of taking the chair. The Bible that had been on the nightstand rested in her hands.

“Still a believer, I see.”

“You aren’t?”

He shrugged. “I’ve seen a lot in my job, Emily. Too much. It’s hard to reconcile most of it with a loving God.”

“I’m sorry, Mark.” Regret pooled in her eyes. “I can’t imagine walking through life without God by my side.”

He refrained from asking her where God had been a few hours ago when a bullet had ripped through her arm and she’d almost bled to death. Or where he’d been when her husband had perished in a fire. Faith wasn’t a topic he wanted to discuss tonight.

Instead, he reached over and tucked her hair back behind her ear, the whisper of a smile touching his lips.

“It’s been quite a day, hasn’t it?”

He sensed the subtle relaxing of her muscles. She’d been prepared to do battle to protect her client, and he’d disarmed her by stepping back from the fight.

“Before all this happened, I was looking forward to a very quiet Saturday.”

“I’m sorry it didn’t turn out the way you planned.”

“So am I. But I’m not sorry our paths crossed again. It’s been good catching up.”

“We’re just getting started. I’m not about to let you disappear again when it’s obvious fate brought us together. I hear you’ll be released tomorrow. How about I give you a ride home? We could stop on the way and have that cold drink we never got around to this morning.”

A smile curved her lips. “My neighbor volunteered to pick me up, but I think I like your offer better.”

“Good.” He needed to tackle the hard stuff again, but he wished he didn’t. He would have much preferred a simple, uncomplicated reunion. “There’s something else I need to discuss with you.”

“Okay.” She gave him a cautious look.

“Until we get this thing figured out, the Bureau would like you to have some security.”

“Explain that.”

“We want to assign an agent to you.”

“A bodyguard?”

“That’s one way to describe it.”

She searched his eyes. “Is that really necessary? I’ve been by myself all day today.”

“There’s been an agent with you ever since you left the scene.

He’s outside your door now.”

Shock rippled across her face. “You think this guy might try again?”

“We can’t rule out that possibility.”

“What about you? It seems to me you’re the more likely target.” “I’ll have someone with me too.”

She stared at him. “They’re putting protection on an HRT member who’s trained to handle worst-case scenarios?”

For a second, he hesitated. He didn’t want to freak her out— but he also needed to drive home the danger. “Yes.”

“Wow.” She let out a low breath. “Okay. I guess I’ll take it too.” He hadn’t expected her to acquiesce so easily, but he was grateful she’d realized the gravity of the threat. “Good.”

There were other security measures he needed to talk over with her, but they could wait until tomorrow. If the deepening lines of strain around her mouth were any indication, she’d had about all she could take today. “Why don’t you get that pain medication from the nurse.” He handed her the call button.

She gave him a wary look. “Aren’t you going to push me about the client I mentioned?”

“Would it do any good?”

“No.”

“That’s what I thought. But consider this, Emily. We’re very adept at making discreet inquiries. He’ll never know we ran a background check.”

“But he’ll know if you ask him for an alibi.”

“True. But we’re dealing with an attempted murder.” He waited a few seconds to let the full impact of his words register.

“In that kind of investigation, no stone is left unturned. The man knows he has an anger problem. He knows he’s mouthed off to you. It’s not unreasonable the police would want to check him out. In any case, we’re not obligated to identify the nature of the investigation or the parties involved when we question someone.”

After considering his comment, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mark. It doesn’t feel right. He could put two and two together. And trust is essential in a counseling relationship.”

“Did he choose to come to you?”

“No.”

“Would you say there’s much trust now?”

She conceded his point with a shrug. “Not a lot. But there’ll be less if I identify him as a client.”

He’d forgotten about her stubborn streak. And the way she could dig in her heels when it came to her principles, no matter the cost to herself.

“I understand your concern. But there are extenuating circumstances.” He laid a gentle hand on her bandaged arm. “This was too close for comfort, Emily. If you are a target, he may not miss the next time.”

She frowned and reached up to massage her temples. “Can I sleep on it?”

After a brief hesitation, Mark nodded. “Okay. I’ll be by in the morning.” He scrutinized her and pushed the call button himself.

“You waited too long to ask for the pain pills.”

“They put me to sleep.”

“Sleep is good. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”

“What can I do for you, Dr. Lawson?” The nurse’s voice came over the intercom.

“I think I can use that pain medication now.”

“I’ll be right in.”

As Mark moved the call button aside, he gave Emily a sympathetic look. “Nights are always the worst for pain.”