The Killing Ground: A Foxx Files Thriller (17 page)

Rebecca’s face was pale. “Son of a fucking bitch.” She grabbed her phone off the nightstand and checked the display. Twenty-one missed calls and at least one new voice message. She swore loudly. She had turned the ringer off last night at the movies and forgotten to turn it back on, and she had finally given up her antiquated pager last month.

She punched in her code and waited as the messages played. Jordan watched the emotions play across her face. She couldn’t imagine what had happened that would make the judge dismiss the case. A DNA mix up? It was possible, but not likely. She checked her own phone and was surprised to see that Matt had called several times. No message though, which was odd, except that they had not been on the best of terms since she had gotten the girl.

“God damn it!” Rebecca threw the phone onto the bed and ran her hand through her hair. “How is that possible?”

“What happened?” Jordan crossed the room, but stopped short of Rebecca, recognizing her need for space.

“Another murder last night.”

“A copycat?”

Rebecca shook her head. “Not unless they got a hold of Richard Hudson’s dick and left his sperm at the scene.”

“What do you mean?”

“Apparently, the DNA left at the scene, almost too conveniently I might add, matched Richard Hudson’s.”

“How is that possible?” Jordan was getting more and more confused by the minute.

“Now how the fuck do you think I would know that?” Rebecca snapped testily.

Jordan winced at Rebecca’s harsh words. She took a step back and tried not to bristle at the anger in her eyes. It wasn’t directed at her. “I didn’t mean that. I was just thinking out loud.”

Rebecca started storming around the room, throwing clothes on. “See, this is why I don’t get involved. It makes things complicated, and it throws me off my game.”

Jordan grabbed her arms softly and forced Rebecca to look at her. “You couldn’t have done anything differently than what you did. No one could have suspected it wasn’t Richard Hudson.”

Rebecca wrenched her arms away and glared at her. “I could have if I wasn’t distracted.” She sat down on the bed and tied her shoes silently. “Listen, this case just went from bad to worse. I can’t afford to be distracted. I think we need to cool it.”

“Do you really mean that?” Jordan was unprepared for the clench in her chest. She thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca’s company, in and out of bed, but she wasn’t emotionally involved, or at least she thought she wasn’t, so the tug in her heart surprised her. “You can’t think that you missed something because of us.”

“I function better alone, without all the shit that comes with a relationship. I need to make sure my head’s in the game this time. I messed up, and another woman is dead.”

“This isn’t your fault. You followed the evidence, and it led us to Richard Hudson.”

Rebecca shook her head. “I need to follow my gut, and right now you make it impossible to think clearly. I can’t do this anymore. From this point on, we’re going back to Detective and Agent. Nothing can get in the way of figuring out who the real killer is and how Richard Hudson ties into all of this.”

Jordan studied her face and knew that she couldn’t convince Rebecca otherwise. No matter how good they were, Rebecca was all about the job. She was the job. A wave of pain hit her square in the gut, and Jordan pushed it away. “Guess that answers my question about riding in together.”

Chapter 18

Jordan slipped under the yellow caution tape and while she flashed a small smile in Rick’s direction, she merely nodded curtly to Rebecca. The change between them was imperceptible to anyone around them, but the energy that hummed between them was palpable. Hours earlier, they had showered together, totally sated from their lovemaking, but now there was an intangible distance between them.

She surveyed the scene, not at all surprised that the M.E. had already removed the body. They were here to study the crime scene and find whatever evidence may eventually lead them to the killer.

Jordan stepped around the outline of the body and stopped near Rebecca and Rick. “Find anything?”

“Nothing.” Rebecca sounded the same as she always did, but there was a coolness to her tone that shook Jordan. “CSI swept the area already.” She pointed to several yellow markers. “Same as always. Not much to go on.”

“You said they found DNA.”

Rick nodded. “Same as the last one. Condom left inside the victim. He’s mocking us now. Knows he is getting away with it while someone else sits in jail.”

“Any idea how he got Richard Hudson’s DNA?” Jordan’s gaze fell on Rebecca, and had she not been studying her as closely as she was, she would have missed her swallow before she spoke. At least, Rebecca was having as hard a time as she was being so close.

“No, but I think it’s time we revisit the sperm bank. So far, that’s the only tie we have to all the victims.”

Jordan nodded towards the chalk outline. “This one too?”

“Yes.” Rebecca said with a nod. “Uniforms confirmed it with the husband this morning.”

“Want me to drive?” Jordan asked with no hint of an ulterior motive.

“No.” Rebecca pulled a gloved hand out of her pocket and checked her watch. “Why don’t you see if Special Agent Riley can meet us there? I think we could use his help on this one.”

Jordan nodded. Rebecca wasn’t going to give an inch on this one, no matter how much her eyes said she wanted to. “Fine.”

“Oh, and Agent Gray?” Rebecca’s tone held a warning note. “Don’t go in without us.”

Jordan rolled her eyes and walked away.
Damn infuriating woman.
She stalked off to her car and called Matt. “You busy?”

“Nah.” His voice was low. Their friendship had been somewhat strained since he found out that Jordan and Rebecca were dating. His interest in Rebecca had been very real, and his pride and maybe his heart had been wounded a little in the process. “What do you have?”

“I guess you heard the news already.”

“I saw it briefly this morning. I called you.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry I didn’t hear it ring.”

“It’s no big deal.” Matt paused. “I know you’re
busy.
” Before Rebecca, that had been a joke that they shared. Jordan loved women, and it hadn’t escaped her partner’s notice that she was with a different one all the time. Now, it was almost as though he was censuring her for her choice in women.

It wasn’t her fault that both of them had fallen for Rebecca’s charms. Nor was it her fault that Rebecca had chosen her. It just happened that way, and right now, Matt was sorting through that. Eventually, he would get over it, and they would get back to normal, but for now, she let him rake her over the coals.

“Detective Foxx wants us both in on this. We are going back to the sperm bank. She thinks it all ties back to that somehow.”

“And why do you need me?” The question was asked innocently enough, but Jordan could hear the second part of the inquiry loud and clear.
You seem to be handling it just fine on your own.

“Guess she wants your expertise. Besides, I think she could use a buffer.” Jordan admitted quietly.

“Oh yeah, piss her off already?” Matt’s tone hinted at a smile, and Jordan could almost recognize her old partner.

“Something like that.” Jordan started her car and listened as the engine revved loudly. “You in or not?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m at the office.”

“Be there in ten.” Jordan ended the call and looked up briefly, catching Rebecca’s emerald-green eyes. She could see regret in them and something else. She wasn’t sure what Rebecca was thinking, but she winced inwardly. Nothing like being someone’s morning-after remorse.

She shifted into first and shot Rebecca an apologetic smile as she started to drive away. If she had any hope of rectifying the problem, behaving like an asshole wasn’t going to be the route she took.

The ride from the office to the Helping Hands Fertilization Clinic was made in relative silence. Matt still wasn’t up to idle chitchat and rather than push the envelope of awkward silence any further, Jordan cranked up the radio and let the soulful voice of Serena Ryder fill the void.

When Rebecca pulled up, Jordan slid out of the car and stretched herself out. The unconventional choices for sex had her body totally out of whack. A person couldn’t make love in a 370Z without some pain and stiffness the next morning, and she was feeling it.

Matt studied the two of them and chuckled softly. “Well, this should be a fun morning.”

Jordan glared in his direction. “Just pay attention to the case.”

“Like you did?” Matt asked sarcastically.

Jordan swore under her breath. It was going to be a long day.

“Agents.” Rebecca’s tone was the same as she had used the first day they met, and much to their disliking, she still dropped the
Special.
Jordan rolled her eyes for the sake of rolling them. Their relationship aside, the least Rebecca could do was acknowledge their accomplishment in the FBI’s rank.

“Detective Jones. Detective Foxx. A pleasure to see you again, although I wish it was under different circumstances.” Matt, always the gentleman. Nice to a fault, but not missing the opportunity to throw it in Jordan’s face that he did not win the girl. Rebecca didn’t catch the underlying meaning. She shot Matt a forced smile.

“So do I. When I woke up this morning, I pictured the day going somewhat differently.”

Jordan didn’t miss the pained look that flashed across her features. The selfish side of her was glad this wasn’t any easier for Rebecca than it was for her. The rational side hoped that they both could put this behind them and concentrate on the case.

“Agent Riley, given your background in psychology, I’d like you to talk to as many of the employees here. See what you can find out. Maybe you can pick up on something we missed.” She met Rick’s questioning eyes. “Jonesy, see if you can’t get someone to open up. See if there is something that we missed the first time.

They nodded, and Rick saluted her with mock humility. “Sure thing, boss.”

“Agent Gray. You’ll be with me. I think it’s time to interview the director again.”

Jordan followed Rebecca into the building, a safe distance between them. She watched Rebecca flash her badge to a mousy looking receptionist and, for a moment, she thought she saw genuine fear in her eyes. But she masked it just as quickly.

“I’m Detective Foxx with the CDD, and these are Agents Riley and Gray with the FBI. We would like to talk to Dr. Stein, if he’s in.”

Ruth Dawson, according to the nametag on her desk, paled visibly. “Dr. Stein is no longer employed here. Our new Director is Dr. Mercer. However, the schedule is quite full today.”

If Rebecca was surprised by the news, she didn’t show it. Jordan, however, wondered what had happened to the former director and what was making Ruth Dawson so agitated.

“Let Dr. Mercer know we would like a moment of his time.” Rebecca’s tone suggested that whatever the Director had going on at this particular moment, it was going to take a back seat to their investigation.

Ruth nodded and picked up the phone. Her hand shook slightly as she dialed, and she pulled it into her lap the second she pressed the last number. Her voice, which matched her face in its sallowness, trembled somewhat. “Dr. Mercer. There’s a Detective here to see you.”

She paused then answered an unheard question. “No. The FBI is here also.” Ruth’s voice trembled again.

A loud gulp preceded Ruth’s next statement. “I tried to tell them you were busy.”

“Yes. Right away.”

Ruth hung up the phone. Her cheeks were tinged pink. Whoever the Director was, it was obvious that Ruth wasn’t a particularly big fan of him. “You can go in now.”

Rebecca and Jordan followed her finger to a set of double doors to their right. The plaque beside the door read Director-in-Charge, Dr. M. Mercer.

As they walked away, Matt slid into a chair and smiled at Ruth. Jordan saw her relax visibly. Maybe Rebecca’s idea to pull him in wasn’t such a bad one after all.

Rebecca pushed the door open and walked into a large, well-appointed office overlooking the Chicago River. Situated opposite the door was a huge mahogany desk that was at least eight feet wide. A large wingback chair sat empty behind it. She looked around the room, searching for its occupant.

To their left was a small unmarked door and beside it, a large leather sofa. In addition to the sofa was a small coffee table with copies of the latest baby magazines displayed tastefully. To the right was a wall of built-ins filled with medical journals. The walls were covered with evenly spaced pictures, each marking a different phase of pregnancy.

Jordan stole glances of Rebecca’s face as she scanned the empty room, and at the sound of running water from behind the door, jumped slightly. When the door opened, Jordan’s jaw dropped.

Mistaking the look of shock for their obvious assumption that Dr. Mercer was a man, Rebecca flashed her badge again. “Dr. Mercer. Detective Foxx. CDD.”

“Yes, Detective, I remember you.” Dr. Mercer smiled. “You’ve been on this investigation a long time.” Her eyes met Jordan’s, and a look of recognition flashed in her eyes before she carefully schooled her features to nonchalance. “You are?”

Jordan fumbled for her badge. “Special Agent Gray. FBI.”

Dr. Mercer smirked slightly. Her eyes raked over Jordan’s body lasciviously, and for a moment, her mind flashed back to their brief encounter. “Dr.
Meghan
Mercer. A pleasure to see you again, Agent.”

Jordan swallowed nervously. She was looking into the bemused eyes of the woman she had met at the gym and traded blows and much more than that with. She reddened slightly as she remembered what had happened between them. Suddenly, things had gotten complicated. “Ahh, you too.”

Meghan gave her another once-over and turned her attention back to Rebecca, who was watching the exchange between the two women with renewed interest. She reminded herself to ask Jordan what the hell that look was all about later. “Sorry about that. You see Agent Gray and I are previously acquainted.”

Rebecca’s gaze fell on Jordan, and her eyes asked for an explanation. Preferably, one that didn’t make her involvement in the case an issue.