“I’m glad he amuses you. Any ideas about where to go with the information he gave us? He might have given us his subtle seal of approval, but he clearly left the execution up to us.”
Jessie thought for a moment. “I’m sure your immediate inclination is to go straight to Gensyn Labs and demand information. That’s what anyone would do if they had the full force of the FBI behind them.” Her lips quirked. “Though I’m sure you’d be courteous and polite with any demand in case it wasn’t your business.”
Kendra scowled. “Knock it off, Jessie.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. But the FBI isn’t behind you, at least not yet. And I take it you don’t want to wait on their lab?”
“Hell, no. There’s a killer out there who still has Barbara Campbell.” She only hoped that the woman was still alive. “I don’t how much time we have.”
“My feelings exactly. And since you can’t rely on the FBI just yet, I thought we’d play it the way I usually do. By taking it a little more street level.”
Kendra thought for all of three seconds. “I like it.”
* * *
LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR LATER, Kendra slowly drove up and down the rows of parked cars in front of the three-story Gensyn Labs complex. “Anything?”
Jessie glanced down at her phone. “The DMV records tell us that Dr. Farnsworth owns a silver Mercedes AMG. We’ve seen two black ones so far, but no silver. It’s almost five, so he may have already gone home.”
“Or he may be on vacation,” Kendra said. “Or he just bought a new car and it hasn’t been registered with the DMV yet.”
“All strong possibilities.”
“Frustrating possibilities. If this doesn’t work, I guess we can try his home. You have his address there, right? Or maybe we can—”
“Just a minute,” Jessie interrupted. “There’s a guy over there that looks a lot like his driver’s license photo. And he’s walking toward—” Her eyes lit up. “It’s a silver AMG.”
Kendra stepped on the gas.
“Circle around,” Jessie said. “Block him in.”
Kendra rounded the corner and raced back up the aisle. She jammed on the brakes. Then she and Jessie jumped out of her car and converged on the parked Mercedes.
Inside the car, a nervous, balding man in his fifties looked up at them in bewilderment. He slightly lowered his window. “What’s wrong? Has there been an accident? What’s happening?”
“No accident.” Get his attention, Kendra thought. Take him off guard. He was a scientist, hit him with his own work. She slapped the printout Alan Fletcher had given them on his driver’s side window. “This is happening. We need to know why.”
Farnsworth blinked, but his gaze was instantly drawn to the printout. He frowned. “This isn’t right … Where did you get these?” Then he shook his head. “But I don’t know if I should even be talking to you. I’m not accustomed to being confronted in my company’s parking lot. Perhaps you should go inside and explain what you’re doing here.”
“I’m afraid we don’t have time,” Kendra said. “I can see why you might be uneasy, but I assure you that we’re not some kind of criminals. I’m Dr. Kendra Michaels and this is my associate Jessie Mercado.” She handed him her credentials. “We only want answers. You’re a scientist, this is your work. You should want them, too. What isn’t right about those printouts?” She pinched one of the pages and held it before his eyes. “Shall I tell you? This was inside me.” She showed him the other one. “And this was the one you made. See the similarity?”
Dr. Farnsworth nodded slowly. “Of course, I do. But I don’t understand this.” He was staring at Kendra’s printout. “And I certainly I don’t know how you got hold of this one. It’s a complete mystery to me.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t anything I asked for. Your carrier protein helped deliver a Tribuxin dose right into my bloodstream. It’s a combo only this lab could have created. We need to know who you made it for.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re still waiting on regulatory approval. It won’t be ready for another year at least.”
“But you are conducting some field tests?” Jessie asked.
“Yes.” Dr. Farnsworth climbed out of his car and was still frowning as he examined Kendra’s psychologist license and business cards. “Dr. Michaels, you’re a music therapist.” He handed her credentials back to her. “How is this any of your business?”
Jessie stepped forward. “It became her business when she almost died after ingesting your protein. She was assisting the FBI on a murder investigation at the time. Your creation was used against her for some reason. Don’t you think she has the right to ask why?”
Farnsworth’s eyes widened in shock. “Murder? You have to be mistaken about—”
“Is everything okay, Dr. Farnsworth?”
Kendra and Jessie turned to see an attractive young woman approaching the car parked next to his.
Farnsworth nodded absently. “Yes, Anita.” He added, “Thank you.”
She looked doubtfully at Kendra and Jessie. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Have a good night.”
Anita stood there for a moment longer. Then she finally climbed into her car, started it up, and drove away.
“My assistant,” Farnsworth said. “She’s very protective.”
“Good employee to have,” Jessie said.
“Exceptional.” He shrugged dismissively. “But as I was saying, you have to be mistaken. I don’t know what was happening, but it couldn’t have been my work.”
“Then who else had this formula?” Jessie asked.
Farnsworth grimaced. “It sounds as if you’d like a peek at our records.” He was suddenly defensive. “That’s not going to happen. You might be a rival lab or just some nutcase.”
“It’s not necessary that we examine records. I can see that might be awkward,” Kendra said. “We only have a few questions. Just tell us what we need to know.”
“Perhaps you should come back with a warrant,” he said belligerently.
He was obviously going to stonewall them, Kendra thought. But maybe she had a way around it. “I told you, we don’t have time. Maybe you just talk to me and trust that I’m exactly who I said I am.”
His lips curled. “And why should I do that?”
She said softly, “Because you’re going to hope I don’t tell your wife and coworkers that you’ve been sleeping with your assistant.”
Dr. Farnsworth inhaled sharply. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. I’m not a fan of blackmail, but I almost died a couple days ago. I’m a little annoyed that you’re being so stubborn.”
Jessie coughed in a futile attempt to hide her laughter.
“You’re guessing.” Farnsworth eyed Kendra uncertainly.
“I don’t guess. I observe.”
“What makes you think I’m having an affair?”
“I’ll tell you after you’ve told us what we need to know. And believe me, you’ll want to hear this. If I can pick it up, your wife sure as hell will. If she hasn’t already. It may already be too late for you.”
His forehead was suddenly perspiring. “Tell me.”
“Later. You talk first.”
“There isn’t much to tell. It’s clear someone’s made some kind of mistake.”
“Shall I talk to your human resources department? Then maybe your wife?”
“I’m being honest with you.” His tone was pleading, almost desperate.
“Then stop telling me I’ve made a mistake.”
“Listen, this formula is only being tested on a U.S. military installation in Torii Station, Japan.”
“Japan?” Kendra said.
“Yes. On Okinawa. No way it could have been used on you here.”
Kendra looked to Jessie for a reaction, but she was already madly thumbing her phone screen.
“I’m being totally honest with you,” Farnsworth said. “You have to believe me.”
?
??I’m inclined to believe you. Though a man who would cheat on his wife can’t really be trusted,” Kendra said. “I’m just trying to make sense of it.”
“While you make sense of it, maybe you can tell me why you thought—” He moistened his lips. “You know.”
“Your affair? There’s a drink in your car’s cupholder. Your assistant’s lipstick is on the straw.”
Farnsworth looked down at the console. “It could be my wife’s lipstick,” he said defiantly.
“Could be, but not likely that your wife also happens to use Revlon Lustrous Primrose lipstick that I see on that straw. I also just saw it on your assistant’s mouth. By the way, I also see long, shiny strands of her pretty blond hair on your front passenger seat and several more on the folded-down backseat of your SUV. It doesn’t seem very comfortable back there, but I guess it’s cheaper than getting a hotel room each time. There’s a bit of fresh mud caked on those tires, which tells me that you went off road for one of your recent trysts.”
Dr. Farnsworth glanced back at his car. “Shit.”
Jessie patted Kendra’s arm. “Let’s go. We got what we need.”
“We did?”
“Yes.” Jessie glanced at Farnsworth as she nudged Kendra toward the car. “Thank you for your cooperation, Doctor.”
Kendra looked back at him over her shoulder. “I may not see you again, but you’ll probably be visited by the FBI soon. If it makes you feel better, you can mention me to them to assure yourself that I’m legitimate. I hope you’ll be as forthcoming with them as you have been with me.”
Farnsworth looked dazed. “Sure.”
He was still standing there as Kendra and Jessie climbed into Kendra’s car and sped away.
CHAPTER
10
“THAT WAS TRULY EXCELLENT,” Jessie said to Kendra as they left the parking lot. “I enjoyed it thoroughly. You definitely have an affinity for street level.”
“As I told him, I don’t like blackmail, but he gave me no choice.” She changed the subject. “Does Torii Station, Japan, mean something special to you?”
“It didn’t at first, at least not until I looked it up.”
“And?”
“Several U.S. contractors share space at that installation. Including one that you and I both know.”
“You mean your favorite scumbags?”
She nodded. “Brock Limited.”
“But did they have access?”
“I’ve spent time on military bases, remember? Things go missing from supply depots all the time. If they wanted something, Brock could have gotten it.”
“Good to know something definite.” Kendra grimaced. “This is like one huge puzzle with half the pieces missing. What the hell could Brock Limited have to do with the murders of those wedding guests? Brock Limited is obviously all about corruption, money, and power. Yet those murders had a profile that didn’t reflect any of those things. They were definitely closer to that of one of those highly organized, patterned serial killers.” She shivered. “Putting that poor bride in the back seat of that MINI … Where’s the damn connection?”
“Lynch is on his way to tracking down one of those connections right now,” Jessie said. “Ryan Facey, the man who probably made contact with the woman in Connecticut who sent you that video. And who is now quite possibly on the run from Brock’s men.” She shrugged. “All the connections will come together, Kendra. One by one.”
“Yet we still don’t have proof that Brock is involved.”
“Of course not. But it’s one more piece that confirms you’re on the right track with them. The evidence is stacking up as we speak.” Her lips tightened. “Now all we have to do is find a way to push them off that stack and hang the bastards.”
Kendra’s gaze was on Jessie’s face. “You really do hate them.”
“They hurt my buddies and they got away with it. It’s bad enough that we had to go through all that hell in Afghanistan. There should be some justice in this world.”
“And you’re going to find it for them,” she said quietly.
Jessie nodded. “You bet I am.” She smiled. “With a little help from my friends. I’m curious to see what Lynch comes up with in Portland.”
“He said he’d call me when he got in. I don’t know when that will be. It’s already almost six. I’ll let you know when he does. What do we do now?”
“You take me back to the naval hospital to pick up my bike. Then I go out to the base here and see what I can gather about Brock’s activities in this area. Tomorrow we should probably go and question Barbara Campbell’s husband to see if he knows anything. I’ll be at your condo around eight.”
“You know you could stay at my place.”
She shook her head. “I never know where I’ll end up once I’m on a case. I’m better off on my own. Thanks, anyway.”
She was almost as much of a loner as Lynch, Kendra thought. Was it the life they had lived that had made them trust only themselves? “If you change your mind, just call me.”
“I will.” Jessie smiled. “We did good today, Kendra. Screw Griffin and his fancy Washington D.C. lab. Want to stop and have dinner on the way to get my bike?”
“Why not?” Jessie might be a loner, but she was fun, and she always made Kendra feel a sense of zinging excitement and boundless determination. “You’re right, we did good. Do you want to do burgers or Mexican?”
11:05 P.M.
“It took you long enough to phone me,” Kendra said when she picked up Lynch’s call. “I do hope you didn’t have trouble getting out of LA? Jessie and I had a discussion about you always getting what you want and I’d hate if you had even a slight blow to your ego.”
“I didn’t. I’ve just been busy since I got here. How did your meeting with Alan Fletcher go?”
“Productive.” She swiftly told him about Gensyn and their talk with Farnsworth. “Definitely a connection with Brock. But I’m not sure where it’s going. Or why it had anything to do with me or that wedding.”
“I’ll see what I can discover from this end. I think I might get lucky. That’s why I was so long in calling you. I was doing some research. It took me up north of the city.”
“Why? What did you find out?”
“That Facey definitely looks like a man on the run. I canvassed the rental car agencies and found out he had rented a Jeep Cherokee after he arrived in Portland. And that he probably had a reason for coming here. He knows this area and thought it might be safer for him. I found out that Facey’s stepfather owned a dilapidated cabin in the woods about ten miles north of Portland where Facey spent time as a teenager. I was there two hours ago and there were fresh treads in the driveway.”
“But no Ryan Facey?”
“No Facey.” He paused. “But he already had company. The place was being staked out by a couple of Brock’s thugs.”
“They didn’t see you?”
“I’m better than that, Kendra.”
“More arrogant, at least.” She paused. “Maybe Facey won’t come back.”
“I think he will. He feels like prey and he’s hunting a place to go to ground. He was just checking the cabin out to make sure it was livable.”
“Then they might kill him.”
“He was Special Forces. He’ll be careful. He won’t just blunder into that cabin. He won’t go near the place until after he’s checked it out.” He paused. “I just have to be the one to get to him first, so that they won’t spook him away entirely.”
Her hand tightened on the phone. “You’re going back?”
“Information, Kendra. And there’s no better source than a man on the run. I’ve got to stake him out, too.”
“By yourself?” Her heart skipped a beat. “That’s stupid. Call Griffin and get one of the local FBI agents to go with you. Why do you have to do everything alone?”
“It usually works out better. And how else can I claim to get everything I want, if it’s handed to me on a silver platter? There’s nothing ego-building a
bout that.”
“Very funny.”
“Of course, there are some things I’d take regardless of how they’re served to me.” His voice lowered to intimacy. “Anytime, Kendra.”
“Call Griffin.” She forced herself to say the word. “Please.”
“That’s all you had to say. You know I hate the thought of worrying you. I’ll see what Griffin thinks about it.”
But he hadn’t said he wouldn’t go there alone. “Don’t be stupid. Do you hear me? And call me when you get back from going to that cabin and tell me what you found out from Facey. Promise me.”
“What a demanding woman. I promise. Take care.” He cut the connection.
She put the phone down and drew a deep breath. Things were moving along quite well. Progress on all fronts. There was no reason to be this anxious. Except that she was not in Portland with Lynch. She had to wait until he contacted her again. It made her feel impatient … and helpless.
And frightened …
10:35 P.M.
San Diego
Derek leaned against the railing that overlooked the twinkling lights of Coronado Island. It was a chilly night and he’d seen only a few dedicated dog walkers on this part of the Embarcadero. It was almost 11:00 P.M., and he’d have to leave soon. He had responsibilities now.
“Where’s the woman?”
Derek spun around. Josh Blake emerged from the shadows. The man wore a Burberry trench coat, long scarf, and designer shoes.
“Hello, Blake. You’re looking very spiffy. Did Vivianne give you a clothing allowance when she promoted you to the higher echelon? If so, I think I need to get in on the deal. Perhaps I’ll make it an additional bonus to our arrangement.”
“Once again, Derek: Where’s your latest victim? Is she even still alive?”
“You don’t want to concern yourself with that.” Derek smiled. “You found me, didn’t you?”
“Wasn’t hard. I think you let me find you. You’re obviously not afraid of us.”
“I’m not. Should I be?”
Blake shrugged. “Vivianne Kerstine is an unpredictable woman.”