Edge of Mercy (A Kate Reid Novel Book 11), Robin Mahle [freenovel24 .txt] 📗

Within minutes, the team waited in the conference room for Walsh to return. Kate was the last to enter and Walsh trailed her.

“Thanks for dropping everything,” Walsh began. “Dr. Theodore Bishop.” He held up a photo of Bishop that appeared to come from an ID badge from his previous employer. “According to the attorney representing the family in the wrongful death suit against Baltimore EMS, this is the man who they allege was neglectful in his treatment of the elderly woman, and mother to the man who filed the case.”

“They must not have anything to point to criminality,” Kate said.

“They do not,” Walsh added. “Which makes this more difficult for us because we are going to have to run on the assumption this man here is the same man who killed five others at two different humanitarian efforts.”

“How can we prove this man also aided in those disaster zones?” Duncan asked. “We still need our witnesses to sit with a composite artist to get us a rendering.”

“You’re right about that. However, I have a call into Bishop’s previous supervisor who I will ask to confirm whether Bishop was given leave to offer assistance.”

“He doesn’t know?” Nick asked.

“I didn’t get to speak to him. He wasn’t there. However, some folks were very helpful and suggested I visit the office of the EMT National Registry. As luck would have it, Bishop is a registered member.”

“Are you saying we know where he’s at?” Kate added.

“That’s what brings me to call on all of you now. We have a name. We have a reason to suspect this individual is our unsub, but what we don’t have is proof. Not yet and not until we, at the very least, get our hands on a sketch. What I need to know is how confident everyone is that we should approach this man who now happens to work for the Charlotte fire department as an EMT.” Walsh looked around the room. “Fisher, this will ultimately be your call, but I thought a general consensus would be helpful.”

Fisher nodded. “If we drag this guy through the mud and it turns out not to be him, we’ll have likely damaged his reputation and career and will face a substantial lawsuit.”

“You’re saying we have to wait until we get corroborating testimony from our two witnesses before we approach him?” Kate asked.

“In this situation, Reid, I’m not sure we can run on circumstantial. I’m not saying your theory is wrong. I know you and I know how reliable your insight is. But we might have to sit on this until we know more.” Fisher glanced at the other team members. “Unless anyone has a better idea? I’m open to all options.”

Nick set his sights on Palmero. “We have two potential witnesses. It might be best if you head back to Houston and get with the Oakview detective to help him run down Dr. Valente.” He turned to Duncan. “You’ve been in contact with the Riverside field agent. If Fisher’s good with it, you and I can meet up with him to get his witness to come forward. Since it’s my State Department contact who pulled the strings, it would be a good idea for me to go with you to offer assurances to his man.” Finally, Nick looked to Fisher. “Walsh and Reid can keep track of Bishop in Charlotte while continuing to gather evidence to support Reid’s theory. What do you think? It’s your call.”

Nick had just taken charge again and Kate wondered if Fisher noticed. Hell, they all must’ve noticed. She believed in Nick’s plan. It was the right course of action, but it wasn’t Fisher’s idea. And by the look on Fisher’s face, he knew it. The team waited for his response and Kate was sure the temperature in the room dropped 20 degrees in that moment.

“I agree with Scarborough. It’s a good plan. Let’s do it.” Fisher left the room before anyone else.

Palmero got to his feet and looked at Nick. “What was that all about?”

“It’s a long story, my friend.”

Kate approached Walsh. “Hey, so I guess it’s you and me, huh?”

“Always.” He leaned in and lowered his tone. “That was awkward as hell.”

“Tell me about it. Fisher made the right call, though. He’s a good man and I don’t envy him his position.”

“I think your boyfriend might have a different take on that.” Walsh put his arm around her. “Let’s find out more about the good Dr. Bishop, shall we?”

Nassau’s airport had opened for humanitarian and rescue missions the day following Hurricane Florence. The majority of the island was without power. Tourists flocked to the airport in droves in search of ways to leave the island. Some were allowed to board the cruise ships that arrived at the port to offer assistance. Others tried to arrange charter flights to Miami.

When Theo Bishop, whose name was now Eli Parnell, arrived, he slipped through with ease thanks to the bedlam. The last thing he needed was local police asking questions as to his purpose on the island. He’d yet to secure any identification that would associate him with one of the humanitarian convoys that had already arrived. That was first on his list of things to do.

At the baggage claim area, several people waited, huddled around the conveyors in a swarm. Bishop kept his eyes out for anyone with a Red Cross emblem, Doctors without Borders, anyone who looked like they were part of the rescue efforts. When his eyes landed on a young woman, a nun, who appeared to be on her own, he waited for her to move toward the conveyor and when she did, he approached.

“Excuse me, Sister, can I help you with your luggage?” He pointed to a bag that was coming near. “Is that one there yours?”

“No, it’s that one, just there. Blue.”

Bishop smiled and stepped toward the conveyor. He pulled off the blue bag and set it next to him.

“That one there as