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

investigations. Drug trafficking was just one.

Bingham started the engine. “The office isn’t far. Should take about half an hour to get there.”

Nick was in the passenger seat. “Another agent is flying in from Houston and should be here in about an hour.”

“I’m aware. They’re sending another car for Agent Palmero.” Bingham pulled away from the curb. She looked to be in her early thirties and wore her blonde hair in a pixie cut; very short, but neatly styled. Her skin was fair and dotted with light freckles at her nose. The conservative cut of her pants suit complimented her boyish figure.

“There’s a lot of buzz at the office right now,” Bingham said. “Lots of people are excited to meet the experts from Quantico.”

“We’re only here to assist Palmero. This is his investigation,” Walsh said from the backseat.

“Well, I have a feeling you’re all about to get the star treatment. Just be forewarned.” She smiled.

They arrived at the Charlotte office where Bingham led them inside. Several agents stood in the lobby as though waiting for royalty.

“See? I told you.” She continued inside. “There’s nothing to see here, guys. Get back to work. Our friends from Quantico have to get set up.”

“I like her,” Duncan whispered to Kate. “She should be on the list too.”

“What list?” Kate asked.

“You know, to replace Quinn.”

“Maybe so.” Kate smiled.

“Right through here, everyone.” Bingham headed into the main open space of the first floor. “I’ll show you to the conference room and grab ASAC Jones for you. Does anyone want a coffee or anything?”

“I’d love one,” Walsh said. “But I can grab it. Just point me in the right direction.”

“Straight down that hall. It’s the second door on the left. Plenty of coffee and I’m sure you’ll find donuts in there too.”

“Count me in.” Kate followed him.

When they walked into the breakroom, Kate grabbed two mugs from a cabinet. “So, Bingham’s interesting.”

“She is.” Walsh took the mugs from her and poured the coffee.

“Not bad looking either,” Kate added.

“What?” He furrowed his brow.

Kate held up her hands. “I’m just saying. She’s cool. Cute, obviously smart.”

“Uh-huh. And lives how many miles away?” He took a sip. “Where are those donuts?”

“Seriously, though. We have to pull this off fast before Bishop catches wind of what’s going on.” Kate’s phone buzzed and she grabbed it. “What the hell?”

Walsh checked his phone too. “Oh shit.” He set down the coffee, nearly spilling it, and hustled out.

Kate was right next to him when they returned to the conference room.

Nick stood inside next to Bingham. “One of the local detectives called. He knew his captain was coming here for this meeting this morning. Apparently, they got a call about a body inside a car.”

“Okay.” Kate waited for him to elaborate.

“It was located at the EMS station where Bishop worked.”

“Have they talked to him?” Walsh asked.

Nick shook his head. “He’s gone. Cleared out. We just lost our window.”

16

In the parking lot of the EMS station, local police cordoned off the area. Agent Palmero stood in front of the black Mustang with his hands on his hips and his bolo tie flapping in the wind. “Damn it. He was right here, and we missed him.”

Nick stood near. “We were getting our ducks in a row, building a case so we could bring in Bishop for questioning. Something like this wasn’t even in our purview. If we weren’t sure of his guilt before, we sure as shit are now.”

Agent Bingham approached them. “Charlotte Police is getting a statement from the supervisor. He said someone played a joke on Bishop and put this up in his locker.” She held up her phone with a picture of the hand-drawn image.

“Nice. I’m sure that was what set him off,” Nick replied.

“You don’t think it had anything to do with the work we’ve been doing to track him down?” Palmero asked.

“No one knew about it. There’s a chance someone from the hospital where he worked might’ve reached out to him after my team made contact, but from what Walsh said, no one liked the guy. They all suspected something was wrong with him. And, nothing’s been leaked to the media.” Nick sighed. “I think this was a situation where Bishop lost control. It was bound to happen sooner or later. The lawsuit, being taunted by your co-workers. We’re not talking about a rational man here. Now one of his coworkers is dead.”

Kate walked around the car and returned to Nick’s side. “Scarborough’s right. The lawsuit must’ve been weighing on him. Then this guy makes a joke.” She turned back for a moment before continuing. “I heard the supervisor had mentioned something about Bishop just taking off for a few days. Then he comes back and does this.”

“Did he know what Bishop did during that time?” Palmero asked.

“He claimed it was a family emergency,” Kate replied.

“That’s something we should delve into,” Nick added. “For now, the priority is to find Bishop. He has to be stopped.”

Walsh examined the body while the Charlotte Medical Examiner prepared to load it onto the truck. “How long before you get back DNA results?”

“I understand the urgency, Agent Walsh, and my people will do their best to expedite the testing. However, it all depends on the lab. I’ll keep on top of them,” the doctor replied.

“Thank you.” Walsh retrieved a business card. “Call me as soon as you have something. Please.”

“Of course.” He looked to his assistant. “Let’s get him loaded up.”

The team gathered near the entrance of the EMS station and waited for the Charlotte detective to finish his interviews. It was time to make a call on the next move.

“You two know the most about him. What do you think his next move is going to be?” Nick asked.

“Levi, what do you think?” Kate respected the chain of command and Walsh was her senior.

“It has to be all-hands-on-deck. The Charlotte police, Bingham, you and your team and us. There’s no telling how long or if he’ll stay here. My guess is, once he sees