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

“Dr. Death,” as they’d come to call him. It was 6am and the BAU team arrived as scheduled back at the Charlotte field office.

According to Walsh’s NSA contact, the scope of the search had taken longer than expected and had yet to yield results. Right now, they were no farther ahead on this investigation than they had been last night. The only upside was that they knew Eli Parnell was his alias.

“We have to find any family members.” Kate sat at the conference table surrounded by all the agents. “We should consider that he hitched a ride with someone he’s either related to or has close ties to. That’s what I would do if I was him.”

“I agree that has to be the next step,” Nick added. “What about the Nassau ME? Have you received word back from him?”

“It’s still early there. I’ve got a couple of hours before I would expect to hear from him,” Kate replied.

“Okay. Then I suggest we all go about finding Bishop’s family,” Nick said.

Kate stood up and headed into the breakroom for a cup of coffee. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. “Reid here.” She listened. “Yes, of course, Dr. Schroeder. What can I do for you?” She nodded while he spoke. “I see. Yes, of course. It’s very helpful. Do you have an address?” She pulled up the notes on her phone and typed in what he’d relayed. “Thank you. If I have any other questions, can I count on your continued support?” Kate smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Schroeder. Thank you very much.” She returned her phone to her pants pocket and started into the corridor before running into Bingham. “Have you seen Agent Scarborough?”

“He was in the operations room a minute ago,” Bingham replied.

“Perfect. Thanks.” Kate headed into the room and spotted him. “Hey, I need to go back to Providence.”

Nick pulled her aside. “Why? What’s happened?”

“I just got a call from the doctor Levi and I met with the other day. The one who had made the complaints against Bishop, but no one acted? He suddenly recalled something of value.”

“Suddenly?” Nick looked at her with uncertainty.

“I’m sure the news story prompted his recollection,” Kate said. “Looks like it hit the national news. He knows someone who was once close to Bishop.”

“Who? Is it family?”

“No. A former girlfriend,” Kate replied. “Now the current girlfriend of Dr. Schroeder, the one we met with.”

“Well, that is interesting,” Nick added. “Okay. Take Walsh with you…”

“Nick. No. I can handle this on my own. We don’t need to pull resources away from the hunt. It’s just a conversation but I want to be sure to keep anyone from finding out, mainly, the press. Until I know more, I can handle this on my own. Please.”

“You’re right. Get on the next flight and get it done. Keep me posted.”

She nodded and turned away.

“Hey,” Nick said. “Get in and get out.”

“I will.” Kate started into the hall once again, only this time she was leaving.

Walsh spotted her in the lobby. “Hey. Where are you off to?”

“You remember the doctor in Providence? Dr. Schroeder?” she began.

“Sure.”

“He called. Apparently, he’s involved with a woman who used to be with Bishop. The woman wants to talk.”

“Great. When do we leave?”

“Levi, I’m going alone. I got approval from Nick. I can handle this, and I expect to be back before nightfall.”

Walsh placed his hands on his square hips. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You think Fisher would be okay with it?”

“I don’t see why not. He told me he had faith in my intuition. Come on. You know I’m more than capable of talking to a person of interest on my own. There’s enough here to keep everyone else busy. I can do this.”

He nodded. “You’re right. Of course you can. But if you need anything, you call me. Good luck and I’ll see you back here tonight.”

Kate smiled. “Thanks, Levi. I’ll see you soon.”

The flight landed and Kate hurried off the small commuter plane as it arrived in Providence. What Kate had hoped to gain was to learn if Bishop had been in contact with either this girlfriend or someone she knew. It was the first time in a long time Kate had been given a chance to follow up on something alone. Not since Los Angeles, that she could recall, had she been given such an opportunity. It was time to show Fisher what she was capable of.

The witness, a woman named Holly, had agreed to meet alongside the doctor at the hospital. Kate made her way to the airport curb and hailed an Uber. “Our Lady of Mercy hospital, please.” She stepped inside.

She scrolled through her phone for any messages from the team, or calls from the Nassau ME. Still nothing. It was nearly 10am and she should have heard from the medical examiner by now. With the phone to her ear, she made the call again. “Yes, hello, I’m Agent Reid. I need to speak with Dr. Knowles. I left an urgent message for him yesterday. Is he available?” She nodded. “Thank you.”

The line was transferred, and a man picked up. “This is Dr. Knowles. Agent Reid, I’m so sorry I haven’t returned your call.”

“I understand how busy you must be, Doctor, but this is extremely urgent. Have you had a chance to review your cases to see if you have a match to several of ours here in the states?”

“I have, Agent Reid. There was one. However, I’m awaiting a final report, but the circumstances surrounding this particular victim raised many eyebrows.”

“Can you send what you have to my email?” Kate asked.

“Of course. But you should also know something else, Agent Reid. The doctor in question did not go by the name of Theodore Bishop…”

“Did he happen to go by the name of Eli Parnell?”

“How did you know?” the doctor asked.

“A hunch. Thank you. Please send the details as soon as you can. I’ll keep an eye out.” Kate ended the call and