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

of the women leaning against a light post. From this distance, she appeared attractive enough. However, Theodore Bishop wasn’t the type of man who enjoyed what other men enjoyed. His sexuality was never that important to him. And when Holly eventually figured that out, she called him on it. It was then Bishop realized she would never understand the type of man he was. It had been the source of many arguments.

Bishop let the curtain fall again and he returned to the bed and dropped down. As he closed his eyes, he recalled the exuberance he felt injecting the poison into his co-worker’s neck. The shocked expression he revealed. The recognition that no one was going to save him. That was what brought Theodore Bishop the excitement he needed. It worked every time.

21

Theodore Bishop was born to Dr. Eugene and Carol Bishop in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1988. A few years later, Dr. Eugene Bishop served overseas and upon returning home, the family pulled up roots and moved to Rhode Island. They resided in an upper-class neighborhood where the homes were miniature mansions hidden behind gated driveways.

Theodore Bishop was living a life in direct contrast to his upbringing. He’d lost his medical license, got certified as an EMT and continued to live essentially paycheck to paycheck.

So how was it that a man of little means managed to allude the NSA and the FBI? Not to mention that his entire career, which had been plagued by suspicious activity, he also came out unscathed? The question of how or why he lost his license still loomed.

There was only one answer for Kate. Someone was looking out for Bishop. It was unclear at this point if Bishop was aware of it, but there was no doubt in Kate’s mind that someone continually cleared a path for Bishop to allow him to do the things he wanted to do and had done for his entire adult life.

She knew the father, Eugene Bishop, had been the Chief of Surgery at Our Lady of Mercy, the very same hospital where his son served his residency. She and Walsh had already spoken to the doctor who had worked with Bishop, who also happened to be in a relationship with Bishop’s ex-girlfriend, Holly.

Kate searched the database records to discover that Eugene Bishop died when Theodore was 16 years old. An apparent heart attack at the age of 45 while he was heading up the surgical department at the hospital.

In her continued search, she discovered that Bishop’s mother, Carol, remarried three years later to another doctor. “Robert Whitman.” She peered at the monitor and searched the database for details on Dr. Whitman. “You gotta be kidding me?” Kate examined the information. “Chief of Surgery at Our Lady of Mercy from 2004 through 2010. She married the man who replaced her husband.” Kate peered around and quickly realized she was talking to herself again.

It turned out that Carol Bishop also took Dr. Whitman’s name when they married. She was now going by Carol Whitman and was still married to the doctor, who was now retired.

Kate got up from her desk and headed into Fisher’s office, walking in without an invitation. Her mind clinging to a single theory, she could often forget about polite society. “I need to go back to Providence.”

“Why?” Fisher asked.

“I want to talk to Bishop’s mother, Carol Whitman. These people have money. Bishop’s father was a prominent doctor and died from a heart attack at the age of 45. His mother remarried a few years later to the man who replaced Dr. Eugene Bishop as Chief of Surgery. They’re still married.”

“Why didn’t we look into the mother at the beginning?” Fisher asked.

“There wasn’t much point. We knew who we were looking for. We had our suspect.”

“And now?” He pressed on. “What’s your endgame, Reid?”

“I suspect Bishop’s family has a great deal of influence in the community. Money and influence could explain how Bishop was able to slip away. If it was the mother who helped him, I might be able to convince her to tell us where he is.”

“If you’re right about this, the odds his mother would give him up after helping him are slim, at best,” Fisher said. “What could you possibly say to convince her otherwise? This is assuming you’re right and she’s been clearing a path for her son, which I’m not yet convinced of.”

Kate pressed down on the back of the guest chair with her arms. “You said I could pursue this if I could justify my reasoning and it didn’t interfere with anything else that I’m working on. I’m not working on anything else right now. I just need a day to go back to Providence and talk to the mother. You said when I came to you that I needed to be certain. I am certain. She may not know where her son is, but there’s a good chance she knows who he is and what he’s capable of doing. I need this woman on our side, and I know I can get her to help.”

Fisher folded his arms on top of the desk and leaned in. “I’ll give you this one. But you aren’t going alone. Take with you whoever has the time to spare.”

“It’s just a conversation with the mother. I can handle this on my own. Just like before. Will you trust me on this one?”

“It’s a matter of safety, Reid.”

“Do you think this woman will come after me? We know Bishop’s in Mexico somewhere living it up. There’s no threat here.”

“There are no lone wolves here on this team either. Here’s what I would like to propose, then. One of the candidates I’ve been talking to has expressed great interest in filling Quinn’s position. Why don’t we consider this a test run and you can take him?”

“Who is it?”

“Jonathan Surrey from the Denver office.”

Kate considered the proposal. “Are you sure this isn’t just you attempting to send along a babysitter?”

“Reid, you know me better than that.