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

“Just so we’re on the same page, you’re hoping there might be some friction between the stepfather and the stepson that you’ll exploit, is that right?”

“That is the goal. Unless you have another idea,” Kate said.

“Nope. Just checking.” He stepped out of the car and followed Kate to the clubhouse entrance.

The porte-cochere led to a set of heavy wooden doors with handles in the shape of golf clubs. The elaborate architecture was Victorian styled as the building and grounds had been constructed in the 1890s.

Surrey opened one of the doors for Kate.

She approached a service desk. “Good afternoon. I was hoping I might find Dr. Whitman here today.”

The man behind the counter looked to be middle-aged and wore a blazer over a polo shirt that was buttoned to the top. He narrowed his eyes. “Might I ask who is inquiring?”

Kate retrieved her credentials. “FBI Special Agent Reid.” She nodded to Surrey.

“And I’m Special Agent Surrey.”

The man glanced between them before turning to a desktop computer to type. “It does look like Dr. Whitman has checked in today. However, that was earlier this morning. I would imagine he has completed his round of golf.” He looked at Kate. “You might find him in the dining area taking lunch.”

Kate glanced around the man toward the rear of the building. “Is the dining area back there?”

“Yes, ma’am. Should I help you locate him?”

“No, thank you. We’ll find him. I appreciate your help.” Kate walked past the desk and glanced over her shoulder at Surrey, who had hurried to catch up.

“I think that might be him there.” Surrey offered a subtle nod in the doctor’s direction.

“Looks like the guy in the picture to me.” Kate continued ahead and approached the man who sat alone with a plate of food that was almost empty. “Dr. Whitman?”

The older man with thinning grey hair and a long face peered up at Kate. “Yes?”

“My partner and I are federal agents. We’d like to speak to you about your stepson, Theodore Bishop.” Kate pulled out a chair. “We don’t want to cause a scene for you, Dr. Whitman. It’s just a few questions and we’ll be on our way.”

Whitman surveyed the restaurant and it appeared that no one had taken any notice. “Of course. Please, join me.” He dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin and returned it to his lap. “If you’re here then I should assume you’ve spoken to my wife, Carol? Theo’s mother?”

“We have,” she replied. “My name is Kate Reid. I work out of Quantico with the Behavioral Analysis Unit. This is Jonathan Surrey, my partner. Dr. Whitman, your stepson is accused of several serious crimes. Murder charges. My team and I have been assisting various FBI field offices in attempt to track down Theo. Unfortunately, he managed to slip out of the country and we now have a solid reason to believe he is currently in Mexico, though his location is uncertain.”

“You think I know where he is?” Whitman asked. “I haven’t seen, nor have I spoken to Theodore in quite a number of years. Carol must’ve mentioned this to you.”

“She mentioned that she hadn’t spoken to him. We don’t mean to waste your time, Doctor, but we believe Theo had help getting into Mexico. We’d like to know if you’re aware of anyone who might offer help to him.”

“Myself included? Is that what you’re driving at?” Whitman shook his head. “Under no circumstances would I help that young man. I gave it my best shot when he was younger, after he lost his father, but there was something in him that frightened me. It frightened his mother was well.”

Kate glanced at Surrey. “Can I ask what made you leery of him?”

“I’ll start by saying that he idolized his father. You may already know this, but Dr. Eugene Bishop was the Chief of Surgery at Our Lady of Mercy until he died.”

“Where you then took over,” Surrey interrupted.

“Yes. I was, in fact, promoted to the position. I could see Theo had wished to follow in his father’s footsteps, which I supported. The boy had a brilliant mind. It simply needed to be molded; guided by a respected authority figure in the medical field. I had hoped I would be that figure. But when we saw…” He turned away.

“Saw what, Dr. Whitman?” Kate leaned in.

“His mother insisted it was nothing and that it was important for Theo to have a clean slate upon entering medical school. So we overlooked it.”

“Dr. Whitman, please. What did you and Mrs. Whitman see?” Kate pressed on.

The doctor nervously glanced around the restaurant. “Shortly after his father died, Carol and Theo had been living in the home she had shared with Dr. Bishop. We started to see each other more regularly and it wasn’t uncommon for me to stay the night.

Theo had gone out for an evening with friends, or so he told us. As Carol and I prepared for bed, we heard a noise, a screeching almost. Something that, well, the sound was just horrendous. It came from the basement. Theo’s father had received various grants over the course of his career which allowed him to conduct experimental procedures in the field of surgery. Things that are today used quite regularly. So the basement was generally off-limits to Theo unless he wished to observe his father, which he had done on several occasions.”

“What was in the basement?” Kate asked, hoping to jump to the conclusion of this story.

Whitman closed his eyes and shook his head before continuing. “A dog, a neighbor’s dog, in fact, had been secured to one of the tables. He—he had been sliced lengthwise, his insides…” Whitman choked up. “Theo tortured the poor animal and had injected it, I assume, to put it out of its misery. However, the injection proved ineffective and the animal had survived. Until we found it. I then put the poor creature out of its misery.”

Kate and Surrey traded knowing glances. She turned back to Whitman. “Theo is under