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

a search warrant to view your husband’s medical records, including and up to the issuance of his death certificate.”

“Why would you need to see that? I don’t understand. You had asked about my son.” She appeared flustered and pressed lightly on her styled hair as if to ensure nothing had fallen out of place.

“Would you like to sit down?” Kate placed her hand on the woman’s arm.

Mrs. Whitman pulled away. “I certainly would not. Now, what is it that you wanted to ask, Agent Reid, or are you intent on continuing to waste my time?”

“I’ll get to the point then. There is sufficient evidence to suggest your first husband, Theo’s father, was poisoned. He was given something that induced his heart attack.” Kate may have stretched the truth just a little, but it was the only way to ensure a reaction.

“What? What are you saying? That’s not true. You know that’s not true.” Her face reddened. “I think it’s time for you two to leave.”

Kate held up a hand. “Mrs. Whitman, we just want to know where he is. We need to find your son before anyone else is killed at his hand. I’m sure this must be incredibly difficult for you to hear, but you know it in your heart what your son has done and what he is capable of continuing to do.”

“You know nothing.” Whitman’s eyes darkened. “You have no idea about my son.”

“We know he’s in Mexico,” Surrey began. “If the Mexican authorities capture him, and he has committed a crime there, he will not be extradited. He will spend the rest of his life in a Mexican prison. Is that what you want for your son?”

Mrs. Whitman eyed him and then Kate for what seemed like an eternity. “You don’t know what his father was like. Theo tried to protect me.”

“I’m sure he did, ma’am,” Kate said. “Where is he?”

“He was such a quiet boy. And oh, how he admired his father. Until he saw what kind of man he truly was. A great doctor, yes, but a horrible husband. Theo found out his father cheated on me, and not just once. The deceit went on for years. When we thought he was out of town, helping other doctors. Well, he might’ve been doing just that, but he was also sleeping with anything in a skirt.”

“How did Theo know anything about poisons?” Surrey asked as he caught a sideways glance from Kate. “He was very young to possess that type of knowledge.”

Mrs. Whitman inhaled a deep breath. “He learned it from a movie. Around the time of all—this. A movie had come out. Something to the effect of using oleander to poison someone.”

“I think I know the film,” Kate said. “Theo was acting in your best interest at the time. Just as you are for him now. Please, Carol, we have to find Theo before he hurts anyone else. At least if he is returned, you’ll be able to see him again. If he stays in Mexico…”

“He’s in the capital,” Mrs. Whitman blurted out. “He’s in Mexico City.”

“Where?” Kate pressed on.

“Please don’t hurt him,” she pleaded.

“Ma’am, the sooner you tell us, the sooner we can bring him back,” Surrey replied.

“He’s in a studio apartment. I’ll give you the address.”

“Did you arrange for him to leave the country?” Kate asked.

“I’ve been wiring him money. He needed me. I’m his mother.”

“Thank you, Carol. You’re doing the right thing,” Kate said.

“You don’t have children, do you, Agent Reid?” Her tone was harsh and deep. “Because if you did, you’d know this isn’t the right thing at all.”

The airport was just ahead. Kate dropped off the rental car and she and Surrey headed toward the terminal.

“Fisher wants me back ASAP,” Kate began. “I’ll be taking a chartered flight.”

“Then I guess this is where we part ways.” Surrey offered his hand. “It’s been a pleasure working with you, Kate Reid. I mean that.”

Kate glanced at his hand before taking it. “The pleasure was all mine, Jonathan Surrey. You’re very good at what you do.”

“Back at ya.” He smiled. “By the way, why didn’t you press Carol Whitman on who she asked to alter the passport details? Someone did something.”

“I didn’t want to take the chance that she would alert whoever did it. I’m still not entirely sure she handled it on her own. But I need to find Theo first. The rest will be figured out later.”

He nodded. “Take care, Reid. And good luck.” Surrey walked through the double doors and disappeared.

As much as she hadn’t wanted to admit it, Kate had learned a lot from Jonathan Surrey. She learned the type of agent she really was and the kind she ought to be. Whether the two would cross paths was unclear.

Kate walked through the private charter terminal and eventually boarded the plane for Quantico. As she sat in the window seat, she realized how much she had changed since her early days as an agent. Now here she was, hardly 5 years later, and she faced a censure hearing. That would leave quite a black mark on her record and could prevent her from achieving her goals. It was something she didn’t reveal to Surrey. If he was to be hired, he would find out anyway and he could judge for himself the circumstances surrounding it.

But more importantly, Surrey had shown her that the job wasn’t just about the hunt. If she hoped to have a long career, acceptance that the outcome won’t always be what she desired, then she just might get one.

The plane touched down after a turbulent flight. She spotted Nick on the private airstrip standing in front of his car. He smiled at her approach.

“Boy, am I glad to see you.” He offered a tender embrace.

“I’m glad to see you too. So what’s the plan?”

He smiled. “Leave it to you to jump right in. Let’s go. I’ll get you up to speed.”

Kate and Nick walked into the conference room where the