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

Fisher smiled as they entered. “And there’s the woman of the hour. Congratulations, Agent Reid.”

“Thank you, but let’s hold off on the accolades until we actually catch him.” She sat down. “Scarborough filled me in. So we have the office in Mexico City on board?”

“They’re coordinating with the local authorities now,” Walsh replied. “Good job, by the way.”

“Thank you.” Kate turned back to Fisher. “When do we head out?”

“We don’t,” he replied. “The international office will take him into custody and work on getting him back here and transferred to the Houston office. Scarborough has already coordinated with Palmero.”

“Oh. So that’s it for us? Nothing left but the paperwork?” Kate asked.

“Dr. and Mrs. Whitman will be brought in for questioning by the Providence Police,” Duncan began. “It’s probable that Mrs. Whitman will be charged with aiding and abetting. Not sure if any charges will be brought against Dr. Whitman.”

“I’m not sure why I had to hurry back. It sounds like everything is under control,” Kate replied with irritation in her voice.

“I wanted you here to help answer questions and to assist the team in Mexico. I hope that’s okay with you?” Fisher asked.

“Yes, of course. Is there anything else? It’s been a long day and I’m sure I have a ton of emails to get through before I go home.”

“No. There’s nothing else,” Fisher added. “When something breaks, I’ll let you all know. Everyone did a great job on this investigation. Well above and beyond. Thank you.”

Kate nodded and stood up to leave.

Nick caught up to her in the hall. “Look, Kate, I know you’re disappointed, but you know where the jurisdictional lines are drawn.”

“I do. I just thought…It doesn’t matter.” She switched on her office lights and walked inside. “I’m glad to be back either way.”

“I’m glad you’re back, too.” He followed her inside. “Why don’t you get caught up and then we’ll sneak out a little early and grab some dinner?”

“Sure. I’d like that. Thanks.” Kate sat down at her desk.

“Okay then.” Nick smiled and walked out.

Kate began scrolling through her emails when she spotted Fisher at the door. “Hey. What can I do for you?”

Fisher took a seat. “I know you’re pissed, Reid. I get it, okay? I came in to say thank you. Getting the mother to come clean…it was no easy task.”

“Thank you,” Kate said.

“I know it’s difficult for you to relinquish control, but those guys in Mexico, they do know what they’re doing. They’ll bring Bishop back to Houston to face justice.”

“I’m sure they will.” Kate studied him. “But there’s still something I need to figure out.”

“Such as?”

“We now know Mrs. Whitman has been helping her son, sending him money and all that. But that doesn’t explain how Walsh’s NSA contact got it wrong when he sent over the information regarding the ticket purchase. We’re talking a good two days of delayed details. How does that happen?”

“The only possible scenario I can think of seems far-fetched,” Fisher replied.

“Let’s hear it.”

“Well, these people have money. We know that. With money comes influence and power. I don’t think it would be too far out in left field to suggest the Whitmans have influence, which in turn could result in selective information being buried.”

Kate raised a brow. “Yeah. That’s what I thought. How do I go about finding the link? How does a doctor, even a Chief of Surgery, and his wife know anyone with that sort of capability?”

“A friend of a friend?” Fisher replied. “Isn’t that how these things usually go? Somebody knows somebody else who can ensure things are diverted, overlooked. Even so, Reid, I’m not sure it matters now.”

“It matters to me. Anyone involved in sweeping Bishop’s wrongdoings under the rug for years needs to be held accountable. The Whitmans and the Bishops may be wealthy and powerful people, but that doesn’t mean they should escape justice in order to protect their names or their son.”

Fisher stood. “How about we take that on after they bring in Bishop? I promise you, anyone involved in the murders, directly or indirectly, will pay the price. Can you give me that?”

Kate nodded. “I can. Thank you.”

He started to leave but turned back. “One last thing. When we last talked, you didn’t seem all that impressed with Surrey. Any final thoughts about that?”

Kate looked away and considered her answer. “I’m torn, to be honest. On the one hand, he’s good at his job. No doubt. I knew that from my experience with him in Denver. But on the other, he has a different philosophy than we do.”

“How so?” Fisher asked.

“He doesn’t seem like the type of agent who takes home his work. I think he gives it his all, but at the end of the day, he’s happy to set it aside.”

Fisher chuckled. “And that’s a bad thing? That’s how you survive in this business, Reid. Take my word for it.”

“You’re not that way,” she insisted.

“Are you sure about that?” He turned away again. “I’ll get with you as soon as I know something.”

Kate returned to her unanswered emails but couldn’t get the idea out of her head that there was more to the families, particularly, Mrs. Whitman, than what she knew. Walsh had helped her at the beginning of this investigation, and it was his NSA contact who retrieved the vital information that ultimately led them to believe Bishop, who was now going by the name of Eli Parnell, was in Mexico. So maybe it was time to get his input once again.

She picked up her phone. “Levi, do you have a minute? I wanted to talk about Carol Whitman,” she nodded. “Great. No. I’ll come to you. Thanks.”

Kate noted the time and her promise to Nick that the two would leave early and have dinner together. The week had seen them jetting back and forth and getting little in the way of sleep, so the time together was needed. However, as she was prone to do, getting to the bottom of things, and not letting