A Merciful Secret (Mercy Kilpatrick #3)(64)

He might have been very close to an answer.

Entering her office, she pulled off her coat and scarf, and her cell phone rang.

Ava.

“Did you hear about Michael?” were the first words out of Ava’s mouth. Elevated concern rang in her tone.

“I did. I talked to Truman a few minutes ago.”

“Michael has a good point about keeping the shooting quiet,” Ava admitted. “I like the thought of our murderer getting cocky, believing he’s cleaned up behind himself. Maybe he’ll make more mistakes. The fact that he shot Michael instead of taking his time with a knife could mean he’s getting impatient.”

“Was Rob Murray killed because he caused him a problem too?” asked Mercy.

“I think so. Either Rob saw or knew something about one of the first two deaths. I suspect it was Olivia Sabin’s death, since hers was in his vicinity. I’m surprised he didn’t say anything when Truman showed up on his doorstep.”

“I think that indicates Rob wasn’t aware he’d seen something important to the killer.”

“Could Rob have been involved with the murders?” Ava wondered.

Both women were silent for a moment as they processed theories.

“The doctors say Michael will be okay.” Relief filled Ava’s tone. “He might never get that chunk of short-term memory back, but it appears to be a small time period that is missing. He can deal with that.”

“He got too close,” stated Mercy. “Just like Rob.”

“I agree. I told the investigating detective that the FBI is interested in his shooting and he gave me a list of phone calls Michael made yesterday. I hope I can shake something loose. This investigation is taking too long.”

Mercy remembered Olivia Sabin’s hand in hers and shuddered. “I don’t disagree with you. No one wants this killer found more than me.”

“How was your talk with Gabriel Lake?”

She gave Ava an overview, summarizing that Gabriel had no information about his father’s activities before his death.

“Did you talk to Judge Lake’s assistant yet?” Mercy asked hopefully. She was tired of dead ends.

“We did this morning. She swore there were no off-the-book visits and that every visitor and meeting had been logged.”

“Maybe Michael’s information was wrong,” said Mercy. “He didn’t have anything to back up his claim about a mystery guest.”

“True, but I’m going with my gut that there’s something here. Eddie’s finally been able to view the video from the hall outside the judge’s office door and compare the people to the visitors list.”

“Sounds dull.”

“He’s made that very clear.” Amusement rang in Ava’s voice. “He told me that it’s not as simple as it sounds. Various office workers from all over the big building are in and out of the office nonstop, and of course they aren’t logged in. He had to recruit an employee from one of the other offices to help identify them. Delivery people are causing issues too. Eddie was momentarily excited about a lunchtime visitor with long, dark hair who wasn’t logged in until his helper identified the Thai delivery bag in the mystery woman’s hand.”

“Ugh. Do you think the judge’s assistant is lying?”

Ava was silent for a moment. “I’m not sure. I’d like to give her the benefit of the doubt.”

“Could she be in danger?” Mercy asked. “I know Michael’s attack was quite different from the three murders, but if our killer is getting desperate and cleaning up his tracks, she could be a target.”

“Dammit. I didn’t think about that. I’ll get the local police involved. At least it appears our killer is currently on your side of the mountain range. He won’t be getting back to Portland anytime soon.”

“I heard they should have at least one of the passes open tomorrow,” Mercy told her.

“And I heard the week’s weather forecast. They’re wasting their efforts, because the range is going to get hit again.”

“Looks like Eddie won’t be back for a while.”

“I might keep him. He’s a sharp one. I’m trying to convince him to come back to the Portland office.”

Possessiveness rolled through Mercy, surprising her. She’d miss his jokes and friendship. “Good luck with that. He’s sold on the Bend branch.”

“For now,” stated Ava.

A few moments later Mercy ended the call, still rattled at the thought of losing Eddie back to the big city. There’s no way. He loves it here.

A rap on her door frame caught her attention and her mood immediately lifted at the sight of the tall man holding a cowboy hat. She felt like the only woman in the world when Truman’s intense gaze focused on her. His dark eyes were expressive, reflecting his immediate thoughts. And right now he appeared to be thinking about their time in her apartment last night.

Heat flooded her face, and he grinned. “You too, huh?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He glanced over his shoulder and then took two quick strides, then sank his hands into her hair as he covered her mouth, indicating he’d seen no one watching. Trusting him, she melted into his touch.