A Profiler's Case for Seduction(58)

Richard leaned back in his chair and released a deep sigh. “So, you still continue to believe the kidnapping and murders are connected and Melinda Grayson is at the center of it all.”

Mark gave a curt nod of his head and Richard sighed once again. He leaned toward Mark, his gaze hard and demanding. “Then get me proof. Get me something that proves this theory of yours.”

Richard stood and walked to the door of the war room and then turned back to Mark. “Leave all other theories to the other agents. I want you to focus solely on your idea of the crimes. Either prove it or disprove it, but get me something other than your gut instinct, Mark.” With these final words Richard left the room.

Mark leaned back in his chair and tried to focus on what his next move should be. The new pressure that had just been laid on his shoulders once again made him feel as if he was failing the entire team.

Prove it or disprove it. The words rang in his ears. Richard had basically just given him free rein to work the investigation of Melinda his own way, without the support of the team.

That was fine with Mark. He didn’t have to pretend anymore that any other theory made sense, and he didn’t have to put in hours of investigative work trying to prove anything that he didn’t believe.

Prove it or disprove it.

That was exactly what Mark intended to do once and for all, and he would start by talking with the two people closest to Melinda...Ben and Amanda.

He left the courthouse with a new sense of purpose and a burning desire to find answers. He headed for the campus, a fresh determination in his soul.

It was time to fish, not cut bait, to either put Melinda in the middle of the murders or find the proof that she had nothing to do with them.

There was no question that the initial background check they’d done on Melinda had been sketchy and half-assed. At that time she’d been viewed as a victim, not a suspect.

Mark intended to ask her assistants some hard questions, to learn what he could from them, and then he would interview Melinda to fill in her background information, to find some definitive answers.

He knew the trick would be to see if he could connect with each, Ben and Amanda, by themselves. Dora had mentioned that the two assistants were competitive with each other. He could probably use that to his advantage, playing one against the other.

He settled on the bench outside the building where Melinda taught her classes, the same bench that had brought Dora into his life.

He closed his eyes for a moment, invoking a picture of Dora in his mind. The past week with her had only confirmed to him that he wanted her forever and always in his life, although he hadn’t told her that yet.

They hadn’t made love again, although they had shared several long, soulful kisses. It was so difficult when he was with her not to touch her, not to want to kiss her, and he knew she battled the same demons of desire. But he was playing by her rules until he got up the nerve to tell her how he felt about her, how much she meant to him.

He’d come to her each evening feeling like a failure, disappointed in the investigation and filled with the residual darkness of the nightmares. He left her place several hours later, restored by her laughter and strengthened by her nearness.

In three nights he and Dora planned on attending the bonfire and festivities of homecoming together. He’d thought the team would be back in Dallas by now, but with Troy Young off the suspect list, Mark had no idea when they would leave Vengeance.

He’d called Sarah the day before to set up an ice-cream date with Grace for Sunday. He’d already spoken to Richard about taking off for a couple of hours for family time on that day.

He couldn’t wait for this case to end to start being the man he wanted to be for his daughter. He had no idea how long this case would continue. Dallas was less than an hour’s drive away. He’d drive there, pick up Grace and eat those two scoops of ice cream he’d promised while reveling in the wonder of the child he’d helped to create.

As he saw Ben Craig rushing out of the building doors, he stood and raised a hand to motion to the younger man. “Agent Flynn,” Ben said with an easy smile.

“Hello, Ben. I was wondering if you had time for a few questions.”

“Actually, I don’t right now. Professor Grayson is in the middle of her lecture and she sent me on an important errand. Can it wait until later today or maybe sometime this evening?”

Mark saw no tell on Ben’s face, no subconscious nervous gestures, nothing to indicate that a chat with Mark might be stressful to him. “Later this evening would work. What would be a good place and time for you?” Sometimes it paid to be accommodating.