Best Laid Plans(17)
“Agent Kincaid?” Smith said.
“Yes?”
“Your name is familiar,” he said. “You wouldn’t be related to the Kincaids at Rogan Caruso Kincaid, would you?”
“My brothers are those Kincaids,” she said, not surprised that HWI’s head of security knew of RCK. “Jack and Patrick.”
“Jack Kincaid. Hot damn.” He grinned. “God, I love that man. He saved my ass more times than I can remember. I did have to arrest him once—but that was long ago, and not my choice.”
“Arrest him?”
“I was an army MP for twelve years.” He snapped his fingers. “Of course, you’re Rogan’s girlfriend. I tried to hire that kid when I heard he was moving to San Antonio. Turned me down flat.”
“Sean only consults.”
“That’s what he said. He has high-security clearance—I might be able to use him on this forensic audit.” Lucy didn’t quite know what to say to that—would that be a conflict? She didn’t think so, but she didn’t give him any push in either direction.
“Didn’t I hear that Jack got married or something?”
“Yes—to an FBI agent in Sacramento.”
He smiled. “Good for him.” He shook his head. “Wow. Jack Kincaid’s sister.”
There was a bit of hero worship going on, but Lucy wasn’t surprised. Her brother had led an amazing life both in the army and then out of it as a mercenary. There was a nearly twenty-year age difference between them—he’d already enlisted in the army by the time she was born—but they’d become close over the last few years. He’d taught her everything she knew about self-defense and getting her life back together after she killed her rapist when she was eighteen. She loved everyone in her family, but there was a special bond between her and Jack and she never wanted to lose it. Maybe that was why she’d bonded so quickly with Sean’s oldest brother Kane when she met him two months ago. He reminded her of Jack.
Barry ended his call and gave her a quizzical look. He didn’t tell her what the conversation was about, but said instead, “Mr. Smith, thank you for your time. We’ll contact you if we need additional information. When you’re done with the internal security audit, please let me know.”
“Of course,” Smith said. “And keep me apprised of your investigation.”
“As much as we can.” Barry was already walking away.
Lucy thanked Gregor and Todd and quickly followed Barry out of the building. “What happened?” she asked. “Where are we going?”
“Julie Peters called. She wants us at the morgue.”
“She has cause of death?”
“She would only say it’s suspicious.”
Barry glanced over at her as they got into the car. “I would strongly suggest that your boyfriend not insert himself into this investigation.”
“What?” She was confused.
“I heard your conversation with Gregor Smith.”
“I didn’t bring Sean up.”
“I know,” he conceded, “but it could make things sticky if someone from HWI is involved in Worthington’s death, and the FBI agent investigating the case is sharing a bed with HWI’s consultant.”
He turned the ignition and got on the phone so Lucy couldn’t comment, even if she could have thought of something to say.
CHAPTER SIX
When Lucy walked into the morgue, she relaxed for the first time all day.
She’d interned with the Washington, D.C., Medical Examiner for more than a year while waiting to hear back on her FBI application. The experience had not only been educational, but she’d found she was good at the job. Because she was a certified pathologist, she’d assisted in autopsies and had been so meticulous that her D.C. supervisor wanted her to apply for a full-time position. But Lucy’s goal had been to become an FBI agent.
Most deaths were natural, and the Medical Examiner could give answers when no one else could. There was a methodical process that was comforting in its order, from logging the body to the external exam to the actual autopsy. But what Lucy liked the most was the overlaying sense of calm and serenity. There was a deep respect for the dead.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s office was much larger and busier than she was accustomed to, even in D.C., because it was a teaching facility located at the University of Texas Health Science Center. But the sights and smells were the same, and Lucy felt immediately at ease.
Julie Peters had left their names at the main desk, and they were escorted to Julie’s cubicle by a quiet intern.
“I was right,” Julie said before Lucy or Barry could say hello. She didn’t look at them, but continued filling out a form.
“About what?” Lucy asked.
“Everything.”
“You’re done already?”
“It’s noon. Of course I’m done. I can’t give you an official report because I don’t have toxicology and a few other tests, and I need my boss to sign off on my findings, but I can tell you that he died of asphyxiation.”
“He was strangled?” Barry asked.
“Nope,” Julie said. “He couldn’t breathe.”
“Suffocated?” Lucy said.