Cold & Deadly (Cold Justice: Crossfire #1)(20)

Van had always said you caught more flies with honey than vinegar, and Sheridan wasn’t the only one who was good at manipulating people.

“The damage to the Impala was minimal. Did you know it had reinforced bumpers before you rammed Taylor’s SUV?”

Did he think she was an idiot?

“I wouldn’t have attempted the PIT maneuver in an unmodified vehicle, nor would I have done it if I hadn’t seen the patrol cars in close pursuit. I had only a few seconds before Taylor reached I95 and the potential harm to civilians would have increased dramatically.”

“I’m not doubting your choices, Ava.” Liar. He laughed. “I’m shocked he turned up at all.”

Yeah, she’d gathered. Aldrich had been trying to keep her occupied and away from the office and the investigation into Calvin Mortimer’s shooting. Jimmy Taylor had messed up his plans.

“No one ever said cons were rocket scientists.” She turned slightly in her chair, feigning nonchalance. “Any news into Mortimer’s murder?”

Even though the shooting had occurred in Virginia, higher ups had moved the investigation to the Washington Field Office (WFO) as they had more available personnel and space than the Richmond office. Plus, WFO was geographically closer to the crime scene and the national laboratory and the director who had apparently requested hourly briefs on the task force’s progress.

Aldrich stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Lead investigator is an agent called Mark Gross who was recently promoted to squad leader at WFO. I know they’re pursuing leads into vehicles seen on the traffic cams in Fredericksburg yesterday, although if the attack was planned it’s likely they used false plates, and they’re still waiting on the ballistics report.”

“No forensic evidence recovered from the roof of the apartment complex?”

“Unfortunately not. Just the brass casing you and SSA Sheridan discovered.” Aldrich leaned on the edge of her cubicle. “How are you doing today?”

How was she doing? Lost. Adrift. Angry. “Fine.”

“You talked to the psychologist yet?”

Her mouth pinched. “I was busy with the Taylor surveillance and arrest. I’ll call to book an appointment now…” She reached for the phone. It was after five and the shrinks would all have left for the day. As she’d expected, no one answered. She made a show of checking her watch. “I hadn’t realized it was so late.”

“Do it tomorrow. Losing Van was bad enough and then Calvin Mortimer shot dead in front of us. It’s important to get the help you need.”

The help she needed involved everyone else getting out of her way so she could figure out exactly how Van died.

“Well, you were there too,” said Ava. “I know it’s not my place but don’t forget to book your own appointment.”

Aldrich was one of those people who was generally harmless but did everything to protect his own standing within the Bureau. She needed to play this situation carefully, to lay the groundwork for when he eventually found out she’d gone behind his back.

“I’m putting you forward for a commendation for yesterday’s heroics in the face of grave danger.”

What? She didn’t want a commendation for doing what she was paid to do.

“I appreciate that.” She smiled at him and tried to make it reach her eyes. Would she also get a letter of censure for pursuing the facts behind Van’s death? Probably.

She thought about Dominic Sheridan again. She didn’t need him to protect her. She was an FBI agent, not some frightened civilian. They had a solid indication that Van’s death wasn’t as cut and dried as everyone assumed and it made her crazy not to be taken seriously. Not to be respected as an equal.

“Did you find anything when you went over Van’s files?” she asked.

Aldrich straightened as if knowing what she was angling for. “Nothing to indicate foul play.”

She thought about what the neighbor had told her regarding pulling up Van’s pants.

She opened her mouth to say something and then closed it again. If she copped to continuing the investigation by questioning the neighbor, she’d face disciplinary action and lose any hope of continuing her search for the truth. As a rookie agent she might also lose her job. As much as she hated to admit it, Sheridan was right.

“I know it hurts, but perhaps when he left the Bureau, he decided he didn’t have anything else left to live for…”

Except the trip to Italy he’d planned and the book he’d started to write about his life as a G-man. His friends. His family.

Aldrich reached out as if he was about to pat her arm. She bared her teeth in the parody of a smile, and his hand paused mid-air.

Yeah. Do not touch.

“I better finish my report, sir.” Hopefully Maria Santana would be convicted for conspiring with an escaped felon. People were stupid. People in love were particularly witless.

For a split second, a vision of her holding hands with Dominic Sheridan flashed through her brain. Her heart started pounding, and a flush of heat filled her face. Where the hell had that come from?

“Are you okay?”

It must be bad if Aldrich noticed.

“Still a little shaken up after yesterday,” she lied, touching the scab that had formed on her cheek.

He nodded firmly. “Tomorrow morning. Call the psychologist.”