Into the Night(49)

Tanner hurried out, not looking back, and Bowen knew the guy was glad to get away from that scene. The station had been like a grave site all day long. The officers had been lost to shock, grief...and a growing rage.

“He’s ballsy as fuck,” Tucker groused when they stopped right in front of the interrogation room. “How much more in-your-face can you get than this kill?”

“He didn’t call me,” Bowen said. That nagged at him. “Didn’t challenge me on this one. Didn’t do his routine like he did with Curtis.”

Tucker’s stare turned measured. “You mean he hasn’t called...yet. Because my money says he will. I think the guy was going for shock value. He knew you’d be back at the station today. He locked that door, left his twisted prize inside and he waited for you to find the captain. He was sending a message to you—to the FBI.”

Bowen shoved open the door.

Dr. Lang jumped. Her face was tense and her hands were fisted on the table in front of her. “I—I was told that I needed to come in and speak with you two.” She hurried to her feet and walked toward them. “The captain is really dead?” Her voice was weak.

Bowen nodded. “Yes.”

“I was talking to him last night. He seemed...he seemed like a good guy. He was worried about me getting back to my motel for the night. Tried to get me to take a uniform with me.” Her lips twisted. “I never—not even for a second—worried about his safety. It was nearly three a.m., I was dead on my feet and I—” The phrasing seemed to hit her and a dark flush stained her cheeks. “Oh, God, that’s terrible, isn’t it? I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay,” Tucker said softly. “We know what you meant. Why don’t you just sit back down and we’ll talk? Bowen and I have a few questions for you.”

She seemed to collapse in the chair.

*

THE BODY WAS on the exam table. Police Captain Henry Harwell had been given top priority at the ME’s office. One of their own had been taken.

And the mayor, the governor, everyone was demanding immediate action.

“I found a contusion on the back of Henry—the victim’s head,” Shamus McKinley corrected quickly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “I believe he was struck from behind, and, based on blood recovered in the parking lot, I think he fell forward, his head hitting the side of the driver’s door, and the impact caused this contusion.” His gloved fingers hovered over Harwell’s forehead. “But then...then I think his assailant came at him with another powerful strike here—”

Macey realized his fingers were shaking. “Dr. McKinley.” She spoke his name quietly.

Once more, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he looked up at her.

“Are you all right doing this investigation?” Because she did not believe that he was. “I think it might be for the best if another ME led this exam.”

Before they went too far.

“You’re too close,” Macey added.

He licked his lips. “I’m the leading ME in Gatlinburg, and I’m the only one who can do this exam the right way—”

“No, you aren’t. Because you’re too close to the victim,” Macey said again. “Look, I get that you’re being pushed by the mayor and the governor and who the hell knows who else, but you need to back away.” She nodded. “I know another ME who can take your place. Dr. Sofia Lopez,” Macey said, throwing out the name quickly. “She’s already familiar with this perp, and she can be here very soon. I spoke with her not five minutes before I walked into this lab, and she volunteered her services.”

He was staring down at the body, as if unable to look away. “I know Sofia’s work. She’s top-notch. We’ve even done some workshops together at conferences. She’s someone I would trust completely.” He sucked in a deep breath. “I think, yes.” He pulled off his gloves and tossed them into the trash. “I think it would be best if Sofia came for the full exam.” He looked up at her. “I’ve done exams on police officers before. Men and women who’ve come into my office as they ran their investigations and I got to know them, but Henry...” Dr. McKinley turned away from the table. “I’ve known him for the last ten years. He was a good man. And I called him a friend. You don’t...you don’t cut into your friend.”

No. “I’ll have Dr. Lopez come immediately.” Because Dr. Lopez had finished her exams in Hiddlewood. If there was any red tape to cut through, Macey was confident that the FBI could do it. She’d leave that matter in Samantha’s capable hands.

Sofia Lopez was familiar with the cases, and she didn’t have any personal ties to the victims. She’d be the ideal ME to have on hand.

“Excuse me,” the ME said. “I need some air.”

He hurried out, and Macey pretended not to see the moisture filling his eyes.

She glanced back at the body—at Henry Harwell. For an instant, she saw him as he’d been in the office last night. The shadows lining beneath his eyes, the haggard tiredness...and the guilt that had shone in his stare.

*

“WHAT DID YOU talk about with Henry Harwell last night?” Tucker asked as he took the seat across from Dr. Amelia Lang.

She crossed her hands over her chest and slanted a quick glance at Bowen.