Sight Unseen(16)
“Have you identified and sealed off the locations where each of these victims were most likely taken?”
Griffin smiled sourly. “Hard as it may be for you to believe, we do possess some rudimentary law-enforcement skills.”
Griffin’s polite facade was beginning to slip and his antagonism to show through. It had lasted longer than she had thought it would. Screw it. Her own control was frayed and ready to break. “So that’s a yes?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. What I would like to do is visit the medical examiner, followed by visits to each of the suspected abduction or murder scenes.”
“We can arrange that,” Griffin said. “The only question is which one of us will accompany you?”
Lynch tapped his chest. “That would be me.”
Griffin’s brows rose. “Really? I was told in no uncertain terms that you were too busy to participate in our investigation. Once you convinced Dr. Michaels to join us, you were supposed to be on a plane to Washington.”
“One of the nice things about working for myself is that I’m the one who decides what I’m supposed to do. For the time being, I’ll be working this case with Kendra.” He paused. “In case she needs a sledgehammer.”
“What?”
“Long story.”
* * *
KENDRA SMILED AS SHE AND LYNCH buckled themselves into his Ferrari and roared out of the parking garage. “Your bosses in D.C. aren’t going to be happy about this.”
“First of all, they aren’t my bosses. They’re associates.”
“Associates who hire you, authorize payment, and for whom you perform work at their direction. That sounds a lot like a boss to me.”
“Kind of like Griffin is your boss right now.”
“You’re absolutely right. Chalk this up as reason one thousand and six why I hate doing this. But at least I reserve the right to walk away at any time, a right I’ve exercised on more than one occasion.”
“So have I. Another thing we have in common.” Lynch put on his sunglasses as he sped onto the I-8 freeway. “If it eases your mind … Although my working this case may infuriate one ‘boss,’ it will make another ecstatically happy.”
“Good. And I’m sure your swimsuit model will be happy. Maybe I’ll even get to meet her.”
“Alas, she’ll be on the island of Majorca for the next week. She’s on a photo shoot.”
“That’s convenient. Ashley is sounding more and more like a nonexistent Canadian girlfriend fabricated by the nerdy guy in high school.”
Lynch half smiled. “We had one of those guys in my school.”
“Of course you did. It was you.”
“No.”
“So you say. In any case, there’s one of those guys in every school.” In spite of their banter, she had no doubt that Lynch’s Ashley was real and probably jumping into his bed at every opportunity. He was not only sexy but had that aura of power that was nearly irresistible.
He shrugged. “I guess you’re right. Speaking of the lovelorn, I think young agent Metcalf was crushed that he wasn’t the one joining you on this case.”
“Really? I didn’t get that.”
“Then you’re not as observant as I thought.”
“Well, I’m sure our paths will cross. I was impressed with how much work he and Reade have already done. They probably know as much about my old cases as I do.” Kendra pulled the USB memory stick from her pocket. “Griffin says this also includes the case files of the latest victims. Is your tablet handy?”
“Under the seat. Go ahead and transfer the contents of that stick into it. You said you want to start by visiting with the likely abduction points?”
“Actually … First, I’d like to go somewhere else. Let’s go to Kearny Mesa.”
“As you command.” He stepped on the accelerator. “Why don’t you lean back and close your eyes? You need to relax. Griffin put you through the wringer back there.”
“Yes.” She looked out the window. “And I don’t think he even knew he was doing it.”
“I’m not so sure.” His lips tightened. “You’ve hurt his pride on occasion, and Griffin usually tries to get his revenge.”
“Is that why I was sensing your protectiveness raising its head? I don’t need it, Lynch.”
“Of course not, you’re one tough cookie.” He smiled. “But I need to throw my jacket on mud puddles for you every now and then. It’s my basic DNA.”
“Save it for Ashley.”
“It’s not the same. Protectiveness isn’t even on the radar with her.”