What about the people in Kenner City and Mesa Ridge you already? Oh. Of course. Elizabeth politely pulled away, no doubt sensing the protective personal barriers Joanna was pushing back into place. I dont suppose you have relatives in the area to keep you here.
No.
Will you be paying your respects to your mother and daddy?
Hadnt planned on it.
Ethan Bia has been back in town for a few years now, after his stint in the army.
Ethan Bia? A shiver of recognition, of feelings long buried and often regretted, danced along Joannas spine.
She flashed through the remembered sensations of a young mans eager touchthe patient demands of his mouth on her untutored lips. She blotted out the image of anger shed seen only once on his tanned, rugged facethe last memory she had of the gentle giant shed once loved.
Ethan left Mesa Ridge? That was almost more surprising than her reaction to the mere mention of his name.
Elizabeth jumped on the question. For six years. Hes a consultant with the crime lab now. Works search and rescue in the area. What about calling him?
Im not here to socialize.
Joanna hardened herself against the name, as warring memories of strength and warmth, regret and shame, surged inside her.
Nüa-rü. The wind. He stroked the long strand of hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear. Youre just as elusive to me.
Ethan
Shed had to leave. Just as surely as Ethan had had to stay. He was tied to the earth and the mountains in a way shed never been tied to anything or anyone.
A smack across the face. A knife at her breast.
You owe me, bitch.
Joanna jerked inside her skin. No. No way could she have stayed.
Honey? Elizabeths hand was on hers again.
The locker-room doors swung open, thankfully putting an end to the discomfort of reacquainting herself with the past.
Madre de Dios, muttered one Latino man, shaking the rain from his black hair. It hasnt let up once since noon. Itll be raining buckets by sunset.
Youre telling me.
Joanna pushed to her feet as a second mansame height, same black hair, same features save for the scar that bisected his chincame up beside him. Both wore suits, although the first one was already pulling off his tie and stuffing it into his pocket as they approached.
The second one pulled a cell phone from his belt beside the gun he wore. Id better give Aspen a call at school and tell her Ill pick up Jack from the sitters. I dont want her on those muddy reservation back roads any more than necessary. I predict a washout in our future. No pun intended.
Nice one, hermano. The first one elbowed his buddy in the arm. Emma talked about seeing great waters and danger in her dreams last night.
Maybe she should take up weather forecasting.
Yeah, and maybe you should call your wife before she forgets what you look like. Again.
Ouch. Both men laughed as they moved their magnets on the sign-in board behind the reception counter to indicate that they were back in the office and on duty. Point taken. Ill leave the one-liners to you.
Joanna didnt need Elizabeth mouthing the word twins to recognize the resemblance. She didnt particularly need the nudge forward as Elizabeth insisted on introducing them, either. Miguel? Dylan? Id like you to meet the daughter of an old friend of mine, Joanna Kuch She caught the mistake. Joanna Rhodes. Shell be working with us for a few days.
Extending her hand in a professional greeting, Joanna completed the introductions herself. Shed done her homework. Agent Dylan Acevedo. Supervisor Ortiz told me youd transferred here because you were friends with the deceased, Agent Grainger.
Julie and I went through the academy togetheralong with Tom Ryan and Ben Parrish. Weve all been working the case. Dylanthe one with the scarshook her hand, nodding toward the badge at her waist. Youre FBI?
Im with the D.C. office. Profiling and interrogation specialist. Im here to interview Sherman Watts.
Dylans twin shook her hand next. Good luck with that one. Hes a wily SOB. The mans got nine lives when it comes to staying ahead of the law. Im Miguel Acevedo.
Joanna recognized the name. Youre a crime-scene investigator with the forensic lab.
Thats right. He unbuttoned the collar of his shirt and shucked his jacket, looking like a man who was anxious to get out of his wedding apparel and get back to work. So youre the big gun Martinez said the bureau was bringing in to crack this case for us.
You dont have to make friends, she reminded herself. You just have to get the job done. Her promotion and the ability to walk away from here emotionally unscathed depended on it. Thats my intention. The information in the case file that KCCU prepared for me was very thorough. Im sure it will be invaluable to the success of my interview.
The locker-room door opened again at the end of the hall. She neednt have worried about the laxness or scarcity of the staff. This wasnt the reservation sheriffs office of fifteen years ago. She was beginning to believe the paperwork shed read. The KCCU was a diverse, dedicated staff of scientists and area law enforcement. The blond-haired man strolling toward them appeared to be no exception.
He walked straight up to Joanna and the Acevedos and diffused the tension between them by leaning down to kiss Elizabeths cheek. Lizzie, you left the reception before that dance you promised me. Broke my heart.
Oh, Ben. She swatted at his arm. Im a married woman.
All the good ones are taken, hmm?
Elizabeth blushed at the flirtation from a much younger man.
He grinned as he straightened to introduce himself. Ben Parrish, FBI.
Joanna Rhodes, the same.
She noted that his handsome smile didnt quite reach his wary eyes. Dont let these guys give you any grief. I was the new kid here myself a few months back. Now Ive grown on them.
Like a fungus, Parrish, Miguel teased. Id better change and get up to the lab. With Callie taking a couple of days off, I want to make sure weve got everything covered and on schedule for the weekend. His smile seemed genuine enough as he excused himself. If theres anything you need from the lab, Agent Rhodes, let me know.
Thank you.
As his brother pushed open the stairwell door and jogged up the stairs, Dylan Acevedo toned his indignation at an outsiders interference down to an Ill-wait-to-pass-judgment-once-I-see-what-kind-of-job-you-can-do status. Watts and his buddy Perkins have already gone after my wife and Miguels. One or both of them are responsible for other attacks in the area. Im guessing Sheriff Martinez already told you we make Boyd Perkins for Julies murder. Theres not a one of us who doesnt want to put him away. If you can help us find the bastard
Ill get what your team needs out of Watts, Agent Acevedo, Joanna reassured him. And youre welcome to make the arrest.
What do you get out of this? Miguel asked.