Page 29

“We’re already looking into Ms. Fleming’s case. She currently has a public defender assigned to her, but if one of the associates decides to take the case, then that’s what we’ll be doing.”
But not because it would make Kenna owe them a favor.
Kenna took another swig of coffee. “So what was the other reason you asked me here?”
“I assume you’ve filled your husband in about the doctor you identified? And read the file we gave you about Doctor Buzard?”
Kenna shrugged. “I didn’t really have time to read the file after he kidnapped me yesterday.” But Maizie was on it, hence the morning update.
The lawyer actually flinched. “Excuse me?”
“I lost some time yesterday. I was drugged and dumped back at my house later. Now I feel better than I have in weeks with no explanation except for a needle mark on the inside of my elbow.”
Ms. Romeo lifted a phone from beside her mug and tapped out a message, more forcefully than necessary.
“Guess your people didn’t inform you of that.”
“We don’t have you under surveillance, Kenna. We’d like to work with you to take down the doctor.”
“I have the information you gave me, some of which was a little confusing since I don’t know how it relates.” Aside from a basic rundown on the doctor, there had been a genetic research paper and news articles of astounding feats.
Nothing like crushing someone’s chest in with one shoulder check. Thankfully, Kenna hadn’t killed the woman because she hadn’t known what she was capable of. That would’ve been awful.
“Is the disappearance of the doctor and that woman yesterday connected to this Doctor Buzard guy?”
Ms. Romeo said, “We aren’t certain, but we’re looking into it.”
“Anything else you’d like to share?” Kenna asked.
“I’m still reeling from the idea of you being captured just yesterday by him.” She set a hand on her front. “And you say you’re feeling better?”
“For now, at least.”
Jax squeezed her shoulder.
Ms. Romeo said, “My people will work on the more recent missing persons. If you could follow up with the people in the file, we would appreciate it. The men referenced in those newspaper articles are men we believe the doctor experimented on during his time in covert government work. They may have been some of his original subjects, and if that’s the case, they might be able to help you understand what was done to you.”
She’d probably just been hoodwinked into doing what they wanted her to do.
But what else was new?
“You’re going to look into Nicola Santorini and that other woman?”
Ms. Romeo nodded.
At least the kids had been taken somewhere safe by those two cops. Everything else wasn’t turning out to be quite so simple.
Kenna stood, and Jax did the same behind her. “Okay, I’ll admit I do want to know what happened to me. Enough to track down these guys.”
The lawyer nodded. “Then we’re in agreement.”
Chapter Nine
“This is where they live?” Jax stepped into the retirement home’s main building beside her.
She took in the décor of the lobby with its vaulted ceiling. The whole place had a hospital vibe, and the plants looked fake. Some facilities opted for the log cabin décor, which was preferable to this one that looked like it was for colonoscopies and asking invasive questions. But it was a toss-up as to which of those activities was worse.
Kenna shivered. “This place reminds me of a rehab facility I stayed in just outside of Reno.”