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“You can trust me to keep my cool, boss. Just let me be there to talk to this guy. He knows me.”
“He also hates you.”
“Let me use that.”
Seconds passed, but eventually Elwood said, “Okay, but Brice takes lead. Even though it goes against my better judgment.”
That was a decision she could live with. “Thank you.”
“I do want to make this very clear. This is a federal case, not one for the Metro PD, so don’t let this Detective Birch get in on the interview. Am I understood?”
“Understood.”
“I’ll call if anything flags at the property.” Elwood hung up.
Sandra turned toward Eric. “That was Rowe, and we have a suspect. Some guy I had a role in putting away fifteen years ago.”
“That’s great. Let’s go.”
“Here’s the thing…” She hated to squeeze him out, but she also foresaw Elwood benching her immediately if he found out Eric was involved after he’d just given her an order. She wasn’t willing to take that chance. “This is a full-blown FBI investigation now.” She paused there, just a fraction too long.
“So I’m getting the boot?”
“Please, don’t put it like that, Eric. I don’t have a choice. If you came along with me to chat with Novak, you’d be seen as interfering with an FBI case. If Rowe wanted to be a prick, he could have you arrested, and I’d be benched from looking for my own daughter. I can’t have that happen.”
He squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll step back. Is there anything else I can do? I can’t just stand around and twiddle my thumbs.” His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes hardened.
He was pissed about being pushed out yet showing her empathy. It was endearing. And loyal. Two things she admired about him, along with his ambition and drive. “Could you sit at the penthouse in case Olivia comes back?”
He didn’t say a word for a few beats but what wasn’t being said was plenty. He didn’t expect Olivia to magically turn up any more than she did. “If you think that would help.”
“It would help me to know that if she does by chance turn up,you’d be there for her.”
“All right then.For you.”
“Thank you, Eric. This means a lot to me.” She kissed his cheek, but he pulled her to him and took her mouth.
When they parted, she licked her lips. “You might not be standing next to me when I question our suspect, but I’ll feel you there.”
He dipped his head. He might never realize how much she appreciated his support and unwavering strength. She’d take that with her as she confronted Novak. What she didn’t let Elwood know was she had no intention of taking the backseat.
TWENTY-TWO
The motel’s parking lot was full of G-rides, or cars belonging to the FBI. Brice was standing next to one and waved at Sandra when Eric pulled in. She thanked him for dropping her off, got out, and joined Brice. “Any updates on the K-9 search?” she asked him.
Brice shook his head. “I would have called you if there had been.”
She figured as much but had to ask anyhow. Her daughter’s backpack and violin still hadn’t been recovered, but they could be with her. “And her shirt?”
“I folded it and put it on your desk.”
“Thank you.” She proceeded to tell him about the video from DiversaBlend and how the man tailing Olivia could have been Novak. “What room is he in?”
“Seven.”
“You ready?” She didn’t wait for a response but strode toward the door with the silver7on it. She knocked, and the curtain on the window was lifted back, then left to fall. She pounded on the door. “FBI! Duane Novak, surrender!” With that last word, she was jettisoned to the past.
“Go away. I haven’t done anything wrong.”