Page 74 of Girl Betrayed

“Are you taking that case from Metro, too?”

He nodded. “It seems so.”

“What does that mean?”

“We received a call from Metro PD requesting joint evidence analysis.”

Dana mentally kicked herself for insisting Hartwell make that call.

“Don’t worry,” Spector said. “You only expedited the inevitable. HSI has a TFO unit in route to seize the crime scene evidence as we speak.”

“If you took the time to call me back, you might’ve saved yourself the trip,” Dana said.

“We don’t take matters of National Security lightly, Dr. Gray.”

“That’s just it. Cash Holloway’s death proves we’re most likely dealing with a serial killer, not a political terrorist.”

“Cash Holloway’s parents are public figures who are notoriously vocal about their political agenda. That makes it impossible to eliminate the possibility of a political threat,” Spector argued.

“The only thing similar about the Hayes and Holloway murders is the weapon. This is serial. It should go to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, and you know it.”

Spector grinned. “You’ve worked three FBI cases, Dr. Gray. That hardly makes you an expert.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve worked enough cases to know that if the alphabet soup of D.C. agencies stopped using red tape to measure their pissing matches, we’d get a lot more done.”

“I agree.”

“Yeah,” Dana scoffed. “That’s why you keep swooping in and taking all the evidence Metro collects.”

“A second look never hurts. You should know that better than anyone.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Spector nodded toward the library beyond the open door of her office. “Your books and artifacts have been examined bycenturies of experts, but still, you find new occult discoveries every day.”

“You know a lot about me.”

“It’s my job.”

“Why did you pull me over? I know it wasn’t because you’re interested in my studies.”

“I need a favor.”

“From me?” Dana crossed her arms. “There are easier ways to ask.”

He flashed that disarming grin again. “Meredith Kincaid. I’d like you to ask her to speak to me.”

“About what?”

“The same things you spoke with her about on your last visit, I expect.”

Dana briefly wondered if Meredith’s room was bugged. Or maybe she was. Jake had acted like it was nothing to put spyware on Claire’s phone. Surely Homeland Security wouldn’t find it difficult to do the same.

Agent Spector interrupted her thoughts. “I’d like you to ask Miss Kincaid to cooperate.”

“You’re Homeland. Can’t you make her?”

“My position allows certain liberties, yes. But I prefer not to employ them unless absolutely necessary.”