All I've Ever Wanted - Adrianne Byrd [68]
Steve’s features hardened. “You didn’t.”
“Oh, boy, did I ever.”
He shifted slightly in his seat. For the first time, she realized that she didn’t have a clear view of his hands. Her gaze flew to his face. His smile now resembled a smirk.
She squeezed the trigger and was simultaneously speared with a blinding pain that stole her breath and sent her spiraling into a black vortex.
Chapter 31
FBI Field Office
Memphis, Tennessee
“When will I be able to see my son?” Kennedy asked Mason as he ushered her into the building.
“Soon,” he assured her.
“And when is that exactly?”
Mason gave her a patient smile. “First, let’s meet with the special agent in charge here, and hear the plan of action. Maybe your questions will be answered then.”
She nodded, but a bubble of anxiety welled up within her. Questions plagued her mind. Were Tommy and her grandmother safe? Were they scared?
Upon passing through another heavy door, she was greeted by another dozen plus agents.
Mason instantly recognized one of them and thrust out his hand to receive a firm handshake. “Hagan, it’s good to see you again.”
The man identified as Hagan stood at least a foot taller than Mason, which in itself was impressive. He was an older man, who possessed a full head of white hair and a pair of the most startling blue eyes she had ever seen. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she felt more confident.
The men exchanged brief greetings before turning their full attention to Kennedy.
“And you must be Ms. St. James?”
She nodded.
“Good. Let’s get started on getting your son back, shall we?”
Scardino stared blankly at Det. Dorsey, sure that she hadn’t heard the officer right. “Please run that by me again.”
“You haven’t heard? It’s all over the radio. Judge Hickman killed Captain Vincent. Their bodies were discovered in his office early this morning.”
Scardino sank into her seat, grateful that she hadn’t actually hit the floor. “Where is Judge Hickman now?”
“Grady Hospital. Apparently, Captain Vincent squeezed off a shot. She’s listed in critical condition.”
Scardino shook off her shock and dismissed the detective with a wave of her hand. “Nothing is making sense lately,” she mumbled under her breath.
There was a rap at her door seconds before it burst open and Det. Washington entered. “We have those pictures developed.”
“I hope there’s something that we can use.”
Washington handed her the folder.
Scardino’s stomach lurched and threatened to return her lunch. She blinked and stared at the photo of the sleek black Mercedes pulling out of 3016 Orchard Street. She recognized the car immediately, and knew the residence just as well.
She dropped the photographs on her desk and slumped to prop her head against the palm of her head. “Could you tell Detective Collier to come in here, please.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Washington left her office without further ado.
Meanwhile, Scardino tried to wrap her brain around what the pictures meant. “What was the true relationship between Vincent and Hickman? And how did it relate to Aaliyah Hunter’s death?”
“You asked for me?” Max poked his head through her doorway.
“Yeah. Come on in.”
He entered and closed the door behind himself.
“Take a seat,” she instructed.
He frowned, but took a seat.
“Tell me. What do you make of these?” She slid the pictures across her desk.
He leaned over and picked up the photographs. He recognized the estate immediately, but was clueless about the black Mercedes pulling out of the drive. “Whose car is it?”
“Let me tell you this,” she said, braiding her fingers together. “Captain Vincent is dead.
“His body was found this morning. That’s not all. Judge Hickman seems to be our killer.”
“What?”
“Now take another look at the pictures taken with Ms. Hunter’s camera.”
He looked again. “This is the Underwood estate.”
“And that’s Captain Vincent’s car.”
“I’m confused.”
“That makes two of us. I want a search warrant for Ms. Hunter’s residence, as well as one for Judge Hickman’s. We’ve got to see if there’s a paper trail of any kind of payoffs.”
Max stood, still shaking his head.