The Soul Catcher - Alex Kava [84]
Now Gwen did the same—watched the numbers light up, one floor at a time—suddenly uncomfortable with the tension between the two men and feeling somewhat responsible.
“How’s Maggie?” Morrelli asked without taking his eyes from the numbers above the door.
“She’s good.” She waited for him to ask more, but he didn’t. Maybe he wasn’t comfortable asking for more information with Agent Tully sulking nearby. She glanced at Tully and wondered if he knew about Nick and Maggie. Although, what was there really to know, since Maggie herself didn’t seem to know what to do with the handsome assistant district attorney?
With Nick being in Boston and Maggie living in Newburgh Heights, Virginia, the two of them had little opportunity to spend any time together. It had been months since they had seen each other. Months since Maggie had even mentioned him. Even knowing that he’d been assigned this case and that Gwen would be seeing him today, Maggie had barely acknowledged the fact. Hadn’t even given Gwen any messages to relay.
Gwen knew Maggie’s divorce from Greg was dragging on, and that Maggie had purposely kept things from progressing with Nick, or as she would say, “getting messy.” But there was something more, something her friend was keeping to herself. Why did Maggie insist on doing that? She had real problems with intimacy but refused to see it. Instead, she called it professional distancing and used her career as an excuse to keep everyone in her life at a safe distance.
“He’s had only one visitor since he’s been here,” Nick was telling them, and Gwen forced herself to refocus on the reason for their trip. “He’s refused to talk to a public defender and hasn’t even made his one phone call.”
“Who was the visitor?” Tully asked.
“I’m not sure. D.A. Richardson is personally handling this case. I haven’t been involved until now, so I don’t know all the details. I think the kid—the visitor—checked out as a college friend of Pratt’s.”
The elevator’s doors opened and Nick held them again for Gwen to pass. Tully stayed for a moment, leaning in the corner of the elevator car, then trailed behind them as though he didn’t need anyone’s help, keeping his distance while Nick led them down a busy corridor. She hated how men played their territorial games, especially in the presence of a woman. If she hadn’t been here, they’d be exchanging football scores and pretending to be old buddies.
“How did he know he was here?” Tully asked, now catching up with them.
“Excuse me?”
“How did the college friend know Pratt was here if Pratt hadn’t made any phone calls?”
Nick slowed and glanced at Tully over his shoulder. The look on his face told Gwen Nick wished he had had more time to equip himself with the details of the case. She found herself wanting to defend him and at the same time wondered if Tully ever tried to make a good first impression.
“Good question. I can find that out for you.” Nick finally said. “Here we are.” He pointed to the door at the end of the hall.
This time Tully was on the right side, grabbing the handle before Nick had a chance and opening it wide for both Gwen and Nick. She stopped herself from rolling her eyes at him. It would probably only encourage him.
“We’ve got him ready to see you,” Nick explained, “but if you’d like to take some time to unwind—”
“No,” Gwen stopped him. “Let’s go ahead.”
He led her down another hallway to a door where a uniformed guard stood.
“Agent Tully and I will be watching from next door,” Nick said, pointing to another door. “Burt, here, will be right outside, so you start feeling uncomfortable or want to stop and get the hell out, just say the word, okay?”
“Thanks, Nick.” She smiled at him, hoping to relieve his concern. “I know the drill, so don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
She did know the drill. She had interviewed numerous criminals, tougher, cruder men than this boy. She