Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

but it wasn’t Ford’s blood type. We aren’t too late .’ She sobered suddenly. ‘At least, not yet.’
    Relief had him light-headed. Thank you . ‘Have you heard from Stevie’s folks?’
    Her voice softened sadly. ‘No change.’
    Clay cleared his throat. ‘What about Tuzak? Have you heard from the ME?’
    ‘He’s supposed to be at Joseph’s 8.15 meeting. Says he should have preliminary tox results.’
    ‘Tell Carter that Kim’s father is a veterinarian. Ask the ME if any of the drugs he finds in Tuzak’s tox screen could be found in a vet’s supply closet. MacGregor treats horses. Those meds should be stronger and Kim may have had access.’
    ‘Nice, Clay,’ Paige said. ‘I’ll let him know. Listen, you didn’t ask, but Daphne tried to make this call. She couldn’t because she had to go to her office to pull trial records to see if she ever prosecuted Doug. She told me to keep at it until I found you.’
    A little warmth curled around his belly. ‘Thanks. I wanted to ask, but was afraid to. Tell her . . . tell her I won’t rest until we know where he is. I’ll talk to you later.’ Clay handed the receiver back to Ciccotelli. ‘We got a brief reprieve. That wasn’t Ford Elkhart’s blood in the basement.’
    ‘Thank God,’ Alec breathed. ‘Whose is it?’
    ‘Damn good question, kid.’
    ‘Damn good observation about MacGregor being a vet,’ Ciccotelli said. ‘Who’s Tuzak?’ Clay started to answer, but Ciccotelli held up his hand. ‘Wait. Sign this.’ He pulled the page he’d been typing from the printer and slid it across the table.
    Clay had to laugh. ‘My contract saying I’m an “unpaid consultant.” So formal.’
    ‘I learned the hard way to get everything in writing, Mr Maynard. My first consultant was Sophie there.’ Ciccotelli pointed to her photo, laughter in his eyes. ‘I didn’t have a signed agreement with her and ended up marrying her.’
    Clay smiled as he signed the contract then drew a breath, sobering. ‘Tuzak is Isaac Zacharias. This is what’s happened so far.’
    Baltimore, Maryland, Tuesday, December 3, 8.15 P.M.
    Joseph went straight from his debriefing with Bo Lamar and the brass to the conference room where his team waited for their call with Philly PD.
    ‘Everyone ready?’ he asked as he took the seat at the head of the table. He did a quick head count. Grayson and JD were here as were Kate and Hector. Brodie was representing CSU and Quartermaine had texted that he’d be late.
    Daphne sat at the end of the table looking composed. Until she met his eyes and he saw the strain. He wished he could make all of this go away. Wished that they were just two people who had nothing but time to explore an attraction that, thank God, was mutual. But they weren’t two normal people.
    Her son was still missing. And I won’t rest until he’s found .
    The side conversations ceased as Joseph dialed Philly PD on the speaker phone. When the phone began to ring, everyone got quiet.
    ‘This is Ciccotelli.’ The man had a smooth voice. ‘Agent Carter?’
    ‘Yes,’ Joseph said. ‘I’ll tell you who I have here, then you can introduce your crew.’ He introduced his team, providing rank and role. ‘Our ME will be here soon. You have one of ours up there. Is Special Agent Novak with you?’
    ‘He is,’ Ciccotelli said. ‘I’ve also got private investigator Clay Maynard here, acting as a special consultant.’
    ‘We’re glad for any help we can get,’ Joseph said, surprised at Clay’s inclusion until he remembered that the PI was connected to the Ciccotellis through friends and family.
    Joseph knew all about consulting with family. Grayson pulled him in on cases from time to time and both of them consulted with their younger sister Zoe. A police shrink, her perspective had helped Joseph understand – and catch – several suspects over the years. He made a mental note to call her later about Doug. Because we need any help we can get .
    ‘ We’re happy to help however we can,’ Ciccotelli said. ‘In addition to your two, I’ve got Yelton from IT, and McFain, CSU.’
    The door opened and Quartermaine slipped in, taking the seat beside Daphne.
    ‘And we’ve just been joined by Dr Neil Quartermaine,’ Joseph said, ‘our new ME. I’ve briefed my team on the murder of the au pair,’ Joseph said. ‘Elmarie Stodart. Any luck with the sketch artist talking to the five-year-old witness?’
    ‘Not yet,’ Ciccotelli said. ‘But if anyone