Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

Ford’s hair and blood was bad news, but news.
    News was the reason Clay sat in Carter’s fancy SUV and not his own car. He didn’t have to be here. Carter wanted him here so that he didn’t ‘go cowboy’, but the Fed had no authority over him, here or anywhere else. I’m here because I want to be here . He’d hear Carter talk about details that he’d never know about working solo.
    They’d been in the car less than five minutes when Joseph had told his CO that Tuzak’s killer had slit his throat after he was dead. Clay hadn’t noticed the lack of spatter. Carter had a good eye, too. And he’d been right. I’m not objective right now .
    Tuzak’s killer had all but cut off his head after he was already dead. There’d been no need. No benefit. Just a viciousness that deserved to be returned in kind.
    And I will , he vowed. But first he’d find Ford and Kimberly. I’ll find them . I have to .
    He couldn’t allow himself to think about the alternative. He’d seen with his own eyes what their abductor was capable of doing. As hard as he tried, Clay couldn’t get the picture out of his mind for even a moment – Tuzak lying in the street, covered in garbage, his head barely . . .  The monster who did that has those kids . I’ll get them back .
    And then? He didn’t know. He only knew the man who did this had to pay.
    Clay jerked when something landed in his lap. A box of tissues. He lifted his hand to his wet cheek. He’d been crying and hadn’t even realized it.
    He put the tissue box on the console between them and scrubbed his palms over his face. Carter had finished his call with his CO. How long ago? They’d driven several blocks, headed away from downtown. To where Phyllis was waiting for word.
    ‘Oh God,’ Clay whispered. He’d have to tell her that her husband was never coming home. He’d have to tell Daphne her son was missing. He’d promised to keep Ford safe. I failed .
    There was a long space of silence, then Carter sighed. ‘Be careful, Clay.’
    Clay whipped around to stare at the Fed’s profile. ‘Be careful of what?’
    Carter kept his eyes forward, tapping one finger on the wheel as he drove. He looked like he was choosing his words carefully. ‘Of revenge,’ he finally said. ‘If you find him before we do.’
    ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Clay lied.
    ‘Uh-huh. Right. I told my CO that I’d removed you from the scene so you didn’t slug Novak, which was true, but he knows cops. And ex-cops. Knows that seeing a partner brutalized like that will stir a man up. He told me to keep an eye on you. And that if he finds you going cowboy, he’ll slap cuffs on you faster than you can blink.’
    He’d have to catch me first . ‘ I understand.’
    ‘Good.’ They drove another few blocks before Carter spoke again. ‘Of course, should the suspect attack you first, you’re entitled to defend yourself.’ And then Carter turned and met his eyes for a brief moment. There was understanding there. And truth.
    He realized what the Fed was telling him. Carter had killed before. To avenge. Not in cold blood, but his self-defense had been dual-edged. And he wasn’t the least bit sorry. The Fed rose dramatically in his estimation. Clay nodded. ‘I understand.’
    ‘Good.’ Carter reached into the console between them and pulled out a baggie filled with brownies. ‘My brother-in-law made them,’ he said, as if they hadn’t just discussed killing a man. He bit into one with gusto. ‘Help yourself. They’re damn good.’
    Clay couldn’t eat. Still he appreciated the gesture. ‘This is the brother-in-law that owns the catering business? Brian?’
    ‘One and the same. You know him?’
    ‘Ate at his place once, when Paige and Grayson were involved in the Muñoz case. I’ve met him a few times since then. He caters all the charity functions Daphne’s been throwing for her women’s center. His food makes it almost worth wearing a tux.’
    Carter’s jaw froze, mid-chew. His throat worked as he swallowed hard, then he resumed chewing although it now appeared to be a chore. ‘Brian’s good about that, donating food to good causes,’ he said.
    Clay frowned. It didn’t take a PI to see he’d said something that annoyed the Fed. ‘You got a problem with charity functions, Carter?’
    ‘Nope. Get dragged to them from time to time. Miss Montgomery usually throws a good one.’ But Carter’s jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscle in his cheek