Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

bulged.
    If Carter didn’t have a problem with charity functions, then he had a problem with Daphne. And nobody had a problem with Daphne. Except the low-lifes she sent to jail. And her ex-husband, the asshole. Everybody else loved . . .
    Oh . Comprehension dawned and Clay found the weight on his shoulders easing a fraction. At least something good might come of this day.
    Carter had stopped at a traffic light and was dialing his cell, his expression intense in its attempt to be bland. ‘Grayson’s still not picking up.’ His tone changed when he left a message. ‘Gray, call me. It’s urgent.’ The light changed and he proceeded, outwardly calm except for the forefinger that tapped the wheel in a rapid staccato. ‘How long can it take for a jury to read a damn verdict?’
    ‘She’s not mine, Carter,’ Clay said quietly and watched the Fed’s finger abruptly still. ‘Not that you asked. Just thought you should know. We’re friends. That’s all.’
    Carter drew a deep breath and held it for several seconds before slowly releasing it. ‘I see.’ He kept his eyes fixed forward. ‘Not that I asked.’
    ‘She’s got no one right now. Not that you asked that either.’
    ‘No. I didn’t.’
    ‘But I have to warn you . . .’ Clay waited for Carter to look at him. Finally the Fed did, just a glance, but long enough for Clay to know that he’d guessed right.
    ‘Warn me about what?’ Carter asked levelly.
    ‘She’s been hurt. Badly. But she has one of the kindest hearts I’ve ever known. If anyone were to hurt her again . . . I wouldn’t wait for him to attack me first.’
    Carter nodded solemnly. ‘I understand.’
    ‘Good.’ Good deed done for the day, Clay fixed his gaze on the passing houses. The weight that had momentarily lifted returned with a vengeance. Clay closed his eyes, pictured Phyllis’s face. Pictured himself sitting her down, the terror in her eyes, because she’d know. ‘They always know, cop’s wives.’
    ‘I know. I hate this part. People say “You’re just the messenger. You’re not the one ripping their lives apart.” But it sure feels that way.’
    Clay looked over at him. ‘Then why are you here?’
    Carter’s brows lifted. ‘Like I should send Novak to do the notification?’
    ‘Good point. The man’s an ass. No offense.’
    ‘None taken. But he’s got a sharp mind. And Brodie, the woman leading the CSU team? She’s simply the best. Been with the Bureau’s lab for years.’
    ‘Longevity doesn’t mean skill.’
    ‘No, it doesn’t. But I know of twenty murderers that we couldn’t have caught or convicted without her evidence, and that’s just my history with her. If the man who killed your friend left an eyelash in that alley, she’ll find it.’
    It was the best thing the Fed could have said. ‘Thanks.’
    ‘Now I need to ask a few questions. I’m assuming that the Millhouses kidnapped Ford. My CO is working on the warrant to search their home and business to see if they’ve hidden him there. I’d have a better chance of getting a judge’s John Hancock if I had proof that Daphne and her assistant were being threatened by the Millhouses.’
    ‘The cops have all that. Daphne kept every note, every taped cell phone call.’
    ‘Daphne’s taping her cell phone calls?’
    ‘She got a judge to sign a wiretap order.’
    ‘Then getting the search warrant won’t be a problem.’
    ‘I wouldn’t think so. What other questions?’
    ‘Tell me about your agency. I knew you did PI work, but didn’t know about the personal security side. I’ll need the number of your employees, your areas of expertise, anyone who’d want to take you down.’
    Clay laughed bitterly. ‘Who’d want to take me down? That’s a ripe question. How much time do we have?’
    ‘Not enough to for me to be asking idle questions.’
    Again the Fed was right. ‘I do personal and corporate security which includes investigating custody fights, cheating spouses, employers checking up on clients after money goes missing. We’re sometimes hired by the defense and we’re often hired by businessmen to secure their homes and businesses. Occasionally we travel internationally with a client who is going into a known danger zone. Why?’
    ‘Number one, I need to know. Daphne trusts you and my brother trusts you and that takes me about ninety percent of the way. But I don’t know you and we’ve all been fooled by liars over the course of our careers.’
    ‘True.’