Jeffries wrote that she had combed neighborhood police reports and Good Samaritan stories going back five years and Taylor's name kept popping up. Most of the time, it was just a brief mention in a report, as if his involvement was minor, but when the reporter called to verify, she got a much different picture. The people all remembered Mark being the chief peace negotiator, risk-taker or just the one to give a word of warning.
Below the article was a list of more incidents and eyewitness accounts. The last third of the article was devoted to wondering how Mark ended up in the middle of everything. It said repeated calls to Taylor had been unreturned so the reporter admitted that all of her ideas were mere speculation. Her top two ideas were true psychic abilities or prophetic knowledge. The column ended with an invitation to readers to voice their opinion via email to the reporter.
"You've got to be kidding!" Jessie fumed as she jumped up from the desk, causing Dan to step back quickly or have his nose smashed. "What a load of-"
"Hold on now. Jeffries is only voicing what we've all been wondering for a long time."
"Divine intervention, Dan? You really think Mark is some kind of what? Prophet? Real-life angel?" Jessie smirked.
Dan chuckled. "Okay, I see your point, but do you have a better explanation for how he seems to know things before they happen?"
Jessie glared at him and began putting a folder together with Kern's picture and then opened a file behind the desk, quickly rifling through and selecting several other photos of other men, stuffing them all in the folder. She'd never give details about Mark's secret but couldn't bring herself to outright lie. Instead, she simply raised an eyebrow at Dan and grabbed her jacket off the coat rack in the corner of the office. "I'm going to lunch." She shoved her arms into the sleeves and opened the drawer to her desk, removing her purse. "I'll be back in a bit." Fishing in her pockets for her keys, she pulled them out and snatched the folder off the desk.
Dan grabbed his own overcoat, his eyes dancing mischievously. "I have a taste for a big juicy burger. You know, like the kind they have at the place on the way to the studio."
Jessie shook her head and sighed. "That wasn't where I was going."
"Yeah, right."
"Besides, they're known for their hot dogs, not burgers." Jessie grinned over her shoulder at her partner.
"Have you ever tried their burgers?"
"It'll blow over. Just give it some time."
"What do I do in the meantime, Lily? Just ignore the camera?" Mark ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and winced when he snagged a stitch behind his ear. Standing, he stalked to the office door and opened it a crack. He'd wanted to close up for the day, but Lily was against the idea. Mark understood her reasoning that they should ignore the article, but that didn't make it any easier. "There's a little kid who falls off his balcony in an hour. How am I going to go save him if I'm being followed by a pack of reporters?"
"Can't you call his home and warn them?" Lily clicked the mouse several times as she edited photos on the computer.
Mark shook his head. "No, I thought of that, but they're unlisted. I'm gonna have to go there myself." He scowled at the crowd outside the studio.
The clicking of the computer paused. "You know, you could just go talk to the press. It's possible once they see you're just a regular guy, they'll leave."
"Hmph. Maybe." Mark was about to shut the door when he noticed the reporters all turn towards something. He couldn't see what they were looking at, but something or someone definitely caught their attention. Curious, he heard the reporters address someone as 'detectives'.
Groaning, he leaned his forehead against the edge of the door. Just perfect. He didn't even need to hear the familiar voices to know which detectives had entered. Mark could practically see the reporters salivating at the prospect of having something, anything to add to their story. So far, he had given them nothing.
"What is it, Mark?"
"The dynamic duo is here."
Lily smiled. "Don't sound so gloomy. At least they know you're not the second coming."
"That's for sure, Mark," Jessie remarked with a smirk as she approached him, obviously having overheard Lily's remark. He rolled his eyes and sighed, gesturing for them to enter. Dan sported a big grin but didn't comment and for that, Mark was thankful.
"Look's like you're a popular guy." Dan held out his hand.
So much for being thankful. Mark clasped hands with the detective. "Yeah, I guess so." He glanced at Jessie, but her expression was all business. He masked the sharp stab of disappointment and directed his question to Dan, "Is there something I can do for you two?"
With a quick look outside, he shut the door, but that made the small office feel crowded. Lily looked tense; she still hadn't forgiven Jessie for dumping Mark.
"Hello, Lily." Jessie smiled, but it faltered when Lily gave a brief nod in return.
Mark felt a slight easing of the pain when he noticed the blush creep up Jessie's face. At least it wasn't any easier on her.
Dan didn't seem to notice the tension and stuck out his hand to Mark's partner. "Lily, right? We met at the Christmas party."
Lily's anger apparently didn't extend to the tall detective as the corners of her mouth turned up in a grin. "Good to see you again, Dan."
Mark raised an eyebrow at the spark that passed between the two. At least they were enjoying this.
Lily's smile stayed in place as she edged toward the door. "I have a shoot I have to prepare for, if you'll excuse me." She pushed open the door, but turned at the last second to add, "Oh, and don't forget that errand you have to run, Mark."
"No, I won't. Thank you for reminding me." Mark knew the reminder was for the benefit of the detectives, to give Mark an excuse to cut any inquiry short. Bless her. He circled his desk and motioned for his company to sit in the chairs opposite. He waited.
Jessie glanced first at Dan, who shrugged as if to say, go ahead. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and scooted to the edge of her seat. "We think we might have a name to go with the description you and Medea gave us." She opened a manila folder she had brought with her and withdrew several photographs, lining them up on the desk. "Do any of these people look familiar?"
Mark barely glanced at the other five pictures, honing in on the third one. Too bad his own photos had reverted to an innocuous photo of a dark alley. Otherwise, he could have used them to identify the man. Even though the picture Jessie showed him appeared to be several years old, he'd recognize those eyes anywhere. He tapped it hard with his finger. "That's him." Tearing his gaze away, he glanced up to see Jessie and Dan exchange a look. "What?"
Dan turned to him, his eyes steady and serious. "His name is Adrian Kern…at least, that's the name he went by last time anyone heard from him. He's bad news, Mark."
"How's that?" Mark remained stock-still, eyes wide, awaiting the answer. Somehow, he just knew he wouldn't like the detective's reply.
Jessie pursed her lips and then spoke. "It seems that he has a long history, but nothing ever seems to stick to him. He has a whole string of mis-trials and dropped charges attached to his cases."
Mark remained silent, unsure what that implied in regards to him.
Dan stood and jammed his hands into his pockets. "There was a case very similar to what happened to Judy Medea." He stepped around the desk then sat on the corner, one foot on the floor, the other dangling. "The victim was saved by a passing police officer, but Kern wasn't caught at the time, only brought in for questioning. Before enough evidence could be gathered, the victim died in a hit and run."