He smiled and set the bulging folder in his hands on the table before being seated. Oh my, he has a dimple. She let out a dreamy little sigh.
“Watch it. You’re a happily mated woman, remember?” Chad muttered in her ear.
She patted his knee. “Of course, baby. Doesn’t mean I can’t look.”
He captured her hand and held it tight. “That’s exactly what it means.”
Rome ended their little byplay by getting down to business.
“I want to discuss two things. We found Emily Carstens, but she’s not going to be much help. She was shot, execution style, almost a year ago. Reagan was able to find the birth records.
Emily had a boy named Franklin. He’s wanted for questioning as a person of interest in the death of his mother.”
“A boy? You’re sure?” Chad asked.
“We got a copy of the birth certificate from the Vital Records Unit,” Rome assured him. “The son was in therapy before he went missing. We’re trying to contact his therapist now to see what he can tell us.”
“Not much. It would be a violation of doctor/patient confidentiality,” Tameka informed them.
“That’s where you come in. He might be willing to speak off the record with another professional,” Rome stated.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she hesitantly promised. She’d took a solemn vow when she got her license and wasn’t comfortable with the idea of helping someone else circumvent theirs. “What has this to do with my case? I thought we were looking for a woman?”
“We are. I’m not sure yet how the two are related. I just feel in my gut that they are,” Rome answered.
Never argue with a cop’s intuition, she reminded herself. If he really felt that the situation warranted it, she’d do what she could to assist, despite her personal feelings on the subject.
“What about Flora’s Flowers?” Chad asked.
“That’s the second thing. The driver’s name is Francis Carter. She’s been working for Flora’s Flowers a little over two years as a delivery driver. Deb Turner, the owner, said she’s very quiet, keeps to herself. She’s a dedicated employee, always shows up to work on time and stays ’til her shift is finished.
Francis never mentioned having a boyfriend and the owner didn’t think she was involved with anyone. She did mention one thing that I found very interesting. Ms. Carter is a member of the National Skeet Shooting Association. She routinely takes off to attend tournaments.”
“Damn,” Chad muttered.
“My sentiments exactly.”
“What does this mean?” Tameka asked, not sure why the men were looking so grim.
“If she’s got any experience with the sport, she would by necessity be an expert shooter. The person that ambushed me the other day knew how to handle a rifle,” Chad explained.
“She had time and opportunity. Now we need to see if she had motive,” Rome added. He continued with, “When I asked to speak with her, I was told she’d returned from her route early that day citing a medical emergency. Seems her mother is deathly ill and Ms. Carter will be off indefinitely.”
“Well isn’t that convenient?” Chad stated with disgust showing in his expression.
“Sounds suspicious if you ask me,” Tameka stated.
“I got her home address from the owner. Told her Ms.
Carter may have witnessed a crime and we’d like to question her.
I drove by her place. No answer at the door and the landlord wouldn’t let me in without a warrant.” Rome closed the folder.
“At this point, we know Carter is involved, but not in what capacity.”
“She may be Carstens’ lover,” Chad suggested.
“I’m sure Raleigh police would love to know where he is,” Rome said.
“Is that where Emily relocated to?” Tameka asked.
“Yeah. She and Franklin. Emily bounced around a lot after leaving Refuge, but spent the last fifteen years in Raleigh,” Rome stated.
“So basically, we’re back to square one,” Chad said.
“Not really. We have a definite suspect in your shooting.
We just need to find the connection. We’re close. I can feel it. In the meantime, you stick close to Tameka. I don’t like it that this woman has disappeared. She’s already proven to be dangerous.
Watch yourself.”
Chad nodded his agreement and motioned for Meka to stand.
Rome slid a piece of paper across the table to her. “This is the therapist’s name and number. Wait a day and then give him a call.”
She took the paper, folded it and put it in her pocket. “I’ll call him tomorrow.”
Rome stood, grabbed his folder, and waited for them by the open door. “We’re going to tap your house phone. At this point, we need any help that we can get.”
“All right.” She mostly used her cell phone anyway, so it was no big deal.
“Hang tight. We’ll catch her,” Rome promised. The grin he gave her showed a bit of fang. She shivered. Between him and Chad, she was sure they would.
Chapter Thirteen
When Tameka got home, before she could kick back and relax, the little matter of sleeping arrangements had to be dealt with.
“I’ll sleep with NeeCee.”
“The hell you will,” NeeCee told Bull.
“It’s only fair. Chad is Meka’s protector and he’s sleeping with her. I’m yours so I sleep with you,” Bull said with a wicked grin on his face.
“Step foot in my room and I’ll have a wolf pelt lining the doorway of my apartment,” NeeCee threatened.
“Ew, animal cruelty. I’m calling the people on you. They’ll come, too. I give big money every year to PETA,” Bull said confidently.
Meka’s eyebrows shot up. “People for Ethical Treatment of Animals? Are you serious?”
“Why does that surprise you? It’s my hide they’re protecting.”
It did make a strange sort of sense, she mused.
“Call PETA, NAVS, HSUS, hell, call the KKK. I don’t give a shit. You’re still not sleeping in my bed.” Meka didn’t know who half of those groups were, but she definitely recognized that last one.
Bull tsk’d at her. “NeeCee, NeeCee, NeeCee. Why does it always come back to race with you? I’m a man. You’re a woman.
Let’s do what men and women were created to do.” Meka thought NeeCee was going to choke. Her complexion turned an interesting shade of purple. She stepped in before things got violent. “NeeCee, you take the guestroom. Chad sleeps with me. Bull, you can either sleep on the foldout in the study or on the couch in the living room.” He was shaking his head before she finished speaking. “No can do. I’m her bodyguard. Twenty-four hour a day defense.
Where she goes, I go. To the kitchen, the bedroom, bathroom—
just consider me your very protective shadow,” Bull said and wagged his eyebrows at her.
“Now wait just a cotton picking minute…” NeeCee exploded.
“It’s true. I got orders,” Bull interrupted with a grin.
“Chad…” Meka pleaded. “Do something with your friend.”
“You’re not following me into the bathroom!”
“He does have orders,” was Chad’s oh so helpful comment.
“This is what I think of your orders…” NeeCee spewed forth with a string of cursing that burnt Meka’s ears.
“Oh my. Such language, and from a lady.” Bull delicately placed his hand over his mouth, his eyes rounded in pretend shock.
“Chad!”
“Yes, dear?”
“Handle this or you’ll be sleeping on the couch with him,” Meka ordered, starting to get pissed. She was so not in the mood for this.
He straightened and the amused grin at their antics disappeared completely off of his face. “Bull.”