“You said they found DNA.”
Rick nodded. “Same as the last one. Condom left inside the victim. He’s mocking us now. Knows he is getting away with it while someone else sits in jail.”
“Any idea how he got Richard Hudson’s DNA?” Jordan’s gaze fell on Rebecca, and had she not been studying her as closely as she was, she would have missed her swallow before she spoke. At least, Rebecca was having as hard a time as she was being so close.
“No, but I think it’s time we revisit the sperm bank. So far, that’s the only tie we have to all the victims.”
Jordan nodded towards the chalk outline. “This one too?”
“Yes.” Rebecca said with a nod. “Uniforms confirmed it with the husband this morning.”
“Want me to drive?” Jordan asked with no hint of an ulterior motive.
“No.” Rebecca pulled a gloved hand out of her pocket and checked her watch. “Why don’t you see if Special Agent Riley can meet us there? I think we could use his help on this one.”
Jordan nodded. Rebecca wasn’t going to give an inch on this one, no matter how much her eyes said she wanted to. “Fine.”
“Oh, and Agent Gray?” Rebecca’s tone held a warning note. “Don’t go in without us.”
Jordan rolled her eyes and walked away. Damn infuriating woman. She stalked off to her car and called Matt. “You busy?”
“Nah.” His voice was low. Their friendship had been somewhat strained since he found out that Jordan and Rebecca were dating. His interest in Rebecca had been very real, and his pride and maybe his heart had been wounded a little in the process. “What do you have?”
“I guess you heard the news already.”
“I saw it briefly this morning. I called you.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry I didn’t hear it ring.”
“It’s no big deal.” Matt paused. “I know you’re busy.” Before Rebecca, that had been a joke that they shared. Jordan loved women, and it hadn’t escaped her partner’s notice that she was with a different one all the time. Now, it was almost as though he was censuring her for her choice in women.
It wasn’t her fault that both of them had fallen for Rebecca’s charms. Nor was it her fault that Rebecca had chosen her. It just happened that way, and right now, Matt was sorting through that. Eventually, he would get over it, and they would get back to normal, but for now, she let him rake her over the coals.
“Detective Foxx wants us both in on this. We are going back to the sperm bank. She thinks it all ties back to that somehow.”
“And why do you need me?” The question was asked innocently enough, but Jordan could hear the second part of the inquiry loud and clear. You seem to be handling it just fine on your own.
“Guess she wants your expertise. Besides, I think she could use a buffer.” Jordan admitted quietly.
“Oh yeah, piss her off already?” Matt’s tone hinted at a smile, and Jordan could almost recognize her old partner.
“Something like that.” Jordan started her car and listened as the engine revved loudly. “You in or not?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m at the office.”
“Be there in ten.” Jordan ended the call and looked up briefly, catching Rebecca’s emerald-green eyes. She could see regret in them and something else. She wasn’t sure what Rebecca was thinking, but she winced inwardly. Nothing like being someone’s morning-after remorse.
She shifted into first and shot Rebecca an apologetic smile as she started to drive away. If she had any hope of rectifying the problem, behaving like an asshole wasn’t going to be the route she took.
The ride from the office to the Helping Hands Fertilization Clinic was made in relative silence. Matt still wasn’t up to idle chitchat and rather than push the envelope of awkward silence any further, Jordan cranked up the radio and let the soulful voice of Serena Ryder fill the void.
When Rebecca pulled up, Jordan slid out of the car and stretched herself out. The unconventional choices for sex had her body totally out of whack. A person couldn’t make love in a 370Z without some pain and stiffness the next morning, and she was feeling it.
Matt studied the two of them and chuckled softly. “Well, this should be a fun morning.”
Jordan glared in his direction. “Just pay attention to the case.”
“Like you did?” Matt asked sarcastically.
Jordan swore under her breath. It was going to be a long day.
“Agents.” Rebecca’s tone was the same as she had used the first day they met, and much to their disliking, she still dropped the Special. Jordan rolled her eyes for the sake of rolling them. Their relationship aside, the least Rebecca could do was acknowledge their accomplishment in the FBI’s rank.
“Detective Jones. Detective Foxx. A pleasure to see you again, although I wish it was under different circumstances.” Matt, always the gentleman. Nice to a fault, but not missing the opportunity to throw it in Jordan’s face that he did not win the girl. Rebecca didn’t catch the underlying meaning. She shot Matt a forced smile.
“So do I. When I woke up this morning, I pictured the day going somewhat differently.”
Jordan didn’t miss the pained look that flashed across her features. The selfish side of her was glad this wasn’t any easier for Rebecca than it was for her. The rational side hoped that they both could put this behind them and concentrate on the case.
“Agent Riley, given your background in psychology, I’d like you to talk to as many of the employees here. See what you can find out. Maybe you can pick up on something we missed.” She met Rick’s questioning eyes. “Jonesy, see if you can’t get someone to open up. See if there is something that we missed the first time.
They nodded, and Rick saluted her with mock humility. “Sure thing, boss.”
“Agent Gray. You’ll be with me. I think it’s time to interview the director again.”
Jordan followed Rebecca into the building, a safe distance between them. She watched Rebecca flash her badge to a mousy looking receptionist and, for a moment, she thought she saw genuine fear in her eyes. But she masked it just as quickly.
“I’m Detective Foxx with the CDD, and these are Agents Riley and Gray with the FBI. We would like to talk to Dr. Stein, if he’s in.”
Ruth Dawson, according to the nametag on her desk, paled visibly. “Dr. Stein is no longer employed here. Our new Director is Dr. Mercer. However, the schedule is quite full today.”
If Rebecca was surprised by the news, she didn’t show it. Jordan, however, wondered what had happened to the former director and what was making Ruth Dawson so agitated.
“Let Dr. Mercer know we would like a moment of his time.” Rebecca’s tone suggested that whatever the Director had going on at this particular moment, it was going to take a back seat to their investigation.
Ruth nodded and picked up the phone. Her hand shook slightly as she dialed, and she pulled it into her lap the second she pressed the last number. Her voice, which matched her face in its sallowness, trembled somewhat. “Dr. Mercer. There’s a Detective here to see you.”
She paused then answered an unheard question. “No. The FBI is here also.” Ruth’s voice trembled again.
A loud gulp preceded Ruth’s next statement. “I tried to tell them you were busy.”
“Yes. Right away.”
Ruth hung up the phone. Her cheeks were tinged pink. Whoever the Director was, it was obvious that Ruth wasn’t a particularly big fan of him. “You can go in now.”
Rebecca and Jordan followed her finger to a set of double doors to their right. The plaque beside the door read Director-in-Charge, Dr. M. Mercer.
As they walked away, Matt slid into a chair and smiled at Ruth. Jordan saw her relax visibly. Maybe Rebecca’s idea to pull him in wasn’t such a bad one after all.
Rebecca pushed the door open and walked into a large, well-appointed office overlooking the Chicago River. Situated opposite the door was a huge mahogany desk that was at least eight feet wide. A large wingback chair sat empty behind it. She looked around the room, searching for its occupant.