Rebecca opened her mouth before Jordan could ask any more questions. “I know we discussed this before, but tell me again. Do you have any reason to believe that Dr. Stein would be angry enough to kill?”
Meghan was silent as she contemplated her next words. “Given how angry he was, it is entirely believable that he could kill someone.”
“See how easy that was.” Rebecca said sarcastically. “I ask questions. You answer them.”
Meghan stood up and stretched her lanky body to its full height in an obvious attempt to intimidate Rebecca. It didn’t work. “If we’re done here, I think it’s time you and Agent Gray left. I’ve answered your questions and now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a business to run, which thankfully, is still here despite the CDD’s efforts to the contrary.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rebecca’s eyes blazed.
Meghan shrugged nonchalantly. “You figure it out, Detective. You have dragged the clinic’s name through the mud with your investigation. One, I might add, that hasn’t produced a viable arrest. I’ve managed to keep things running smoothly, no thanks to you. I just think if you spent time actually investigating instead of harassing me, you might have already caught the right guy.”
“Why you little…”
Jordan grabbed Rebecca’s arm and shook her head. She shot Meghan an apologetic smile. “Thank you for your time, Dr. Mercer.”
The angry snarl disappeared from Meghan’s face, and she shot Jordan a coy smile. “It was my pleasure, Agent Gray.” The words dripped off her tongue, and Jordan groaned inwardly.
Whatever suspicions Rebecca may have had were pretty much confirmed with one sentence. Jordan cupped Rebecca’s elbow and directed her towards the door. “Let’s go, Rebecca. She’s not worth it.”
The words were spoken no louder than a whisper, but they reverberated across the room, and Meghan winced. Only one woman she had ever bedded said she wasn’t worth it. She watched them walk out then slammed her fist against the desk. “Fuck you, Jordan! I’ll show you who’s worth it.”
Chapter 22
Rebecca slammed the file on her desk. Their interview with Dr. Mercer still had her on edge. She had to remain professional when she really wanted to punch the smug look off her face. The look that Dr. Mercer gave Jordan confirmed her suspicions that they had past history beyond boxing. She pushed Jordan for an answer and hearing her say it pissed her off even more.
Jordan tried to tell her that it had no bearing on the case. That it was a long time ago. That it meant nothing. But it mattered to Rebecca. As of right now, she had to look that bitch in the eye with the knowledge that she was laughing at her behind her back. It may not jeopardize the case, but right now, it was seriously jeopardizing her sanity.
“Hey, boss, I got it!” Rick walked into the bull pen waving several sheets of paper. He handed them to her and waited as she read them.
She read each one and muttered under her breath. “House, yard, car. Strong work, Jonesy. Let’s get this guy.”
“You want me to call it in?” Rick picked up the phone and started dialing.
“No.” Rebecca stopped him midway. “We go in alone. I don’t want to scare him off with a bunch of blue and whites showing up in front of his house.”
Rick hesitated. “Boss?”
“What is it, Jonesy?” Rebecca looped her badge around her neck and stuck her firearm in its holster.
“Riley and Gray?” Rick stammered. “It’s their case too. They should be there.”
“Damn it, Jonesy! It’s our case, not the FBI’s.” Rebecca’s eyes blazed and Rick took a step back, somewhat confused at her reaction. She saw him wince and immediately felt bad. “I’m sorry. It’s just that…”
“Don’t worry about it.” Rick raised a dismissive hand. “I know the score.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rebecca was irritated enough, and she wasn’t in the mood for his shit.
“Nothing, boss. Forget I said anything.”
He started to walk out, and Rebecca grabbed his arm and spun him around. “No, tell me what you mean. Enlighten me, ‘cause right now I’m not so sure what is going on.”
Rick met her steely gaze and held it firmly. “I know you got a thing for the Agent. I’m not sure what is going on with you two, but I’ve never seen you put your feelings before our safety in any case. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty fond of living right now, and if having them glued to my hip keeps me alive, I’m all for it. For once, think about someone besides yourself.”
Rebecca’s heart dropped. “You really think that? That I put myself first. I give my life to this place. Never ask for anything in return. My life is about putting others first.”
Rick sighed. “You’re right, you live the job. Nobody can refute that. But sometimes all you think about is yourself. I know you want this bastard, maybe more than anybody else but don’t do it like this. Don’t be a hero.”
“Jonesy, I would never…” Rebecca stopped and let his words sink in. Was he right? Had it always been about her? She did have a temper, and that got the better of her sometimes. She could be rash. But she thought she put that aside when it mattered. She felt him studying her. Rick was the only person she would ever let accuse her of being selfish. Probably, because he had a point and more so because he was her partner and would do anything for her. She frowned.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. I think you get so wrapped up in the job, you forget you’re not the only one around…Jordan included.”
She could have asked him to explain what he meant, but she didn’t need him too. She knew. She didn’t think about Jordan’s feelings when she went off on her, just how she felt. How she hurt. And hadn’t every relationship ended the same way? By her choice. Because it didn’t work for her anymore. It wasn’t convenient. And now with Rick, she was ready to storm into a madman’s house by themselves. Putting both their lives at risk. “I…I didn’t realize…”
Rick squeezed her hand gently. “You’re a great cop, and you’ve always been there for me. I just want you to be there with me. We’re partners, remember?”
“I know.”
“And whether you want to accept it or not, Jordan cares about you. Maybe it’s time to stop being so goddamn self-centered. Take it from me, it gets damn lonely.”
“Oh.” Rick’s words hit her, and she felt her chest clench tightly. She knew he wasn’t married. Hell, he hadn’t dated anyone in months. The job made it hard to have a social life, much less find someone that could love you despite the crazy hours. She just figured that was his choice, and here he was pretty much admitting he hated his single life and telling her to get over herself. “I don’t know what to say.”
Rick smiled. “Hell, Boss, I didn’t mean to ream you out. It’s just that…”
“No, I know.” Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. “I’m an asshole.”
Rick’s laughter filled the bullpen. “Well, that’s one way to say it.”
Rebecca smiled despite herself, and for the first time, she looked at Rick differently. She realized she loved him like a brother and knew she would die to protect him, just as he would for her. More importantly, she realized she was capable of opening herself up, and that thought frightened her. She shook it off and punched Rick in the shoulder. “Well, what the fuck are we waiting for? Let’s get Riley and Gray and take this bastard down.”
They agreed to go in silent. No lights, no sirens. There was something in the element of surprise after all. Matt’s sedan slid to a quiet stop behind Rebecca’s unmarked car, catty corner to Dr. Stein’s house. The dim street lights afforded them more cover than they had expected and within moments, Rebecca and Rick were walking up to the door, eyes peeled, taking in everything. Neither one wanted any surprises. Jordan and Matt were already positioned around the back of the house, in case he decided to run.