“And remember, you and your people have been willing to kill others in order to promote a scientific theory…one that is still in its infancy. If that’s not the definition of blind faith, I don’t know what is.”
The room was quiet for several long moments, before Nate Lowell finally said, “So what now?”
“Now we build our case against Jordan and the girl who tried to kill me with her car,” Agent Hepburn said, “and we investigate the Earth Action League. I’m sure they’ll deny direct involvement with these two, but it’s worth a shot, I suppose.” Jordan just stood near the couch, staring straight ahead.
“And what about you, Mercer?” Kelly asked.
“Me? Oh, I have the easier job, by far. I’m going to find Amelia Earhart’s missing plane, and I’m going to do it within”—he looked up as if actually calculating something—“three days.”
“Bullshit,” Lowell said.
“Watch me.”
“Nate, take Miss Weismann to the car. I want to talk to Mercer. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Excuse me, bitch,” Jordan snarled. “I don’t have shoes or a bra.”
Kelly replied sweetly, “Sorry, dearie, I hadn’t noticed. I’ll gather your belongings.”
“You can’t touch my stuff without a search warrant.”
“Well, since Mercer paid for it and it is in his house, it’s his stuff, not yours. All I need is his permission.” She looked over at him and Mercer nodded. “There. I’ll bring it out to you.”
“Jordan,” Mercer called as Lowell was leading her out. “For the record I did you a favor by not telling you I was going to Iowa, so you wouldn’t report it back to your masters. That’s one less conspiracy charge you’ll face. I recommend you cooperate with the FBI, and maybe you can avoid going to jail.”
“And I recommend you go to hell.”
Mercer turned his attention back to Kelly, rolling his eyes at Jordan’s obstinacy. “Good to see you back on your feet, so to speak.”
“I’m not medically cleared yet, but I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
“What are the docs saying?”
“I’m in the leg cast for five weeks, which already sucks after just a few days.”
“And your noggin?”
“Concussion. My vision was blurry for a day and I had the mother of all headaches, but as long as I don’t get another tap on the head I’ll be fine.”
“How much of your hair did they have to shave?”
“Enough that I’ll be wearing hats once the bandages come off.” She looked at Mercer with a funny grin. “You know it was the boobs, right?”
“Excuse me?”
“Come on, Mercer, it was Jordan’s boobs. That’s why you didn’t suspect her, or if you did, you ignored your gut. It’s kind of pathetic…but I can’t say as I blame you. They are very impressive. Either nature was kind to her or she dropped thirty grand at a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon’s office — and if you say which is correct, I will tear off one of your arms and beat you with it.”
Mercer grinned, not fully denying her accusation. “I’m sure there was more to it than just that.”
“There’s a reason it’s the oldest trick in the book. It works. Me, on the other hand, I didn’t trust her from the moment I laid eyes on her.”
“Woman’s intuition?”
“Call it whatever you like, but I knew she was hiding something behind that rocking bod and pretty face.”
“And me? Was my little head doing the thinking for me?”
“You’re a man, Mercer. The software can’t override the hardware.” Kelly winced at her own bad turn of phrase. “I did not just say that.”
Mercer laughed. “And I didn’t hear it.”
“Anyway, I truly think Jordan told her handlers to have me targeted because she felt I was onto her. She had you wrapped around her finger, and Nate wasn’t a factor since he thought this whole case was a waste of time, but I was a danger to her.”
“Makes sense,” he agreed.
“Also, if I am being honest, I think she saw me as a rival too, and wanted me out of the picture.”
“That’s ridiculous, Kelly.”
“Don’t be dense. You know what I mean — and while you might have just showered, she absolutely reeks of sex, Mercer.” Before he could say anything, Kelly Hepburn put up her hands. “I’m not here to judge.”
Mercer started to speak, but was at a genuine loss for words. All that came out was a laugh.
Then it was Kelly’s turn to laugh. “You’re so predictable…In fact, I think you’re already considering asking me out on a date.”
“I am?”
“You are, but I wouldn’t do it until your house no longer smells like the last woman who was here.”
“Duly noted.”
“And make sure not to ask in front of Nate. He’s a little overprotective…which explains why he plays macho asshole whenever he’s around you.”
“Also noted. Anything else?”
“My favorites are Thai and French, and unless you’re triple-jointed or own a Jaws of Life you aren’t getting anywhere with me until after the cast comes off…maybe. Now I have to go. Walk me out.”
Mercer had to admit, she had grabbed his attention.
They started out of the room, and Kelly paused at the top of the stairs, leaning against her crutches. She looked Mercer in the eye. “Nate was right, wasn’t he? About it being bullshit you’re going to find Amelia Earhart’s plane?”
A conflicted look crossed Mercer’s face. He held up a finger to his lips to indicate Kelly should be quiet. “Yeah,” he said. “It was bullshit. Amelia Earhart will never be found. I like yanking your partner’s chain.” He leaned in close enough to smell the shampoo Agent Hepburn used on her hair. It was a scent he decided he liked, and he whispered, “It occurred to me that Jordan had the run of my house for more than a week. It could be bugged.”
She gave him a look that told him she hadn’t thought of that, but should have. She asked casually, “So, what’s next for you?”
He led her out, walking in front of her when they got to the stairs. Because of how they spiraled, Kelly had to take them especially slow. “I’m going to scour the Internet looking for a set of Jaws of Life,” Mercer replied.
“Funny.”
“I thought so.” They crossed the foyer and Mercer opened the door for her. From the top of the stoop he scanned the street. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. His Jag was where it should be. Traffic was normal, and he didn’t see anyone sitting in a car watching the brownstone. He did spot Nate Lowell bent over the open rear door of his government sedan, presumably talking to Jordan.
“Do you think it is bugged?”
“It’s possible,” Mercer said. “She has contacts in the area with enough juice to stage that car accident.”
“So, Earhart — are you serious?”
“I am. I’ll know roughly where she went down in just a couple of days, tops. Physically finding the plane will probably take longer.”
Kelly Hepburn already had her phone out of her jacket pocket.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling Nate. I’m still on medical leave, so I can’t call in a team to sweep your house. He can.”
“Put that away,” Mercer said. “You’ll tip our hand more than my gaffe a second ago about finding the plane. Maybe if my place is bugged they’ll believe I was bullshitting about the plane in order to irk your partner.”
Kelly saw the wisdom in that and slid her phone back into her inside pocket.
“Do you want protection?” she asked.
“No. I don’t think it’s necessary. For someone like Jordan, or the girl that crashed into you, this is a crusade. A way to prove their commitment to the cause. To the men above, I suspect money is the real motivation. There’s no need to waste more on me if they believe the trail’s cold.”