FORTY-SIX

Solomon walked quickly toward Kaely’s hospital room. Ever since he’d had his heart attack, he hated hospitals. The antiseptic smell made his stomach churn. When he finally found the right room, he pushed the door open and walked in. He found Noah sitting in a wheelchair not far from her bed, and another man he didn’t know was holding her hand.

“Solomon,” Kaely said. “You didn’t need to come down here.”

“Don’t be silly,” he said, sounding gruffer than he meant to. “You’re my agent. This is where I should be.” Seeing her in that hospital bed and knowing what she’d been through had shaken him, but he didn’t need her to know that.

“Solomon, this is my brother, Jason,” Kaely said, gesturing toward the man holding her hand.

Solomon approached the bed and shook hands with Kaely’s brother. “Glad to meet you, Jason. I’m sure your being here is a blessing to your sister.”

“It’s a blessing to both of us,” Jason said.

“Jason, this is my boss, Special Agent in Charge Solomon Slattery,” Kaely said.

“Solomon’s fine. My title is too long. I always feel as if someone much more impressive should be attached to it.”

Jason laughed. “I’m sure that’s not true, but I’m happy to call you Solomon.”

“So, how are you feeling?” Solomon asked Kaely.

“Much better. Hopefully, I can go home soon.”

“Good, but I want you to take a couple of weeks off. And no arguing.”

Kaely looked up at her brother. “No argument from me. I want to spend some time with Jason.”

“Well, that’s a first,” Solomon said. “Kaely Quinn willing to put something before her job.” He looked over at Noah. “You too. You need time to heal. Don’t come back until you’re one hundred percent. Two weeks sounds about right.”

“Let me get this straight. She’s coming off a high, and I got shot. But we both get two weeks? Did you happen to notice I’m in a wheelchair?”

Solomon forced back a smile. “Okay. Three weeks.”

Noah and Kaely laughed.

“Actually, three weeks sounds great,” Noah said. “Frankly, I’m tired. Chasing after Richard Barton was exhausting.”

“Seems I was right about the poisoning threat,” Kaely said. “Richard threw that in just to sidetrack us. It worked. I thank God he didn’t implement it.”

“I agree.”

“I missed the reference to fire, Solomon,” Kaely said. “I’m sorry. I should have seriously considered the Unabomber case.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Solomon said. “None of us got that. I think Acosta’s fate was sealed from the beginning. I don’t think any of us could have saved him.”

Kaely shook her head. “I just can’t figure out why he picked Acosta. He doesn’t fit the other victims—people I don’t know or someone I care about. Acosta was a thorn in my side.”

Noah cleared his throat. “I think I might know why,” he said. “And yes, I cleared my throat because this is difficult to say, but I think you need to hear it.”

Solomon frowned at his agent. “I’d like to hear it too. Go ahead, Noah.”

Noah eyed Kaely carefully. “Kaely, do you know how we found you?”

“I guess not,” she said. “Alex was supposed to follow me, but he told me he lost sight of my car because of the weather and an accident on the road.” She looked confused. “How did you locate me?”

“We looked for any property in Richard’s name, but the building where he took you was in Bella’s name. Not too hard to figure out. And we also traced the phone Richard used to send you the text message supposedly from Alex.”

“But that doesn’t make sense,” she said, uncertainty written on her face. “Richard knows better than that. He’s listened to me talk about tracking criminals. Those are huge mistakes.”

“I see where you’re going with this,” Solomon said to Noah. “You think he did it on purpose. That he didn’t really want to kill Kaely.”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” Noah said.

Kaely snorted. “That’s ridiculous. He tried to get me to shoot myself. . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“You’re starting to see it,” Noah said. “He wanted you to shoot yourself because he couldn’t do it. He had plenty of opportunity. Alex knew. He encouraged Richard to kill you, but he wouldn’t. Alex knew Richard couldn’t hurt you.”

“But he did fire his weapon,” Kaely said. “He shot you.”

“Because I charged him. I think it was an accident.”

“But . . .”

“Kaely,” Solomon said, “you asked why Jerry Acosta was a target. Why would Richard take out the man who’s caused you so much heartache? Who has been hounding you for years?”

Kaely didn’t respond. She just stared at the wall.

“Somewhere inside, he still cares about you, Kaely,” Noah said. “He took out Acosta for you. And he didn’t really want you to die. He just wanted someone to pay for his wife’s death.”

“I think they’re right, sis,” Jason said. “Richard was always there for us when we were kids. I think his concern was real.”

“Innocent people are dead,” Kaely said harshly. “No matter how he feels about me, he’s a monster.”

“And you catch monsters,” Solomon said. “If he isn’t executed, he’ll never leave prison. Don’t worry about him. Just concentrate on you.” He stood. “I’ll see you in two weeks. If you have any questions while you’re off, address them to Ron. I won’t be in the office.”

He chuckled at the shocked look on his agents’ faces. “Yeah, you heard right. I’m taking Joyce on a cruise. She needs it . . . and I do too.”

“I’m so glad,” Kaely said with enthusiasm. “Have a wonderful time.”

“I think I will.” Solomon smiled at his agents. “Great work, you two. I’m proud of you.” He pointed at Kaely. “When we’re both back, you and I are going to talk about not calling for backup when you went after Richard. And it will be a very serious talk. Do you understand?”

She nodded. “I understand.”

He looked at Noah. “Maybe you could talk to her about protocol?”

Noah grinned. “Sure, why not? If you really think it will help.”

“No, I don’t, but try anyway.”

“What about Alex?” Kaely asked. “Will he be in any trouble?”

“With who?” Solomon asked. “He’s quit the Bureau and is on his way to the Philippines.”

“But he . . .”

Solomon held up his hand. “His SAC gave him permission to help us with our case. It may have come a little late, but I don’t think anyone will complain.” He pointed at Noah. “I understand that Alex isn’t easy to control, but in the future, a lead agent can’t let something like this happen. Understand?”

Noah nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Solomon stood up and turned his attention to Jason. “It was good to meet you. I hope you and your sister will take this opportunity and do something great with it.”

“Thank you,” Jason said. “We will.”

“Good.” Solomon walked over to the door. “I’ll call and check on you two before I leave,” he said to Kaely and Noah. He gulped back the lump in his throat.

“Thanks for everything, Solomon,” Kaely said.

“My privilege. My extreme privilege.” He hurried out the door before his emotions overcame him. Solomon stopped in the hallway and took out his phone. When his wife answered, he said, “I’m on my way home. Are you packed yet?” Listening to the joy in her voice made him smile. “I love you, Joyce. See you soon.” Solomon hung up and headed out of the hospital.

On Wednesday morning, Kaely unlocked the door to her condo and walked inside, happy to finally be home. Jason had dropped her off but was coming back later this afternoon after he packed and checked out of the Marriott. She could hardly wait to spend time with him. Noah was doing better and would be going home tomorrow. She and Jason planned to get together with Noah a few times during their time off, if Noah felt up to it.

She went into her kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. The remnants of her Chinese dinner with Richard filled one shelf. Without thinking, she grabbed every last container and threw them in the trash. She didn’t want anything from him. She’d definitely have to go to the store before Jason arrived.

As she closed the door, she realized it had been two days since she’d been home. Mr. Hoover should have been fed by now. She sighed loudly when he suddenly meowed. She turned around to smile at him.

“Hey, there. You know what? I think I’m getting closer and closer to having a real cat. What do you think about that?”

Mr. Hoover meowed one more time and then disappeared.