Loves Redemption by Kimberly Terry (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📗

one. Leave it with me for a hot minute, and I’ll take it back to my lair and find out for you.”

“Thanks Wanda I appreciate it. Give me a ring whenever you finish with it.” He gave her

peck on the cheek, to her delight, before leaving and heading back to the squad room.

Jordan looked up from his work as Mark sat down at his desk, thinking about the two

cards he’d left with Wanda.

“What’s up?” Jordan asked, when he didn’t greet him.

“Before I came up I went over to the lab. Remember the arrangement I gave them

Saturday?”

“The one sent to Maya?”

“Yeah that one. Jack said he couldn’t find any prints on the card itself other than Dalia’s and Maya’s.”

“What do you mean?”

“Maya told me only she and Dalia touched the card inside the envelope, so I got a copy

of their finger prints and gave it to the Jack. According to him, those were the only two prints that showed. That’s strange. It doesn’t make any sense.” Mark could feel dread lurking in the pit of his stomach as he thought of the ramifications of the tech’s discovery.

“Man that’s damn strange. So whoever sent Maya the flowers, must have been wearing

gloves when he handled it. Hmm.”

“Or she was wearing gloves,” Mark stated flatly.

“You think Maya’s secret admirer is a woman?”

“I don’t know. I don’t like the looks of it Jordan.”

Mark quickly went through his notebook in search of the message left on the card. After

he’d reread it, he leafed backward until he found the earlier entry from the first anonymous floral arrangement she was given.

“I saw you on the news. You were wonderful. I’ll bet Alicia Somers will think again

before she opens that big trap of hers and tries to make anyone else look foolish!!”

“Same type of cryptic message. I went to the evidence room and looked at the card from

the first arrangement. I took both cards over to Wanda to have her take a look at them. She says from a quick observation, they may be from the same person. Anything deeper and she would

need to take time to really analyze both of them.”

“Good thing you kept that card. What are you thinking?”

“I’m not sure yet, just like I said, I don’t like the way this looks. You know, I think I’m going to pick the lieutenant’s brain for a minute. Do you know if anyone is in there with him?”

Mark asked as he rose from his desk.

“I don’t know. I got in a few minutes before you did and his office door was already

closed.”

Mark walked over to the lieutenant’s office and wrapped his knuckles lightly on the

partially closed door.

He walked inside and closed the door behind him. He was already inside when he noticed

Lieutenant Hernandez was not alone; Special Agent Montgomery was inside with him, his back

propped against the wall facing the door.

“Sorry sir, I thought you were alone, I wanted to run something by you.”

With a wave of his hand, the lieutenant told him, “We weren’t discussing anything

confidential. What did you need, Mark?”

“No we weren’t,” the agent agreed, “in fact I think I will leave you gentlemen to speak in

private.” Agent Montgomery told them both as he pushed away from the wall.

Mark motioned with his hand for him to stay. “Actually Agent Montgomery I could use

your input as well.” When the man settled back against the wall with a small nod in agreement, Mark continued.

“Maya received flowers for the second time this weekend from an anonymous ‘admirer.’

The first time it happened was a few months ago when she was first brought into the

investigation. I didn’t like it then and I definitely don’t like it now. My gut reaction wasn’t good either time.”

“You didn’t like it because…? Is this the professional or personal gut reaction?” Mark

looked in surprise at the lieutenant’s question.

Although he wasn’t trying to keep his relationship with Maya a secret, he was surprised

at the lieutenant’s obvious knowledge of his feelings for her. His surprise must have shown on his face because Lieutenant Hernandez confirmed his knowledge with his next words.

“Detective Phillips made reference to your relationship in passing recently,” he said,

“congratulations. Dr. Richardson is as beautiful as she is intelligent. You’re a lucky man.”

“Thanks sir, I think so too. But in answer to your question, my gut was working in pure

professional mode. The wording on the first message was phrased in a damn odd way,” Mark

started, and was quickly interrupted by the lieutenant.

“You read the message on the first card?” The lieutenant asked, clearly now he was the

surprised one.

Mark happened to glance in the direction of the silent FBI agent, and noticed the way his

head was tilted in that odd way he had, that signaled he was intently listening, focusing.

“Yes sir. After Maya showed it to me, I brought it in for the lab to take a look.”

“Did they find anything?”

“No they didn’t find anything on it, no prints; nothing. I put it in the evidence room.” He didn’t add that he had recently taken it out for Wanda. He thought it best to wait until she’d had a chance to examine it. He turned his head away and noticed the agent now had his gaze unerringly directed on him.

“What do you make of all of this Agent Montgomery?” Lieutenant Hernandez asked.

“I believe there’s a strong possibility it’s no accident Dr. Richardson has received these

two anonymous gifts at the same time the these killings are taking place.” Nicolai spoke into the silent room.

“You think it’s the slayer?” Mark asked him, a deep frown settling between his dark

brows.

“I couldn’t, and wouldn’t say without further proof, Detective. I simply do not believe

it’s a coincidence, and I also think Dr. Richardson should be closely watched. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I’m not sure that it’s anything more