“I’m sorry,” the receptionist finally said, “Professor Kim isn’t scheduled to teach on campus today.He only teaches Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.”
“Do you have a contact number where we can reach him?It’s an urgent matter,” Ann Marie pressed.
“I’m not authorized to release personal contact information,” the receptionist responded, predictably.“However, I believe he works part-time at the Riverstone Café near Dupont Circle.You might be able to reach him there today.”
Ann Marie thanked the woman and ended the call, immediately searching for the café’s number.Riley started the car but left it idling, waiting for Ann Marie to make the next call before pulling into traffic.
“Riverstone Café, how can I help you?”A harried voice answered after several rings, the clatter of dishes and hum of conversation audible in the background.
“Hello, this is Special Agent Esmer with the FBI.I need to speak with David Kim if he’s working today.”Ann Marie’s voice was clear and firm, cutting through the ambient noise.
“The FBI?”The café worker sounded taken aback.“Um, hold on.”
Riley and Ann Marie exchanged glances as they waited through nearly a minute of background noise.Riley could hear muffled voices, as if someone had placed a hand over the receiver while speaking to someone else.
Finally, a new voice came on the line—male, with a slight accent.“This is David Kim.Who did you say you are?”
“David Kim, this is Special Agent Ann Marie Esmer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.I’m here with my colleague, Special Agent Riley Paige.”
There was a pause, and Riley heard what sounded like a door closing, the background noise suddenly diminishing.“What is this regarding?”Kim asked, his voice noticeably tighter than when he’d first spoken.
“We’d like to speak with you in person, if possible,” Ann Marie replied.“It’s about two students who took your Geometry in Everyday Life course at Federal City Community College.”
Another pause, longer this time.“Which students?”Kim’s voice had lowered, almost to a whisper.
“I’d rather discuss that in person,” Ann Marie said.
Silence followed.
“Why?Has something happened?”Kim finally asked.“Am I in some kind of trouble?”
“We just need to ask you some questions,” Ann Marie assured him, keeping her tone neutral.“It would be very helpful to our investigation.”
“Investigation?What kind of investigation?”
“As I said, I’d prefer to discuss the details in person,” Ann Marie responded smoothly.“Could we meet with you at the Riverstone Café?”
After another extended pause, Kim relented.“Yes, fine.I’m working until five today.I can take a break to speak with you when you arrive.”
“Thank you.We’ll be there shortly,” Ann Marie said, ending the call.
Riley pulled the car into traffic, heading toward Dupont Circle.“He sounded nervous,” she observed.
“Beyond nervous,” Ann Marie agreed.“Practically terrified.Did you notice how his voice dropped to nearly a whisper after I mentioned his students?”
“I did.”Riley steered around a slow-moving bus.“The question is: why?Does Kim know something about these murders?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
In the narrow streets of Dupont Circle, Riley wove the car through late afternoon traffic.Less than thirty minutes had passed since their call with David Kim.
“There it is,” Ann Marie pointed to a storefront with large windows and a tasteful green awning—the Riverstone Café.Riley found a parking space half a block away.
“He sounded genuinely terrified on the phone,” Ann Marie observed as they exited the vehicle.“I’m curious to see if his behavior matches in person.”
The café welcomed them with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee and baked goods.Edison bulbs hung from exposed beams, casting warm light over polished wooden tables where customers bent over laptops or conversed in hushed tones.Behind the counter, two baristas worked efficiently—one operating the espresso machine while the other assembled a complex-looking pastry display.
Riley approached the counter, where a young woman with a nose ring and an intricate sleeve of botanical tattoos was wiping down the coffee grinder.“Excuse me,” she said, holding up her credentials.“I’m Special Agent Riley Paige with the FBI, and this is Special Agent Esmer.We called earlier about David Kim.Is he available?”
