Jane frowned up at Rapp, who stood glaring at her. “Who, me?”
“Yes.”
She followed him and Gina into his office, where he shut the door to give them some privacy. As if Diego wouldn’t be watching or listening as hard as he could.
“Okay, what’s going on with you two?”
“We don’t like each other,” Jane said, wanting to get back to work. “Can I go now?”
“What? Why?” Rapp seemed genuinely confused.
Gina answered, “She doesn’t play well with others. And she’s not really on the team.”
Jane shrugged.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Rapp said. “We’re all a team, Gina. We need to come together. We don’t have nearly the manpower we need for this case.”
“I know, Rapp. But she’s prickly. And I’m tired of catering to her.”
“How is doing your job catering to me?” Jane genuinely wanted to know.
Gina ignored her and offered a sigh instead. “I don’t have to like her to do my job. And we need to be a team. You’re right. I’ll keep my glaring to a minimum if that helps.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Rapp frowned.
Gina left. Before Jane could follow her, he pointed at the chair across from him. “Sit.”
She stared at him, waiting to be asked.
“Pleasesit, Jane.”
She sat and waited.
“Look, I know you’re here to help. I also know you like to do things your own way. Your insights are valuable but not replaceable. We’re a small group, but we can make do with or without you.”
Without her might take longer to catch their killer. He knew that, but he wanted her to know that as well. She sighed. “Fine.”
“Good. Now I know we’re all frustrated at our lack of progress. But I think we’re making headway. We know Code Blue isn’t tied to the Mazzucas, but he is targeting medical workers. And he’s been pretty quiet since the EMTs a little overtwo weeks ago. If he’s consistent in his patterns, he’ll attack again soon. We need to stop him before that happens.”
“I’m trying, but I’m getting nowhere with victim records or the phone interviews Gina’s done. And her in-person interviews, though helpful, only paint our victims as decent, upstanding people with nothing worse than an overdue library book.”
“I know.” He nodded. “We’re swimming in circles. That’s why it’s time for a field trip.”
Jane caught his excitement. “Oh? Where?”
“To the scene of the next crime.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Though Jane appreciatedRapp’s idea to try something new, shockingly, Gina continued to argue with him about his plan, thinking her time would be better spent reinterviewing witnesses and friends and family of the victims.
“We can’t know where he’ll strike next.”
Huh. Poor Gina’s day appeared to be one big waste of time. That made Jane really look forward to this outing. Plus, she agreed with Rapp. She had a good feeling about his idea. She would have done it before, but in an effort to be a team player, she’d done what was asked instead of going off on her own. And they had so much data to look over, she had more than enough work to do behind a desk.
“I know we don’t know where he’ll strike next,” Rapp agreed. “But perhaps if we scout it first, we’ll see what’s attracting him to the scenes.”
The four of them stood outside the building, preparing to head out.
