“I’m not the one with the obsession.” Callen raked Ben up and down with disgust in his eyes. “The only thing I want is true justice.”
The reporter was built like a marathon runner, skinny, with sunken cheeks, bony hands. He also sported a nice tan, so Lainie guessed he didn’t spend all day inside on his computer.
Lainie saw concern on Ben’s face. West sounded a little off. She’d only ever talked to him on the phone, though she’d seen him often at crime scenes.
“Callen, I’m officially off duty. If you want an interview, you’ll have to talk to the PIO or wait until the doctor says I can return to work.”
“You’re not trying to find Dallas Vine?”
“The department is, so are the Feds, but me personally? I just got shot, and my sister went through a trauma, so I have other things to take care of.”
West frowned. “I need to talk to you about Dallas Vine. You’re all wrong about him. I don’t want to see another miscarriage of justice. Dallas is a good man.”
Ben stepped up. He was at least a head taller than West. Lainie wasn’t certain if he was trying to be intimidating but it seemed to work on West.
“I think Detective Jensen was clear; she’s not on duty.”
West puffed up his chest, and for a second, Lainie thought he was going to argue. But he backed down. “Fine, please call me when you are back on duty.” He stalked away.
“What was that all about?” Ben watched West leave.
Lainie told him about Avery West. “You were the one who thought maybe he was connected to Vine somehow. That’s the only connection I could find.”
“It’s an interesting one. Let’s hope West leaves you alone until you’re ready to talk to him.” Ben turned his attention back to Lainie. “I think I still owe you dinner.”
“I think so too.”
“Will tomorrow night work? I’ve got too much paperwork today.”
“Tomorrow would be perfect.”
Lainie picked up Chinese takeout on her way home. She was ready to relax, but she still didn’t have a TV. It would be takeout food and streaming entertainment on her computer and then early to bed. Lainie felt such peace at the moment. Her faith was back, her sister was alive. Even though Lainie had lost her house, she had a positive attitude about the future.
Settling in at her kitchen table, Lainie set out her food, said grace, and began to eat. Her phone rang, and she answered immediately. “Evie! How are you?”
“A lot better. I remembered something. I’m not sure what it means, but I thought I should tell you. I don’t remember the drive up to the mountains. I do remember being on a boat.”
“A boat?”
“Yes, I remember the rolling and the sound of water. It smelled like the marina. I also remember being blindfolded, pulled along, but nothing else specific. Does that help you at all?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll let everyone know.” Lainie disconnected.
She thought back to the time she’d watched Vine. She remembered the yacht; it was docked by his home. It was calledHavana, if she remembered right. “I wonder if Vine still has the boat.”
Quickly, she typed out a text to Shea. Maybe they missed the yacht. Yawning, Lainie had lost her appetite. It was a good thing she’d bought Chinese food. The little cartons would store well, and she didn’t have any other containers.
Just as she stood to step to the refrigerator, a knock sounded at the door. Lainie saw the clock. It was a little after six, and she wasn’t expecting anyone.
“Detective Jensen, it’s Callen West. Please, can we speak?”
Irritated, Lainie got up and opened the door. It wasn’t Callen West. Two men stood at her door: one was big and muscular; the other was Dallas Vine.
“Vine.”
The big guy pointed a weapon at her. Before she could react, he fired. The Taser prongs hit their mark, and the jolt paralyzed Lainie. By the time she regained control of her muscles, she was tied up, covered in a blanket, and thrown into the trunk of a car.
CHAPTER 64
