“Sure,” Alice said. “It’s our pack. Everyone knows everybody.”
Mia glanced at her watch. “What about Ashlynn Volk? Did Frank know her years ago?”
“Yes,” Alice said. “In fact, if I remember right, the Barnby family was opposed to Benjamin marrying outside our pack. They were rather vocal about it.”
Determination flowed through Mia. Frank Barnby was looking like a good suspect, finally, and it’d be a relief to clear Erik if she could. She had to find him and talk to him first. “I’ll let you rest, Alice.”
Alice reached for the pudding. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Mia stood, pausing. “Tonight? You can’t leave the hospital.”
Alice’s eyes blazed. “Ben and I have been together for more than a decade, and although we never mated, that’s as close as I’ve ever come. Nothing can keep me away from his ceremony.” Her gaze lanced over Mia’s exposed bite mark. “You know exactly what I mean.”
Mia touched her neck. Yes, she did. Exactly.
Chapter35
Mia pulled up the zipper on the black dress, her heart heavy. Her phone rang, and she reached for it on the dresser. “Stone.”
“We have another one,” Kurt said.
She jolted. “Another one?”
He was quiet for a moment. “Yes, Mia. We have another victim.”
Oh. She’d forgotten all about the other case. Then the words registered. “Another sex worker in a dumpster?”
“Affirmative, and this time the woman was missing for at least forty hours and was strangled.” Sounds of typing came over the line.
Mia struggled to concentrate.
“I need you here on this.”
“I can’t. Not right now.” There was too much going on, and Seth needed her support. She’d never given her loyalty in such a manner, but he deserved it, and she couldn’t turn away from him. Perhaps she could get him to move with her back to the DC area once Gena was healthy, and she could resume her job with the FBI. But not right now. “I’m working on, well, another case.”
Kurt snorted. “Nothing is as important as this case.”
“You’re wrong.” She tucked the phone against her ear and reached for her gold earrings. “Sorry, Kurt.”
“When can you help?” Frustration coated his words.
She fastened the other earring into place. “I don’t know. I’m sure the Kentucky authorities can assist you.” Although he’d never admit it, she had been a better agent than Kurt. Perhaps he couldn’t catch this guy without her.
“This killing was in Lincoln, Nebraska,” Kurt snapped.
Mia straightened, her mind spinning. “He’s moving?”
“Yeah. Looks like he’s headed west.”
Where she was right now. It could be a coincidence, or maybe not. “Get techs on tracing the line between the kills. Find out if there’s a main interstate or such, and then get back to me.”
“You’re not calling the shots here,” Kurt said.
“Then stop asking for my help,” Mia said reasonably. She had too much on her plate right now, but she’d focus on this when she could.
Papers rustled over the line. “Do you or do you not want your damn job back?”
She blinked. Did she? “I think I do, but I can’t come back right now.” Once she helped Seth find a safe place, then maybe she’d return. Right now, she needed to figure out her place with him, and she had to help him. “I’ll call when I can.” She clicked off. Now there was no choice but to bring Gena and Dotty with them when they left.
