Laurel could not care less about public.
“Your client hired Viv as an intern,” she said, voice cool but laced with the anger she barely kept in check. “Viv overheard her discussing a secret lab. I believe your client had her kidnapped. I also believe your client is involved in the deaths of people with fatal brain lesions we traced back to compounds developed at Oakridge Solutions. And we have credible intel suggesting a bio-attack will occur soon.”
Kind of. Not really. Not enough.
But God, she needed it to be enough.
Vexler gave her a tired smile. “Arrest my client or let her go. You have nothing specific tying her to the abduction. You know it. I know it.”
And he was right.
Laurel’s chest burned with the truth.
Bertra stood, graceful and smug. She gave Laurel a slight nod, like they were adversaries in some corporate chess match and not standing on the ruins of a missing girl’s future.
“You want to get in front of this,” Laurel said sharply, rising. “Now.”
Vexler smirked. “I do appreciate your tenacity. You remind me of your sister.”
Laurel didn’t flinch, but anger rushed through her, making her ears heat.
“I wish you luck in finding the girl,” he added smoothly, and turned toward the door with Bertra beside him.
Laurel watched them go, fury boiling under her skin. She leaned forward, hands braced on the table, the fight draining out of her legs. She felt raw, cornered, and two steps behind. The only thing worse than not having enough to hold Bertra was knowing she was dirty and having to let her walk anyway.
Laurel’s eyes burned. She pressed the heel of her hand against them, once. That was all she’d give it.
Where was Viv?
They had surveillance, yes, but no faces. No license plates. She had officers sweeping the neighborhoods and canvassing every parking lot. The drones hadn’t found heat signatures worth chasing.
Laurel turned and looked at the boards filled with names, numbers, possible connections, and none of it giving her what she needed.
Her jaw clenched until her teeth ached.
She wasn’t losing this girl.
Shaking herself, she stood and walked down the hallway and stairs, intending to go into the Fish and Wildlife offices, which had become a central hub for the investigation since it had more square footage. She stepped into the vestibule and ran right into Tim Kohnex. His dog sat over by the door, yawning. “I don’t have time for you.”
His blue eyes widened. “The wind is talking. About spinning tires and the missing girl.”
Laurel breathed deep. “Bullshit.” She rarely uttered profanity. Her brain wasn’t using all its power as she hadn’t slept. “I know the news got ahold of this.” She’d seen Rachel at the school and had stayed away from her.
Kohnex grasped her arm. “It’s the wind. I heard it with the cars near the church. Whispering that she’s lost. Why don’t you come to the Spring Worship Day with me tomorrow at the church? The wind will whisper to you at that holy place.” He stood nearly six foot seven, his body fit and slender. “Let me help you.”
Laurel jerked free. The man wanted to write a book about being psychic, and he’d told her so. “You’re trespassing. Leave or I’ll have you arrested.” She pushed through the door to the Fish and Wildlife offices, where the bustle of agents and officers desperately trying to find a missing teenager sounded like a busy city at lunchtime.
Where could Viv be?
Chapter 33
Tim Kohnex muttered all the way home as he drove away from Genesis Valley toward the unincorporated area. “She thinks she knows everything. That woman’s brain is too big for her own good.”
Buster, his border collie, let out a soft whuff from the back seat as if in agreement. Or boredom. Probably both. The wind was gusting again, tugging at the side mirrors of his rusted truck as he passed the glorious Genesis Valley Community Church. What a beacon of hope and goodness. Why wouldn’t Laurel Snow believe him? He should be preparing for the worship day, but no, he had to be out here doing her job.
“She won’t listen. I told her I heard them. Heard tires on gravel, late last night. I told her I could feel the girl was still alive.”
The dog stared out the window, tongue lolling, unconcerned.
