“Why isn’t Crenshaw here?” Eric asked. “If this was his case—”
“He’s no longer with the Bureau.”
“He quit?”
Killion shook his head. “Died.”
“What? How?” Riley demanded.
“Don’t worry, Detective. It wasn’t our guy. Crenshaw died of natural causes. Heart attack.”
Riley blinked with shock. “He was like thirty-three.”
“I know. Pressures of the job, I guess.” Killion exhaled. “Anyway, like you I never thought Lewis was guilty.”
“Hold up.” Eric put up a hand to stop the know-it-all agent. “How did you know Riley’s position on Lewis’s innocence?”
“I told him,” Maggie spoke up for the first time since he and Riley had entered the room. “When I met with Agent Killion and the other DPD officers, I told them about the note found in the fourth victim’s mouth.” She looked to Riley. “The one addressed to you. I also looked over the pictures that the FBI’s ME took of the victims found in Colorado and Wyoming. I’m confident in stating the same person who made those markings, made the ones in our four victims.”
Rather than respond to Maggie, Riley looked at Vogel and asked, “Captain, can West and I have a minute with you? Alone?”
Cap nodded. “Dr. Cartwright, why don’t you take Agent Killion into the breakroom for a cup of coffee.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call what that machine in there makes coffee, but sure.” Maggie smiled. “Follow me, Agent Killion.”
“Noah,” the man’s eyes lingered a bit too long on their ME for Eric’s liking.
“My apologies, Noah.” Maggie smiled.
Wait. Is she blushing?
Eric didn’t have time to decide before Noah shut the door behind them.
“Captain,” Riley began the second the door closed. “I know what you’re thinking, but you can’t hand this over to the FBI.”
“Why not?” Vogel pulled out his chair and sat down.
“Because this case should be mine!” Riley insisted. “I’m the one who started investigating this guy from the start. He chose to contactme, first in New York, and now here. If you give this to the Feds—”
“I’m not giving it to them,” Vogel cut her ranting short.
“So, what...they’re justtakingit? They can’t do that, Cap. It’s up to the local department to decide whether or not to give the Feds access to—”
“You trying to tell me how to do my job, Detective York?”
A sudden tension filled the room.
“No, sir. I’m asking. Please, don’t let them take this one.”
“Relax, York.” Vogel sat up a little straighter. “The Feds aren’t taking shit. However, wearegoing to work together with the Feds on this one. I’ve spoken to the Chief. He agreed and has already given Sergeant McMillan over in homicide the heads up. They’re sending everything they have over to us as we speak.”
From his peripheral, Eric could tell Cap’s announcement had surprised the hell out of her.
“Really?”
“Makes sense for us to take over, given the connection this guy seems to have with you.”
Riley’s relief was palpable. “Thank you, Captain.”
