Mack looked over his shoulder. “If so, I’m not seeing it.”
“She said it was to be carried out within a week.” Kiley’s computer dinged, telling her the image had completed.
Mack stood. “Anniversary of 9/11?”
“I was thinking the same thing. It’s hard to believe this sweet college student stumbled on a sinister plot and might have lost her life because of it.”
Mack frowned. “We need to finish up here. Get back to the office. Make an action plan.”
“You’re right. We’re done here. Let’s go.” Kiley packed the external drive and her computer and shouldered her backpackto leave. On the way out, she grabbed Firuzeh’s backpack and found Raheem near the stairs, a large black suitcase that matched the pair under Firuzeh’s bed in his hand.
Kiley looked around the room at overstuffed furniture with a contemporary flair. “Is there anything out here belonging to Firuzeh?”
He shook his head. “She felt like she was infringing on us so she was very tidy and never left anything behind.”
“What did she like to do for fun?” Kiley asked, as she wanted to see more than this very serious side of Firuzeh.
“She was really into dancing. Especially traditional Persian dances like the Bandari. Our parents do not approve of dancing, so this they do not know.”
“Where would she go to dance?”
“ThisIdid not want to know, so if my father found out I would not have to lie to him.”
Kiley could understand his position. She tapped Firuzeh’s backpack. “I would like to take several items with me. I also made a copy of her computer hard drive.”
He gave a firm nod.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Raheem.”
“It is for my sister that I do it.” He met Kiley’s gaze and held it. “Please promise me you will find Firuzeh’s killer.”
Kiley found herself nodding and gritted her teeth. What on earth had she been thinking to make such a promise?
One of the first rules of law enforcement was never to promise anything to grieving families. Now she had to find a way not to make a liar of herself.
CHAPTER 5
KILEY WATCHEDTaylor’s car holding the bereaved Abed family wind up the parking ramp at the U.S. Marshals’ office, and she turned to face Mack, who sat in the driver’s seat of his truck. “I don’t like leaving the Abeds before they’re settled in a safe house.”
“You know they’re in the best hands with Taylor.” Mack wasn’t exaggerating because Taylor was engaged to Sean. She was a top-performing and well-respected WITSEC deputy, and an overall wonderful woman.
“I already appreciate having her here in D.C. as a friend,” Kiley said, “but tonight I appreciate her a little bit more.”
“Yeah, I get that. Having people you can count on to do what they say they’re going to do is a rarity these days.” Was he thinking of his wife, Addison Leigh? They’d been separated for over a year but had never divorced.
Kiley looked at him. “You thinking of anyone in particular?”
He shrugged, a faraway look in his eyes that saidend of subject.
She wanted to probe, yet she’d hate it if he ignored her desire for privacy, so she clamped her mouth closed and sat back for the drive to Firuzeh’s crime scene.
Still, Kiley felt insanely proud of herself for even noticing his desire not to talk. Figuring people out was a nuance she was just starting to get good at. Thanks to her mother’s overprotective nature, outside of school hours Kiley had spent her teen years pretty much locked in her room with her computer. Shedidn’t have friends other than online friends, and there were no nuances in their written messages. Plus video was rare back then, and even the little bit she’d participated in wasn’t really interacting with a person up close and personal. So she’d had to learn the skills as an adult. Skills she would need when she faced Detective Lancaster, who was emerging from the shadows near Firuzeh’s car.
Mack parked by the yellow crime-scene tape. Kiley got out and caught Lancaster’s eye. His hair was plastered against his forehead. He brushed it back with an angry swipe as he marched across the street. Kiley planted her feet and prepared herself for a testy encounter.
“Agent Dawson,” Lancaster began, “think of something I might need to know?”
“I came to pick up my car.” She poked a thumb over her shoulder at her vehicle. “Thought I’d stop by to ask if you’d found anything of interest.”
