She thought for a moment about the information, recalling everything she knew about this reservation company. “Using the hotel site is a smart move. They could use gift cards and PayPal so they would remain anonymous when they checked in.”
“We should see if there are any internet providers associated with this apartment. If so, we could get the full link.”
“Agreed.” She texted Cam, updating him on the op and asking him to begin looking into it.
Sean stepped back, greeted ASAC Stadler on his phone, and made their request for ERT.
Kiley checked the other bathroom and then helped Mack go through the kitchen trash. The can held nothing other than bags and wrappers from McDonald’s and Wendy’s.
“It’ll all be good for forensics,” Mack said. “Prints. DNA.”
She poked at the wrappers. “I’ll have Cam request security video for these nearby restaurants. Maybe we’ll find out if they’re driving the same car we saw on video and get a plate.” She texted Cam the additional request.
As she set aside the items she wanted the evidence tech to take, Cam texted back, promising to get right on warrants and a search for the internet company. His texts didn’t convey his tone of voice, but she imagined him still being disappointed and vowed to find a way to help him achieve his dreams of becoming an agent.
Mack stripped off his gloves. “I’ll take Sean over to pick up the other car.”
The pair departed, and Kiley stepped outside to wait for ERT. She leaned on the railing, breathing in bacon-scented air and trying to remember when she’d last sat down for breakfast, or any meal not eaten on the job. She couldn’t come up with a day. Like Evan had said, she worked all the time. Her job demanded it. He might be transmitting his interest in her and perhaps thinking about seeing where this thing between them might lead, and she now forgave him, but they still had a bigobstacle between them. They both worked far too much for a relationship. And lived on opposite coasts too.
She ignored the special-ops teams packing up in the parking lot, the residents filing back toward their homes, and stared at the city skyline reflected in the water, her mood so contemplative she couldn’t focus her thoughts and simply stared for what felt like hours.
Is this you, God, telling me to consider my life? To look at it through fresheyes? Maybe make some changes? Or is it wishful thinking on my part?
Mack pulled into the parking lot and maneuvered around residents to park at the base of the stairs. She stowed her wandering thoughts as he climbed the steps and joined her on the balcony.
“Sean went back to the office,” Mack said, taking a position next to her and facing the water in the distance. “Evan take off?”
“He’s still here somewhere.”
“Avoiding him or arguing?”
“Avoiding,” she admitted.
After not speaking for a long moment, Mack shifted to look at her. “You still blaming him for Olin’s death?”
She kept her focus pointed ahead and explained her recent realization.
“Ah, so now you’re avoiding your feelings for him.”
She swiveled to look him in the eye. “Speaking of feelings, I overheard you warning Evan off.”
A sheepish look crossed his face. “I might’ve gotten a little overprotective.”
“You’re a great friend, Mack, but I can fight my own battles.”
“Can you?” His eyebrow arched, and he looked like a pirate in the dim light. “Because if you can, you wouldn’t be avoiding Evan.”
She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. He was right. She was running from her feelings and couldn’t argue the point.
The ERT van pulled into the lot, and she started for the stairway. “I’ll head down to meet them so we can get going.”
“Kiley...” Mack said.
She glanced over her shoulder at him.
“I avoided personal things for too long and it cost me my relationship with Addy.” He met her gaze and held tight. “Try not to do the same thing, okay?”
This was the first time since he split with Addison that he’d mentioned anything about her, so Kiley knew it took courage for him to bring it up, and she wouldn’t blow it off.
