The memories catapulted him to the bank, to the day when officers dragged Fowler away, his hot beady eyes locked on Megan. Spewing obscenities and threats. Megan withdrawing into her chair as if trying to disappear. Much as she was trying to do now.
But she was a different person now. She’d become a fiercely independent woman. He’d seen that at the hospital. She needed to get in touch with that strength again to ease the panic.
Maybe he could help. He took her hand, ice-cold and trembling.
“You and Ella will be fine.” He squeezed her fingers. “I know you’re worried, but I also know you can handle anything that comes your way for Ella’s sake.”
She sat up higher, but then a knock sounded on the door, and she jerked her hand away to clutch her body again.
“Relax. That’s got to be Micha.” Not that Reid wouldn’t be careful before opening the door. Hand on the butt of his gun, he peered through the peephole.
Micha stared at the door, his black hair and matching close-cut beard darker in the shadows. He frowned, drawing down his face. Reid had seen this scowl many times with Micha when a survivalist challenged him.
Reid unlocked the door and opened it for Russ’s military friend.
Reid moved close to Micha. “Megan’s really freaked out. Keep your comments positive when she’s in earshot.”
Micha responded with a raised eyebrow but didn’t speak. They entered the family room. Megan had come to her feet, and Reid made the introductions.
She shook Micha’s hand. “Thanks for coming. I appreciate it.”
Micha smiled. His good looks attracted women like flies to honey, but on the job, his demeanor changed and put women at ease. Like Megan now. Some tension had left her posture. Reid was glad she’d calmed a bit. He really was, but jealousy stabbed his gut. There once was a time when he’d had a soothing effect on her. Now just being in the same room seemed to agitate her.
“So,” Micha said loudly, drawing Reid to the present. “Let’s get the show on the road.”
“We’ll start in Ella’s room.” Reid wanted to ask Megan to stay put in the family room, but he knew she’d balk at it.
“After you.” He held out his hand for her to precede them down the hallway. She hurried ahead.
“Stay,” Reid said to Bandit and set off beside Micha.
“No sign of forced entry at all?” Micha asked in a whisper after Megan was out of range.
“None,” Reid replied, his tone low. “Fowler either got someone to let him in, had a key, or could pick a lock. Either way, he also had to know the code for the alarm system.”
Micha frowned. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and find his prints on the keypad.”
“I’m guessing he wore gloves,” Reid said.
“If he’s smart he did.”
“He’s not the brightest bulb,” Reid said as they moved down the hall. “But he literally got away with murder, so he does know how to commit a crime and get away with it.”
At Ella’s door, Reid let Micha enter first. Reid had instructed his teammate to bring supplies, and he handed a pair of latex gloves to Reid, then put on his own pair and systematically searched the space. Reid followed suit, sifting through toys, clothes, and craft supplies as he periodically glanced at Megan.
A myriad of emotions wandered over her face, and he could almost see the wheels in her head turning as she tried to make sense of the situation. In the end, she set her jaw. Good. The strong woman from the hospital had returned.
Micha turned from the tall white dresser with alphabet blocks for handles. “Everything’s like you described.”
Reid joined him and lifted the cap. “Definitely well-worn. Could be the actual cap Fowler wore at the robbery. If so, the police should be able to retrieve his DNA, and they’ll take the incident seriously.”
“Maybe.” Micha pinched his lips together. “With no sign of forced entry, there’s nothing to prove Fowler left it here.”
Megan’s hand flew to her chest. “Do you think someone else might have done it?”
“No,” Reid answered honestly.
She frowned. “But if they find his DNA on the cap that should prove he was here, right?”
