"Yeah, I was joking."Wolfe shot back."But she’s the one who said it."He gestured with his head toward Alison."If she’s the key to this, then it’s up to her to figure out how to unlock that."
"And you’re not helping by pressuring her," Hartley said."You obviously know her record from what you’re saying, so if you want to compare that to yours, we can."
"I hold my hand up and apologize when I make a mistake," Wolfe said.
"Well, then we can expect one of your apologies soon them, right?"Hartley asked.
"I—" Wolfe started.
"Hey, come and take a look at this," one of the forensic techs said.
The others stopped their bickering for now and turned towards the body of Maria Chen and the tech crouched by her.The woman in white coveralls used a set of tweezers to pull something from the dead woman’s pocket.She carefully unfolded it and read through the note.
"It looks like the killer wrote us a letter," the tech said.
CHAPTER TEN
Derek sat at his desk in the CBI offices and couldn’t help but glance up at James Payne, occupying the desk that Alison usually sat at.It wasn’t only the fact that he was her father, but how he went about reviewing the case files.He and Alison shared many of the same mannerisms, and Derek couldn’t help but chuckle at the way he scratched the side of his head, or grunted when going through evidence in a file, or even the way the pen moved across the paper when he took notes.
Alison hadn’t been away for all that long, but it caused him to miss her more.However, having her father around was a pretty good substitute, and he was glad to spend some quality time with him.He planned on marrying Alison someday, and he wanted a relationship with her and her family.
He also wanted to find the person who killed Emma Payne, a murdered daughter and sister.
James looked up from his work and caught Derek looking across at him.
"This could take weeks, months even," James commented before taking a drink of coffee.He picked up one of the chocolates he’d brought (it hadn’t taken Derek long to see that James had a very sweet tooth) and popped it into his mouth (Derek has also realized early on that while James was a very generous man, both with time and money, he didn't ever share his chocolates).
"It’s already taken decades," Derek replied."What harm is a little more time?"
James smiled at Derek."You’re a good man."
"I like to think that we both are," Derek replied.
"Then Alison is lucky to have us," James said.
Derek laughed.It didn't take long for his mood to become more somber."We are making good progress," he said."We’ve ruled out a whole bunch of suspects so far.The more we do that, the closer we get to finding our guy."
James took a deep breath and let out a sigh.Derek thought for a moment that he was going to bemoan the dead ends they had hit time and time again, but he broke out into a smile instead.
"I know this might sound weird, but it’s nice to be around this all again," James commended.He looked around the small office and moved his hands across the surface of his desk."I wanted to retire, and it was the right time, both for Rex and me, but I surely miss it at times.I haven’t felt the same since I left the force, and it’s nice to be back, even though it’s not what I wanted to be doing."
"You’re doing something more valuable than any other case you worked back then," Derek commented."This is for Emma.This is for your daughter.You’re looking after your family, and I know that Alison appreciates it more than she would ever say."
"We’ve never had the closest relationship," James commented with a grimace.
"I know," Derek admitted."Alison knows that, too.I don't think it’s anything either of you has done, but I do know that working this case is bringing you both closer together.I’ve only known Alison for a couple of years, but she’s been focused on this case for twenty years more than that, and it’s hard for her to have the capacity for anyone or anything else.Then I’ve come along, and I realize that it’s given her less time for you, and—"
James waved his hand in the air at Derek."No, don't say that.You’re one of the best things to happen to my daughter.I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t wary at first, what with you being law enforcement and all that, but she’s better because of you, and you’re far better suited to her."
Derek laughed again.
"I let the job consume me for years, and Alison gets that trait from me," James admitted."I worried that it would be hard if you were solely focused on your job, but you’re not, and working this case with me proves it.You have time for her and everything that comes along with it.Thank you, Derek."
Derek smiled, his chest puffing."You’re welcome."
"Okay, enough with the feelings and more focus on the facts," James suggested.Winston Security sent in the police checks and background reports for all of their employees.They’re more than happy to work with us, but I’m still worried that an employee catches wind that there’s an investigation, and then word starts to spread."
"When I spoke to the manager there, they assured me it would stay within a select few management people."
