Chemical Attraction (31 page)

Madeline laughed again as he glared at the backs of their heads. At the front desk, June stared out the front door at the growing crowd. Many employees milled about on the steps. Bill Bennett had reamed her for letting the FBI in, as if she’d had a choice.

“June, thank you so much for your help,” Madeline said.

“You really work for Homeland Security?”

“Yes, before I started here.”

“Bill fired me.”

“And who heard him fire you?” Joe asked.

“Your agents,” June replied.

“I wouldn’t worry about it, June. He’s going to jail for a long time,” Joe replied. “And I appreciate your help, too.”

“At least now I know what’s going on with the both of you.”

“Bye, June,” Joe said, grinning. Madeline slipped her badge back into her purse. They opened the doors, and researchers rushed to the desk. As they walked to the car, he dialed Matt’s cell. “Hey, is Rita there with you?”

“Yeah, she’s yakking about some new evidence to make you miserable.”

“Her evidence is that DVD. Let me talk to her.”

“Do you want me to take it from her?”

“Nope, we’re not supposed to know she has it.” He sighed as he waited. “Rita, you need to get to the airport. The guys need to fly out ASAP.”

“Can you take me, Joey?”

“Sorry, I’m too busy going over information with Agent Pierce. Let me speak with Chief Connor and I’ll arrange your ride.” He waited another few seconds. “Can one of your guys give her a ride to the airport? We’ll be joining you in about fifteen minutes. By the way, my agents took your wife back to Sylvia’s to let her rest and keep an eye on her.”

“Thanks, I’ll have Bobby drive Rita. He’s the most immune.”

Sitting in the parking lot, Madeline watched him lean his head back and close his eyes. “Thank you, Joe.”

He turned his head toward her, still leaning against the headrest. “For what?”

“For being so organized, for taking charge, for saving me again. Should I go on?”

“You were a huge help with Kenny. I liked your idea about talking to Bill by yourself. I wasn’t sure we’d have enough evidence while he was here, so him grabbing you helped.”

She looked out her window. “What’s the deal with everyone trying to manhandle me?”

“I’ll make it up to you,” he said, squeezing her hand. “I’m going to lock us in the Blue Room, but first we need to talk with Matt.” He started the car. “I have a bad feeling. This ain’t over.”

As he pulled behind Matt’s cruiser, Madeline looked at her hands. “It’s my fault about Rita. I’m sorry.”

“What’s your fault?” he asked, turning off the engine.

“You wanted just business and I continued to pursue you. Now she’s using that to tarnish your record,” she said, looking out her window.

“Yeah, you seduced me and now you’ve ruined my career. How many other men have you done that to?”

Not seeing him smile, she bolted from the car and headed toward the riverfront. He chased after her.

“Madeline, I was kidding. You didn’t ruin my career. In fact, you helped it. My boss congratulated us on all thirty-two busts,” he said, stopping her.

“What about Rita? She has that disc and will continue to bash you.”

Laughing, he used his thumbs to wipe her eyes. “I let her take it. I set her up.”

“You did?”

Nodding, he led her back up the sidewalk.

“I’ve only been with one other man,” she blurted out.

“Your aunt let that slip.”

She groaned and turned back toward the river.

Yanking her hand, he pulled her close. “Madeline, I am so lucky. You chose me.”

In the observation room at the police station, Madeline wore an earpiece and looked through the one-way window. Joe wanted her input while he talked with Bill Bennett, Jr. and his lawyer.

“You will be charged with assaulting a Homeland Security agent,” Joe said, sitting next to Matt.

“She’s not an agent. She’s a curious researcher,” Bill said. Steve Hall put his hand on his client’s shoulder.

“That makes it okay to assault her?” Joe asked calmly.

“I have no comment.” Bill’s lawyer nodded at his reply.

“What’s so curious about Dr. Pierce?” Joe asked.

“I have no comment.”

“I would like to know how BennTech will be put on the map worldwide,” Matt asked. Bill shifted in his chair and crossed his legs.

“My client has no comment. He had nothing to do with ordering the meth materials.”

“Kenny VanKampen disagrees. He has given us some very interesting information.” Joe smiled. “And he’s naming other people.”

“What other people?” Bill asked, sitting up straighter.

“Why would Alan Shaw carry a gun with a silencer? Who would want to break his neck?” Joe pressed.

“Someone killed Alan?” Bill asked, rubbing the back of his head and shifting once more in his chair.

“Joe, he’s clearly afraid of that someone. His leg is bouncing under the table. Ask him about Pat Simko,” she said aloud in the empty room. She saw him nod slightly.

“Do you know how Patricia Simko died?”

When he didn’t answer, Matt spoke. “We have proof that Alan Shaw shot her in the head and chest with that gun. We also know that she is your secretary and worked for Dr. Adams for two months.”

“That links her to you and the animal attacks from a vial we found in the vet’s office,” Joe said, watching the shock on Bill’s face.

“My client has nothing else to say at this time.”

Matt and Joe left to join Madeline in the observation room. “He didn’t answer any of those questions,” she said, biting her nail.

“Sure he did.” Matt switched off the interrogation room speaker. “You saw his body language. He knows much more.”

“Yeah, we’ll let him stew for a while. Do you want to let Kenny and his gang enjoy their cells?” Joe asked him.

“We can come back this evening. I need to give my guys some instructions first.”

“Madeline, I’ll be right back,” Joe said before following Matt to his officers. He stood with his back to her.

Leaning against the wall, she tapped her earpiece and held her hand up to her mouth. “Hey, Sexy,” she whispered.

Joe put his hands behind his back and pointed his finger at her.

Smiling, she continued. “Can I nibble your ear?”

He shifted his stance and pointed again.

“Would you like my naked breasts pressed against your chest?”

His body stiffened.

“If I kiss you, will you moan in my mouth?”

He ran his hand over his head.

“Can I feel your hot breath on my neck while we make love?” She smiled innocently as he approached her.

He slipped off his earpiece and gently took hers. “You don’t get to use this anymore. Let’s go. I’d like to answer your questions privately.”

Joe unlocked Sylvia’s door and they slipped into the cool, quiet house. Not knowing where everyone was, she carefully opened the Pink Room door to see Eva sleeping.

Joe opened the Blue Room door to find it empty. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her inside. Not letting her go, he kissed her. Releasing her briefly, he quickly yanked open the bottom dresser drawer and wrapped his bow tie around the outside doorknob.

Joe woke to a knock on the door. He reached for his underwear and jeans while Madeline slept in her wild goddess pose. He opened it a crack. Tim smiled at the handle. “Sir, it’s four-thirty and your sister wanted you to know dinner will be ready in thirty,” he replied, looking past Joe.

“Step back, Agent Orr.”

Tim immediately averted his eyes. “Yes, sir,” he said as the door closed.

Madeline sat with the sheet pulled up just above her breasts. Her long hair fell over her shoulders in a tangled mess. This beautiful, amazing woman loved him. His heart expanded from the joy of it.

“Matt and Ray left to pick up pizza and pop,” Eva said as Joe walked into the kitchen. “Matt filled Tim and Ray in on everything that’s happened so far. We’re going to need all the help we can get to figure out who has this nano-drug and what they plan to do with it.”

Joe sat next to Tim at the table. “Evie, when the guys get back, you can share your information about the fourth floor. You have a theory, don’t you?”

“As a matter of fact I do. Did you get any rest?” Eva asked.

“Enough,” Joe replied, waiting for the harassment.

“I’m still trying to get a handle on this nano-drug. It sounds dangerous,” Tim said.

“It’s extremely dangerous,” Madeline replied from the doorway. “This has the potential to become a weapon.”

“What kind of weapon?” Matt asked. He stood behind her holding two pizza boxes. Ray carried a case of cold Coke. Stepping out of their way, Madeline sat next to Joe while Eva set out paper plates and napkins.

“There are some interesting things on the fourth floor that could become a biological weapon,” Joe began.

Madeline explained about the nano-drug and the use of the ultrasound. “Together, they cause a violent reaction in the test subject like the rat we tested. The mini-ultrasound machines on the forth floor make it easier to be effective outside the laboratory. I think someone injected those cats, the emus, that pig, and those animals at the vet’s office as part of their testing.”

Eva added. “I think the reason the coms weren’t working on that floor is because it’s insulated heavily to prevent any sound from entering or exiting the floor.”

Madeline pushed her plate away. “What kind of problem will we have when many animals turn on a crowd?”

“A big one,” Joe replied, scratching his arm near his stitches.

“Do you think they would test on people?” Tim asked, wiping his mouth.

“If some psycho is testing on animals outside the lab, testing on actual people isn’t far behind. We need to find out who’s doing it now,” Madeline replied.

“Bill knows something. Do you think he’s doing the testing?” Joe asked.

“No, he doesn’t have the medical background. This person is an intelligent nut job with medical training,” she replied.

“You have those qualifications,” Ray replied.

“This person has succeeded to the next step, and I’m not a nut.”

“You do love Joe,” Ray pointed out.

“What materials were sent from your lab?” Joe asked, ignoring Ray.

Madeline pulled out the sheet of paper Rita had given her. “Materials used in the research that I’m doing. That’s why I think if we identify the lab the chemicals were sent to, we’ll find the person behind this weaponry. We need to press Bill about MAP Chemical. I’ve never heard of it. Have any of you?”

“Tim, call division and look into it. Ray, check into Bill Bennett’s and Alan Shaw’s pasts to see who and what comes up. I think the four of us should finish talking to Bill and his gang.”

“Chief, the sheriff wants you to call him ASAP,” Brayland said as the group entered the station. “Steven has an update for you about Alan Shaw.”

“Let me make that call, then we’ll hear what Steven has to say.” He shut his office door while the rest stood by a vacant desk. He dialed Sheriff Benton’s direct line.

“I’ve got news on those boys,” the sheriff said. “We found their bodies a quarter mile down the river with the body of a man that fits the description of the uncle.”

“Damn it. Did they drown?”

“Matt, all four were shot in the head.”

“I want those bullets.” He hung up not waiting for a reply. He hurled the half-empty coffee mug at the door, shattering its opaque glass.

Eva looked through the hole to see him leaning his white knuckled fists on his desk. “Matt, what’s happened?”

“Stay back, there’s glass,” he said, gritting his teeth.

Silence filled the outer room. He knew his men had never seen him react so violently. Ethan, Bobby, and Steven stared along with the rest. He walked into the kitchenette for the broom and dustpan. He swept the shards into a pile and then leaned on the handle.

“They found the boys in the river with bullets in their heads.”

Eva rushed to him. Madeline wrapped her arms around Joe, who buried his face in her hair. Squeezing him tight, Madeline whispered something in his ear. Joe nodded and sighed.

“We’ll have to tell David,” Eva said, wiping her eyes.

“Not until this is done. I think Bill and Kenny need to know about these boys who have died,” he replied.

As he and Joe turned toward the interrogation room, Steven stopped them. “Uh, sir, there’s more. The, uh, fingerprints found inside Alan Shaw’s car were, uh, his and, um, Simon Baker’s.”

“What?” Eva asked. “That can’t be right.”

“Uh, yes, ma’am, we double-checked.”

“Has anybody found him yet?” he asked.

“No, sir,” Brayland replied.

“Then I suggest you make it a priority.” Matt motioned for Joe to follow him. Eva and Madeline were at their heels. “First, we need to talk to Kenny and Bill, then we can deal with Simon.” He opened the door. “Brayland, put Kenny in the room now.”