Page 39 of Hunting Justice

“Yeah, well, I still want you on antibiotics.” Jonah pointed to the chair. “Sit while we chat. I’ve asked Bonnie to get us some water bottles and a few snacks. She’s also picking up that prescription for you.”

Noelle bit her lip to keep from laughing. She hadn’t seen Jonah in mother-hen mode since her concussion. “Relax, Jonah. I’m fine.”

“You will be once I make sure you have what you need.”

Matt’s gaze shifted between them, then to Decia, who shrugged. “Okay, then. Doc, have a seat.”

Jonah moved his chair beside Noelle’s and lowered himself onto it.

“First, we need your statements about the shooting. Then we want to know what you two are not telling us.” Decia folded her arms, daring them to contradict her statement.

“No argument here.” Jonah placed his hands between his knees and proceeded to give the two detectives a rundown of the events.

Noelle interjected her comments when necessary.

Matt whistled through his teeth. “Someone is not happy with you, Doc.”

Jonah’s brows rose to his hairline. “Ya think?”

Decia finished writing her notes and tucked the pad of paper and pencil into a pocket of her cargo pants. “Now that we have that out of the way, what’s really going on?”

“We planned to bring you into the loop once we had solid proof, but after the cold storage incident and the shooting, I think that idea is long gone.” Noelle turned to Jonah. “Do you want to explain, or do you want me to?”

“I’ve got it.” Jonah ran his fingers through his hair, leaving it sticking up in all directions. “I received a call from Ken Dodson on Wednesday late afternoon. He asked me to come visit him after work.”

“We know that. That’s why you were there when his house blew up.” Matt shifted and leaned against the wall. “Tell us what we don’t know.”

“I’m getting there.” Jonah exhaled. “When he called, he told me that he’d falsified autopsy reports and wanted me to review the cases. Set the records straight. Tell the truth. He said he’d kept the original documentation, but he died before he revealed where he kept the files.”

“And you think whoever Ken falsified these reports for discovered his conversation with you,” Decia stated.

Noelle rested her hand on Jonah’s knee. “The hit-and-run was suspect. The attack in the morgue confirmed someone was willing to kill to hide evidence. EGA assumed full-time bodyguard status based on my assumption. I refused to take chances with his life. But it wasn’t until the person used Jonah for target practice and we found the bug in Ken’s phone that I realized the extent of the trouble Jonah is in.”

“I sure wish you had said something earlier.” Matt pushed from the wall and paced. “Any idea where Ken hid the files?”

“My guess, they might be in his file cabinet, tucked among other records. That’s where I was looking when the gunshot shattered the window. However, we can’t go in there and search since it’s now a crime scene.” Jonah rubbed his temples.

“Matt. Decia. I made a judgment call after the explosion when Jonah told me his conversation with Ken. Ken made Jonah promise not to say anything until he’d reevaluated the cases. I decided to honor that. And without Ken’s testimony, or at least his statement and some type of proof, we had no clue what was going on.”

“I get it. But from here on out, you communicate anything you uncover.” Decia rested her hands on her hips and softened her tone. “Once we have the information, we’ll investigate from our end. Ken had to have a reason not to go directly to the police. We do have to write the report, but that could take time, and I don’t plan to make a big announcement, so as far as I’m concerned, Ken’s secret is safe until we have solid evidence as to what’s going on.”

“Thanks, Decia.” Noelle owed her friend big-time.

Matt squeezed Jonah’s shoulder. “Be careful, man. Listen to the ladies.”

Noelle stood. She had Matt’s support, but she intended to make her commitment clear. “The Elite Guardians are not going to let this maniac hurt him.”

Matt studied her for a moment and nodded.

“We’ll let you know when the crime techs release Ken’s office. Until then, send us all you’ve got and watch your backs.” Decia gave Noelle a quick hug and strode from the room.

After Matt said his goodbyes, Jonah offered his hand to help her up.

She accepted and moved next to him. “Do you need anything from your office?”

“Nope.”

“Then let’s get out of here and go home.”