Page 21 of Shadow Killer
“Yes, but again, it will take time. And with what I know, there’s no drug on the market that can turn a person into a puppet or that gives someone complete control over another person’s body and leaves the victim with no memory. Certain products can mess with the mind, but they don’t wipe a person’s memory completely. It’s more like fuzzy images or dampened sensations. If the body is brought under, like with anesthesia, muscles don’t hold their tone, and even small movements become difficult. From the angle of the camera, both Jordyn and Leanna were walking normally. Could she be keeping information from us, fearing for Leanna’s life? Has she been threatened by the bad guy?”
Noelle searched her brain for information and possibilities but couldn’t come up with any viable suggestions.
Marina crossed her arms, a deep frown on her face. “Could she have been hypnotized? To be honest, I think it’s an avenue worth exploring.”
Brandon sighed. “While we’re waiting for the test results, I’m planning to put her in a safe house. I’m working on the down-low with Callan to overturn the suspicions concerning Nico. Jordyn’s confirmation will most probably close the case and debunk these stupid accusations. That way, I’ll be able to keep them in the safe house together.”
“And Ryland?” Noelle’s throat clogged at the thought of the man worried sick about the woman he loved.
“Until we find Leanna, my hands are tied. As we’re friends, the commander only gave me permission to look into Leanna and Jordyn’s case. Until we find Leanna and we debunk the accusations, he’ll be detained. I’ve asked Callan to request Ryland to be fitted with a bracelet too and to be allowed to go to the hotel or any other place in the city. At least he’ll be more comfortable than in a cell.”
Noelle knew it was the best that could be done until they solved the mystery.
Marina gave herself one last hug before leaving, asking to be kept updated and not hesitate to ask if they needed her help in any way.
Alone now in the lab, Noelle felt as if the weight on her shoulders had turned heavier.
“Do you still have work to do in the lab?”
At Brandon’s words, Noelle looked back at her lab and the machine whirring, hard at work. “It’s still in the first stage on several samples. Marina will send me her report by email. I still haven’t heard from Roseline. But I prefer not to bother her while she’s in front of her computer. When she’s ready, she’ll call me.”
“Good. Grab your bag. We’re leaving.”
He was ready to stride out the door when Noelle moved and did as he said. Instead of taking the closest exit, Brandon went through the bullpen. It wasn’t a place where she liked to go, and as soon as she entered the buzzing work area, she could feel eyes on her back, some curious, and others not so much. The CSI team steered clear of the other cops since Reeker and his little gang had made their life pure hell.
“Hey! Brandon! Noelle!” Callan smiled, waving at them. Brandon’s desk faced his. “Got the authorization about the bracelet for McSheehy.” And then he lowered his voice to speakto the both of them. “He’s out of his mind with worry and anger, and I had to talk him down from calling in more people from the outside or going public with what’s going on until we have more evidence. I told him I’d be his contact between you and him and will inform him the instant you have news about Leanna. But I can tell you now, he won’t stay put for long. He trusts you, but...”
If possible, Brandon’s golden face turned even darker. “I know. Thanks for helping me, Callan. We don’t know each other that well, and I appreciate what you’re doing.”
“No worries. I’m on your side. And outsiders like us must stick together.” Callan winked at Noelle before getting out of his chair. “Got your paperwork for Jordyn’s bracelet, and the safehouse is set up. She and Nico Maldonado will be transferred in the next hours to the safe house we discussed. And I’ll do the transfer personally. You just have to sign the papers.”
Brandon nodded and turned to Noelle. “Gimme a minute. I’ll be back, and then we can plan what the next step will be. I have the feeling we’ll have to move fast.”
Noelle nodded, and he moved away with Callan. He was right. She had the same urgent feeling when she thought about the case.
“Well, if it isn’t one of the fat squad appearing just before the end of shift. It’s the smell of food that brought you out of your hole?”
Noelle knew Reeker’s taunts too well, but this time, his nasty chuckle didn’t invite others to join in. Head up, she turned to see a smirk on the man’s ugly face. There were still many people around, looking away but not intervening, as if that insect had some sort of hold on them. It was strange, but at that moment, she didn’t want to ignore him or turn her head. Something had changed, even if she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Instead, she walked forward. “I knew I smelled something rotten, and it was you, Reeker.”
Disdain mixed with the smile. “It’s Detective to you, Breaux. I have a higher grade, and I expect you to respect it.”
The situation was so ridiculous that she laughed. “You’re scum and not worthy to be called a cop. So I’ll be damned if I ever call you detective.”
Reeker got out of his chair, his ego obviously stung, and she knew he wouldn’t let it go. “You’ll stand down, Breaux. Not only do I outrank you, but I’ve been in the force more years than you’ve been alive, so shut your damn mouth, bitch.”
It was like an out-of-body experience when her fist connected with his face with all the hurt, frustration, and anger that had accumulated for so long inside her. Only when his body crumbled to the floor from the force did pain register from her hand to her shoulder, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing she was hurt.
People moved forward, but she didn’t tear her gaze from Reeker, who was scrambling up, holding his jaw.
“Don’t you dare call me a bitch or ever threaten my friends or me again. I’ve had enough. Do you hear me?”
It felt like a wave of people moving around her all at once when Reeker not only got his balance back but lunged at her.
“Stand down!” The order reverberated through the bullpen, and everybody froze in place. Only then did Noelle turn to see the Commander, flanked by Brandon and Callan, who were both ready to jump into the action. Noelle had never seen Brandon look so dangerous, and if she were honest, she’d never had a knight in shining in her corner, and it felt surprisingly pleasant.
The commander stepped forward, one look at her, before turning his stern eyes on her arch enemy. “Reeker, my office. Now!”
Brandon was by her side as Reeker gave her one last killer look before following the commander. “Are you all right?”