“I’ll head out to Brighton after the meeting, get a shot for the front page and something for thejump.”
Tom’s gaze shifted to Cate. “Warner, you look like you have something tosay.”
“Good job,” Joaquin whispered to Anna, who lookedrelieved.
“I’ve been working on my sources inside the Denver PD, and it’s paying off. I got a call this morning from a source who told me that something big is happening on the Meyer disappearance and Garcia murder, which the police believe to be connected.” Cate’s gaze shifted to Joaquin. “The source told me that Irving spent the morning on the phone with the Pentagon, asking for info about Mia Starr and the two men. According to Detective Wu, she’s not a suspect in either case at this point. But my source says something big is about tobreak.”
¡Carajo!Fuck.
Joaquin held her gaze, kept his expression neutral. If the police department had a leak and the paper published an account of what had happened at Tell al-Sharruken, Mia might think Joaquin had sold her out. Worse, she might end up in legal trouble, maybe even go toprison.
At the same time, investigative journalists depended on sources like this one. If Joaquin alerted Darcangelo and Hunter, he’d be putting Mia ahead of his job—and his obligation to thepaper.
Tom frowned. “Can your source deliver proof of this or give us some idea of what’s happening? ‘Something big coming’ doesn’t work as aheadline.”
“Yes.” Cate looked triumphant. “She said she can give me documents, so I’m meeting with her later over her lunchhour.”
Hell.
10
Mia left Joaquin’s place and took the light rail to the sheriff’s department on Colfax, where she filled out the paperwork for her emergency concealed carry permit and paid the fee. Someone at the police department—either Julian or Marc—had already faxed over a statement documenting her situation. In less than an hour, the SIG in her handbag waslegal.
She took the light rail to the stop closest to her house, then walked home, staying acutely aware of her surroundings. Most people were at work, and kids were in school, leaving the streets quiet. She found her Mazda untouched and her condo just as she’d left it, no sign of any attempts to breakin.
She sorted through her mail, then took a quick shower and dressed for work. It dawned on her as she was packing a lunch that she might want to check with Kevin first to make sure someone with the Denver police department had told him she’d been cleared. She had her answer when Sharon refused to put herthrough.
“What’s this about, Mia?” the woman said in an annoyedvoice.
“I’ve been cleared and want to get back to work as soon aspossible.”
“We haven’t heard anything aboutthat.”
Disappointment and frustration cut through Mia. Did Sharon think she waslying?
“Tell Kevin to expect a call from the Denverpolice.”
She hung up and called Wu’s number. Her call went to voicemail. “Can you please contact the Botanic Gardens and let them know I’m no longer a suspect? I want to go back to work, and no one has gotten in touch with themyet.”
She was looking at seed catalogues—and daydreaming about a certain sexy photojournalist—when Kevin called herback.
“I’m so happy to hear the good news. When would you like to startagain?”
“Now would be perfect. I miss mywork.”
“Okay. I’ll brief security and see you in my office in an hour. And for the record, Mia, I’m so relieved. You’re a valuable member of our staff. We are concerned about your safety, though. Detective Wu explained that you might be one of this killer’s targets. We can talk about that when you gethere.”
“Okay. Great. See you in anhour.”
So much for having her life back. It wasn’t Kevin’s fault or Wu’s or anyone’s apart from the bastard in the blackhoodie.
She drove to work, parked in the staff lot, and entered through the frontgate.
“Good to see you back, Mia!” said Tori, who sold tickets at the mainentrance.
No one had seemed to care about her when security had escorted her off the property. If Mia wanted to continue working here—she loved her job—she would just have to get over that. Besides, hadn’t she faced muchworse?
Mia pushed a smile onto her face. “Good to see you,too.”