point, she and Charlotte Caissie were closely aligned.
Susanna hadn’t hesitated when asked to consult, curiosity and a sharp anticipation evident in her eyes as she was brought up to date before they entered the modest building where Dr. Kinesha Jones, the clinic’s founder and usually its sole professional, welcomed them. The 50-something, handsome and rather harried-looking black woman with her sensible crepe-soled shoes and thick glasses shared their concern for the clinic’s ties to abduction and murder. Though she openly objected to hiding those concerns from her vulnerable patrons, she’d agreed to include an undercover Cee Cee among them.
Astute eyes widened at sight of that telltale bruise.
“Are you all right, Detective Caissie?”
Cee Cee smiled as they headed back toward the cluttered office. “Just a professional hazard.”
The woman’s concern didn’t lessen. “You need to be more careful. You’ve more than yourself to consider now.”
Shades of Savoie.
“It’s a priority, Dr. Jones.” Cee Cee avoided her partner’s pointed stare. Geez, give a working soon-to-be momma a break! Steering conversation in a less personal direction, she gestured to Susanna. “Dr. LaRoche is our consultant. She’d like to take a look at your client records, strictly and professionally confidential, if you’ve no objection.”
“Considering what’s at risk, I have none.” She gestured to banks of scuffed file cabinets. “Sorry. We don’t have the funds to go electronic. So many needs, so many in need. Donations just don’t stretch far enough.”
Susanna knew exactly what to look for. After studying the files of both the missing and victims, the geneticist voiced her thanks, expression giving nothing away until the clinic’s door locked behind them.
“Well?”
Susanna nodded. “As you suspected.”
Babineau looked between them, brows lifting. “What?”
At Charlotte’s nod, the doctor explained, “They’re not after babies to sell on the black market. They’re looking for a very specific genetic type.”
“Shapeshifter?”
“No.” An elegant hand pressed Cee Cee’s shoulder. “Detective Caissie’s and my child’s type. Shifter, Chosen, Human hybrid.”
Alarmed widened those blue, blue eyes. “For what purpose?”
The women exchanged sober stares. Charlotte’s reply whispered of her own investment, “We have to find out. As quickly as possible.”
They wished the doctor a good-night and climbed into Babineau’s weathered police issue. When he turned the engine over but made no move to put it in gear, Cee Cee glanced at his perfect profile.
“Something on your mind?” He’d been distracted for some time, and it chafed on her nerves.
A ragged laugh. “No. Nothing. It’s . . . personal.”
Instead of shrinking in horror as she once would have, she glanced at her watch. “Looks like we’re off the clock. Spill.”
At her command, he made a half-turn toward her, pretty-boy features locked in indecision before downloading. “You and Savoie, whatchu are, whatchu do. Ain’chu worried?”
Cee Cee laughed easily. “About our relationship? Only every other second of the day. Why?”
“Bringing a little one into the picture, doan that . . .” He blew out an aggravated breath.
It hit like a slap upside the head. “You and Tina? Is she—”
Babs blushed, shaking his head. “No. That is, not yet. I’ve been thinking on it.”
A snort. “If you don’t quit thinking and start doing, you’re going to be too old to gitter done.” Then, she softened her tone. “Is it the species thing?”
“Some. And all the craziness lately. I worry ’bout the timing being right.”
“We’re not talking an engine block here, Alain. What does she think?”
Color heightened in his smooth cheeks. “We . . . we haven’t actually talked about it.”
A smack to the side of his head startled a blink of surprise. “Why’re we sitting here? You need to talk to her.”
His jaw tightened. “It’s complicated, Ceece. There’s things she doesn’t know . . . things that might make a difference.”
“What? That Evangeline James is your daughter? Don’t look so surprised. I am a detective. All you have to do is look at those baby blues.”
His expression confirmed her guess. She’d done the math. He’d have been starting out on the force, a time when an indiscretion with a young witness on his watch would make a black mark he couldn’t afford. She sighed. “Tina’s no fool, and there’s nothing wrong with her eyesight. She’s just waiting to hear it from you.”
“I just found out about it myself!”
Kicking her partner up a notch in her unvoiced opinion.
“Tell her that. If I know her, she’ll accept the situation and any way you want to handle it.” She squeezed his shoulder, firm grip telegraphing her certainty. She could see wheels turning in the right direction.
“Should I talk to Amber first? Or Rico?”
Hot-tempered