MHIT program be adopted and Commander Stevens, the police chief and the mayor, have given me the green light. Over the next year...” Nina detailed what would be coming next.
A couple of reporters asked legitimate questions about the MHIT program, but then one asked, “Is the detective that you shadowed the one that you are now romantically involved with?”
Stevens raised a hand. “And that’s the end of Dr. Whitaker’s interview.” Commander Stevens placed a hand on her elbow and moved her away from the microphone, glaring at the impertinent reporter as he did so. “If you have any other questions, ladies and gentlemen, you can direct them to me.”
Grateful for his intervention, Nina wound her way back to the edge of the crowd where Simon stood waiting for her. He immediately steered her outside and toward the gated parking lot, where he’d earlier left his car.
“You okay?” Simon asked grimly.
“Yes,” she said. “Speaking to reporters isn’t my favorite thing to do, but I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve had to explain the program to the press before. It was a good use of my time.”
“Well, I’m sure Stevens is grateful. And I know you’re taking the high road by saying you’re used to dealing with reporters, but given how they’ve dug into your personal past before—well, you know that might happen again, don’t you?”
“It’s okay. No matter what happens, I don’t have any regrets about what’s happened between us, Simon. In fact, you’re the one bright spot that’s been keeping me going.”
He looked at her and grinned. “I feel the same way, Doc. How about we head home and I brighten your day a little bit more?”
“That sounds heavenly,” she said with a smile.
He stepped up to his car, bent to unlock the passenger-side door, then froze. “Hold on.” Simon held out his arm and gently nudged her back.
“What’s wrong?” She gasped as she noticed the glass glinting on the ground. Someone had broken the passenger window of his car.
“Great,” he murmured. “Just one more thing to deal with.”
“You’re in a secure parking lot next to the police department. Why would someone—”
“Probably someone drunk or hopped up on drugs. Let’s go back and I’ll call it in.” He stooped slightly and peeked into the car, as if checking to see whether anything inside had been disturbed. “I don’t want to touch—” He’d been in the middle of rising when he froze. And stayed frozen.
His rib cage enlarged and his shoulders widened, as if he was drawing in a deep, deep breath.
Uh-oh. This couldn’t be good. “Stay back,” he ordered Nina.
Instead, she took a step forward and placed her hands on the backside of his hips. “Is it another dead cat?” she asked in a whisper.
“I told you to stay back,” he said harshly.
“You don’t control me, Simon,” she snapped back.
“That isn’t what this is about,” he said, turning and trying to nudge her away from the car.
“Then what is it about? Why won’t you let me see what’s in the car?”
He turned then, and slid his hands down her shoulders to touch the tips of her fingers. “I don’t want you to see what’s inside because I’m trying to protect you.”
She shook her head wearily. “My cat’s been killed and mutilated. There’s someone murdering mentally ill men and it might be because of me. I think we’re well beyond protecting me now.”
Gently, Simon placed a kiss on her forehead. “Maybe you’re right. And you’ll need to know this anyway. I just wish—” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I can’t change reality. But I’m sorry, Nina. And I’m here for you. Remember that.”
He stepped away from the car to allow Nina to take a look.
She hunched down, the way he had, and took in the interior. Then let out a cry.
The doll. Rachel’s doll. Hanging from the rearview window by a small slip of rope tied into a noose around her neck. Attached to the doll was a photograph of a dead, naked man with the initials BD carved into his skin and a note. Nina fought back the urge to gag but forced herself to look closer at the note.
It read, “Life’s a bitch and then you die. Like my BD.”
* * *
AFTER DISCOVERING THE doll planted in his car, Simon hustled Nina into SIG and explained the situation to Jase, who arranged for the evidence techs to process the scene. Meanwhile, Simon got Nina some coffee and took her to an empty