Gone Too Far (Devlin & Falco #2) - Debra Webb Page 0,29

Tell me what happened after you landed in Mexico.”

“We drove to the compound. His father wasn’t happy that Eddie—Eduardo brought me. He was suspicious. Nothing I hadn’t expected. I was prepared for his suspicions. I walked right up to him and hugged him. I told him how nice it was to meet him. My actions surprised him. He wasn’t sure what to make of me.”

“What did this compound look like?”

“Very large, which we knew. Grand. Countless acres surrounded it. Armed guards were everywhere. Along the outside of the perimeter wall there were a dozen different kinds of booby traps. Those guys weren’t playing.”

“Who else did you meet, Sadie?”

“Eddie’s daughter, Isabella. She was maybe eight or nine. This was new information. No one was aware he had a child until then. There was a wife who died but never any intelligence about children. Eddie eventually told me that he kept his child’s existence a secret to prevent her being abducted and used against him. I was surprised he’d been able to maintain the secret so well. I figured she’d been homeschooled. She probably was never allowed off the compound.”

“Did his little girl like you, or was she shy?”

“She liked me. That first day she took my hand and led me to the dining room to sit next to her at dinner. I’m not very good with kids, but she didn’t appear to notice.”

“How are you feeling, Sadie? You don’t seem nervous about being at the compound.”

“We drank champagne on the flight. He wanted to celebrate. So I was chill.”

“What was he celebrating?”

“I don’t know for sure. Maybe some big deal.”

“Did you meet any other relevant players during the meal?”

“There was only Carlos, the little girl, Eddie, and me. Besides the staff, of course. There were people running about, serving the food. Keeping the glasses filled.” Sadie pauses as if examining some memory in particular. “It was a little awkward because the kid kept watching me so closely. I guess she was curious.”

“What happened after the meal, Sadie?”

“We had a drink with his father. Then Eddie took me to his room to wait while he tucked Isabella into bed.”

Sounds of leather squeaking. Fabric brushing.

“You’re growing agitated, Sadie. Did being in his room make you nervous? Remember, you’re only viewing a memory. You’re not actually there; you’re here, in my office with me.”

“No, I wasn’t nervous. I had slept with him before.”

“Then why do you feel ill at ease at this juncture in the memory?”

Long pause with the sound of increasingly rapid breathing.

“Slow, deep breaths, Sadie.” Holden speaks softer. “You have no reason to be afraid. This is only a memory you are visiting.”

“I should have gone. Before . . .”

“Relax. Loosen your muscles. You are safe. I’m still with you, Sadie.”

Pause. Slower, deeper breathing.

“Now tell me; why were you afraid?”

“Because I knew what he was going to do.”

“What was he going to do, Sadie?”

“He came back to the room, and he just stood there, watching me.”

“Why did you find this troubling, Sadie? What was going through your mind?”

“I should have killed him then.”

Pause.

“But you had attained your goal, had you not? You were inside the compound. You had met Carlos Osorio. Why would you have compromised your cover?”

“Because that was . . . where it began.”

“Where what began, Sadie?”

“Me . . . becoming invisible.”

9

Tuesday, April 13

8:00 a.m.

Birmingham Police Department

First Avenue North

“I don’t disagree with you, Devlin.”

Kerri searched her partner’s face. They should be working on their assigned case; instead she wanted his thoughts about Tori. He and Tori had talked about what had happened at school over dinner last night. He’d spent a great deal of time afterward just reassuring her. There was no question he’d formed an opinion. But he was holding back.

“We’ve worked together almost a year, Falco. Don’t try faking me out. This is my daughter we’re talking about.”

Feet propped on his desk and hands clasped behind his head, Falco held her gaze a second or two before confessing, “She’s not being completely forthcoming. You’re right. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“We need to know what she’s holding back.” Kerri almost felt as if he was fighting her on this. Maybe not fighting, but definitely too restrained, which was not like him at all.

His feet hit the floor, and he leaned forward. “Does that mean it’s relevant to the actual event—Myers falling—I can’t say. You know how kids are. Hell, they hate a lot of people at this age. They’re also embarrassed by their own thoughts. Maybe she