“We still need that done. And he has the most fluency of all of us in the languages of our enemies.”
“I speak those languages well enough to monitor chatter while he delves into the papers. If we just keep his mind busy, keep it active and engaged and held together, like a broken bone in a cast, he may heal.”
“Don’t think that works for a broken soul the way it does for a broken bone. He’s more like a cracked mirror where the pieces are still in place but refracting in different directions. He has to choose to pull it together. We can’t do that for him.”
“No, but if we can keep him focused on important work long enough, it may become his new normal. Might help him heal,” Ty said. “It’s not an impossible task. In fact, it’s perfectly suited to a linguistic savant like him. He has access to every documented language the government has; he can review all the keys established in translating all of the ancient languages. Maybe he’ll discover something new, an incorrect translation of something in the papers, or even just an alternate translation that we can use to halt the Omni World Order’s spread of power. He still needs handling, Kit. For the sake of the team and your sister and his kids.”
Kit nodded. “Make it happen.”
*
Kelan and Max got to the apartment complex of Fiona’s friend early Sunday afternoon. Four police cars were already there. Kelan and Max weren’t allowed near her apartment. Yellow crime scene tape had been stretched across the open hall, cordoning off access to her place.
They asked a couple of the cops what was going on, but couldn’t get a useful answer. None of the bystanders seemed to know what was happening either.
When they turned to go back to the car, Kelan saw another of Fiona’s friends standing in the crowd that had gathered to watch the cops. He recognized her from that night at the Swinging Monkey Tiki Bar. She looked terrified, but when she saw Kelan, her face brightened. She hurried over to talk to him.
“Kelan! How’s Fiona? I’ve been trying to call her, but her voice mailbox is full. What are you doing here? I thought you two were getting married this weekend.”
Kelan frowned. “What made you think that?”
“Stacey said you two were getting married this weekend.”
“She did?”
“Yeah. She was working hard to make sure Fiona’s wedding planner had everything Fiona might need.” Her face darkened. “Oh God. Stacey’s dead. Does Fee know that?”
“No. What happened?”
“I don’t know. I came over to get her for lunch.” The girl covered her mouth as tears flooded her eyes. “She was dead on the floor of her living room. I don’t know when she died.”
Kelan shared a look with Max.
“The cops said Stacey OD’d on heroin.” She shook her head. “That’s not possible. She never did drugs.” The girl gave him a sheepish look. “Well, okay, maybe some pot, but never anything involving needles. Ever.”
“Have you met anyone unusual lately?” Kelan asked. “Anybody asked you to do them a favor, run an errand, do anything that pertains to Fiona?”
“No. What’s happening, Kelan? Am I next?”
“Did you see Stacey with anyone you didn’t know?”
“No.”
He looked at Fiona’s friend. “We weren’t getting married this weekend. We were just going to celebrate her birthday. But we couldn’t do that because she was kidnapped on her way home Thursday night.”
The girl gasped. “What’s going on? Are women being targeted here at school?”
Kelan shook his head. “Not women in general. Just Fiona and anyone who helped her kidnappers get her away.”
“Did Stacey help them?”
“I think so, but she may not have known she was helping them. Is there anything that you can tell me that might help me find who did this?”
The girl thought for a second. “She said that you—or Fiona’s fiancé anyway—wanted to surprise Fee with the perfect wedding weekend, so she helped gather all the info on her sizes and likes and color preferences, everything the wedding coordinator wanted. We all thought it was so romantic.”
“Who was the wedding coordinator?”
The girl shook her head. “I don’t remember. I’m not sure Stacey ever told me.”
“You’ve been very helpful. If I could give you a bit of advice?” Her big eyes looked up at him. “Don’t get involved in this. Don’t ask questions. Don’t show any interest at all. Don’t raise your head and get yourself noticed.”
Her brows lifted. “One of my friends was kidnapped. Another has been killed. And you want me to pretend it didn’t happen?”
“Yes. For your own safety. I’m working on finding the culprits. I will make sure Stacey receives justice. Please, don’t get involved. Stay alert and aware.” He handed her one of Lobo’s cards. “If there’s something you think of, something you happen to see, give Christian Villalobo a call, then stay out of it.”
“FBI?” she asked, after reading the card. “You’re with the FBI?”
“We’re only advisors to the FBI. Christian will be able to help you.” Another friend came over to hug the girl, so Kelan and Max left without further conversation.
At the SUV, Max drove and Kelan took shotgun. “Heroin OD. You buy that?”
Kelan shook his head. “No.” Despite what had happened, Fiona would be devastated to learn Stacey had died the way she did. He wished that was news he didn’t have to tell her.
“Your girl’s not taking phone calls from her friends?”
Kelan sighed. “It’s only been a day. She needs some time to work through everything.”
Max nodded. “If there’s something Hope or I can do, you’ll ask, right?”
“I will. Thank you.”
*