Because she recognized she may have pushed him too far, and he was the one with the gun on his hip, she decided to capitulate.
She suddenly understood why Xander had run off unannounced. He knew Fletcher would call in reinforcements, that he wouldn’t stop to see sense, that he’d just react instead of strategize. She wanted to be mad at him for leaving her to deal with the fallout, but she couldn’t. She saw the sense in his plan now, and had to admit, he’d probably done the right thing. Fletcher could be lacking in imagination when it came to law and order.
Sam heard an abbreviated wail, like someone cut off a siren, and car doors slamming. Oh, Jesus, he wasn’t joking. He’d actually called in the Cavalry.
She didn’t want this to be adversarial. She rubbed her hands together absently, a small comfort, strained to hear the conversation happening in her foyer. She couldn’t, the voices were pitched low.
A moment later, two women came into the kitchen with Fletcher. The younger of the two had blond hair in a ponytail and dark glasses; the older was a striking redhead who Sam could immediately tell was running the show.
Fletcher did the introductions. “Dr. Samantha Owens, this is Special Agent in Charge Andrea Bianco, with the JTTF, and Inez Cruz, my assistant. Now, speak.”
Sam was reminded of the first time she spoke to Fletcher, just a few months before, when he’d answered his phone in the same gruff way, and she’d immediately barked to loosen the tension. That wasn’t going to work this time, she could tell.
The Bianco woman shot Fletcher a look, then stuck out her hand and approached Sam civilly.
“Forgive my colleague, Dr. Owens. He needs some more sleep. It’s nice to meet you. Would you mind if we shared your coffee? It smells delicious.”
Disarming, charming, collected. Everything Fletcher currently wasn’t.
Sam shook the woman’s hand. “Of course. I’ll make a fresh pot, there’s only a cup left.”
“Excellent. While you do that, would you mind giving me the lay of the land?”
The woman was as sweet as pie. She sat down primly at the kitchen table, motioned for her subordinates to do the same. Sam could tell Fletcher was still steamed, but he sat as well, glowering at her.
Sam explained Xander’s thoughts while she made a fresh pot of coffee. Bianco didn’t interrupt, just listened with her head slightly cocked to one side. The younger girl, Inez, took copious notes.
When she was finished, Bianco nodded. “Any reason you didn’t share this with us last night?”
Sam was half tempted to say, I tried, but Fletcher didn’t answer his phone until seven o’clock this morning, but she recognized a chance to perhaps calm his rage, so she just filled the woman’s coffee cup and said, “I called Fletch as soon as I got up this morning.”
She tried to catch his eye, but he wasn’t looking at her. She did notice his shoulders drop, though, some tension dissipating and thought, See, I’m your friend, even if you aren’t mine.
“I understand. Can you tell me when your gentlemen friend—you said his name is Alexander Whitfield, correct?”
“That’s right. He’s called Xander. With an X.”
“Excellent. Do you have any idea where Xander with an X might have gone?”
“Ma’am, I don’t. I swear it.” She showed her the note. “I wouldn’t hold back on this if I knew. I understand just how important this information could be. I also know that Xander is a highly trained operative who wouldn’t want the government’s time wasted on a wild-goose chase. That’s why he’s gone to do the legwork himself.”
Bianco smiled. She had a nice smile, seemingly friendly and open. Like a pit viper. Sam immediately distrusted the woman.
“I can appreciate that sentiment, Dr. Owens. But unfortunately, now we must try to find your Xander so he doesn’t get himself hurt. So I’m afraid we’re going to have to take you into custody while we start our search. Just...informally.”
Sam glared at Fletcher, who was staring hard at his right shoe. “Is that really necessary?”
“Yes, I believe it is. All of my resources are at the JTTF, not here in this townhouse. It’s more convenient for me, you see, if you join us there, rather than us trying to set up shop here, waiting for word. As a medical examiner, you’ve been involved in investigations before. I daresay you understand. We’ll have your phone rerouted to your cell, too, just in case.”
“Are you arresting me?”
Bianco stood, motioned to her team. She gave Sam another one of her beatific smiles. “There’s no need for that now, is there? You’ll come with us and cooperate because it’s the right thing to do, because you’re a patriot who wants to see the bad people punished, correct? We wouldn’t want to have to put cuffs on you and let you sit in a cell while we tear apart your life and tap your phones and freeze all of your accounts indefinitely. That’s so messy, and such a load of mind-numbing paperwork. Then again, that’s why we have assistants, isn’t it? Inez, are you up for a challenge today?”