she considered taking a taxi and avoiding the emotional goodbye. That way, neither of them had to promise to stay in touch when they both knew money and distance would keep them apart.
Caden showed up before she sent for a taxi. He handed over both her weapons, hugged her tightly, and asked her to sit. “I thought you might want to know the few details I’ve uncovered.”
“I’d like that. You know I won’t share them.”
“Paul Madsen is a software guy in the federal employee management office. We think he arranged for people to be hired and fired in exchange for cash. Someone, most likely his girlfriend, wanted the commissioner’s job and he tried to arrange that. We don’t know for sure, because he’s not talking much yet.”
“Kirsten died over a job?” Lara shook her head. “Is Madsen a sociopath?”
“We’re not sure, but he might try to plead insanity.” Caden nodded. “There’s more. The kids in Morton’s basement were foster children. He had access to them through his charity work at Transitions.”
The words
She grabbed her iCom and spoke her message to Jackson out loud: “It’s Lara. The missing foster kids you’re looking for? Check the basement of Thaddeus Morton’s home. The commissioner’s dead and not coming back, so you won’t need a subpoena. Let me know how it goes.” She pushed
“You’re still a cop at heart.” Caden smiled softly.
“I’m a damn good paramedic too, and I’ll be glad to get back to my job.”
“Can I come down and see you when I visit my daughter in Portland?”
“You’d better.”
Lara looked around to see if she’d forgotten to pack anything. A small wrapped chocolate lay on the nightstand from the maid service the day before. She slipped it into her pocket. Later on the plane, she would put it into her mouth and let it melt. It was a start.
