Brook caught sight of a group of five individuals casting glances her way.
They were young, so she figured they were students.
It was evident that they were fascinated by her presence, but she chalked it up to the news coverage that had practically been on every channel since word had gotten out that the so-called Handprint Killer had been shot while being apprehended and was currently in the hospital after receiving two gunshot wounds to the chest and a gazing injury which had fractured his skull. Ann had scheduled a press conference for first thing in the morning, and she’d once again surprised Brook by requesting that the entire team be present. Brook had declined, much to her regret. She would have loved for S&E Investigations to be in the spotlight, but not at the expense of Bit. And that was exactly what Ann had been hoping for—a tit for tat.
“Speaking of investigations, I take it there is nothing new on Jacob? He hasn’t sent anything else to you or the office?”
“No.” Brook wasn’t so sure that was a good thing, especially since Agent Houser was still in the city. She’d given him fair warning about Martin Sinnett. It wouldn’t do to have more fingers in the pie than was necessary. Jacob was liable to go dormant for years, as he’d done so in the past. The recent changes in her life had been the reason that he’d materialized from the shadows in the first place. “Bit has been monitoring the city’s security systems, but Jacob is too clever to be captured on film when he wants to stay hidden.”
“And the second Harry Potter book? What do you make of that?”
Brook merely shook her head at the various possibilities that Jacob could have meant by such a gift. It was almost as if he were forewarning her of what was to come, but she hadn’t had time to delve into the odd present.
Agent Houser had asked her the same thing regarding the book, and the first thought that had flashed through her mind was that Jacob had moved on to the second act…whatever that might entail.
“I would rather focus on this evening’s ceremony,” Brook murmured as her phone vibrated once more inside her purse. It was most likely Ann, who almost certainly wanted to change Brook’s mind regarding tomorrow morning’s press briefing. She’d return the call at the end of the evening in hopes that she could simply leave a voicemail. “Your mother honoring Kelsey by donating funds to have this art building built for the campus must fill you with so much pride. It was designed beautifully, by the way. I can see how it could be used as an art studio, as well as a gallery for the students’ works when the classes are not in session. I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Kelsey, but I’m sure she would have loved a place like this.”
Brook’s phone vibrated again, and she decided to see what was so urgent. Ann wasn’t usually so impatient, and something might have taken place at the hospital. It was doubtful, considering Beau Willow had surgery last night to remove both bullets from his left lung and was currently still in the ICU.
“Would you mind?” Brook asked politely as she held out her flute of champagne. “Someone has been trying to reach me ever since I checked in my dress coat. It won’t take me long.”
As Brook flipped open the flap of her black clutch, she noticed that Elizabeth was advancing their way with a man by her side. He had to be the university’s president, and Brook really wasn’t looking forward to witnessing Elizabeth’s disappointment. Plus, Brook still hadn’t spoken to Graham about the request his mother had made last week.
“Brook,” Graham murmured quietly.
She nodded toward him to indicate that she was aware of his mother’s approach right as she slid her phone out of her purse. The display showed not only several missed calls from Bit, but also numerous text messages. Her stomach tightened, and suddenly the long sleeves of her dress wasn’t enough to keep the cold at bay. The warm touch of Graham’s hand on her back told her that she’d mistaken his previous warning. He hadn’t been cautioning her about his mother, but instead Agent Russell Houser.
The agent had entered the new art studio with clear intent and was swiftly closing the distance between them. He wasn’t even wearing a dress coat or jacket of any kind. It was evident that whatever had happened in the past hour was related to her brother.
There were several reasons that Bit would know the same information as Agent Houser, but the first and foremost reason would be murder. She choked back the nausea that rose from her stomach.
Had Jacob somehow discovered Sarah Evanston’s location?
Had he finished what he’d sought out to accomplish last year?
Is that why her brother had returned to the city?
There were too many questions, and she wouldn’t know the answers until she could stop the high-pitched resonance ringing in her ears. The annoying sound began to fade after she managed to swallow past the bile caught in her throat.
“…got him. Jacob Walsh walked into FBI headquarters thirty minutes ago. Your brother turned himself in, Brook. It’s over.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Jacob Walsh
February 2023
Friday — 3:34pm
Thefederalcorrectionsofficerguided Jacob down a long hallway. The woman’s demeanor had changed from hesitancy to a false bravado of sorts. Her initial reaction was unwarranted, especially given that he’d been nothing but accommodating given the circumstances.
He had followed her instructions to the letter, and he’d remained silent as she’d shackled his wrists and ankles. The mere rush of smelling her fear would get him through the day. He didn’t bother to reassure her that she wasn’t his type. She was fully aware of her faults and flaws. He could detect it in the dull color of her hazel eyes.
Her name was Lucy.
Jacob had overheard her male counterpart calling out to her before they’d even reached his cell. Lucy. Such a plain name.
Lucy’s colleague had barely glanced their way during the preparations as he focused on his watch. The small device was the kind connected to his phone, so whatever had captured his interest was of a personal nature.