Free Vanished (Private Justice Book #1): A Novel by Irene Hannon

organization that hired us wants to deal with this problem quickly and without publicity.”
    “Must be a messy situation.”
    “Very.” His mouth settled into a grim line. An employee suspected of watering down codeine and selling the good stuff on the black market could badly tarnish the hospice’s reputation. They wanted the guy nailed. Fast. As did Phoenix. Anyone who would deprive suffering people of pain medication should be locked away.
    “Why don’t they call the police?”
    Cal forced his lips to relax. “We’re much more discreet and under the radar than cops. Also faster. Law enforcement doesn’t have the manpower to devote to an investigation like this. Once we have the evidence, we’ll turn it over to them for the cleanup.” He took a sip of coffee to wash down the last of his scone and got the conversation back on track. “Now tell me about your coincidences.”
    She pressed her fingertip against the crumbs on the table, transferring them to a neat little pile in the center of her napkin. “This is almost as strange as my disappearing people story. Brace yourself.”
    As she recounted the latest development, Cal gave her his full attention. But the more she revealed about Dr. Blaine, the more he was inclined to believe the voice similarity was, indeed, a coincidence.
    Until she dropped her bombshell about the ring.
    That put a different spin on things.
    “So what do you think?”
    At her query, he drummed his fingers on the table. “You’re right. It’s weird.”
    “You don’t think the ring and the voice are just a coincidence?”
    “Maybe. Coincidences do happen—a lot more often than people realize. But two with the same person?” He shook his head. “That’s pushing it. Did you mention anything to him about that Friday night?”
    “There was no opportunity. Besides, once I saw the ring, I was barely able to form a coherent sentence for the rest of the interview.” She leaned forward, intent. “Plus, whoever that guy was on Friday would recognize me. Blaine didn’t give any indication he’d ever seen me before. So if it was him, he doesn’t intend to admit it. And why would a man like him stop and offer to help, then disappear, anyway?” She blew out a frustrated breath and combed her fingers through her hair. “None of this makes sense.”
    No, it didn’t.
    But he wasn’t sure he could offer her much help. The man wasn’t accused of anything. Just the opposite. He was being lauded—by the governor, no less. Nor would the police be of help. Without evidence of wrongdoing, they wouldn’t touch this.
    “You think it’s hopeless, don’t you?” The taut line of Moira’s shoulders suggested aggravation more than defeat.
    “I wouldn’t go that far, but it is a challenge.” Cal took another sip of coffee. “However, you’re a crack investigative reporter or you wouldn’t have been nominated for a Pulitzer prize.” At her startled look, he raised his cup in salute. “We did our homework. Congratulations. In any case, with those kinds of credentials, you must have sound instincts. What do they tell you about this situation?”
    She gripped her half-empty cup, her gaze never wavering from his. “That something’s out of whack. Big time.”
    Her fervent response was convincing.
    As Cal considered his options, several students from the nearby college hurried past to claim the oversized rectangular table in the center, intent on their destination. One of the girls caught the strap of Moira’s tote in her own dangling purse, pulling it off the back of the chair. Moira made a grab for it, her arm shooting out.
    That’s when he saw the jagged scar. Three inches long on the outside of her upper arm, it looked to be a couple of years old.
    She caught him staring as she straightened up and her sleeve settled back into place, masking the gash.
    He wasn’t going to pretend he hadn’t seen it.
    “Accident?”
    “Mugging.”
    His heart skipped a beat. “When?”
    “Two