Free Mindhunters 4 - Deadly Intent by Kylie Brant

mobile lab.”
    “You’ve got some other high-priority cases in the state, according to my sources,” Raiker put in. “Suspected serial killer in Boulder. A rash of bank robberies in central Colorado.”
    “Let us worry about that. Our agency has top-notch resources.” Whitman’s tone held a note of finality.
    Macy remained silent, but Raiker’s words had doubt spiking. Evidence was known to languish in state labs for weeks or longer. It remained to be seen just how expedited the test results for this case would be.
    And as for the man’s reference to their resources . . . Raiker’s labs rivaled the best in the nation and came complete with some of the top forensic scientists in the country, all who’d been vigorously cross-trained. He’d recently begun expanding his mobile lab system by establishing satellite offices across the United States. It would take a great deal to rival the experts and resources within his organization.
    But it was what the assistant director didn’t say that bothered her most. He couldn’t have made it clearer that he still didn’t trust them not to alter evidence to exonerate their client. She took a moment to be thankful she hadn’t been present for the conversation between her boss and Whitman on the subject.
    “I want to follow up on Hubbard.” Kell’s statement jerked her attention back to the matter at hand. “We need to check his ex. See if his mother is still alive. Other family members. Figure out who his friends were. Go at his coworkers again. He’s wrapped up in this case. We need to figure out how.”
    “I agree.” She faced her boss and Whitman with equanimity. With Raiker gone for the next few days, the last thing she wanted was to be shunted aside by the CBI, given menial tasks while they followed up on the leads she, Burke, and Travis had unearthed today.
    “Good.” Given the glint in Raiker’s eye, their united front amused him. “Because we’ve decided that the three of you will do exactly that while the rest of Whitman’s team look into Mulder’s finances and business associates. Hubbard doesn’t have any close relatives living. So after interviewing the ex, check out his old coworkers and track down his closest acquaintances.”
    “Does Mulder keep a list of people who applied for a job and got turned down?” Kell asked. “Because if this was motivated by revenge, rather than ransom, we need to look at anyone who had a hard-on against the guy.”
    “I assure you, we’ve considered all avenues.” It was hard to say whether Whitman’s irascible tone was due to Burke’s suggestion or from lack of sleep. Macy assumed it was the former. He probably expected them to stay silent and await their orders, much as Agent Travis was doing.
    “Get some sleep,” Raiker advised them brusquely. “You can all start first thing in the morning. You’ll keep both me and Special Agent Whitman updated regarding your findings. Agent Travis can show you to your rooms.”
    Sleep sounded pretty appealing. But even as Macy rose, her gaze sought Whitman’s. “I’d like a look at the girl’s room before I turn in for the night. Is the crime scene unit done with it?”
    The man gave a curt nod. “I have two agents posted at the door. I’ll direct them to allow you in.”
    Kell and Dan Travis trailed her from the room. After closing the door behind them, the agent said, “Our rooms are well away from the family’s quarters. Can’t you wait until tomorrow morning to look at the kid’s room?”
    Macy hesitated. The man’s weariness was visible in his expression. But she knew her compulsive tendencies would make it impossible to sleep without at least a walk-through of the space.
    Kell took the decision out of her hands, a fact that would have annoyed her under different circumstances. “Just walk us by the room and then show us to ours. We can find our way back on our own.”
    The agent shrugged and turned on his heel. “Fine.” He led them down endless