Free Fear No Evil by Allison Brennan Page A

only after she and Paige started interviewing employees of Trask Enterprises that the download went off-line.
    And it killed her that when she’d fought tooth and nail to get a subpoena of the original digital file, it cut off at the exact same spot.
    “Kate, I love you.” Evan touched her hair, ran a finger lightly over her cheek. “You’re a fantastic agent and even now you’re becoming a legend in the agency with your computer skills. You’ve spent the last four months of your life working on a case that has gone nowhere. Put it on the back burner. Other violent crimes out there need your attention. Or maybe you should consider the offer you got last month from the e-crimes unit. They want you. You’ll get a raise, you’ll get a promotion, and you’ll love it. You told me that.”
    It was true. She’d wanted e-crimes because it was a challenge. But her heart—her soul—was in VCMO. She’d once told Evan that she’d been born to do this job.
    “I just can’t let April go.” Kate implored Evan with her eyes, took his hands in hers. “You understand, don’t you?”
    He kissed her hand. “I understand. I just think the case is cold. And you can continue to monitor it, I wouldn’t expect you to drop it completely, but it’s been four months. There’s a new hot case every day. This isn’t helping you. You’ve already strained your relationship with everyone else in the unit, including your boss. And Paige isn’t making any friends, either.”
    “She agrees with me. That April was murdered.”
    “Let’s say that she was. That they were filming one of those rape-fantasy scenes Trask is known for. Things got out of hand. April died. Prove it.”
    “I can’t, but if—”
    “You can’t because they covered it up. Got rid of her body. It could be at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean for all we know. Unless there’s a body or a witness willing to come forward, you got nothing. You’re spinning your wheels. And it’s hurting us. I love you, Kate. I want you to be happy.” He kissed her.
    The front door opened and Paige burst in. “Kate, guess wh—” She covered her eyes. “Sorry, didn’t mean to catch you making out.”
    Evan swore under his breath.
    Kate squeezed his hand. Evan and Paige had butted heads since they’d met. “What’s up?” she asked her partner.
    “I have someone willing to talk. Remember Denise Arno? She’s one of the actresses at Trask. She just contacted me. She quit and is scared to death. Wants to meet with us tonight. She has evidence that April was killed, and that they’re planning on smuggling illegals into the country to use as victims.”
    “When and where?” Kate dropped Evan’s hand and grabbed her notebook.
    “Ten tonight, at the Jefferson Memorial.”
    Evan shook his head. “I don’t like this.”
    “Come with us,” Kate said. “Maybe you’ll understand why this is important.”
    “I understand,” Evan said. “Are you going to have backup?”
    Kate tensed. “You think I’m stupid? Or a maverick?”
    “No, but—”
    “No buts. You don’t trust me.”
    “I think this case has blinded both of you.”
    “I’m not going into this blind.”
    Paige interjected. “I already talked to Jeff. He’s waiting for us to debrief him. I think we’ll get everything we want.”
    “Jeff Merritt agreed to this?” Evan frowned.
    “Of course.” Paige pouted. “I outlined the game plan.”
    Kate turned to Evan. “Please, Evan. It’s important to me that you’re with me on this. If you don’t want to be involved, I understand. It’s not your case. But don’t turn your back on me.”
    Evan touched her. “Oh, Kate. I’d never turn my back on you.”
    Beep beep beep beep beep beep…
    Kate shook her head, ridding herself of the bittersweet memories. She typed in a series of numbers and stopped the computer from beeping at her.
    Five days after that conversation with Evan, he’d followed her to the sting operation she and Paige had set up. Evan