Free Eye for an Eye, an (Heroes of Quantico Book #2): A Novel by Irene Hannon Page B

accompanies you there. Do you always see patients in your office?”
    “Yes. With rare exception.”
    “But you could vary your hours a bit, right?”
    “To some degree.”
    “That would help. And we’ll check out the office for security issues. Let’s talk about living arrangements. Is there anyone you could stay with for a few days, or someone who could stay with you?”
    “No one I’d want to impose on.” She gave him a distressed look. “How long could it take to find this guy?”
    “It’s hard to predict. I’ll have a better idea after the briefing tomorrow with our people and the Oakdale police.” There was no reason to tell her that unless the shooter had made some mistakes, left them some leads to track down, they might never find him. Unless—or until—he struck again. “For the next twenty-four hours we’d like to keep tight security on you. We’ll revisit our plan after the meeting tomorrow.” He moved his empty cup aside. “Have you thought any more about giving us the name of that EAP referral?”
    She sighed. “I knew that topic would come up again.”
    “We can get it if we need to, Emily.” There was apology in his voice, but he let the steel come through too. “There are legal routes we can take if you don’t feel you can cooperate.”
    “I know.” She stared into her cup. “Divulging his name just goes against everything I believe about doctor/patient relationships. Being questioned as part of a police investigation will add to his stress, even if he doesn’t connect it to me.”
    “I’d rather add to his stress than take a chance with your life.”
    Silence greeted his blunt rebuttal. He waited, hoping she’d recognize the necessity of his request and honor it without forcing him to take official action.
    With a resigned sigh, she looked up. “Jack Hanley.” She named his company.
    Relieved by her capitulation, Mark filed the name away in his memory. “We can get everything else we need on our own.”
    “He’s not going to be happy about this.”
    “We can deal with that.”
    “I’m not sure he can.”
    Reaching out, Mark enfolded her hand in his. “I wish you’d worry about yourself as much as you worry about your patients.”
    “The person I’m most worried about at the moment is you.
    Between the two of us, you’re the more likely target.”
    “I’ve got Coop watching my back. I’m not concerned.”
    She looked over her shoulder to check out his partner. Mark didn’t have to. He knew what she was seeing. Coop would appear relaxed as he lingered over his drink, ankle crossed over knee, one arm stretched along the top of the chair next to him. No one in the shop would suspect he was assessing every person who came through the door, that he was ready to spring into action at the slightest hint of danger. Or that the flap of his suit coat hid a lethal weapon.
    “He strikes me as very competent.”
    “The best.”
    She turned back. “Have you been partners long?”
    “Four years.” He examined her face, noting the deep lines of weariness around her eyes, the strain at the edges of her mouth.
    “Much as I’d love to prolong this, I think you need to go home and rest.”
    A winsome smile tipped up the corners of her lips. “I’d forgotten how easy it is to be with you, Mark. I feel like our summer together was weeks, not years, ago.”
    “Hold that thought until all this is over.” He gave her hand a squeeze, then stood and reached down to help her up. “Don’t make any fast moves. You could be a little lightheaded for a few days, and the last thing we need is for you to nosedive into the floor.”
    She accepted his help—and his advice. “You know, even as a teenager, you were a sensitive guy. And I think you’ve improved with age.”
    Her words warmed him, but he hid their effect with a grin.
    “Thanks. But don’t tell Coop, okay? I’d never live it down.”
    “Not a macho thing, huh?” she teased.
    Over her head, Mark nodded to Coop, who