Free Targets Entangled by Kennedy Layne Page B

scene before them. She stood, ignoring the fact that her knees trembled and her stomach once again revolted at the movement. Matt was standing behind the captain and by the time she’d take the three steps that would bring her next to him, she finally noticed that Chief Jackson was also in attendance.
    “We need to dock,” Ferrin said, having to clear her throat twice. “We need to call the authorities and we need to find the murderer on this ship. Someone—”
    “Jackson, take Hewitt to the officer’s wardroom immediately,” Captain Hensel ordered, soothingly placing a hand on Ferrin’s arm and pulling her out of the cabin. His professional mannerism returned to normal a lot more quickly than hers. “Starr is already on her way and she’ll want this area controlled so that any forensic evidence can be preserved. I’ll assign an officer to conduct the initial inquiry.”
    “I’m not going anywhere.” Ferrin couldn’t just leave Tami like this. Someone needed to cover her face with a sheet because she didn’t deserve to be regarded as a circus show. Her body should be handled with dignity. “I’ll stay with her until we pull into port in Panama.”
    “That’s just not feasible, Ferrin,” Captain Hensel replied in a gentle tone. She didn’t miss that he called her by her first name, softening the denial of his request to pull into port. He could deny all he wanted, but as Daegan had pointed out earlier, they weren’t in the military anymore. “You’re in shock and—”
    “I’m not in shock,” Ferrin argued as they both stepped into the passageway. Catori Starr’s presence stopped her before she could turn around and convince Captain Hensel that she was staying. “Ms. Starr, someone murdered Tami McDaniel. We need to find out who did it, but I’m not leaving my friend like that.”
    “It’s Ferrin Hewitt, correct?” Starr asked, surprising Ferrin with the amount of compassion in her tone. She was known for having a take-no-prisoner personality and people immediately following her orders. “Captain Hensel has reported what’s taken place. It’s my understanding that you found Tami McDaniel’s body. Did you happen to see anyone in the corridor?”
    “No,” Ferrin said, but then shook her head. Her mind was spinning with a hundred thoughts and she tried to focus on what Starr was asking her. “Wait. Matt. He went to get help, but he had been walking toward me. I didn’t see anyone leaving and I didn’t pass anyone in the compartment on my way here.”
    “Okay.” Starr placed a comforting hand on Ferrin’s arm but the gesture didn’t do what she’d intended. “I understand what a shock this must be, but you’re only going to be beneficial to this investigation if you’re able to recall everything you saw upon entering this cabin. That means going with your supervisor and giving him a statement. I promise you that we will treat Tami with the dignity and respect that she deserves.”
    Ferrin didn’t know what she could say that would help them catch whoever did this. No one had been around and the only clue she saw was Tami lying dead on the lower rack. Her statement would be short and she’d rather stay here, but it was evident that she wasn’t going to be allowed from the look on Starr’s face. Ferrin leaned against the bulkhead as she took a moment to collect herself.
    “Her family—”
    “Tami’s next of kin will be notified,” Kane Taylor stated as he stood beside Starr and while Ferrin knew that the team called him Gunny, she wouldn’t take such liberties. “I know this is a terrible shock, but we all need to follow protocol. Please go with Chief Jackson until we contain the scene and then we’ll be by to talk to you.”
    Ferrin looked behind him, wishing that Daegan were here as well. It wasn’t as if she would be able to lose herself in his embrace, but his presence would have made her feel better. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that Tami was