Chapter 33

THIRTY-THREE

Panic gripped Beth as she turned back to her other computer. The data moved across the screen in a rapid flow. She stared transfixed watching for any anomaly, but it was business as usual. No one had detected her intrusion. Relieved she hadn't triggered a mass exodus, she stared at the data stream for some time just to be sure, and then copied a few pages as they slid down the screen. She'd have no trouble removing the encryption, and when she had, she'd apply the software to the incoming data stream and be able to read it. It wouldn't be easy tracking down everyone involved, but with Kalo's help they'd do it. Her stomach clenched. At last. The doctor was in her sights, and she had an overpowering desire to bring this monster to justice. Right now, she needed an image of the doctor, but as that was impossible, a description of him would have to do.

So close I can almost touch him . Beth smothered her exhilaration, turned in her chair, and stood. For now, she must withhold her revelations from the others. One slip and he would escape justice. This man was as slippery as an eel. She walked casually over to where Jo was sharing a desk with Carter. "Can you get back to Sheriff Alton and ask her if she can talk Ginny into giving a description of the doctor who delivered her babies?"

"Have you found something?" Styles looked up at her.

Avoiding his gaze, Beth shrugged. "It occurred to me that when we arrange a meet with an adoption agency and insist on meeting the attending physician, it would be good to know if it turns out to be the same man."

"There's something else you need to consider." Carter stared at her. "We know the doctor is a pedophile, so ask Jenna to find out if he could possibly be Billy's father." He looked from Jo to Beth. "We know it's not Shoebridge. Seems to me the only other man Ginny mentioned was Dr. Benson. If he is Billy's father, we'll have his DNA."

Confused, Beth stared at him. "What good would that do when we meet him? I need an idea of what this guy looks like."

"If he is the father of Ginny's son, you can obtain an image of him." Jo looked up at her. "I'll call Wolfe. He'll have Billy's DNA. If he removes the mitochondrial DNA and runs the father's through the Snapshot DNA analysis program, you'll get a photograph. It's been used for a time now. Haven't you heard about it?"

The program was familiar to her and she smiled. "Yes, I'm aware of it, but I didn't know it was that accurate. By all means, if Wolfe recommends it, I'm on board."

"Good. I've seen some amazing results, but it takes time. Weeks usually." Jo reached for her phone.

Beth shook her head. "Then it's a waste of Wolfe's time. We don't have weeks to stop this monster."

"Okay, then in the meantime, I'll try and convince Jenna to ask Ginny some delicate questions." Jo smiled. "I'm sure she'll at least be able to give a description of him."

Nodding, Beth frowned. "Okay, stress how important it is that we get the information."

"Jenna is very good at her job." Jo frowned. "She'll get the information."

Beth pulled her hair into a ponytail and secured it with a band from her wrist. "That's good to know. When you speak to Wolfe, ask him to send the father's DNA profile to Kalo. He's exploring DNA databases for siblings from Shoebridge and when and where they were adopted."

"We are on the edge of a breakthrough." Carter grinned. "We make a great team. I'm looking forward to trapping this monster."

"He likely won't talk if you corner him." Jo pushed hair from her face and sighed. "He's smart. You'll need to find another way."

"If he shows to the adoption meeting, then we can follow him." Styles nodded slowly. "We're planning on breaking the rules, so placing a tracker on his vehicle won't make a whole lot of difference." He leaned back in his chair and yawned. "I guess we'll all go down together?"

"Maybe." Carter tossed a toothpick into his mouth and grinned like a wolf. "If we do, a team like us would make a mighty fine detective agency. I figure we'd head for the big city and charge the big bucks."

Astonished, Beth looked from one to the other. "I figure if we crack this case, the director will be so happy he'll overlook everything. We'll make him look good." Suddenly exhausted, she rested one hip on the edge of Styles' desk. "I'm beat. I've gone as far as I can right now. Once Jo has called Sheriff Alton, can we call it a day?"

"Fine by me." Styles stood and collected the coffee cups. He took them to the sink and rinsed them.

Beth went back to her computer and backed out of the system, not leaving a trace of her presence. She pushed the thumb drive into her purse. She'd work on the encrypted files in her apartment later. In the background she could hear Jo speaking on the phone. She turned and looked at her. "How did it go?"

"Good. Jenna will go and see Ginny now and Wolfe will run the tests." Jo stood and stretched. "Now we can do nothing but wait."

"Okay, so let's eat. I hear TJ's does a fine rib eye." Carter stood and reached for his jacket.

"He sure does." Styles wiped his hands dry and strolled back to his desk. He pushed his hat on his head and whistled for Bear. He looked at Beth. "We'll walk to TJ's with the dogs. Why don't you drive with Jo? It's freezing outside."

Beth looked from one to the other. "If you're planning on walking anywhere, there may be a sniper out there. Wear your liquid Kevlar vests just in case."

"Sure." Styles smiled. "But I figure they won't try that in town again." He patted his pockets for his keys. "You can take my truck if you want."

Keeping a pleasant expression on her face, Beth met his gaze. Getting close up and personal with Jo concerned her. Although a very nice woman, Jo always gave Beth the impression she was dissecting her. It unnerved her and she needed to always be on her guard around her. Keeping her distance and not becoming BFFs with her had worked fine so far. "We'll take my truck." She looked at Jo. "Are you ready to leave or do you want time to freshen up?"

"I'm fine." Jo smiled at her. "It will be good to have time for some girl talk."

Heart sinking, Beth took her coat from the peg by the door and pulled it on, followed by her hat and gloves. The last thing she wanted was her mind probed by Jo. She'd need to keep the conversation on Jo and not her. Taking a deep breath, Beth turned to her. "I'd love to know more about your little girl. Jaime, isn't it?"

"Yes, she's doing well at school." Jo smiled. "But I want to know more about you, Beth. I'm interested in how you cope with having a serial killer as a father. I get to interview the perpetrators but never the families. How it affects your relationships would be a fascinating subject."

Beth looked away, trying to smother the rising panic and forced a smile. "When I have a relationship, you'll be the first to know."

"You seem to get on well with Styles." Jo wasn't giving up.

A cold shiver of trepidation crawled up Beth's spine as she took the keys from her desk drawer and straightened. "He's my superior, so that's a given." She gave Styles a wave. "See you in ten."