Eye for an Eye, an (Heroes of Quantico Book #2): A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

technician with the camera and video equipment. As she placed a number on the grass beside the bullet that was lodged partway in the ground, her actions were recorded on video. With the camera running, she extracted the piece of lead with long pincers. Slipping it into an envelope, she sealed the flap. After signing the envelope, she recorded the same number on the outside and jotted that ID in the evidence log.
    “One down, one to go.” Steve planted his hands on his hips and surveyed the park. “We’ll need statements from you and your friend, as soon as she’s up to it.”
    “I can take care of mine now.” Mark checked his watch. “But I want to talk to the hospital first.”
    “I’ll do that while you get started on the statement.” Steve inclined his head toward a waiting detective. “He’s chomping at the bit.” Turning toward Nick, he opened his mouth to speak.
    But the agent beat him to it.
    “I know. Stay tight. Got it.”
    His response earned Nick a cool perusal through narrowed eyes. “I like guys who listen.”
    As Steve walked away, Nick grinned at Mark. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
    “Don’t rub it in. It’s bad enough that I have to live in your construction site.”
    “Hey, it’s a great house.”
    “Maybe someday.”
    Without giving Nick a chance to respond, he headed to the command center.
    By the time Mark finished his statement, Steve had returned. “She’s doing okay. They’re moving her to a private room as we speak. Her blood pressure’s low, and she lost a lot of blood, so they want to keep her overnight. I understand she’s not happy about that.”
    “I’ll talk to her when I stop by. Is there any reason for me to hang around here?”
    “No. The ERT has center stage today.”
    “Okay. I’m going to swing by the house to shower, then stop by the office and check my prison releases. But I don’t think I’ve had any in the past few months.”
    “Good. That will be one class of suspect we can rule out. I’ll call you if anything breaks.” With a wave, Steve headed toward the woods.
    Mark glanced back toward the bloodstained bench. In a flash, the horror came rushing back. Along with anger. And fear. Emily could have died in his arms this morning.
    “My car’s over by the command center.” Nick stepped into his line of sight, blocking his view. “Let’s get out of here.”
    His jaw clenching, Mark turned away. “Yeah. Let’s.”

3
    It was almost five o’clock when Mark wrapped up at the office. As he’d anticipated, his computer search for recent prison releases from his field days had been a wash. Though he’d been less diligent about monitoring them after joining the HRT, he did check on a periodic basis. It paid to watch your back.
    Standing, he clipped his BlackBerry onto his belt and snagged his jacket off the chair beside his desk.
    “Ready to go?”
    At the familiar voice, he turned. Coop stood at the entrance to his cube, one shoulder propped against the partition, arms folded over his chest. Tall, dark, and imposing, Evan Cooper still looked every bit the Division I quarterback he’d been in his college days. But it was his keen judgment and team orientation as much as his athletic prowess that had earned him a coveted spot on the HRT. Mark always felt lucky to draw him as a partner on missions.
    “When did you get here?”
    “I walked in about ten minutes ago. Looks like my timing was perfect.”
    “Sorry about the bodyguard gig. I tried to talk Les out of it.”
    “Not a problem. I don’t mind a little easy duty on occasion.
    And Monica sends her thanks. She’s glad there won’t be any deployments of unspecified duration to unknown destinations in my immediate future.”
    “How’s she doing?”
    “Beginning to get uncomfortable. If it was up to her, she’d have gone straight from four months to birth.”
    Grinning, Mark slid his arms into the sleeves of his jacket.
    “Have you talked to Les about taking some time off after