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

additional research in that area. The results of that work have appeared in a number of prestigious scholarly journals. In her spare time, she hosts a radio call-in program every Thursday night for teens. She’s also active at her church and volunteers as a counselor one afternoon a week at a shelter for abused women. A place called Hope House.”
    Tightening his grip on the mug, Mark looked at Coop. “She could have enemies as a result of some of those activities.”
    “That’s my take.” Coop took a sip of coffee. “You knew she was married, right?”
    “She told me yesterday. To a fireman. He died five years ago.”
    Flipping through the papers, Coop pulled out a sheet that included a photo. “Grant Stephens. She never took his name. Professional reasons, maybe, since she already had an established practice when they married. It doesn’t appear she has any living family.”
    “She doesn’t.”
    “Nor close friends. Or a steady boyfriend.”
    The background check had been thorough. Given Steve’s propensity for detail, that didn’t surprise him. “When would she have time?”
    “Good point. I’m not even sure how she works sleep into her schedule.”
    Mark scanned the sheet on Emily’s husband. Nice-looking guy, with dark hair and a firm jaw. He’d been honored with several citations for bravery, and had died after the floor collapsed while he was trying to rescue a sleeping baby from a second-floor bedroom. True hero material.
    Setting the sheet down, Mark toyed with his mug. “Emily’s workplace violence expertise and her involvement at the shelter worry me. We already know about one guy who’s not happy with her because of a job issue. And if she’s talked any of the shelter’s clients into leaving a partner, there could be a disgruntled boyfriend or husband out there.”
    “I agree.”
    “What’s your assessment of imminent risk?”
    “Low. No matter who the target is. Whoever did this appears to have had a plan that took into account behavior patterns and provided a high probability of a clean escape. Given the level of planning, I suspect he was confident he’d succeed. He could have a fully formed plan B, but my gut tells me he doesn’t. He’ll either throw in the towel or go back to the drawing board.”
    “To come up with a plan that won’t fail the next time.”
    “Yes.” Coop cradled his mug in his hands and leaned back, stretching his legs out under the table. “You need to get Dr.
    Lawson to tell you who her unhappy EAP client is.”
    “That’s my top priority today. And I want to talk with her about the women she’s counseled recently at the shelter.” Mark checked his watch. “You ready to head over to the hospital?”
    “If you’re willing to stop for a sausage biscuit on the way. That chicken Caesar salad Nick put together last night for dinner was good, but it didn’t stick with me.”
    “Tell me about it. He’s beginning to go overboard on this health-food kick he’s on.” Mark drained his cup. “Let’s go.”

    No media vans were staked out in front of the hospital as they pulled in, but Coop chose to park near the service entrance again in case a reporter or two lurked in the lobby.
    Following the pattern they’d begun yesterday, Coop got out first, signaling Mark to follow a couple of minutes later.
    Another agent was on duty outside of Emily’s room today.
    He stood as they approached, shaking Coop’s hand as Mark introduced them.
    “Everything quiet here?”
    “Quiet is a relative term,” the man responded. “No problems from a security standpoint. But the lady had a rough night.”
    Alarm tightened Mark’s gut. “Did she start bleeding again?”
    “No. Nightmares.”
    The tension in Mark’s shoulders eased. Nightmares weren’t good, but neither were they unexpected. He’d awakened twice last night in a cold sweat himself. And for once, he hadn’t been able to blame it on the convenience store shooting. This time, it hadn’t been a