Page 13 of Relentless
He drummed his fingers on the edge of his laptop as another plan came together. A plan he should have thought of earlier. The aid agency Kara had worked for was a quasi-governmental agency. Which meant that the FBI had files on all employees. Files that might include medical records related to both Shelley White’s and Sunil Shah’s deaths.
And HICCdidhave access to those records.
They didn’t have unfettered access, though. And if he logged in and started fishing around, Sabina would find out. As the cyber liaison between HICC and all the alphabet agencies, it was her job to monitor these things. In fact, she probably already knew that he’d accessed theirstandarddatabases and reports. She was creepy smart—and vigilant—like that. He kind of felt sorry for the kids she and his cousin might have someday. He doubted they’d be able to get away with much.
As if to prove his point, his phone buzzed with a text from his cousin-in-law.
Sabina:Why are you accessing records on a Shelley White? Who is she, and aren’t you on leave?
Ethan sighed. He didn’t want to make a big deal out of his investigation. He’d probably turn up nothing. People died all the time. It was sad. Often tragic. And the fact that Kara had worked with two who’d died within a week of each other was hardly noteworthy. Probably.
Yet it still nagged at him. Maybe he was being overly cautious because it was Kara. Or maybe he was just bored. But maybe there really was something worth looking into.
Sabina:Ethan?
He bit the bullet and responded.
Ethan:Shelley White and Sunil Shah are former colleagues of Kara’s. Both died unexpectedly within a week of each other. White from a heart attack induced by a scorpion and Shah in a car accident. It’s probably nothing…
He waited several minutes before Sabina’s reply came in.
Sabina:I lived eighteen years of my life without my sister. There is nothing I won’t do to make sure we never lose each other again. Your instinct is telling you to look, so look. I just unlocked a few more sources for you
Ethan:It could be nothing
Sabina:In which case, no harm, no foul
Her immediate assistance and official approval caught him off guard. He’d expected at least a modicum of disbelief in his suspicions. But as he weighed Sabina’s words, he knew he shouldn’t have been surprised. She’d always had faith in him—and his instincts—and shewoulddo anything to protect those she loved. Especially her sister.
Ethan:Thanks
Sabina:You will keep me posted
Not a question or request, but he answered anyway.
Ethan:Of course
He hesitated, wondering whether to add one more request. Then Sabina beat him to the punch.
Sabina:Let’s not mention this to Kara unless you find anything. She deserves this time off
Ethan let out a sigh of relief.
Ethan:Roger that, and I agree. I’ve already interrupted her life enough
He started to set the phone down when bubbles appeared, indicating Sabina was typing a response.
Sabina:I think you may be just the kind of interruption she needs
Ethan chuckled. He wasn’t going to touch that with a ten-foot pole, but it was nice to know Sabina approved of his interest in her sister.
Ethan:Good night, Sabina
Sabina: (winking emoji)Spoilsport
He shook his head at her response and set the phone down. Then bringing his laptop back to life, he reentered his credentials and clicked on the link Sabina had sent in IM while they’d texted. A database opened on the screen. It looked similar to—though not the same as—what he’d seen previously when accessing the standard files.
He smiled. She’d given him the keys to the kingdom. And it was time to find out if there was more to the stories of Shelley White and Sunil Shah.
