Psychobyte Read Online Free

followed about two hundred of the same people on Twitter. I puffed air into my cheeks and let it out slowly. Truth be known, I probably followed about a hundred of the same people on Twitter. Still, I needed to double-check any overlap.
    Time-consuming.
    I hauled myself out from behind my desk, left my cell behind, and wandered out into the bullpen in search of coffee.
    Lee and Sam were working, both on phones. I’d asked them to track down Jane Daughtry’s boyfriend. Kurt was nowhere to be seen.
    Sandra waved at me from her desk. “Can I help?”
    “When you spoke to HR, did they have anything that could relate to Jane’s death?”
    Sandra pulled up files and scanned the contents on her screen. “Her team leader said she’ll be very much missed.”
    “You think she’s still in?”
    “Doubt it.”
    “I’m going to take a look at Jane’s desk. I won’t be long.”
    I hurried over to HR. Peering through the glass main doors, I coldn’t see anyone at the reception desk. Dim lighting bathed the area with a yellowish tinge. I swiped my card to open the door. Nothing.
    Damn.
    I called Caine. “Hey, it’s me, I’m on HR’s floor. There’s no one around. I need to look at Jane Daughtry’s desk.”
    “You want me to authorize that?”
    “Please.”
    “Logging you on the floor now with SAC approval. You got five minutes.”
    “Thanks.” I swiped my card again. The light flashed green. I pushed the door open. No sounds of life came from the offices along the hallway.
    Scooting around the reception desk I searched for an office plan. I found it stuck to the interior of the Fire Warden’s cupboard. Daughtry, office seventy-four and Herrera across the hall in seventy-five. Time ticked on. I hurried. Opening the door to Daughtry’s office revealed a tidy work environment. I pulled her top desk drawer. Locked. Nothing but pens and stationery in the second drawer. No personal things. Her wastepaper basket revealed nothing.
    I looked at the walls. She’d hung her degree and a diploma, both framed. Time to go. I zapped my card to leave. The heavy glass door closed behind me as I hurried back to our floor.
    “Anything?” Sandra said, looking up as I walked toward her.
    “Nothing stands out. Might stretch my legs and head for the Firehook. You wanna come with?”
    She nodded. “Good idea. Jane’s parents won’t be in for a minimum of an hour.”
    It would be at least two hours before I’d be on my way home, all going well.
    I ducked into my office, pulled on a jacket, shoved my cell into my jeans pocket, fished my wallet from my bag and stuck it in my jacket pocket. All set.
    Sandra and I walked down the corridor to the stairs. Running down, we hit the door into the foyer at the same time. Our laughter echoed around the cavernous room. The agent at the desk glanced up, smiled and went back to monitoring the screens in front of him.
    “It’s going to be a long night, isn’t it?” Sandra said.
    “I think so.”
    “You all set for the wedding?”
    “As much as we can be.”
    “Did you write your own vows?”
    “Yes, we did. That’s a lot harder than it seems.”
    Sandra smiled. “Two weeks. Exciting.”
    “Two weeks.”
    One big family dinner before the big day and I was glad it wasn’t tonight. When was it? Three days until the dinner and the last minute prep is sorted. Then I could relax. A small laugh escaped. Yeah, right. I could relax once on the plane leaving the country for our honeymoon.
    Sandra nudged me. “Are you going to take his name?”
    “Yes.” The speed with which this fell from my lips surprised me. I didn’t take Mac’s name but I’m taking Mitch’s. Funny how life changes.
    Sandra bought coffee; I went with hot chocolate and we walked quietly back through the darkening streets. Nice to feel safe in D.C. again. It can take a while to get that sense of security back after things explode around you. This was my city and life wouldn’t leave it in ruins.
     
    Thirty minutes shot