She Who Watches Read Online Free Page A

coffee cup on the desk. “I’m staking out my territory.”
    â€œHumph,” Mac grumbled. “That’s what I get for being a gentleman.”
    â€œYou two can fight over the office later. Now git.”
    Mac put aside his annoyance with Dana for stealing the prized office space out from under him and grabbed his briefcase.
    â€œYou’ll need to stay on the sidelines on this, kids.” Kevin gave each of them a nod. “Just make sure you get all the details and keep abreast of the case. Be there if the feds need your assistance, and if you have any questions, call me.”
    â€œNot to worry, partner . . . er . . . Sarge,” Mac assured him. Kevin was still getting used to his new job and tended to overstate his instructions.
    Dana signed them out on the board near the door at 5:15 p.m., and the two detectives headed out.
    â€œYou want to drive, or should I?” Mac asked as they reached the parking lot.
    â€œGo ahead.Your car is closest.” Dana aimed for Mac’s unmarked Crown Victoria.

FOUR
    W hile they drove, Dana read the preliminary report, restating Kevin’s comments about the cousin’s coming in from Seattle and the husband’s coming home early and finding signs of a break-in and his wife missing.
    Mac raised an eyebrow, wondering if the husband might somehow be involved in his wife’s disappearance. It wouldn’t be the first time. “Kevin said the husband was at work when the day care called.We’ll have to verify that.What time did he call 911?”
    â€œAbout four fifteen.”
    â€œNo kidding. How’d the feds get involved that fast? Us, too, for that matter.”
    â€œI have no idea. According to this report, Sara had called him around two to let him know her car had been broken into.”
    â€œHmm.That explains the broken window the cousin found.”
    â€œRight. He was in a meeting at that time, and Sara told his secretary not to bother him. He left work as soon as he got that message and the one from their day care. Sara was supposed to pick up their little girl at three, but she never showed up. The responding officers suspect kidnapping, but there hasn’t been any contact regarding a ransom.”
    â€œWonder how they determined kidnapping? Maybe the feds will have more information.” Mac made a right and started up a steep hill.
    The Watsons lived in a nice neighborhood in northwest Portland near the University of Portland, in an older but roomy Victorian-style home. The hills afforded lovely views, but the homes were too close together to suit Mac. There were a number of vehicles parked on the street, including two cruisers, a van from the OSP crime lab, a minivan, a green Pontiac, and a BMW convertible. They pulled into the wide circle driveway and stepped out. If he were buying a home, it would have to come with either an oversized yard or acreage.
    â€œThe two suits by the car in front of the door must be the FBI agents.” Mac adjusted his tie and grabbed his suit jacket from the backseat.
    â€œMust be.” Dana looked apprehensive.
    â€œAre you nervous?” Mac asked.
    â€œA little. I haven’t worked with the feds before.” Dana straightened and grinned.
    He didn’t say so, but that dimpled smile of hers would have those guys melting all over her within minutes. “I haven’t worked with them directly, but from what I hear, we’re in for a treat.”
    â€œThat doesn’t sound like a compliment.”
    â€œSorry. I’ve heard they can be a pain.” Mac tried to rein in his preconceived notions about the feds. A lot of the guys he worked with had nothing good to say about them, but he needed to keep an open mind, especially if he was going to do the job Kevin expected of them. He and Dana showed their badges to the uniformed officer outside the crime scene, signed the sheet on his clipboard, and slipped under the crime-scene tape.
    Dana opened her