Page 112 of Blake

Gwen nearly spit out her sip of coffee as Blake released a high-pitched whistle.

“That’s a hell of a severance package,” he muttered.

“Exactly.” Emmett nodded slowly.

“Can we connect the payment to Meridian?” Devon asked.

Echo’s team leader slid his dark gaze her way. “Not yet, but we’re getting closer.”

Blake turned his attention back to the laptop. He’d spent most of the morning tracing the financial relationships between Meridian and several smaller companies. It was tedious work, but the pattern was becoming clearer.

Money moved through one company, then another, before disappearing into accounts that appeared legitimate on paper. The people behind the operation had gone to considerable trouble to hide their tracks.

Which meant they had plenty to lose.

People with that much to lose tend to get desperate.

A knock sounded at the front door.

“Lincoln’s here,” Emmett announced.

“About damn time.” Blake stood.

A moment later, he walked back into the kitchen with Lincoln and Scarlett following in his steps.

Lincoln carried a leather folder and wore an expression that suggested he’d already had a long day. The woman behind him looked considerably less bothered.

Dr. Scarlett O’Neill stepped over the threshold, her red hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. She wore dark slacks, ankle boots, and a fitted jacket that looked more expensive than his monthly rent.

But Blake knew better than to judge by her appearance. Scarlett had earned a reputation for noticing details other investigators missed. It didn’t hurt that she was one of only about a hundred people in history with a condition known as Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, or HSAM.

Basically, the woman could recall even the most mundane detail from nearly every day of her life. What she saw. Wore. Read. Ate. Who she talked to.

Scarlett remembered it all.

It was no wonder she was the one all the alphabet agencies called when they caught a big case. But today, she was helping them.

“Well, look at this.” Scarlett surveyed the small group gathered in the kitchen. “The whole gang’s here.”

Emmett smiled. “Hey, Scarlett. Before I forget, Janie says hi.”

“Aw, tell her I say hi back.” The sassy redhead set her designer purse onto the counter. “Hi, Devon. I’m Scarlett.” She offered her hand to a still-seated Devon. “I’d introduce myself as Doctor, but I’m starting to think I need to change my title to Honorary Echo Team Member.”

Devon stood, shaking the other woman’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Scarlett. Janie’s told me a lot about you.”

“Likewise.” Scarlett smiled. “And I have to say, you are much tougher than you look.”

Devon laughed softly. “It depends on the day.”

Lincoln set his folder on the table. “I hate to interrupt this super-sweet introduction, but I have a long night ahead of me, and we have a murder to discuss.”

Gwen walked into the kitchen from the back door as Lincoln’s little speech came to an end. Her brown eyes rolled.

“Always such a ray of sunshine, Boone.”

Without missing a beat, the D.C. detective turned and said, “Somebody has to keep you and your misfit friends focused.”

Gwen laughed. “Yeah, good luck with that.”