The Profiler by Chris Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

in limbo.
    “Ben, if you don’t mind, I’d like to borrow Jane Doe’s file and go through it—get a feel for what’s happened so far,” Clayton said.
    “No problem. Ellie and Luke can give you everything they have.”
    “Which is blessed little,” Ellie mumbled as she gathered up Bill Griffin’s statement and the scant forensic reports they’d scraped together so far.
    “Where are you staying, Clayton?” Ben asked. “I’ll give you a ride.”
    “Uh, thanks Ben, but I’ve booked a room in the city. I was going to stay with one of my brothers. Three of them are living in Sydney. I called Tom, but his house is in quarantine. His youngest has the chicken pox. I rang Declan, too—you might remember him?”
    Ben nodded. “Yes, he’s a bit older than you, isn’t he?”
    “Yeah, he’s three years older. Anyway, he’s away on holidays up in Queensland. I didn’t even bother to call Brandon. He spends more time overseas on top secret AFP Missions than he does in Sydney.” Clayton shrugged. “I decided it was probably easier to stay in a hotel. Besides, I can stay totally focused on the case this way and I’ll be free to come and go as I please. I was hoping you’d give me the use of an unmarked squad car.”
    Color stained Ben’s cheeks. “You’re forgetting we’re State coppers. There’s no money for spare vehicles. Ride with Ellie. She commutes from the city. Besides, she’s been on the case since the get-go. She will be able to fill in any gaps.”
    A surge of alarm burned through her. Sidling up to Ben, she lowered her voice. “Ah, Ben? I was thinking—that is, maybe Luke could—?”
    “Luke lives in Cronulla, Ellie. That’s hardly practical. He can partner with Cheryl for the next little while.” Ben glanced in Luke’s direction. “Are you all right with that?”
    “Yeah, boss; no worries.”
    With a muffled groan, Ellie pushed passed him and strode in the direction of the locker room. How the hell had she managed to get herself lumped with another Fed ?

 
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Ellie took a sip from her double shot espresso and waited for the caffeine to work its magic. It was barely eight thirty and already a headache plagued her. It had started when she’d woken and remembered she’d been partnered with the Fed.
    She stifled a groan. It wasn’t as if she had anything against him, personally. It wasn’t like it was the AFP’s fault her ex had turned into a bastard the minute he’d been accepted into its haloed ranks. He’d obviously had the potential to be a loser well before then.
    It was just that his weakness hadn’t manifested itself until the acceptance papers arrived in the mail. Overnight, he’d morphed into someone she hadn’t recognized. The memories still made her angry, although in clearer moments, she grudgingly accepted how lucky she’d been to discover his inherent selfishness well before the wedding march had been played.
    Fortunately, she wouldn’t have to deal with Clayton for more than the ride to work. Within moments of taking the seat beside her, he’d asked her to drop him off at the Westmead Morgue. He’d then proceeded to stare out the window. They’d spent the rest of the journey in silence. She’d been even more relieved when he’d told her he’d be at the morgue for most of the morning.
    The only thing she’d been disgruntled about was that he’d looked good enough to eat in his tailor-made designer suit and crisply knotted tie. He’d offered her a casual wave good-bye with a smile that could have sold toothpaste and her belly had fluttered with nerves. If she was honest with herself, she had to admit it was her reaction to him that had her most out of sorts.
    Luke sauntered in from the tea room, his usual brew of coffee in hand. Catching sight of her face, he shook his head. “Not a good way to start the morning, Coop.”
    Ellie threw him a withering look. “You’d better watch your mouth, Baxter. I’m not in the mood.”
    “Now, now,