She picked up the Agency phone and dialed Lance’s direct line.
“Cabot,” he said.
“It’s Holly. You left me a message.”
“What are you doing?” he asked. “I beg your pardon?”
“You’re visiting sealed court records, somewhere in darkest New Jersey, using my authority. What are you doing?”
“Oh, that,” she said.
“Yes, that.”
“There’s been a series of rapes and murders locally.”
“Locally where?”
“In or around Orchid Beach.”
“You are supposed to be down there, clearing your brain and resting up to reenter the fray, and you’re messing with a serial rapist?”
“And murderer. He’s killed two of them.”
“The city and state still maintain police forces, do they not?”
“They do.”
“Then why are you involved?”
“I was one of the victims.”
Lance was silent for a moment. “You were raped?”
“No, but I was unconscious, and had passersby not come to my rescue, the worst could have happened.”
“Are you all right, Holly?” Lance was almost solicitous.
“I’m all right, Lance, honestly I am. I spent one night in a local hospital, recovering from a dose of Rohypnol, administered by the perpetrator.”
“Will you be able to identify him?”
“No. I hate to say this, but it all happened so fast.”
“You’re sure you’re all right.”
“I’m sure. I’ve had the proper medical care.” Including two dates and one roll in the hay with Josh, she thought.
“All right, then, use my authority to do any searches you need to,” Lance said. “Apart from being drugged and nearly raped and murdered, are you having a nice vacation?”
“Just lovely,” she said. “Apart from that.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “Goodbye.” Lance hung up.
Holly printed out the news reports and put them into a file folder, then she relocked the office and started thinking about dinner.
The phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Josh. How about dinner?”