Danielle looked down at her hands. Sometimes people didnt understand enough about law enforcement to know when it was unusual to have the FBI called in. Sometimes they watched enough TV to realize there were jurisdictional issues. Theres a possibility that Lexas death is linked to another one in D.C.

Another death? Whose? Katja leaned forward. When?

Danielle pulled out a photo of Michelle Schultz. Do you recognize this woman? Her name was Michelle Schultz. Were she and Lexa friends? It would be great to find some link between Lexa and Michelle besides them both being female and working in health care. So far, nothing had come up. They didnt go to the same gym or the same hair salon. They hadnt gone to the same school or participated in the same sports. Did Lexa ever mention her? Or bring her by the house?

Katja took the photo from Danielle and looked at it carefully, then shook her head. She passed the photo to her husband who also shook his head. Katja passed the photo back. Sorry. I dont recognize her. Is she the one who worked at Bridgepoint? The one that was on the news?

Danielle slipped the photo back into her breast pocket. Yes. Thats her.

What ties her to Lexa? Gabriel asked.

I really cant comment further on an ongoing investigation. I promise I will tell you what I can, when I can. Right now, Im trying to find out more about who Lexa was to see if I can find any reason for why this happened.

Gabriel rubbed his free hand across his face. It has to have been random. Lexa was . . . she was . . . He put his hand over his eyes and stopped speaking.

She was brilliant, her mother picked up the thread. She knew she wanted to be a doctor from the time she was seven. Shed had her appendix out and she found the whole thing fascinating. Couldnt stop asking questions. Wanted to see everything. She worked so hard at school. And shed gotten such a prestigious residency at Georgetown. Her life was just beginning. I still cant believe that some maniac cut it short.

Pretty much the same thing all her colleagues at Georgetown had said. Did Lexa have any enemies?

Katja looked confused for a second, as if she didnt understand the question. No, she said. No enemies. Lexa wasnt that kind of person.

She had to be at least a little bit competitive to get where she was, Danielle said, carefully. Maybe she stepped on some toes on her way up?

She was more focused than competitive, Gabriel said.

Danielle understood that, although she also knew all too well that it didnt mean people didnt resent you.

How is Dr. Stark? Katja asked.

Morgan Stark? Danielle asked, eyes widening a bit. Was there more to that relationship than Stark had let on? Hes upset. Sad. But okay. Why do you ask?