“Yes,” Laurel said. “My patience has ended with the doctor. Have the state police bring him in.” She ended the call and looked up to Huck’s face. “We have about an hour for breakfast before Dr. Keyes arrives. I need more coffee.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

Dr. Keyes managed to put up enough of a stink that he didn’t arrive at Laurel’s office until early afternoon, accompanied by his attorney. The doctor was in his mid-forties with blondish-gray hair, understanding blue eyes, and a square jaw. He wore a button-down shirt and slacks with a Rolex on one wrist. Laurel measured him to be around six feet tall and two hundred pounds with a lithe physique.

The lawyer appeared to be a decade older with pure gray hair, steel blue eyes, and a five-thousand-dollar suit.

Laurel sat across from the doctor while Huck sat across from the lawyer, file folders in front of them. The two men eyed each other like adversaries in a boxing match, while Dr. Keyes kept his gaze on Laurel.

“Thank you for coming in to speak with us today,” Laurel said.

The doctor’s smile held amusement. “The state police didn’t give me much of a choice.” He settled more comfortably in his chair. “Although, now I’m here, I can say that I’m happy about that. I know this is business, but I have to say that you’re the most intriguing-looking woman I’ve ever seen. A heterochromia in already heterochromatic eyes is rare to a degree I’m afraid I can’t quantify.” He leaned closer, his gaze seeking. “Both the blue and the green shades have an intensity that’s rare in and of themselves. Just lovely.”

“That’s kind of you to say.” Laurel waited to see what he’d say next.

“And your hair color. I’ve never seen any shade like it. Not red, not black, not brown . . .” He palmed the table. “Beautiful.”

She smiled and let him continue trying to impress her. “That’s kind of you. Most people think I’m strange.”

The left side of his mouth lifted. “Not strange. No. Strong. Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.”

“John Ray,” she murmured.

He sat back, surprise lighting his eyes. “Yes. John Ray. You’ve read him?”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t,” Huck said. “I doubt he applies to this case.”

Dr. Keyes barely cast Huck a glance. “He was an English naturalist who spoke wisdom three hundred years ago. There aren’t many FBI agents, I dare say, who would’ve recognized his words.”

“Agent Snow is a unicorn,” Huck said dryly. “How about we return to this century and you tell us where you’ve been the last couple of days, Dr. Keyes.” It wasn’t posed as a question.

The doctor’s gaze wandered over Laurel’s face. “I was at my cabin taking some time for myself. Life has been difficult lately.”