“Yeah. I’m trying to order a desk or two, and I could use a couple more monitors. But I probably can’t requisition more equipment until we know if this unit will be based here or in Seattle.” He rubbed his bald head. “I have the entire system up and ready to go, however. Anything you need.”

She handed him the case file. “The victim’s name is Dr. Charlene Rox, and I need to know everything there is about her.”

His eyes gleamed. “No problem.”

“I also need your personnel file.” She turned back toward her office.

“It’s already on your desk,” he called back, disappearing into the computer room.

She already liked the young agent. Almost reaching her office, she paused as the door to Kate’s reception area opened. Turning, she watched Walter Smudgeon wipe sweat off his brow and lumber toward her, his face ruddy and his belly hanging over his belt. “Hi, Walter.”

“Hi.” He coughed several times. “The local sheriff called and wanted an update, so I popped by his office after lunch. Even though the locals don’t have jurisdiction on this one, I thought we should play nice and at least attempt to keep him in the loop. He’s still an ass.”

That situation wasn’t likely to change. “Are you feeling all right?” She didn’t like the hue of his skin.

“Yeah. Just fighting something.” Reaching the computer room, he waved at Nester and then kept walking toward her. “Do we have an ID on the victim?”

“Yes,” Laurel said. Apparently the two men had met earlier. Good. “Nester has the file. Walter, please go ahead and start preparing a warrant to search her home, vehicles, and office once we have locations. I’ll sign the affidavit once you’ve prepared it.”

He nodded. “Now that we have an ID, I’ll also call the sheriff and see if he has any records regarding the victim.” He hitched away, his breath labored.

Laurel moved into her office and sat behind her desk, rapidly working through paperwork she’d been avoiding.

Around five, Nester approached her office, a pile of papers in his hands. “Boss? I have the research you wanted as well as the affidavit for you to sign.”

She looked up from taking notes on an unrelated case DC had asked her to review and gestured him inside to one of the new chairs. “Come on in. What did you find?”

Nester sat and handed over the papers. “Dr. Rox lived east of Genesis Valley in a high-end condominium development and commuted to her practice in Seattle.”

“Did anybody report her missing?”