Jack tried to control he rising panic. Fooling Lizzie, a rookie cop, was one thing but guy who’d been around the block a few times like Dekker? Jack wasn’t sure he could pull this off. “The name doesn’t sound familiar.”
“Well it was a couple of years ago when we used him. Would you mind asking around or maybe checking your UC files?”
Jack asked, “Let’s say we have a record of him. What will that tell you?”
“If we can figure out who Barnes ran with we might get an idea of where he’s been or who might want him dead.”
“Sure I’ll ask around. It might take me a couple of days to get to it. Are you in a time crunch?”
“No that’s fine. No rush.”
“Alright man, I’ll call you if I find anything.” Jack was ready to get off the phone but Dekker was in no rush.
“Have we met?” asked Dekker
“No I don’t think so.”
“I used to know everyone at OPD.”
Jack replied, “I’m fairly new to the unit so maybe that’s why we never ran in to each other.”
“Yeah the way we are hiring, I don’t even know half of my own department anymore. Hey one last thing, Jack. I’d appreciate it if you kept this one to yourself. Barnes’ demise is not out in the open yet and I’m probably chasing useless leads. I’d hate for my boss to get all excited over nothing.
“No worries. I’ll keep it to myself,” said Jack.
If you come up with anything you can call me at this number,” said Dekker.
“Hey Tom, real quick, how’s Lizzie doing in training?” Jack wanted to get off the phone but he thought he had better make this sound as realistic as possible.
Dekker laughed, “Well, she’s headstrong, I’ll give her that.”
“Yeah, she can be a bull when there’s something she wants” Jack agreed. “Take care of my girl, will ya? Keep her out of the mess but don’t let her off easy. I know she doesn’t want anyone to think she can’t handle herself but she’s my girl you know? And she’s a mom. I’d hate to think what Sam and I would ever do without her.”
“You got it.”
Jack and Dekker exchanged goodbyes and Jack disconnected. He was now more determined than ever to get this guy. Dekker was getting too close and he had to be put out of commission. Jack thought over his plan once again. Sorry Dekker. Lizzie will be the least of your worries by the time I’m done with you.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Dekker disconnected his call with Jack. Something about their conversation struck Dekker as odd. He wasn’t sure what it was and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. On impulse he dialed OPD dispatch.
“Orland Police Department, dispatcher 13945, how can I help you?”
“Yes, this is Officer Dekker from Roland PD. I need to get in touch contact one of your officers. Can you give me the number for your Narcotics lieutenant?”
“Sure officer. Let me connect you.”
Dekker waited as the dispatcher patched him through.
“Lieutenant Daniels, how can I help you?”
“Lieutenant Daniels, my name is Officer Dekker. I was hoping to get in contact with one of your undercovers?”
Daniels chuckled, “Which one of my guys stepped in it this time?”
“Nothing like that. I just need to exchange some info on a case. I’m looking for Jack Drummond.”
“Jack Drummond? Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in awhile. What do you need from Jack?”
Dekker paused in confusion. Why wouldn’t the lieutenant have heard that name in awhile? Dekker continued, “I have a few questions about an old case and thought I’d check in with him. Drummond’s name came up in the investigation as maybe having contact with my suspect.”
“I can look through his files for you. When was the case?”
“Two years ago.”
“You must have gotten some wrong information. Drummond has been dead for five years!”
Dekker was stunned. “Are you sure? Young guy? Maybe twenty-five, dark hair?”
“Son, Jack worked here for thirty years and in all that time I never knew him to have hair, brown or otherwise. He retired about eight years ago and three years later he passed from cancer. Are you sure you have the right name?”
Dekker was confused. “Are you telling me you have no Jack Drummond working there? Could it be his son?”
“No way man, he didn’t have any kids.”
Dekker wasn’t sure what to do next. “Sorry to waste your time, LT. Someone must have made a mistake on my end.” Dekker disconnected and pocketed his phone. What the hell was going on?
Chapter Sixty-Three
Lizzie was excited to be done with her shift. Dekker had promised her he would call Jack and Lizzie was anxious to get home and find out if Jack had any news for her. She felt like a little celebration was in order.
Lizzie changed out of her uniform headed towards home. She needed to pick up Sam from her sister’s house. Tonight would be a good night for Sam to have his cousin over for a sleep over. She would ask Carly if she could take Brandon off her hands for the evening. Lizzie arrived at Carly’s and an eager Sam met her at the door.
“Mom, you’re here!” Sam flew into Lizzie’s arms.
“Hey buddy! I’m happy to see you too!”
Sam let go of her. “I miss you when you’re gone.”
“I know buddy. I miss you too but mom has to work.”
“Don’t the bad guys ever take a day off? Why aren’t they at work?”
Lizzie laughed. Sam was so young but at six years old he was definitely smarter than most kids. “I don’t know buddy. All I know is that mommy has to make money to put a roof over our heads and going to work helps me do that.”
“But Jack works. Isn’t that enough?”
Lizzie took Sam by the hand and led him inside Carly’s house. Clearly Carly had been talking in front of him. Kids at Sam’s age don’t come up with these things by themselves.
Lizzie led Sam into the kitchen and sat him on a stool at the counter. Carly was washing dishes at the sink and Lizzie gave her a stern look a she tried another tact with Sam. “Honey, there are some people in this world that aren’t so good and they take advantage of good people. It’s mommy’s job to make sure the good people are safe. I protect them the best way I can.”
“Like a super hero?” asked Sam.
“Yep! And Jack does the same thing. Maybe one day you will too.”
“I don’t ever want to be a cop.”
“Why not?”
“Because cops are always gone from their kids.” Sam pushed himself from the counter and ran into the living room where Brandon was playing video games.
Lizzie stood there in shock. She had no idea Sam was feeling so excluded. Lizzie spoke to Carly, “I had no idea he felt that way.”
“Well do you blame him? You’re gone all the time,” said Carly.
“I have to work, Carly. I have bills to pay.”
“Well what about that boyfriend of yours? Doesn’t he work?”
“You know he does. But Carly, I want to be as independent as possible. You know how things were with Sam’s dad. I don’t ever want to depend on a man ever again.”
“Are you afraid something is going to go wrong with you and Jack?”
“No, of course not. Jack is a stand up guy.”
“He’s squirrely. I don’t like his eyes.”
“You have never liked Jack. It’s ridiculous how much you distrust him.”
“Well I’m sorry but couldn’t you meet a regular guy the regular way?”
“You mean like in a bar? Yeah I can see how that’s so much better for Sam. Pick up some random dude in a bar.”
“Don’t be snarky. You know what I meant. You could meet someone at church or online dating. How about you let me set you up with Dan’s friend Jordan? He’s a plumber. A nice, respectable, laid back, home on the weekends, plumber.”
Lizzie laughed, “With crack to prove it. I have enough crack
at work, thank you very much!”
Carly rolled her eyes, “Hilarious. But seriously, why did you have to get involved with an undercover police officer? I’ve read stories, you know. I watch TV. I see how things really go down! Before you know it, Jack will be snorting drugs to fit in with the gang’s he’s trying to infiltrate. Criminals will be doing drive-by’s at your house.”
Lizzie laughed again, “Don’t be so dramatic! I’m going to tell Dan to cancel your subscription to HBO. Real police work is nothing like what you see on those crazy shows of yours.”
Carly smiled at Lizzie, “Well I still don’t like him. Have you ever met his friends or family? No, because he’s weird!”
“He’s not weird! He doesn’t have any family. You know this about him.”
“Fine. It’s your life, but just remember when things go sideways, I was the first to tell you so!”
Lizzie got up from her seat and kissed her sister on the cheek. “I know you worry. That’s what big sisters are for. Its really not necessary though.”
“Ok, ok,” said Carly as she splashed her playfully with soapy dishwater.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Carly agreed to relinquish Brandon for the night and the two boys sat in the back seat as Lizzie drove them to pick up pizza and a movie. As she drove she considered her conversation with Carly.
Carly was so wrong about Jack but something about what she had said still bothered Lizzie. Lizzie had never met any of Jack’s friends. It was true that Jack had been two years undercover and she understood that Jack couldn’t exactly bring the guys home for a beer. But surely Jack had to have at least one friend that didn’t need to hide in the shadows. Lizzie had seen plenty of cops at her own department chumming around.
Being a police officer was the same as having a big extended family. In the absence of a real family it was odd that Jack’s blue family was never around. Lizzie resolved to ask Jack about it when he got home.
Lizzie and the boys picked up their food and rented the newest animated movie. Once they arrived home, the boys ran ahead, leaving Lizzie to carry the pizza and backpacks all by herself. The boys pounded up the stairs towards their apartment but Lizzie paused at the bank of mailboxes in the lobby. Inserting her key into her assigned mailbox, Lizzie opened the door to find the mailbox stuffed to capacity. She grabbed the pile of mail and stuffed it in her purse before hiking the stairs to her apartment.
Lizzie made it into her apartment and unloaded her packages. She fixed the boys plates of food and set them up on the living room floor to watch their movie. Lizzie grabbed a glass of wine and the mail and sat on the couch. She felt a jolt of excitement as she unearthed a rather large thick, legal envelope with a court seal on it. It had to be the case file she had requested!
Lizzie ripped opened the envelope and laid the case file folder on the couch next to her. Police reports, memos and court transcripts packed the folder and Lizzie wasn’t entirely sure where to start.
Lizzie picked up the police report on the top of the pile. It was dated a little over two years earlier. Lizzie discovered that officers had learned a smalltime drug dealer was selling cocaine out of the back door of a restaurant across the street from the police department. They had set up a small sting and collared Frank Barnes selling a small bag of cocaine to a plain-clothes officer.
Two detectives, Werner and Johnson, had gotten wind of the arrest. They drove to county jail and spoke with Barnes. Barnes insisted he had never sold drugs before that day but he was in fact filling in for his friend Jimmy. Werner and Johnson convinced Barnes that he could work of his drug charge if he helped them collar Jimmy.
Lizzie flipped to the next page and felt a cold chill run up her spine. According to the police report, the buy bust sting went down at Sorro College! This must be a coincidence. Lizzie flipped back to the front page and looked at the date once more. The time frame was right. What were the odds that this incident went at down the same time she had been there?
Lizzie read further. The police report stated that shots had been fired and the Barnes had been shot. Werner and Johnson had written statements detailing that Jimmy had tried to run when confronted by the police canine. He had also fired several shots at the pursuing officers who fired their own weapons in return. Jimmy had been killed and Barnes had fled in the chaos. A manhunt had ensued but Barnes had never been located.
Lizzie set the report aside. If this had happened while she was there, it had to be the day she had met Jack! She leafed through the report pages trying to find any mention of Jack’s name amongst them. She knew he had been there because she saw him! Talked to him! For heavens sake, this was how they met!
Lizzie stopped flipping through the pages and stared at a picture in her hand. It was a picture of Jack. But this couldn’t be right? The name on the picture read Frank Barnes.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Lizzie didn’t realize she had stopped breathing until she heard Sam ask, “Mommy? Are you ok?”
Lizzie looked at Sam and then down at the picture of Jack. She glanced at the pile of papers spread out on the couch. Realization slowly crept in. She had to move.
Lizzie grabbed the papers and stuffed them back into the file folder and carried them to her room. She called out to Sam, “Mommy is fine. I just need to make a phone call sweetie. Go back to your movie.” Lizzie closed her bedroom door and dialed Dekker’s cell. She wasn’t sure what she was going to tell him but she knew she had to speak to him immediately. Lizzie paced as the phone rang several times before going to voicemail. She disconnected and tried Dekker again. Still no answer.
She looked down at her phone. Think, Lizzie, think! She dialed her sister. Carly picked up on the second ring. “Are the boys driving you crazy already?”
Lizzie spoke quickly, “Carly, I need you to come get the boys. Its an emergency.”
Carly voice betrayed worry. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
“Just get over here and bring the boys back to your place. It’s work. Something has happened and I need to go in immediately.”
“Lizzie, you’re scaring me. What’s happened?”
“I can’t tell you just yet but I really need you to come get the boys. Can you come?”
“Where’s Jack?”
Lizzie stopped cold. She hadn’t event thought about where Jack was at the moment. “Jack’s working,” she said. “Please, just hurry!”
“Of course, I’m on my way!”
Chapter Sixty-Six
Lizzie disconnected and tried Dekker’s number again. Dammit why wasn’t he picking up? Lizzie heard the doorbell ring and Lizzie ran to let Carly in. “Thank you! I owe you!”
Carly whispered, “What is going on?”
Lizzie gathered up the case file, grabbed her jacket and keys. “Carly, when I can explain, I will. I have to go. Just get the boys to your house and I’ll call you as soon as I get done.” Without waiting for her sister to respond, Lizzie raced out the door and down to her car. If Dekker wasn’t going to answer his phone, she would just have to go to his house. Dekker would know what to do, how to deal with this situation.
As Lizzie drove she struggled to put all the pieces together. That day in the library, Jack had told her he was a police officer! He had been shot in the line of duty! None of this made sense. Had Jack been lying to her this whole time? If Jack was really Frank Barnes then who was the body in the car fire and how did Jacks prints get there?
Fear and confusion permeated the car as Lizzie sped faster towards Roland. She had to get to Dekker. She had to get answers.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Jack drove slowly past Dekker’s house. There were no lights on and no cars in the driveway. The old man was either asleep or not home. Either way, the darkness made it easier for Jack to execute his plan. Jack continued around the block and parked under the shadow of a large oak tree. He grabbed the backpack from behind his seat and closed the truck door with a soft click. He let his hand touch the gun hidden in his pocket.
He had only brought it as a safety measure and it comforted him to know it was there.
Jack approached Dekker’s home on foot. He silently made his way up to the garage and scouted the front yard. Nothing stirred. The neighborhood was silent. Jack made his way to the side gate and felt around for latch. He released the gate latch and slowly pushed the wooden gate open, thankful that it didn’t make a sound. Jack tried the doorknob to the side door leading to the garage. It was unlocked. Jack softly pushed open the garage door and stepped inside.
Jack removed a small penlight from his pants pocket and clicked it on. He shown it around the garage and found it surprisingly organized. Cabinets lined the far wall and a washer and dryer stood next to the door leading to the house. Tools hung on pegboards and a large gun safe stood sentry against the wall closest to Jack.
Jack went to one of the cabinets and found it unlocked. He opened it and found camping gear inside. A lantern, a rolled up sleeping bag and a tent still in the box crowded the middle shelf. This looked like a good place to stash the backpack. Jack moved the boxed tent aside and pulled the sleeping bag out of its pace on the shelf. He stuffed the backpack towards the back of the shelf.
A noise stopped Jack dead in his tracks. The door from the house to the garage opened and a hand pushed the button next to the door. The garage lights blazed and the large door began to rise. Someone was home after all!
Chapter Sixty-Eight
“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Dekker yelled at Jack. Jack stumbled back from the cabinet as Dekker took a step towards him.
“I’m a cop. You better stop right there,” commanded Dekker. Dekker took another step towards Jack and Jack fumbled in his pocket for the gun.
Killing Frank Barnes Page 15
