Deadly Reckoning

by Robin Mahle

  “And what’s in these pills, like the one from Steven Schiller’s car, is one of these ‘shady 80s’?” Kate asked.

  “It appears so. What we don’t know is if these pills are tied to a cartel. So far, we haven’t seen enough of them on the streets and we honestly don’t know where they’re coming from.”

  “What about the tox screen from our latest victim, the Walcott boy? The earlier victims appeared to have a bunch of these so-called precursor chemicals that Doc listed off,” Quinn began. “Is it possible this W-18 chemical compound might not be in their systems?”

  “From what I’ve seen in those tox screens, I’d say the similarities are enough to raise eyebrows. Of course, we don’t have the screen back from the OD victim Ness mentioned last night. We’ll have to wait to see if that victim is related.” He handed Quinn the report. “This is what Ness gave me this morning.”

  “I’ve got copies for all of you,” Ness replied.

  “According to y’all, no one thinks the Cavanaugh boy is related. Just another overdose. But now you think he might have taken the same drug?” Slocum asked.

  “I don’t want to rule him out until we get a definitive answer,” Quinn replied. “At any time, the killer could change his M.O. and I don’t want to make the mistake of assuming he hasn’t.”

  Tate reviewed the report before he began, “Well, we sure appreciate you coming in to tell us this, Agent Tucker, but I can’t see how it’s going to help us find the killer. Please let me know if I’m missing something here because I honestly don’t know where we go from this point.”

  Kate wanted to tell the chief that this was all part of the process. Each piece of the puzzle would fit together, but that it took time.

  “You’re not missing anything, Chief,” Quinn began. “But this still offers us some extremely valuable information. And I think Agent Tucker can take this back to his team and search for any other instances where this drug has appeared in the region.”

  “Yes. That’s exactly what I’d like to do. Because if I can find a concentration of this pill’s compound in a certain area, that might bring you closer to determining if a cartel is involved. My first inclination is to submit it is not. And the only reason I say that is the cartels, most of the established ones, anyway, understand the power of this new synthetic. They aren’t looking to kill off their buyers. And that’s essentially what this drug has done in many instances. Not all, but many. So, whoever is formulating this dangerous new compound, or has purchased it, is doing it for other reasons. Or at the very least, doesn’t yet understand, or can’t yet control its process. And that perhaps this is merely a testing phase for the product.”

  Agent Fisher pushed off the edge of Lazaro’s desktop. “We appreciate any help the DEA can offer on this situation. While it may not provide us with immediate answers, it does give us insight into who we’re dealing with. This is intentional. The drug is given with intention to kill or slow down the victims long enough to physically do the job. This tells me, with almost certainty, and Quinn can correct me if I’m wrong, but this feels like revenge killings.”

  Quinn appeared to consider that prospect before beginning. “I can see that as a possibility. Revenge is a powerful motive. But why so many? And revenge for what? Money?”

  No longer able to hold her tongue, Kate began, “Whoever is doing this, I believe, isn’t after money. You’re right, Quinn, revenge is a powerful motive. But to bludgeon to death someone because they owed you a few bucks, or maybe more, doesn’t seem as likely to me as being given a lethal dose of narcotics, then being beaten to death, in an effort to take revenge for something deeply personal.”

  “Where are you going with this, Reid?” Quinn continued. “I’m with you on your train of thought. But personal on what level? If not money, love? Betrayal? Hate?”

  “Well, pardon me for saying, but that could cover just about every crime ever committed,” Tate replied.

  “Yes, it could, Chief,” Kate continued. “We’ve decided the killer must be a man, given the strength and force of the blows. However, the care given to the bodies, post mortem, the staging, suggests the possibility of an accomplice. So, to get back to your assertion, Quinn, I’d say the personal level could be anger. The killer is likely expressing deeply embedded anger.”

  “But that the assumed accomplice could be the one picking up the pieces. Making the message clear to whoever finds the victims,” Quinn added. “Also, the appearance of some form of remorse is evident in the staging.” He looked at Kate again. “Go on.”

  “That’s right. Which leads me to believe we are dealing with someone local. Whether this person or people are tied to a cartel remains to be seen. And Agent Tucker will have to help us on that front. But the evidence, the profile all point to someone who calls Crown Pointe home. Someone who’s been directly impacted by the addiction problem here.”

  “An addict himself?” the chief asked.

  “It’s possible. Someone who hates himself for what he’s become and is lashing out at the others afflicted with the same disease.” She paused for a moment and again cast her glance to Quinn. “Or, someone who’s lost a loved one to the epidemic. Anger at the people who take the drugs. Anger at those who supply the drugs.”

  “And an attempt to wipe out everyone associated with the person they lost,” Quinn said.

  “Right.”

  12

  The news of yet more Federal agents arriving to help solve the horrific murders had already spread throughout the tight-knit community. And the Crown Pointe Police station was receiving an onslaught of calls and visits from those demanding answers.

  Deputy Slocum approached the chief’s office. “Excuse me, Chief. I just got another call. Maybe it’s time we have the agents address the community to help quell their fears. We’re spending more time fielding calls than we are on the case itself. Something has to be done.”

  Chief Tate stood from his desk, and with a deep breath, he thrust his hands in his pants pockets. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe if they hear it from the Feds themselves, they’ll be able to understand what it is we’re up against.”

  “They’re scared, Chief,” Slocum continued.

  “I’m well aware of that. I know people are losing sleep over this. Hell, I’m losing sleep. But short of evacuating the entire town, there isn’t much more I can do other than what we’re doing.”

  “I understand that. Why don’t I contact Agent Fisher? I believe he said the team was headed to Pikeville to meet with Agent Ness. I’ll ask if he and his people can address the community tonight. Best to get it done sooner rather than later.”

  “You mean before another body turns up.”

  At this, Slocum only nodded.

  “Get on it, then.”

  “Thank you, Chief.” Slocum returned to his desk.

  “What’d he say?” Lazaro asked.

  “He said to ask them. I’ll make the call to Agent Fisher now. See if we can’t get something on the books for tonight or tomorrow.”

  “Good idea. And who knows? We might actually have some answers by that point.”

  “I ain’t gonna hold my breath.” Slocum dialed the number and waited for the line to answer.

  “Fisher here.”

  “Yes, sir, Agent Fisher, this is Deputy Slocum. I was speaking with the chief and we thought it best if you and your team could speak to the community as soon as possible.”

  Fisher, who was sitting in the passenger seat of their SUV, looked to Walsh. “I’m afraid we don’t have anything new to offer in terms of progress. What’s the chief hoping for?”

  “Well, you see, we’re getting an awful lot of calls from nervous citizens. People are afraid to leave their homes. They’re afraid to send their kids to school. We were hoping y’all could help calm their fears. Give them an update.”

  Fisher pressed the mute button on his cell. “They want us to address the community asap.”

  “Why?” Walsh asked.

  “They say
the people are scared and it’s getting worse. I think they’re drowning in calls, by the sounds of it.”

  “Well, shit. I don’t know what we can tell them that the chief can’t.”

  Kate sat in the back seat along with Quinn as they continued toward Pikeville to speak with Agent Ness. “We could ask Scarborough. He has a knack for calming the masses during an investigation. And, it would show unity among the team and give the people reassurance—having leadership come and address them.” She waited out their silence before adding, “Look, I know it’s been an adjustment, but Scarborough, despite what you might think, is an exceptional communicator. And, truthfully, I think the time’s come for him jump into the weeds with us. We’re chasing our tails until we get something back on that shred of evidence we got from the Walcott scene. We’ve got Scarborough and Duncan sitting at Quantico twiddling their thumbs.”

  “They’re hardly twiddling their thumbs. It isn’t like we don’t have other cases we’re immersed in right now,” Quinn added.

  “Fair enough, but I think it’s time we move forward as a team.” The changes Kate had experienced since joining Quantico were obvious with each passing day. She was becoming a leader herself, even if she hadn’t known it. And this was a leadership call.

  Fisher returned his attention to his cell phone, where he heard Slocum in the speaker asking if he was still there. “I’ll get it scheduled with our senior unit agent. We’re on our way to meet with Ness right now. If we find out anything, I’ll call you back.” He ended the call. “Okay. It’s done.” He peered over his shoulder to Kate. “Chief already thinks he’s outnumbered. Adding two more agents to the mix…”

  “I think Reid is right,” Walsh began. “We should have the rest of our team here, working with us. It would be unwise to turn away extra hands on this investigation. The deputies aren’t much help and frankly, neither is the chief. They have good intentions, but their resources are beyond scarce. We have four dead bodies. Possibly a fifth, if it’s connected. A deadly narcotic being pushed on these streets by someone motivated by revenge. If we don’t shut this down soon, you better believe Unit Chief Cole will start stepping on toes. And I don’t think any of us want that.”

  Nick slipped his phone into his pocket as he walked out of his office and start toward Agent Duncan’s. He stood in her doorway. “Hey, I just got a call from Fisher. You feel like making a little trip?”

  “Let me guess, to Crown Pointe?” she replied.

  “If you can fit it in. Yes.”

  “It’s about time.”

  “I’ll get us on the next flight.” He began to leave.

  “We could requisition a charter flight. It’ll get us there quicker.”

  Nick stopped on a dime and returned to her doorway. “I hadn’t thought of that. You know, sometimes I forgot the resources we have at our disposal here.”

  “Yeah. It’s a lot different than at the WFO.” Duncan smiled. “I’ve done it before. Let me handle it. I’ll let you know when to be ready.”

  “Thank you, Duncan. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem, Scarborough.”

  There was only one person who could authorize the use of a chartered flight and that person was Nick’s boss, Unit Chief Cole. Duncan approached his office. “Sir? Can I have a quick word?”

  “Sure. Come in. What can I do for you, Duncan?”

  “We’ve been asked to join the rest of the team in Crown Pointe and I’d like to request a charter flight. The sooner we can get there the better.”

  “I agree. Scarborough has kept me briefed on the situation over there and I think it’s a wise move to get all hands on deck. Do you have the authorization form?”

  “I do, sir.” She handed him the form.

  Cole scribbled his signature and returned it to her. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The flight was ready to board as Nick and Eva Duncan walked along the tarmac.

  “Thank you for arranging this so quickly.” Nick trailed behind her.

  “I know you haven’t had much of a chance to get out into the field. Honestly, it’s the one thing I regret about transferring here to Quantico.”

  “You like getting out there too, huh?”

  “I do miss it occasionally,” she replied.

  “Me too.”

  They began to board the small charter plane. Once they were seated, the door closed and the announcement from the captain began.

  It had been almost a year since Nick was in the field. It felt strange, but also familiar. As though this was where he belonged. “Can I ask you something?” He turned to Duncan, who sat across the aisle on the small ten-seater aircraft.

  “Sure.”

  “What was the team’s relationship with Cole?”

  “Well, he was our team leader for a long time. Several years. He was the one who recruited me, actually. So I do have maybe a closer relationship with him than the others did or still do.”

  “But as far as his style, would you say it was better suited to the team?”

  “You mean does the rest of the team accept you as Senior Unit Agent?”

  “I guess that’s what I’m asking—yes. Sometimes I don’t feel as though they do.”

  “I think things have improved. It’s taken a while for us to click, but I think we’re well on our way. Look, I know what a difficult decision it was to bring Reid aboard.” She raised a preemptive hand. “And before you say it was Quinn’s call, we all know that it was. But we also know that it was impossible for him not to consider you in his equation. I like Reid, I really do. And to be honest, I think the others are coming around.”

  “Where does that leave me?”

  “We all know what you’ve done for the Bureau in the past. Your commendations, the cases you worked on. You’ve had an exemplary career, with few exceptions.”

  Nick smiled.

  “That said, I think having you there on this investigation will go a long way to proving yourself in their eyes. Not that you should have to, but that’s just the way it is. I’m sure Reid feels the same way.”

  “I’m sure she does.”

  “So let’s just see how things go. I think you’ll be surprised at what we’re all capable of doing when we’re together.”

  “I won’t be surprised. I know what you’re all capable of. That’s why I wanted to work with you in the first place.”

  Agent Ness awaited the team’s arrival as he sat in his Pikeville office. He continued to refresh his computer screen, anticipating news. Perhaps news to give them that could provide them with a breakthrough on the investigation. But still there was nothing. “Damn it.”

  His landline buzzed and its speaker came to life. “Ness, you’ve got visitors—from Quantico.”

  “I’m expecting them. I’ll be down in a minute.” He refreshed his screen again. “Shit. What the hell am I supposed to tell them?”

  Upon his arrival to the lobby, Ness tried hard to disguise the disappointment on his face. And with a smile, he offered his hand. “SSA Fisher, thanks for coming down.”

  “Sure. We’re getting pressure from the local authorities to make a statement to the public. And I would love to tell them something—anything that would help put their minds at ease.”

  Ness peered at the hopeful gazes of the rest of the team. “I was expecting results on the wood shard, which is why I called. The lab said they’d get them to me this afternoon. I guess I jumped the gun.” Ness’ phone vibrated in his pocket and upon retrieving it, he noticed an incoming text message. A smile slowly appeared on his lips before he returned his attention to the team. “Will wonders never cease. Come on, let’s head up to my office and take a look.”

  “You got it?” Fisher asked.

  “I sure as hell hope so.” Ness appeared almost giddy as he quickstepped toward the elevator, holding the door while the others entered. “It was only a matter of time before the chief would start leaning on you all for answers. I feel for him.
I really do. They aren’t used to this sort of thing.”

  “No,” Kate began. “But, sadly, the rest of us are.”

  The doors parted and Ness led the way to his office. “Right through here. Take a seat wherever you can find one.” He moved toward his desk and opened the file on his computer. “Let’s see what our guys in the lab came up with.”

  He scanned the monitor and his eyes darted back and forth with scrutiny and speed. “They ran the screen again for that W-18 compound in the first three victims. It’s not the forensics on the sample, though, as I’d hoped.” Ness pressed buttons on his keyboard until he arrived at the information he needed. “It’s a match.” He looked to the others. “It’s the same drug in all of them.”

  Quinn was the first to speak. “Then we are dealing with a single supplier. But nothing back on the wood splinter?” He looked to Ness, who shook his head. “Damn.”

  “I was hoping for results on what I have to believe was the murder weapon.” Kate appeared disappointed.

  “Yes,” Ness mirrored her expression. “Until we can get that, this is all you have to run on. But this is something you can give the chief. And offer progress that might soothe the fears of the community.” He again peered at the others. “I’m sorry you came all the way here for just this. I’d hoped…”

  “We know,” Fisher said. “We appreciate your follow-through. This will give us something. We’d better head back to Crown Pointe. Prepare to brief the rest of the team on arrival.”