by Iris Bolling
“I ask because I may have been one of the last people to see and talk to Alex while he was alive. Does that answer your question?”
11
The woman in the pink coat did not look the way a federal prosecutor should look. No, she looked as if she should be some man's mistress on a daytime soap opera. The mistress was always more beautiful and sexier than the wife. However, he was too pissed at the prospect of losing the case to care. The man in him liked the sassiness of the woman. The detective in him, did not appreciate it at the moment. "Two bodies. Female found here on the bed. Male found hung in the closet."
“The closet?” Skylar put up her hand. "Hold that thought." She turned to Tess. "Has your team cleared this room?"
Tess nodded. "Yes."
Skylar walked into the closet then disappeared inside.
Nate looked from Tess to Tony, then they all followed her. He watched from the doorway as she walked straight to the back of the closet and placed her hand in the middle of the back wall. Alex would have never given her access unless he trusted her.
The wall opened into a room. Skylar walked in setting off the motion sensor, which triggered the lights to come on.
Nate followed her into the room. Apparently, Alex was working on an investigation and she, the prosecutor, knew all about it.
On the wall directly in front of her was an electronic board, with the label DeFazio Organization, printed above pictures of members. A huge map of the United States and the Mexican border with red dots showing a trail from one state to another was on a side wall. There was a desk with two chairs in front. Stacks of files of different colors were on top of the desk. Binders lay open as if marked to a particular page.
"Well, I’ll be damned," Tony said in awe.
"I knew it was something back there!" Tess declared as she punched Nate on the arm.
Skylar turned. "Detective Reigns, secure the area please. No one other than the four of us will have access to this room."
"That's a little backwards, don't you think? The area should have been cleared prior to you opening that room."
"I trust Tess, Detective Harper, and, for some unknown reason, you." She turned to face him. "However, I know for a fact there are officers in the Richmond Police Department on DeFazio’s payroll. Since I do not know them all, my trust level is low. So, I ask you again to secure the area."
Nate nodded to Tony. “Clear the condo out.”
Tony nodded, then walked out of the room.
Nate looked at Skylar. "Tell me about the DeFazio case,” As he stepped inside the room he helped design.
"We've had three murders and several missing persons reports we believe are all connected to the DeFazio organization,” Skylar replied as she walked around the desk and began gathering the files.
"What's their specialty?" Nate asked.
"Human trafficking for labor, sexual exploitation, kidnapping, among a wide range of other illegal activities,” Skylar answered.
"Across state lines?" Nate asked.
"Try countries," Skylar added. “A few nights ago, we got a break in the case when a club was raided by DEA. We detained several members of the organization and three young girls."
“I was a part of the backup team on that raid.” Nate stated. “Do you think this is connected to Alex's death?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Skylar looked around the room. She picked up one of the black and white glossy photos that was lying on the desk. It was of a young girl around fourteen, with long dark brown hair, and big brown impressionable eyes. "I don't know," she sighed, then looked up at Nate. "I think we owe it to him to find out.”
She pulled out a thick briefcase from behind the desk, reached for her cell phone, and took a picture of the information on the electronic board. Once that was complete, she pushed a button clearing everything from the board. “I need everything in this room placed in this briefcase.”
Nate began taking down the map and the connected pictures.
Next, Skylar quickly packed everything from the top of the desk into a briefcase on rollers. She stopped, then looked around in several directions.
"Wait, something’s missing."
"What?" Nate stepped over to the desk. "What's missing?"
"An envelope."
“The desk was covered with files and paper.” Nate frowned. “How can you tell something is missing?”
She shook her head. "Don’t worry about it. I just gave it to him tonight. It may still be in his office."
"What was in the envelope?" Nate asked.
"A printout," Skylar sighed. "I'll stop by his office on my way home." She looked around. "Let's close this up."
"Do you think that envelope could be connected to Alex's death?" Nate persisted.
"I don't know,” Skylar replied as she looked around the room once more.
"If it is," Tess began, "you may be in danger as well."
Skylar looked up as she took the briefcase handle. "We are getting a little ahead of ourselves. There is nothing to indicate Alex's death is connected to this case or to the missing envelope. I've secured what I need from here. I will have federal officers secure his downtown office until we are able to determine exactly what took place here tonight. Let's examine the evidence, before we go down the wrong path in this investigation."
Nate and Tess gave each other a speculative glance as Skylar walked from the room. They followed her to the hallway.
“Wrong path or not. If that envelope has anything to do with Alex’s death, I want to know about it.”
“I believe in obtaining evidence rather than jumping to conclusions, Detective Reigns.”
Nate stopped, then turned to face her. “You walked into this investigation claiming you may have been the last person to see Alex, my friend, alive. I don’t give a shit what you believe in. I want to know about that envelope.”
“When I locate it, I will tell you. For now, we have no way of knowing if that envelope or this case has anything to do with Alex’s death. Until we do, back the hell up, Detective.”
“Nate,” Tess interceded. “I’m riding to the morgue with the bodies. Has Janice been told?”
“No,” Tony replied from behind her. “I’m notifying the next of kin.”
“No,” Nate said as he nodded to the officers. “Seal the scene. Stay in place until the federal officers arrive.”
Tony had reached the elevator with Skylar and Tess. “This has to be by the book, Nate. Next of kin has to be notified.”
Nate held his glare, then nodded. “We’ll notify Janice, together.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Tess offered.
“Thank you for the offer, but we have to handle it,” Nate stated. “She is going to have to identify the body. You can talk to her then.”
Tess nodded then stepped inside the elevator with Skylar.
Nate watched as the officers sealed the room. Questions were swirling through his mind. Why had Alex brought files home rather than working from his office? The prosecutor mentioned cops on DeFazio’s payroll. Did Alex know who they were? Did he suspect someone from his office? Who was the woman lying on the bed? What role did she play in Alex's death? He then looked over his shoulder at the prosecutor. What did she know about all of this, and what was in the damn envelope?
“There are too many damn questions with no answers, Tony.”
“We will get the answers, Nate,” Tony responded.
“Damn right we will.” Nate stepped out of the elevator when it stopped. He watched as Skylar Burrell walked away from the building.
12
“The media has increased outside,” Tony warned. “They have no information at this time, but the officers say, ‘word is floating out there.’”
Nate nodded. “Word will float, but it should not be reported unless verified. Let’s keep it to the basics for now.”
“Game on.”
From the moment they walked out the door, reporters had cameras and microphones in their faces. N
ate stopped, patiently lowered his head, placed his hands in his pants pockets, then waited until the questions quieted. As good as he was at working cases, Nate was better at handling the press. As a defense attorney, he’d learned early that public sentiment was connected to how you appear on camera, and in the game of justice, what the public thought was key.
Nate simply stood there, waiting.
“Detective Reigns, are you going to answer any of our questions?”
Not looking up, Nate nodded his reply. “As soon as you allow me to. I can only answer what I am able to hear.”
The reporters quieted down.
Nate raised his head. “Thank you,” he exhaled. “A male and a female body were discovered at approximately 12:45 am. Identifications are pending as are the causes of death. That is all we have at this time.” He began to make his way through the reporters.
“Detective Reigns, was the male body Commonwealth Attorney Alex Burnett?”
“Identification is pending,” Nate replied as he walked through the crowd.
“They said the female body was found in Burnett’s bed. Is that true?” another reporter yelled.
“No comment.”
“The medical examiner’s office left with two bodies. You are friends with Burnett, and you cannot confirm his identity?”
“No comment.” Nate repeated as they reached his vehicle.
“Nate,” a female voice called out.
He knew that voice. Turning, he saw the face of Rachel Fontaine. Standing less than ten feet away from him under an umbrella. What a journey the two of them had taken a few months ago. Of all the reporters, she was one he knew he could trust. His hesitation was giving her the information before telling her sister.
“Rachel,” he walked over to where she stood. He shook his head. “I can’t comment right now, and you can’t ask.” He turned to walk away.
She grabbed his arm. “Regan?”
He knew what she was asking. “No.”
The look of hurt filled her eyes. He hugged her. “I know.”
“Oh my god, not Alex.”
Nate held her a little longer then pulled away. “I will see Regan as soon as I can.”
Nate did not look back. He got into his car then pulled away.
“How are you going to handle the situation with that reporter?” Tony asked.
“Rachel?” Nate glanced at Tony. “She will not report anything until she receives confirmation from the proper channels. Integrity and knowing facts are a big part of her makeup.”
“You trust that, from a reporter?”
“I trust Rachel and her love for her sister,” Nate replied.
Tony nodded. “How are you holding up, kid?”
Nate shook his head. “I’m not going to think about the fact that it’s Alex laying in the morgue. I have to look at him as just another victim until I can catch the bastard who did this.”
“At some point, you are going to have to let it out. If you need a minute, I understand.”
Nate glanced at Tony. “I appreciate that, but right now, I have to get to Janice. I don’t want her to get a phone call in the middle of the night.”
“You think a knock on the door is going to change how she reacts to this news?”
“No, but at least we will be there with her. It’s what Alex would have done.” Nate glanced at Tony. “What are your thoughts on this? You knew Alex a hell of a lot longer than I did.”
“Alex was one of the best. He was just like his father. Always wanted to do what was right no matter how much hell he caught from up the ranks.” Tony exhaled. “He caught hell about you from all directions. The men on the patrol and the detectives were on him left and right about bringing you into the squad. But he held his ground. He believed in you, kid, and you’ve done right by him.”
Nate could hear the emotion in Harp’s voice. “You need a minute before we make this notification?”
“No. I’m going as long as you go on this. We need a lead on this case as soon as possible. The Chief is going to be catching hell until we give him something to feed the press.”
“I know,” Nate exhaled. “Was there anything I missed back there, Harp? I’m not going to lie; my head was a little messed up once I saw his body hanging there.”
“You were professional. You always are. Just watch your back. Now that Alex is gone, Daniels is going to come at you.”
“Maybe not. After all, he gave me the lead on the case. He could have given it to you or that asshole Cory.”
“Smokescreen,” Tony responded. “I’ll bet you my last month’s pay that came down the chain of command.”
“From Bynum?” Nate inquired. “That man hates the ground I walk on.”
“Yeah, he does.”
“Thanks, Harp.”
“Anytime, kid. You know I’m going to keep it real with you. You call them on their bullshit, and they don’t like that. Not much they can do because you are bringing praise to the department. Their hands are tied, they have to support you in public. Just know, the minute you give them something to run with, they will be all over your ass.”
“I feel so loved,” Nate whispered sarcastically.
“I love you kid, and so did Alex. He taught you well. It’s up to you to use that knowledge to find his killer.”
“Follow the facts no matter where they lead you.” Nate remembered Alex’s words when he was working the case with the judges. People in high places are just as corrupt as people with no power, more so the higher you go. Don’t ever let that stop you from doing your job. He wasn’t sure why, but those words entered his mind too. Was it possible this case wasn’t connected to DeFazio, but could be connected to the judges? He cleared the thought from his mind. “The facts will lead us.”
13
The rain was heavier now or maybe it was the task in front of him that was just heavy on his heart. Nate wasn't sure which was weighing on him the most as he looked up at the home of Alex’s sister, Janice Porter.
Janice had moved back into their parents’ house when she decided to divorce husband number two. Nate knew the story about the couple from Alex dragging him to Janice’s house when the fights broke out. The first husband, a cop, was verbally abusive and Nate understood the reason for Janice leaving. But the second husband, well, as he and Alex agreed, that was 100 percent on Janice. She married Wayne Porter, an accountant, a decent man, but he was her rebound. It was clear to Nate that Wayne loved him some Janice and that they should stay out of their relationship, let the two of them work things out. But when then Detective Burnett had told the rookie detective Nate Reigns, ‘let’s take a ride’ he did not ask questions; he just jumped in the car and rode.
Nate inhaled, closing his eyes, fighting the emotions building up in him. He would never forget the night he was shot. It was Detective Alex Burnett who jumped into action to protect him from further shots from the crazed woman. It was Alex Burnett who came to his hospital room night after night to check on his mental and physical health. It was Alex with whom he shared his thoughts on leaving the legal realm of the justice system and becoming a police officer. It was Alex who’d told him, he was doing things ass backwards. Most officers go to law school at night to become lawyers. Very few, if any, attorneys leave law to become police officers. Yet, he encouraged and supported him in his efforts at the Police Academy. Alex was the one who stood between him and other officers when Nate first arrived at the precinct. Many officers were hostile towards him, for they had faced him in court where he questioned their procedures. And it was Alex who defended him being promoted to detective after three years on the street. Alex was like a big brother to him. Now he had to tell his sister whom Alex had loved beyond reason, that her big brother was dead. He needed a minute to contain his emotions before he approached Janice.
“Take all the time you need, kid. This one is close to home. You show any signs of emotion, and the brass will find a way to remove you from the case.”
Nate nodded. “I know, H
arp.”
Looking up at the modest three-bedroom, split level house, Nate remembered moving the woman into the home about three months ago. Janice had complained the entire time about how hard it would be to fit all her furniture in the small space. After hours of moving furniture inside, Alex had reached his boiling point and began putting everything back on the truck. We are taking everything back to her husband’s house. Nate smiled at the memory of Janice begging him to stop. For the rest of the day, Nate watched as she bit her tongue several times to keep from saying anything that would tick Alex off. Of course, that was only until all the furniture was in the house, then for two straight hours they sat there listening to her bitch and complain about how unfair her life was and why.
“Let’s do this.” Nate took a deep breath, opened the car door then stepped out. The rain had not let up. If anything, it seemed to be in a steady downpour. He pulled the collar of his trench coat up, ducked his head down, then ran up the sidewalk to the porch. The house was dark as were the others in the neighborhood, as they should be at four in the morning. The thought of waiting a few more hours did not register with him. Janice deserved to hear the news from him, not from social media or the news. He pushed the doorbell, closed his eyes and exhaled.
“Sometimes I hate this damn job,” Tony said.
The door was opened on the third ring.
Janice stood there in a t-shirt with matching pajama bottoms and a robe hanging open, looking at him as if he had lost his mind.
“Nate Reigns, this better be good.”
Nate saw the look in her eyes change the moment she looked into his.
“What’s wrong? Where’s Alex?”
Nate walked in the door as she began to back away. Tony followed him in.
“Janice…” The lump in his throat grew thicker as if a ball of cotton was expanding inside.
“Nate, you are scaring me,” a now nervous Janice stated. “What is it?”
Death notifications were not new for her. Unfortunately, Janice and Alex had been through this routine twice before. Both parents were police officers who’d died in the line of duty. Their father was killed when Alex was in high school, and Janice was in middle school. It was the reason he felt responsible for her. He’d stepped in as her father figure during their younger years. Janice, an ex-cop, quit during her third year on the force when their mother was shot and killed while off duty having a drink with other officers. According to Alex, Janice resigned the next day saying their family had sacrificed enough.
