Sunset Over Misty Lake

by Margaret Standafer

  “So, he doesn’t have a phone. That’s important, I suppose?” Riley said.

  “It fits with using burner phones. If he’s picking up different phones all the time, using a different one for each person he goes after, he wouldn’t be using that phone at work. These aren’t state-of-the-art phones. They’re made to be disposable. Coworkers would notice a cheap flip phone and would likely comment. He doesn’t want to draw attention to the phone or to himself,” Jake said.

  “And not having a phone registered in his name, whatever that happens to be at any given time, means he can’t be tracked using a phone,” Cort added.

  “Right,” Jake said. “Opal also mentioned things she’s picked up by watching him work. He knows where the security cameras are and seems to position his body to avoid them. He pays more attention to single customers than those in a group.”

  “You don’t think she’s maybe seeing what she wants to see?” Riley asked. “Everything you’re telling us seems like exactly what we’d want to hear about the guy.”

  “Fair point, Riles, but I don’t think so. Opal’s been working in this type of setting for a long time, so she knows how to read people and recognizes when someone seems off. I’ve been working at my job for a long time and I think I’m pretty good at reading people. I trust Opal’s observations and opinions. Having her on our side is going to prove valuable.”

  “I agree,” Cort said as he pushed back his chair and stood. “I’m going to have to excuse myself and take a call. I don’t have anything to add since I haven’t heard any more from Dave. I’ll keep you posted.”

  Joe spoke up. “Okay. It sounds like the meeting with Opal went well. Jake, how about the meeting with Bud? If that didn’t go well then whatever Opal has to offer probably won’t matter much.”

  “The meeting with Bud was also positive. I told him everything I know, shared all the details of Karen’s story, and told him what we’ve learned through Dave, without mentioning Dave’s name. Since Karen’s not here to provide her statement and since there’s no way Dave will talk to the police, and since Joshua, or Kellen, wasn’t on their radar before now, all Bud has to go on is the info I provided second-hand. It’s not ideal, but he was receptive.”

  “Meaning what? What happens now?” Joe wanted to know.

  “Now Bud will do some digging into national databases using the information we got from Dave about possible previous marriages and see if he can find anything useful. He’ll also check the Vegas files for any unsolved cases similar to Karen’s, and of course, reach out to the other victims Dave named. Once that’s done, depending what he finds, he’ll decide how to proceed.”

  Reality set in for Joe and it was daunting. “It sounds like it’s going to be a long process.”

  Jake’s eyes were understanding when he looked across the table at Joe. “It could be. I tried to tell you that before we came here.”

  “This was the first day, Joe, the first time Jake talked to Bud, the first time we tried to get a look at Joshua. We knew it was going to take time,” Shauna said.

  “I know, I know. I guess I hoped for a little more, a little more to pass on to Karen.”

  “You haven’t heard from us yet. It’s not a lot, but we picked up a few tidbits today. Maybe it will help.”

  “Thanks, Cassie. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, or even frustrated, because I’m not, not really. I just want this to be over and when I find myself thinking that, after being involved in it for less than a month, I can’t help but think how Karen must feel. It’s been going on for over a year for her. And for most of that year, she faced it all alone.”

  “We’re going to help her, Joe. We’re going to see that he pays for what he did to Karen and to everyone else he hurt,” Cassie said. “And on that note…” She turned to look at Riley and Shauna, as did everyone else at the table.

  Riley nodded, then leaned back in his chair.

  “We found Joshua, currently Kellen, at Mystique as we’d hoped. Shauna and I wandered a little first, getting a feel for the place, keeping half an eye on him. Real secret agent stuff. When he wasn’t helping a customer, he seemed to spend a lot of time scanning the room. I’d say he was on the lookout for a potential target, but before you throw my words back at me, I know I might have been seeing what I wanted to see. Shauna and I already talked about it, that’s why I questioned Opal’s information, but it definitely wasn’t all me seeing what I wanted to see. Shauna pointed out the same thing before I mentioned it to her, so I think it’s safe to say it was more than wishful thinking.”

  “As a woman, I can tell you it was creepy the way he studied everyone,” Shauna added. “I was watching him, so I noticed it. Others weren’t and I’m sure didn’t, but it wasn’t hard to spot.”

  “After a while, Shauna went to the bar and ordered a drink. I stayed out of sight and watched. He was all smiles, talkative, he seemed to take a long time getting her drink ready.”

  Shauna nodded at Riley. “He asked where I was from, I said Iowa, he asked if I was there for business or pleasure, I told him a getaway with my boyfriend since I figured he may have noticed me with Riley, and he made small talk all the while he made my drink. He never asked about my boyfriend, but I noticed him sneak quick glances, probably wondering if someone was coming to join me.”

  “As I said, I watched. A group of three guys came to the bar and he ignored them, just kept fussing around with Shauna’s drink. The bartenders I’ve known work for tips. You don’t make much in tips when you spend all your time with one customer,” Riley said.

  “And I spotted something while I was at the bar,” Shauna said. “He has a tattoo.”

  Joe saw Jake sit up straighter in his chair. “A tattoo? That’s the first we’ve heard of a tattoo. Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. It’s on the inside of his left wrist where it’s easily covered by long sleeves except that when he set some change on the counter, a coin rolled away from him. He stretched to grab it and his sleeve inched up enough that I spotted it. At first, I thought I was seeing whatever it is he tapes to his wrists, but it was definitely a tattoo.”

  “Could you make out what it was? What it said?”

  Shauna shook her head almost imperceptibly as she closed her eyes. “It was just a flash, but I know I saw letters. I’ve been trying to picture it, trying to remember exactly, but I can’t. I know there was a capital S followed by more letters, then underneath a capital V, again followed by more letters. It could have been a name, or names, some kind of quote or saying, for all I know it could have been a foreign language. I’m sorry, I wish I could be sure, but it all happened so fast. I hope it’s of some help.”

  “It is,” Jake said. “If he has a criminal record, and if he had the tattoo at the time he was arrested, there’ll be a record of it. It’s another avenue.”

  “I wish I’d seen all of it.”

  “I might be able to help,” Frank said.

  Joe looked at Frank. With one hand he toyed with his camera which had been next to him on the table since they sat down and with the other, reached under his chair and pulled out a laptop.

  “I took some pictures,” Frank said.

  “Frank!” Joe shouted.

  Joe wasn’t the only one to shout. Words came from everywhere, from everyone, and what Joe could decipher wasn’t kind. Frank ignored it all, opening his computer and focusing on the screen. When he didn’t respond to any of the scolding hurled at him, it eventually died down.

  Cassie, Joe noticed, stayed silent. If anything, she had a hint of a smile on her face as opposed to the scowls on the faces of the rest. Joe’s anger—anger he knew was unjustified given he’d also gone against the rules—gave way to curiosity.

  “Tell us,” Joe said.

  Ignoring Joe’s question, Frank leaned closer to his computer screen and pushed buttons, squinting, adjusting, and tapping. After a minute, he leaned back and laced his fingers behind his head.

  “I snapped a few pictures while we
wandered through the casino,” Frank said. “And a few more when I was at the bar.”

  “You took pictures of him?” Jake spoke slowly, each word like the crack of a whip. “While you sat at the bar? Are you crazy?”

  “No,” Frank shook his head, “I don’t think so. What I am, if I may brag a little, is a freaking genius. Here.” He spun the computer around so the screen faced outward.

  Everyone leaned forward, straining to see what was going to vindicate the bonehead of the hour.

  “What are we looking at?” Joe asked.

  “I had to enlarge it a lot so it’s kind of blurry. I didn’t know I had it until Shauna mentioned a tattoo, I was more focused on his face, but here.” He pointed with a pen. “Look.”

  Joe leaned even closer, but from his distance, couldn’t make out anything on the screen.

  “It’s his tattoo. Right here. Like I said, when I flipped through the photos earlier, I was looking for something noticeable or unique in his features, perhaps a scar on his face, and since we hadn’t heard mention of a tattoo, that wasn’t on my radar. But here it is, I’d like to say clear as day, but unfortunately that’s not the case. I’ll try to sharpen it more, but I don’t think we’re going to get much better than what we see here since his sleeve covers most of it. Shauna was right about the letters. The first line starts with an S, followed by A, then below, V. The letter after V could be just about anything, all I can see is a straight line. It looks like there may be a third line, but again, it’s hard to tell. There’s just the faintest hint of something there, but it’s possible it’s only a shadow and not more writing.”

  Jake had taken to tapping his pen on his notepad as Frank talked. The tapping grew louder as Frank’s story grew longer and as Frank flipped through picture after picture. Joe started to wonder if he’d find a dent in the table under Jake’s notepad.

  When Frank finally quit and looked around the table, Jake spoke before anyone else had a chance. Again, his words were slow and clipped, but any trace of a question was gone.

  “You took pictures of him. After we all agreed it was important to be as inconspicuous as possible. You took pictures. Frank.” Jake shook his head but his eyes never left Frank.

  Since Jake had been a kid, he was happiest when in charge. As the oldest, he’d seen it as his responsibility, and he’d reveled in every opportunity to exercise whatever authority he could over his siblings. As for a career, Joe’d always thought Jake couldn’t have chosen better. Still, it had been a long time since Joe had heard Jake adopt quite such an authoritative, and at the same time disappointed, tone. When Joe looked from Jake back to Frank, he expected to see at least some chagrin on Frank’s face, but there wasn’t a trace. If anything, Frank looked smugger by the moment.

  “I just took three pictures of you while you were bawling me out. Did you notice?”

  “You…what?”

  “I said I took three pictures of you, just now while you were busy going all “Jake” on me. And the rest of you.” Frank looked around the table. “I’ve been taking pictures of all of you since we got here.”

  “You have? Why?” Shauna asked.

  “Because I anticipated the reaction I’d get when I told you I’d taken pictures of Joshua.” He turned to Cassie and winked. She shrugged in defeat. “We had a bet. Cassie said you guys wouldn’t freak out.” It was Frank’s turn to shrug, “Look, you guys didn’t notice, Joshua didn’t notice. It’s as simple as that.”

  “How can you be sure?” Jake asked. “He could have seen you, could have heard the camera clicking, could have seen a flash.”

  Frank’s eyes went wide with what Joe could only describe as a mixture of horror and downright shock. It took him a full minute to answer Jake.

  “Heard the camera? Seen a flash? You can’t be serious. Do you think this is my first day with a camera? I’ve been doing this most of my life. Before we sat down here, I walked through this room with the camera in my hand, hanging at my side, and adjusting the settings as I walked. I then tilted it enough to snap pictures. No one noticed, but they’re right here, if you don’t believe me.” Frank gave his camera a little shove toward Jake. “And since we sat down, the camera’s been sitting here on the table. While you were talking, I took your picture. I did it silently because with a mirrorless camera I can do that, and I did it without a flash because I’m not an idiot.”

  “I never said you were an idiot,” Jake said as he frowned.

  “Maybe not in so many words.”

  “Then I apologize. I may have overreacted. But still, taking pictures of him when you’re right next to him seems a little risky.”

  Joe felt himself nodding along with what Jake said. It seemed more than a little risky. Riskier than Joe sitting at the bar with Joshua. At least, he’d like to think so.

  “I can assure you he didn’t notice. I’ll put the pictures on a drive or send them to you or whatever you think is best. Maybe they’ll help.”

  “They’ll help. I’ll turn them over to Bud and see if he can make any headway on the tattoo. If it turns out this guy has a record, our job will be a lot easier.”

  Jake and Frank each gave the other a quick nod, thus ending whatever disagreement had started.

  “Is there anything else in any of the pictures that might be useful?” Shauna asked.

  “I’ll let Jake and Bud pick them apart and decide. After hearing what Opal had to say about him, it’s possible they can spot something in the way he stands in relation to the security cameras that might help if it comes down to trying to catch him in the act. Otherwise, I didn’t spot any scars, any evidence he’s wearing a wig or heavy makeup, anything that would indicate he’s trying to alter his appearance. That could mean that his current appearance is close to his real appearance. At least closer than when he was Joshua.” Frank turned to face Joe. “I guess the only question I have is whether you want to take a look. You’re one of the few here who hasn’t seen the guy.”

  Joe hesitated, but only briefly. He’d face the music.

  “Actually, I have seen him. I, ah, I went to the casino this afternoon.”

  Jake’s hands flew up in the air. “Should I just assume that no one is ever going to listen to a thing I say?”

  “Joe, you agreed you’d stay away,” Shauna said.

  “I did. But then, I didn’t. Agree, or stay away. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do nothing while everyone else was doing something. If you’re honest with yourselves, none of you could have, either.”

  “I couldn’t have, I know that,” Riley said.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Joe spotted nods of agreement.

  “I figured you’d go over there sooner or later,” Riley added with an accepting shrug. “You might as well tell us everything.”

  “By all means, tell us everything,” Jake said. “Tell me what sort of damage control I have to do.”

  “Relax, Jake,” Joe said, his irritation building. He had to remind himself, quite forcefully, that Jake was just doing his job, a job that right now was on his own time and was all for Joe and Karen’s benefit. Joe reigned himself in.

  “Listen, I’m sorry. I know I didn’t hold up my end of the deal but like I said, I couldn’t. I went to Mystique, went up to the bar, ordered a drink from him, and watched him.”

  Joe heard Jake mutter something, then rake his hand through his hair. Joe didn’t give Jake a chance to tell him why everything he’d done had been wrong.

  “I can tell you a few things, some of which reinforces what the others already said. He’s worn a wedding ring in the past, maybe still does when he’s not working. The trace of hair on his hands is dark, so he’s not a natural redhead. That might be useful since we know he’s changed his appearance a number of times. He keeps his sleeves down and tightly buttoned, either always ready with something taped to his wrists or just in the habit of keeping his wrists covered so he doesn’t slip up and roll up his sleeves when there is something there. He pays a lot more attention to a singl
e woman than he does to other customers at the bar.”

  Joe went on to tell them about the incident with the blonde woman at the bar, complete with most of the details.

  “And you did nothing to draw attention to yourself?” Jake asked. “You didn’t ask any questions, or appear too interested, or…” Jake shot a look at Frank, “take any pictures?”

  “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to tell him exactly who I was right before I crushed his face, but no, I didn’t do anything stupid.” Joe decided on the spot to keep the rest of the details to himself.

  Jake dropped his hand, which had still been busy scraping through his hair and took a deep breath. “Fine. We have Shauna going to the bar and chatting with Joshua while Riley watches, we have Frank taking pictures from all vantage points, and we have Joe coming face to face with the guy but supposedly doing nothing more than sitting at the bar. Anything else I need to know?”

  When no one spoke, Jake repeated himself. “Fine. Then I’ll compile the new information, put together the photos, and get it all to Bud. In the meantime, all we can do is wait and hope that Bud finds something or that Cort gets more from Dave.” Jake looked at Shauna. “Where is Cort?”

  “Still on a call, I guess. His brother’s in China. Some kind of problem.”

  “Then I don’t have anything else.”

  It was quiet for a minute as they all looked at each other. Riley spoke first.

  “What do we do now? It feels weird to treat this as a vacation but sitting in our rooms seems pointless. So?”

  “I don’t know,” Frank said. “Joe? Feel like doing something?”

  “Not really, but I don’t feel like sitting in the room and staring at the walls either.”