“Crosby rented to a couple, did you ever meet them?” Adelaide asked.
“He took them fishing and I tagged along. We didn’t talk much. I don’t even recall the girl’s name. Matter of fact, I don’t think I remember the guy’s name. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Cho, not as if he’d use the same name even if it happened to be the same person. I should ask Crosby, just in case,” I said.
“Out of curiosity, did you leave your phone anywhere on the boat, even for a few minutes, unattended?” Adelaide inquired.
I thought for a few minutes, digging back. I looked at Adelaide. “It can’t be so simple. Another time, on Crosby’s boat, I dropped my phone overboard.”
“I thought you’d only been out once, for our celebratory cruise? Do tell.” Adelaide raised her eyebrows. “Sounds as if you’ve been out several times.”
“We kind of, sort of went on a date, a cruise date if you want to call it something. Oh never mind, let’s talk about the phone.”
“I want to hear about the date you never told me about. You can tell me about the phone any time,” Adelaide said.
“It was a one-time date. Okay, maybe twice.”
“Laura, I’m beginning to think I don’t know you. You’re keeping secrets.” Adelaide put her hand to her chin. “It’s about time you told me,” she said with a chuckle.
Mike walked over, “What did I miss?”
“Did you know Laura’s gone on a few dates with Crosby?” Adelaide asked.
“Old news. They still are,” Mike said. “Well, kind of sort of. What else is going on?”
“I think I remember something that has to do with my phone and Crosby’s tenants,” I said. “It’s how this whole dating thing came up.” I smiled.
“Okay.” Mike tilted his head. “Wait a sec, you think the guy could be Cho, who in turn is working with Viktor? ‘Course, it still leaves Cho’s girlfriend, who we have no idea how she plays into all of this.”
“Adelaide asked if I’d ever been on the boat with the couple and left my phone unattended, which would have given them an opportunity to get my number and e-mail. How else would Cho and or Viktor know how to either text or e-mail me? It’s a great question. I was out with them once. I had gone out with Crosby and if you recall had dropped my phone overboard.”
“Well, it’s the story you told.” Mike grinned.
“It’s what happened, I swear. When I went out with them, I was careful to not let it happen again. I had it in my shorts pocket, but when I went below, to, um, use the head; I left it next to my tackle box. The box was inside the cockpit on the left chair and my phone was tucked in behind it.”
“Were you anchored, or drift fishing?” Mike asked.
“We were anchored. I don’t like going below when we’re moving,” I responded.
“Okay, so if you were gone for even a couple of minutes, say three minutes,” Mike said.
“Mike, it takes a little longer,” I said.
“I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. It would be more than enough time for whatever his name is to get the necessary info from your phone. I think we’ve got our answer, Laura as to who the mystery guy is. It would be good to know how the girl fits in, not like it’s crucial,” Mike said.
“Unless, she’s the channel back to Kim Jung Un,” I said.
“She’s good.” Adelaide pointed her cane at me.
Mike nodded. “Yeah, Laura is. The girl very well could be the link back to Kim Jung Un. I like how this is going. I wonder if there’s a way to find them through the school. In the meantime, Grady got a call from Greg and as they suspected, the reservoir came up clean. So far, Groton’s coming up clear as well. I’m going to call him back with this tidbit and see if he wants us to do some tracking at the school. Hold tight.”
I looked at Adelaide and said, “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before. If I recall correctly, Crosby said the couple was taking engineering classes at, Soundview Technical. It all makes perfect sense, engineering classes, bomb making skills.”
“Oh dear, the school trained the little dear hearts how to blow up our infrastructure rather well.” Adelaide tapped the floor with her cane. “I’d say they paid attention in class,” she added.
“Mildly understated. Mike and I need to get over there right away and find out who else was in class with them,” I said.
“Do you honestly think they’re stupid enough to register under their own names?” Adelaide asked.
“No, but I’d like to know who’s been absent from class for the last several days. I can also have Mike check with Crosby to go over his security footage around the apartment, grab a sequence of shots of the couple and bring them to the school for identification. I’ll bet there’s one of Viktor in there, too,” I said as Mike returned to the table.
“Okay, here’s the deal—massive injuries at the bridge, as you probably expected.” Mike sighed before continuing, “It’s going to take some time to sort through all the damage before they can get everyone transported to the hospital. They’re setting up an area, triaging for the injured, as we speak. It’s a miracle there are as many survivors as there are. This explosion was far more powerful than the other two. Apparently, they’re sending a message of some sort, so we need to find these bastards before they set off another one—as in we have to find and stop them yesterday. Whatever their plans are, they’ve upped the ante. I’m open to any and all thoughts as is everyone else,” Mike concluded.
I related to Mike what Adelaide and I had tossed around—the potential of the identification of Cho, Viktor and the mystery girl.
“I like it and I’m texting dear Crosby right now to see what info he has. He’s got security cams all over his place.” Mike smiled, and went on, “No doubt, Laura you’re on his private footage. I mean, coming and going.”
“Why, Laura, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you blush,” Adelaide said.
“Mike, someday when you least expect it I’ll get you back. Oh, Christmas is coming,” I said.
“Hey, we barely had Halloween, we haven’t had Thanksgiving. And the World Series isn’t even over, and you’re talking about Christmas? What is wrong with you?” Mike asked.
“Right, isn’t Game Two tonight?” I asked.
Mike slapped his head. “I can’t believe it, it is. Grady better hurry up and get back to us, I don’t want to miss the game. Well, not all of it. Oh, here comes his text with pictures of the gang in question right now. I guess it’s okay if we call ‘em a gang isn’t it?”
“Gang is another word for group, so I think we’re using it correctly.” I shrugged.
Adelaide and I leaned in to the middle of the table to see the photos on Mike’s phone as he slowly slid them across the screen. He did his best to enlarge them. He saved one of me leaving Crosby’s house for last.
“Give it to me!” I demanded.
“I can’t, it’s evidence.” Mike grinned.
“It is not. I’m not with them.” I grabbed the phone and deleted the photo of myself. “No Christmas present for you, and I was going to get you something nice.”
“I do love the scarf from last year,” Mike said.
“I was going to get you a new denim jacket, but forget it.” I crossed my arms.
“I don’t want one, the old one has my Harley patch and you can’t take it off.” Mike sat up straight and squared his shoulders.
“You two sound like an old married couple. Shall I get a Priest to make it official?” Adelaide asked.
Mike and I looked at each other and laughed.
Adelaide pointed to the TV and said, “Look who made it to the scene in time for the top of the hour news?”
“Looks as if Ron’s out of the picture,” I said.
“Very good, Laura,” Mike said.
“She probably shoved him behind the camera,” Adelaide said with a giggle.
“Where, in her mind, an intern belongs,” I added.
“Ouch, you women are so cruel.” Mike clutched his che
st. “I can’t take it, we have to get out of here and do our thing at the school, see if we can’t find these characters.
“Adelaide, will you be okay getting home by yourself. Oh shoot, that’s the last thing I should have asked you.” Mike slid out of the booth and nearly bumped into an elderly woman, hurrying to the front door.
“I’ll call you on the way home,” I said.
“Smack him for me,” Adelaide said.
“He’s driving,” I said.
Chapter 13
“I have to listen to the sports channel, it calms me.” Mike changed the radio station back to hear the bantering between the hosts over whether or not the Mets stood a chance against the Royals in Game Two which was due to begin in less than three hours.
“It makes no sense how two guys, arguing, can calm you down. But if it’s what works, then fine. I’m putting on my headphones, they’re driving me nuts.” I half-plugged in my headphones since I didn’t want to miss the play-by-play of who the best pitcher was. But I also wanted to listen to the Beatles, to relax myself.
Mike pulled one of my ear buds out and remarked, “Oh, Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts, I love it! Lovely Rita, sing it!”
“I thought I couldn’t carry a tune, you’re worse, Mike. Please stop,” I begged.
“Very good, Laura, a line from one of their songs.” Mike grinned, turned down the radio and we both sung completely out of tune all the way to Soundview Technical, right into the campus parking lot.
“Ah,” Mike said, stretching as he eased himself out of the car. “Definitely a much better idea than listening to who’s a better pitcher. Hey, the Mets are gonna win anyway. Alright, let’s go in and see what there is to see.”
“Good plan. After a sing-a-long, I feel ready for anything,” I said.
We walked into the Administration building, our phones ready with who we believed were the photos of Cho, Viktor and the yet to be identified woman. We hoped the administrators, or someone, would be able to put a name to her face. Crosby had come through with clear enough pictures from his security cameras, minus the ones of me. He had been able to zoom in, crop and text us some great head shots of the threesome. We lacked their true identities, especially of the girl, but with any luck, someone on campus would lock it down for us. It was a starting point, and from there we could backtrack and zero in on their point of entry into the country, possibly picking up passport information.
Mike held the door open for me. “Hey, I can be a gentleman if I want.”
“Uh-huh.”
We stood there for a minute, looking for signage to lead us to the proper office.
I pointed to the left, and said, “Let’s go this way.”
“How do you know?”
“The sign says the Dean’s office is this way, down the hallway, so it’s where I’m going,” I answered.
“Oh, okay. I’ll follow you.” Mike whistled, Lovely Rita.
“You’re still out of tune, and I think we’re supposed to be quiet.”
“There aren’t any rules in whistling,” Mike continued whistling.
“I love the Beatles, and it’s one of my favorite songs,” said a thirty-something man with neatly combed, brown hair, a short goatee, wearing a sports jacket over a white polo shirt, jeans and loafers. He reached out his hand to greet Mike and introduced himself, “I’m Larry Ditka, may I help you?” he asked.
“Ditka, like the old Chicago Bears Coach? Only not. Now, he’s an announcer. I’ll bet you get that all the time, right?” Mike inquired.
“Constantly. Then, I’m asked if I’m his grandson, and if I can get an autograph,” Larry said with a deep laugh.
“That’s gotta be pretty annoying. Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Mike O’Malley and this is my partner, Laura Jensen. We’re private investigators: Jensen and O’Malley,” Mike said.
“You two are celebrities.” Larry clapped his hands. “You’re responsible for catching the horrid serial killer last year. It’s a pleasure to meet you. What can I possibly help you with?”
“Hold on, we’re not the only ones who were involved with solving the case,” Mike said.
“Absolutely not,” I agreed. “It took many officers in various departments, including the State to capture him,” I added.
“Right, but he was your client,” Larry said. “Anyway, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance and I’m certainly glad he’s off the street. What brings you to our fine campus today?”
“Well, we could use your help with something, if you’re in a position to identify a couple of students we’re looking for,” Mike said.
“Right, is there somewhere a bit more private we can discuss this?” I asked.
“Of course. The hallway isn’t exactly discreet,” Larry replied as he turned and led us into his office. The script on the door read: Dean of the School of Engineering. Perfect, exactly who we were looking for, and more than likely we would have walked right by.
Larry pointed to two leather chairs on one side of his desk, waited for us to sit and then he sat down behind his impeccably neat desk. All the papers were lined up, like little soldiers awaiting their orders for the day. I was positive Adelaide could inspect every inch of the desktop with her super magnifying glass and not detect one speck of dust. Behind him was a floor to ceiling bookcase, with the books perfectly aligned. I decided this man was to be feared.
“How rude, I failed to offer you two a refreshment of some kind. Would you like coffee, tea, or water with a slice of lemon or lime?” Larry inquired.
“Laura? I’m good, thank you,” Mike said.
“I’m fine, too. But thank you. We really need to get down to business, Larry. Mike, would you care to explain and show Larry the photos?”
“Absolutely, we’re short on time. I’m sure you’ve heard all about the recent explosions, the I-95 Bridge and now the most recent one over the river which took down a portion of I-95 as well as the Railway Bridge?” Mike asked.
Larry put one hand to his chest and said, “You don’t think any of our students had a hand in this destruction, do you?”
“Yes, Larry, we do. It’s why we’re here,” I said.
“A lot of the particulars of the case we’re unable to disclose since the investigation is ongoing, but we need your help in identifying some of the people who are persons of interest,” Mike said.
“I don’t know,” Larry said, shaking his head. “This could be terrible for the school’s reputation.
“Listen,” Mike leaned forward, taking care not to touch the desk, and said, “I’d like to show you some pictures. We need to identify these people. We’d like to know who they are, their names and if they really do or did attend this school. If so, we’d like to know if there’s anything you can tell us about them, or if they kept anything here, backpacks, duffle bags, notebooks, iPads or anything you can think of. Or any conversations you might have had with them, anything which might have impressed you about them, or not impressed you. Anything which might have struck you as odd, now, as you look back, in light of what you now know about recent events.”
“This is a lot to take in,” Larry said.
“I know,” Mike agreed. “I’d like you to take a minute and please look at the photos of these individuals. It would really help us out.”
Larry took a deep breath and glanced back and forth between Mike and me.
“Nothing has to be said about you or the school to the media until much later. When it does, it will be done with a lot of care. I promise, Larry. When you admitted these students, if it is them, you had no idea any of this would happen. No one did. All we’re asking is for you to please take a look. In the long run, you could be instrumental in saving a lot of lives,” I said.
Larry nodded a few times, rubbed his thumbs on the edge of his desk blotter, looked at Mike and said, “Okay, for the sake of saving some lives, I agree I must do what’s right. Let’s see the photos.”
Mike opened the first photo and showed it to Larry. L
arry gasped. “It’s not possible. It can’t be! It’s Jelly, one of my best students. Her boyfriend is a fellow North Korean by the name of, Cho Kim, happens to have the same surname as her—it’s a very common one.” He rubbed his forehead, stood up and leaned against the bookcase before continuing, “Their other comrade is a Russian by the name of, Viktor Smirnov. They’re inseparable, as in you never see one without the other. This is a nightmare!” He shuffled to his desk and slumped into his chair.
Mike walked around the desk, crouched down and asked, “Why don’t you take a look at the other two pictures to be sure, Larry?”
“We need the verification,” I said.
“You only want to torture me,” Larry said.
“No, we honestly don’t. We really need the confirmation, plus we still need to ask some questions. I’m really sorry,” Mike said.
“I can’t even imagine how tough this is, especially since they’re your prized students,” I said.
Mike looked at me wide-eyed.
I shrugged.
Mike rolled his eyes.
Larry looked up and said, “Okay, you’re right, you do have to have confirmation to proceed. It pains me so, you’ve no idea.”
Mike looked at me.
“Oh, but we do, Larry. Both Mike and I sympathize with your position. We appreciate what you’re doing and thank you,” I said.
Mike scrolled to Cho and Viktor’s photos. Larry acknowledged they were indeed his star pupils. He put his head on his folded arms, on his spotless desk and cried. We had no choice but to wait it out, we needed to question him regarding their movements, their study habits and if they’d left anything of importance behind.
Mike texted Grady the good news and left to hunt down some coffee while Larry cried on.
Chapter 14
Larry sobbed for what felt like an eternity until Mike returned with two cups of coffee. For the life of me, I couldn’t comprehend why a Dean of any college department didn’t have his own coffee maker in his office, but apparently Larry was the exception. The man refused to even drink green tea. He even insisted on filtering his own water.
Case of the Mouse Trap Legend Page 6
