Border Breach

by Darlene L. Turner

  “Hey, Sarge. Just finished with Jake Shepherd.” He explained what they’d learned. “We need to find Blaine Ridley. Did we ever get a hit on a hospital check? He was shot at Rossiter’s.”

  “No hits at any hospital or medical center. Must have gone to a shady doctor or maybe a vet to stay under the radar,” Miller said. “I have the entire station hunting him down, and there’s a BOLO out on him even though our description isn’t the best. He still hasn’t returned to his apartment.” The sergeant shuffled some papers. “We just got word that Percy Brown was killed from a high dosage of fentanyl.”

  “Why does that not surprise me?”

  “Right, since we’re dealing with drug dealers.”

  “What can I do for you?” His boss always called for a reason. He raised his brow at Kaylin as she got into the vehicle.

  “The judge issued your warrant to search DJ’s Florist,” Miller said.

  Finally, a break. He sat in the driver’s seat and started the car. “Good. We’ll pick it up and head there as soon as we can.”

  “One more thing. Bianca didn’t get any hits on the nurse in the database. Seems like she’s a ghost.”

  “Probably hired by Valentino.”

  “More than likely. Stay safe.”

  Hudson pulled the cruiser onto the main road. “That was Miller. No hit on the nurse, but we can pick up the warrant now and head to the florist. I’m anxious to see what’s in their back rooms.”

  She nodded. “Sounds good.” She played with the ring on her finger.

  “You okay after seeing Jake?”

  “A bit unnerved.” She paused. “He sure has changed and not for the good. Looks hardened.”

  “Guess that’s what prison life does to you.” He passed a truck on the busy freeway. Traffic picked up in the noon rush. He weaved in and out of the lanes, making his way back to the station.

  Twenty minutes later, he parked in front of Miller’s car. “This should only take a minute. Let’s see if they found out anything about your cell phone.”

  His boss met them at the door, shoving the warrant in his hands. “Get down there and see what you can find out. But first, we just had an anonymous tip of a man matching Ridley’s description spotted among our homeless. Check it out before you go to DJ’s.” He stormed back into his office.

  “Well, he’s Mr. Grumpy Pants.” Kaylin chuckled.

  “What else is new?” Hudson guided her toward the forensics area and stopped at Bianca’s table. “Hey, Bianca. Any word on Kaylin’s cell phone? Were you able to trace the texts?”

  “Well, hello to you, too, Constable.” She held up a bag with the cell phone in it. “Just got the results. They were extremely fast because nothing came up. Burner phone. Sorry.”

  Kaylin frowned. “Figures. Why am I not surprised?”

  “Happens all the time.” Bianca picked up another cell phone and handed it to her. “We want you to have this police-issued phone. They won’t get this number.”

  Kaylin put it in her pocket. “Let’s hope so. Whoever they are, they’re always one step ahead of us.”

  “Right.” Bianca held up a file and turned to Hudson. “Ident examined the powder you got from Benji’s locker. It’s definitely refined poppy straw.”

  Hudson opened the folder. “We found dried poppy straw in the van the border patrol intercepted. It has to be the way they’re getting the drug into the country.”

  “But why not harvest their own poppy fields? It doesn’t make sense. Why take the chance at the border?” Kaylin leaned against the table.

  “Good question. Maybe it’s easier than planting it themselves. More convenient.” Bianca took a sip of her coffee.

  “Whatever the reason, we need to find where they’re refining it and fast.” Hudson handed her back the file. “Thanks again, Bianca.”

  Right now it was time to check out the anonymous tip. Maybe they would find Blaine hiding with the homeless. It was the perfect place to blend in. Hudson knew his way around that crowd, so hopefully they’d have a much-needed advantage.

  Fifteen minutes later, he parked along the road where he knew most of the homeless lived. “Let’s start here.”

  Cardboard boxes lined the area. Makeshift homes littered the small park across the street with shopping carts outside each one. A bonfire burned in a steel drum despite the heat of the day. Logs crackled as the sparks spat out the top. Local authorities tried to get these men and women to leave, but they didn’t have any success. They kept coming back, so the cops gave up after a while. Different missions visited the area to hand out blankets and food.

  Hudson knew because he’d been helping out since he was a teenager. Both on the streets and at the local homeless shelter. It was where he’d met his friend Layke Jackson.

  A gray-haired woman peeked out from her tattered blanket and smiled a toothless grin. Hudson stopped at her feet. “Mary, good to see you. How are you?”

  Mary was a favorite and got along with practically everyone. Not like some of the homeless who fought over territories.

  “I’m surviving among these animals.” She got up and pointed to a man poking his head into a nearby garbage bin. She turned to Kaylin. “My dear. It’s been forever since I’ve seen you. Where have you been keeping yourself?”

  Hudson raised a brow. Mary knew Kaylin? How?

  Kaylin gave the older woman a hug. “I’m surprised you remember me after all these years.”

  “Mary doesn’t forget a face, love. Especially one of her own.”

  Wait—what? One of her own?

  What did that mean?

  Kaylin kept her gaze on the woman and pulled out the sketch of Blaine. “Perhaps you can help us. Have you seen this man?”

  Mary leaned in, her mouth forming an O.

  “Why, yes. Hard to forget that scar. I saw him yesterday. Tried to steal food from me. Told him that no one steals from Mary. She gives it away. Gave him a slice of bread.”

  “Then what happened?” Hudson let go of his questions for Kaylin, but he certainly would inquire later.

  “Nothing. He just limped away,” Mary said.

  Limped. That had to be Blaine; he’d been shot in the leg. Hudson shifted his weight. “What time was this?”

  Mary tapped her dimpled chin. “Nine thirty p.m. I remember because I was about to turn in for the night when I saw the time on the digital sign at the gas station across the street.”

  “Have you seen him since?” Kaylin took the sketch back.

  “Nope.”

  “Can you tell us anything about him? Was he nervous? Did he seem angry?” Hudson gazed around the area, taking it all in.

  “Now that you mention it, he kept checking his phone and looking behind him like he was scared someone was following him.” She pulled a toothpick from her pocket and stuck it in her mouth.

  “Anything else?”

  “You can check at the shelter. Saw him heading in that direction.” She crawled back into her tent.

  “Let’s talk with some of the others.” Kaylin walked on to another home, bent down and shook the older man’s hand.

  Over the next hour, they scoured the area looking for clues of Blaine’s whereabouts. Other vagrants claimed to have seen him but only yesterday. How could he have disappeared so quickly, especially since he was wounded?

  “Let’s head to the shelter and ask there. Maybe he stopped in for lunch or dinner.” Hudson removed his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

  They patrolled down the road and stepped into the establishment funded by local churches. The bells on the door announced their presence. A waft of baking bread greeted them. Hudson’s mouth watered.

  “Hudson!” Kurt, the head of the shelter, rushed to meet them. “So good to see you again. Missed you last week.”

  “I wasn’t able to join my church in
helping serve. Working on a case.” He gestured toward Kaylin. “Kurt, this is—”

  “Kaylin! I almost didn’t recognize you in your uniform.” He pulled her into a hug. “When was the last time you visited us?”

  Hudson’s jaw dropped as he looked at her. Here, too? What other surprises was Kaylin holding back?

  She avoided Hudson’s gaze. “Too long, Kurt. How are you?”

  “I’m good. I see by your uniform you’re now with CBSA. So glad you overcame your situation.”

  She cleared her throat and pulled out Blaine’s sketch. “Maybe you can help us. Have you seen this man?”

  It was obvious to Hudson that Kaylin didn’t want to talk about her past. She was holding out on him. When had she frequented this place?

  Kurt studied the composite. “Yes. He came here last night as I was closing, demanding food and money.”

  “What did you do?” Hudson took out his notebook and jotted down some notes, creating a timeline. 9:30 p.m. left Mary. 9:45 p.m. stopped by the shelter.

  “Told him we don’t keep cash here, but I could scrounge up some food,” Kurt said. “He waited until I made him a goody bag.”

  “How did he seem?” Kaylin tucked the picture back in her vest pocket. “Agitated? Nervous?”

  “Both. Kept looking out the door as if someone was following him. I asked him if he needed help in finding a place to stay, but he grabbed the food and hobbled out the door. Didn’t come back today.”

  Was Ridley strapped for cash? Was he trying to stay under the wire from the drug ring?

  Hudson handed Kurt a card. “Can you give me a call if he returns?”

  “Sure thing. See you next week?”

  “If I can get this case wrapped up. Take care, Kurt.” Hudson put his hat back on.

  “Will do. Nice seeing you, Kaylin.”

  “You, too.”

  Hudson held the door open for her and they stepped out onto the sidewalk. “Tell me, when were you here and how do you know Mary?”

  Her facial expression clouded before she looked away.

  He grabbed her hand. “You can tell me, Kaylin. I won’t tell anyone.”

  She shook her head. “That part of my life is over and none of your concern.”

  Her sharp tone stopped him in his tracks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. You can talk to me anytime.”

  “Nothing to say, Hudson.” She continued walking.

  He rushed to catch up. “Fine, I’ll—”

  His cell phone buzzed. He hit the answer button without looking at the caller. “Steeves here.”

  “Get to DJ’s Florist shop.” Miller’s booming voice commanded obedience.

  Hudson perked up. “Heading there now. What’s going on?”

  “It’s on fire.”

  * * *

  Hudson studied the wreckage at DJ’s Florist. Blackened beams from the building’s structure were the only thing left standing. The firefighters couldn’t save it. The owner and his wife had been inside and suffered smoke inhalation. They had been whisked off to the hospital. The fire chief and the inspector shuffled through what used to be the flower shop’s showroom. Even from a distance, smoke filled Hudson’s nose and he sneezed. Chief Harrison almost didn’t let them stay in the area but the warrant and his explanation of why they needed to check for evidence convinced him. The chief would look for them, but they were not allowed to enter the premises.

  Chief Harrison used a pole to sift through the ashes. He turned and yelled to them. “What are you looking for?”

  “Anything that can tie the Olivers to a drug smuggling ring. We wanted to get into their back rooms, but now you can’t even tell the showroom from their offices.” Hudson changed his stance, clasping his hands behind him.

  The chief pointed. “Looks like this frame could be the entrance of a new room.”

  Kaylin sneezed. “This pungent smell is overwhelming.” She pointed to the wreckage. “Everything is gone.”

  “O ye of little faith,” Hudson said. “I’m praying God will help us find something.”

  She wrinkled her nose.

  Did she know how cute she was when she made that face?

  Hudson, quit staring. He studied his feet. He tried to stop his growing feelings for her, but to no avail. He enjoyed her company. Once this case was wrapped up, would she want to be a friend? But did he want more?

  At least that was what his heart told him.

  His head told him she wasn’t a believer. It would never work.

  He kicked a stone, sending it across the sidewalk. “Don’t you believe in prayer?”

  “Nope. Never did me any good.”

  “What do you mean? When did God supposedly fail you?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You mean how many times?”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “It’s in the past and forgotten.” She focused back on the chief and the inspector rummaging through the ashes.

  There was no way she’d put whatever happened to her behind her. It was still written on her face. Hudson could see that she needed forgiveness in her life.

  But have you forgiven yourself?

  The thought raced through his mind before he could stop it. Could he put his past behind him, too?

  Kaylin’s hand flew to her chest. “This can’t be a coincidence.”

  “What do you mean?” Hudson rubbed his sinuses, pulling himself out of his thoughts about her.

  “The shop is on fire just after we pick up the warrant to search the place? Someone knew we were coming.”

  Hudson nodded. “Agreed.”

  Chief Harrison rushed toward them, raising a steel box. “We found something hidden in what was left of one wall.”

  Hudson put on his gloves and took the box from the chief. He set it on his cruiser and wiped the ashes from the top. A charred lock held it shut. “Whatever is in here was important enough to keep secret. Do you have bolt cutters in your rig?”

  The chief yelled to a firefighter to bring the tools. Seconds later, a stocky fireman handed them to Hudson.

  Hudson broke the lock and lifted the lid. It creaked open. A ledger lay tucked inside. The steel box had kept it untouched from the raging flames.

  Perhaps it was the evidence they waited for.

  Kaylin leaned over his shoulder as he opened the book. A key fell out.

  Hudson picked it up. “I wonder what this is to.” He put it back in the box and focused on the journal. “Looks like dates and times of some sort of exchange.” Hudson skimmed down the entries with his index finger and stopped on a name.

  Blaine Ridley.

  “There’s that name again.” Kaylin pointed to another name. Valentino. “It says shipment to Blaine. Could this be their ledger passing over the poppy straw?”

  “Looks like it. We need—”

  His cell phone chimed with a text message from his boss.

  Ident found traces of another drug in Matthew’s blood, but they’re still analyzing it. Plus, the angle of the injection is wrong since he’s left-handed. Now treating this as attempted murder.

  Hudson slumped against his cruiser and rubbed the back of his neck. Lord, help me to solve this case before other teens are targeted.

  TWELVE

  Kaylin turned the pages of the ledger at the police interrogation room and studied the entries, trying to make sense of it all. After a few minutes she slammed the book shut and shoved it across the table. The documentation confused her. The dates and times of the drug meets didn’t add up. She and Hudson had left the fire scene and it was now well after the dinner hour. Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten all day. She’d require some food soon or her weary body would cave.

  As if he’d heard her thoughts, Hudson entered with subs and set one in front of her. His clouded eyes revealed his co
ncern over the news of his nephew’s attempted murder. Who would want to kill the teen? Had he gotten too close to drug dealers? If so, which ones?

  Her mouth watered as she took a bite of the turkey club. She let the delicious taste linger a second before swallowing. It was just what she needed. She opened up the ledger and pointed to some entries. “Look how they’ve recorded a shipment arriving on one day and out the next week. Perhaps they held the poppy straw before handing it off to the buyer. But why? You would think they’d want to get it out of their shop right away.”

  “Could they be drying it more to get it ready for refining?”

  She pinched her lips together. “I wish we could talk to the Olivers. Find out more about it and these entries.”

  “The head nurse at the hospital told me tomorrow morning would be best.” Hudson took a bite of his sub and swallowed. “I want to know more about the fire. Was it arson?” He picked up the evidence bag containing the key. “This has to be valuable because why else would they lock it in a box?”

  “Agreed, but there’s no way to know what it unlocks. There’s no engraving on it.”

  “More dead ends,” Hudson said.

  “Did you believe Bart when he said Valentino infiltrated the police force? Maybe someone in your office?”

  Hudson slumped back in his chair. “I hope not.”

  “But how else did Blaine or Valentino know we had a warrant and were headed to DJ’s? It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  He let out a heavy sigh. “I can’t imagine anyone on my team being bought by a drug kingpin.”

  Kaylin rubbed her chin. “But how well do we really know people?” Her dad was good at playing the game. A sweetheart at church, but a monster behind closed doors.

  “True.” Hudson’s cell phone rang. “Steeves here.” He paused. “Chief Harrison, I’ll put you on speaker phone.”

  He set the phone on the table between them. “Go ahead.”

  “We know what caused the fire at DJ’s Florist,” the chief said.

  Kaylin leaned forward, her chin resting on her hand. She waited with bated breath at the news. “What?”