“We can’t hang our case on ‘might’, Alex.” Josh interrupted. “Background on Mr. Highland says he has a degree in chemical engineering on top of his pastoral credentials. His wife has a degree in Psychology, chemical engineering and Counseling. Looking at the years, I would assume they met while pursuing their chemical engineering degrees. The years jibe.”
“Josh, did you just uncover a conspiracy?”
“Assume nothing. Plan for everything.” Josh answered. “SEAL training encouraged thinking outside the box. Attention to detail. And preparation. Preparation beyond preparation. I might have had to leave, but I’ve never forgotten that. We can’t take anything for granted here. For all we know, this is a regular Bonnie and Clyde.”
“Wouldn’t that change the dynamic of our little sting?” Kellan asked.
“No, we go in as planned. But we go in practicing. Reggie, I want you to get some time on the range before tonight. Shore up your sights. Make sure they’re pinpoint accurate. When you get back from getting the clothes, hit the range. Have Cade and Agent Remington go with you. You could benefit from their expertise and from their experience. Alyson, Bella, I realize you two are civilians, but I wouldn’t mind you getting a little range time if you decide to. In a pinch, it couldn’t hurt to be able to shoot.”
Alyson seemed almost giddy at the prospect.
“I may have to join the academy when this is all over,” she nearly sang.
“Rance once posed as a pimp in another investigation, Alex. He’d be a good source to teach Reggie. He and Ms. Bella of course.”
“Good to know, Josh. Folks, I don’t need to remind you, I hope, that our killer uses a very deadly and caustic substance in his exploits. He doesn’t need to inject you. The syringe so much as gets a crack and you could be in serious trouble. We have to assume that our killer may have been injured in the previous attacks. Evidence suggests his last victim fought back. I have to be honest. I spoke to Pastor Highland at the hospital when Kellan and I interviewed Jennifer Greyson. Kellan, I don’t remember him having wounded hands. Maybe you do. But he did have some scars and recent scratches on his face.”
“Gotta be honest, Alex. I don’t remember seeing any scars on Highland, but then I got shot, so that might have affected my memory a tad.”
An uncomfortable laughter echoed.
“Everybody, get your stuff together. I’m going to go inform Escalante to be aware of Bonnie and Clyde.”
Walking out, Alex felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned and found himself nearly face to face with Bella Winters.
“Captain Mendez, could I talk to you in private?”
“Certainly, Ms. Winters. We’ll talk in my office.”
Chapter 37
Monday, October 17
1:32 p.m.
“I’m sorry.”
Alex had stopped counting Bella Winters’ apologies. He’d grown too frustrated after about the tenth one. Seated in a chair immediately in front of his own office chair, Bella hugged herself and tilted back and forth as of listening to some music only she could hear. But this was no music causing her rhythmic lilting. Rather, this was a nervousness that was weighing on her entire countenance. Sitting on the corner of his desk, staring down at Bella, waging a futile attempt to will her to make eye contact with him, Alex wrestled with emotions that seemed to swirl in and out, as if teetering between reality and some unseen fantasy world where everything goes as planned, the good guys always win and what’s right is never the hard thing to do.
“You don’t need to keep apologizing,” he reassured her. “You’re a civilian. This is our job to catch this guy. I figured I would send you in there because you had talked to the guy online. You and Alyson would be able to judge things the rest of us might not. You’d catch phrases common to him, ticks, habits more readily than we will. But nobody is going to force you to do anything you do not want to do.”
It was about the third time he’d said the same thing, a little different each time perhaps. He’d even surprised himself how little fight he’d put when Bella first told him she wasn’t comfortable with the idea of putting her life at risk by confronting Pastor Highland. Alex had shown her a picture of the man, certain that the unimposing figure of Pastor Highland would give her more courage. He’d reminded her that she’d be in there with Reggie and Janet, both of whom would be armed.
In the end, she was not a cop. She had, however, dealt with far too many of them in her life and her eyes bore the scars of stories Alex wasn’t sure he’d ever want to hear.
When his desk phone rang, Alex ignored it.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?”
“Nah,” he said, “I have voicemail.”
“Captain Mendez, I’m—“
“Done apologizing,” Alex said, half laughing. “Hey, look, we’re all new at something. You remember that this captain thing is not familiar to me either, right?”
“Yeah, but you’re good at your job. You’re very brave to put your life on the line like that. I never could.”
Standing up, Alex moved to the seat next to Bella Winters. He moved the seat back a couple inches, turned it toward her slightly.
“My friend, I want you to know something. You don’t know how brave you are.”
Bella laughed so loud it echoed through Alex’s office.
“I’m serious. You face things every day – every night, maybe – that many folks could only imagine. I don’t know your story, but I have heard the stories of many ladies just like you. Forced into this life by someone you trusted. Or by circumstances that got out of control too fast for you to handle. A year or so ago, I talked to one woman who got into the business because the gas company was going to cut her off. And she had three small children to care for. In Texas. In February. We may not get cold like Minnesota, but it’s a wet cold down here. That lady had lost her job and, according to her, had sent out more than ten resume’ and cover letters. She kept the heat on, but CPS came for the children when she was arrested.”
Bella’s face went pale. For all of a second, her shocked eyes made contact with Alex.
You’ll be glad to hear she is working with the courts to get her babies back. I told her I’d help her get back on her feet and I do help her as much as I can. I have a lot on my plate, but I know all the resources and all the right buttons to push. I helped her and I can help you.”
A look that could only be described as defeat settled on Bella Winters’ face.
“Tell you another story.” Alex said.
“Remember the Kramer murder?”
Silent, she nodded.
“He had a teenage daughter that had gotten pregnant. That gal is smart as can be, mind you. But young love is what it is. The night I arrested her father’s killer, this girl was essentially orphaned with a little brother to take care of and a baby on the way.”
“Did she…I mean, she didn’t start this life did she?”
“No,” Alex said. “In fact, she’s found a wonderful birth family for the baby. She’s gonna graduate this year. She and the little brother are lucky. They live with family. But I see them too. I’m like the uncle they never had, I guess.”
“You know, there’s this girl. Well, she’s a woman really. About your age. I’d love to see her get out of the business.”
Leaning forward just slightly, trying to appear sympathetic, Alex said, “There’s a little girl I know. About your age I’d love to see her get out of the business.”
Her face blushed and, again uncomfortable, she looked away.
As if talking to his daughter over a skinned knee, Alex nudged her chin and met her eyes to his.
“When this is over, if you want out, I’ll help you. My wife and I know a lot of people. We have friends everywhere. Whatever you need, we’ll work on it. Did you graduate high school?”
Choking on the tears that were welling up, she could only nod.
“Well, good. We’ll find you a job. Get you on your feet. Would you like that?”
Sitting back down, his knees popped and crackled noticeably.
“That’s what police work will do for ya,” he laughed, rubbing his knee.
“I wouldn’t mind being a cop.” Bella said. “It’d be nice to be a hero for once.”
“Well, if you decide you want to be a hero, you could always help us catch the guy that killed Marisol Velasquez.”
Standing, he patted her arm. Turning away, he walked around his desk, opened the blinds and stared out into the sunny, October sky. It was such a beautiful day outside he’d almost forgotten what he was about to say.
“You’re a good woman, my friend. Somewhere along the way, you just started believing you weren’t good enough. Well, you are. You are to me, you are to everyone in that room. You are to God. You’re enough. Unless I miss my guess, your friend thought so too.”
When she didn’t reply, Alex turned around.
“How’d she do it,” he whispered out loud. How had she gotten up, opened the office door without making a sound and walked out? He’d thought about chasing her and decided against it.
“Okay, God,” Alex sighed, sitting in his chair. “I leave her in your hands now.”
Chapter 38
Monday, October 17
4:32 p.m.
They had looked everywhere and time was running short. Bella Winters was not at her apartment. None of the neighbors had admitted seeing her in the last couple of hours, but in that neighborhood, Alex knew he could not be sure they were being honest. She wasn’t in the park and, if she was wandering the streets, she was a master at disguise. Alex had used considerable pull to have several uniformed officers on the lookout for her. Some would argue it was a terrible misuse of resources. To Alex, desperate times called for desperate measures. Such an evil person on the loose that Alex was more desperate than he could remember being, on the job, in some time.
Alex had wanted to be as realistic as possible with the sting. Pastor Highland – if he was the guilty party – was many things, but stupid was not among them.
Sitting in his squeaky office chair, Alex couldn’t help but stare at his desk phone. It rang twice in the last hour. Once from the officers he’d sent to look for her. The other from Lisa just asking how things were going. It’s not every day that a call from Lisa failed to work magic on Alex’s soul.
He felt like a disappointed five year old on Christmas morning. All he could think is, “well this sucks!”
A knock at the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened, causing the room to echo with crackling sounds.
“There you are, Alex.”
“Hey, Alyson. Come in. What’s up?”
She appeared positively forlorn.
“We have news. We went back and talked to Jase. He and I got on the computer and started going room to room making conversation. None of the names matched the ones we had for the pictures and none sent pictures of themselves.”
“How is this good news?” Alex snapped.
“I didn’t say good news. I said news. I’m just updating you, Alex.”
“You couldn’t update me on the phone?”
Closing the door, she came in and sat down in a seat positioned directly across from him.
“Okay, look, I know you’re upset, but snapping at me isn’t going to help.”
A loud chuckle surprised Alex and Alyson both.
“You sounded just like Lisa there.”
“It’s a Warner trait. All us gals have a way with men. Now snap to, mister!”
Laughing again, he agreed, “You sure do. Seems like you and Josh got a good thing going.”
“He’s a great guy,” she said, unable to hide the rising blush. “Better than I deserve, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah, well if he does you wrong, I am gonna shoot him.”
Laughing, Alyson winked, “You got a deal. But, honestly, I think you’ll have very little to worry about. He’s very respectful. We both have our past, but we’ve both agreed that we’re going to wait. He’s very respectful.”
“You said that already.” Alex chuckled. “I’m glad he’s a good guy. I really sensed that about him. But, hey, Lisa’s cousin is my cousin, Baby Girl. I’m quite protective over you, so be sure he knows I’m watching.”
Laughing again, Alyson said, “Oh, he knows. He’s a very observant guy and he doesn’t say anything to you about it, but he’s very aware of when eyes are on us.”
“Eyes, ears. If I can figure out how to hide them where he couldn’t find them, listening devices.”
“You better not!” Alyson laughed again. “Okay, I’m heading back in to see if I can get this guy. We’ll find him, Alex. Just you wait and see.”
“You gals get your, uh, uniforms?”
“Yep, we did. You should see what Reggie got! Oh man! He’s so the part! Agent Remington has already taken it upon himself to coach him a little on various things. I don’t know how Reggie keeps from busting a gut, but I guess it’s easier when you have Rance Remington in your face like a Marine Drill Sergeant. You wouldn’t know it, but that dude has a lot of soul for a white guy.” She sounded a little too giddy about the situation. Alex resisted the urge to challenge the civilian’s ignorance in that moment. He’d want her focused later, but burying her under worry would do more to undo her calm mindset than to focus her.
“Um, aren’t you a white girl?” Alex asked, winking.
“Yeah, but women are different. Rhythm comes easy for pretty much all of us.”
“Yeah, but I wish you gals had a little coaching on how to be like a real prostitute.”
“Alex, honestly, how hard do you think it is? You just appear to let go of your morality, flirt a lot and show a little cleavage. Hate to say it, but most guys are that simple. Guys that would go for prostitutes anyway. Porn addicts. Do that and the guy will be putty in our hands. Guys aren’t complicated until they’ve learned to think above the waist. Some guys never do.”
“I’m sure every victim he’s killed over the years has thought the same thing. If Pastor Highland is the guy we’re after, he’s not some teenager watching porn vids online. He’s smart. He’s motivated. And, maybe, a little bit crazy. Alyson, I love you, but do you understand this isn’t a game? This isn’t some pervert thinking with his crotch. This is a killer. A cold, evil killer.”
“Point taken,” she said, suddenly very serious. “Okay, I’m out. You need anything?”
“Alyson, I’m serious. I have not wanted to freak you out, but maybe you do need a reality check. I am risking a lot by even suggesting you should go in there. If Pastor Highland has a gun, as we expect he will, you could very well be sharing your last moments with Josh the next time you see him. He, or you, could get killed. This is not a video game where you can just reset it and start again. If you die in there, it’s for real.”
He’d said too much. As the color faded from Alyson’s face, he had fought hard, as if outside his own body, to stop talking. But no amount of resistance could prevent the verbal warning he’d just levied.
“You need anything else before I go?” she asked again, her voice shaking.
Silent, he shook his head. Waved a hand and pretend to retreat into the many files of murdered girls who’d fallen victim to murderous rage.
As Alyson left, a nervous tremor snaked its way up Alex’s back. He didn’t know why, but his adrenaline had begun to flow.
And he was a ball of nerves because of it.
Sifting through the files, Alex hoped something would jump out at him. Something he’d missed in the innumerable times he’d reviewed the files. The victims were of various ethnicities. Their names were not alphabetical. They ranged in age from 18 to 44. Some were
prostitutes, some were exotic dancers. One was a ballerina with no obvious connection to anything seedy, impure or sinister. An accident? An anomaly? A case misconnected to the others? Or had she harbored a dark secret to which only her killer was privy.
Another knock at the door.
“Yes?” Alex called.
Opening the door, Janet spoke before she appeared.
“Hey, Buddy, got a minute?”
“Certainly. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to tell you that we’re still looking for that girl. But we have a lead. There was a print on Greyson’s leg. A partial. We ran it through every known database and got a match.”
Resisting the urge to fist pump, Alex smiled.
“Don’t tell me. Pastor Highland?”
“No. Turns out it belonged to her husband. We checked. He’d helped her put the leg on that morning. She suffers from carpel tunnel and apparently her wrists were bothering her that morning. According to both of them, it’s not uncommon for him to help her in this manner.”
“So, basically, we’re back to square one? Tell me how that’s a lead.”
“Not exactly. Some guys went back out there and we found a shoe print. The area has been secured, so no one other than cops and feds have been there, but this one was a running shoe. And did not match any shoe Greyson or her husband had in their closets. Did match the bloody print we found. I think we can say where he was laying in wait, so to speak.”
“Specs?”
“Size 9, we think. Maybe ten. Lab’s running it. Whoever this guy is, he has small feet for a dude. Another partial was found not far away. This person also had a very narrow gait. We’ve already determined that Mr. Greyson wore a size 12. Too big to be this shoe’s owner.”
The door seemed almost to creep open. A head peered around the edge. Shocked, Janet froze in place.
“Hey, Alex. You got a minute to speak to me?”
“Uh, sure,” Alex stammered, slapping the files closed, “Come in, Pastor Highland. What can I do for you?”
Connection Terminated Page 17
