by Rick Murcer
Max stepped up. “So Alex and I started to brainstorm a little and realized if what you guys say is true, that she’s going to abandon the Mustang, she’d most likely have a bunch of stuff to carry. Maybe a bag and whatever else hit women tote around. We also think that she may have a special case for her ‘work’ tools.”
“But if she were planning for this contingency, wouldn’t she already have that handled?” asked Chloe. She cocked her head. “Unless she panicked more than we think.”
Alex agreed. “We think that might be true. That’s where forensics comes in.”
Max and he turned the body on its side. “See this black wheel? It’s made from a polymer plastic, and it looks like the kind that fits on the back of a suitcase.”
Max pointed to another spot a few feet away. “We took my forensic kit bag and compared the wheel with the ones on this, and, as you can see, they’re very close. It looks like he might have fallen on her case and she had to pull hard to get it out from under him, thus the wheel. That confirms what we think about her carrying a case of some kind.”
“That’s kind of a leap, isn’t it?” said Sophie. “Even for you guys.”
“No. We think that we’re right and that it’s significant.” said Alex.
“Say you are right. I don’t get it,” said Josh. “I mean, people carry cases all of the time.”
Manny shook his head. “It’s not about having the case. It’s about what she might do with it when she went into hiding—or more precisely, what’s in it.” Manny ran his hand through his hair. “If it is important enough to go through all that effort to take it with her, then Ruby must need what’s in it for something.”
“Bingo,” said Max.
“So that could mean plenty of different things. Cash money. Incriminating evidence. Ways to change her appearance,” said Swifton.
“Or it could mean she’s not done with her job. We’ve already talked about how important it would be for her to complete what she and Simon started,” breathed Manny.
No one spoke. Manny was sure he could hear each heartbeat as they echoed off the walls of the canyon-like garage. That was it, wasn’t it? She was going to kill again and only God, her client, and Ruby herself knew what that meant for sure.
“We need to go through the house, like we talked about. We have to find something that will tell us where she might have gone. That’s the only way to stop her from killing again.”
Josh’s phone rang, and he snapped it to his ear. “What? Say again . . . you’re breaking . . . okay, got it.”
Josh raised his hands in frustration. “Well, we’re right on a couple things. They just found the Mustang abandoned down by the airport. They traced Simon’s cell phone to the parking ramp. No sign of her, of course, and the initial search of the car was clean, except for his phone lying in the seat.”
Sophie spoke. “She knows what she’s doing. From the airport she could have gone anywhere, in any vehicle. Hell, she could have taken a bus.”
“But it could be worth our while to go over their security footage for the last few hours. We might get lucky,” said Josh.
Manny frowned as he stared at the Camaro through the window in the middle garage door. Then he was inspired. He hurried over to the third bay in the garage and bent close to the concrete.
“Oh damn. He’s doing it again. I hate it when he acts like this,” said Sophie.
“But no trance,” answered Chloe.
Manny stood up. “I’m still here, ladies. Max and Alex take a look at this. I think we might have something.”
The two CSIs walked to where he stood, but even before they got there, the curtain had opened for both of them. Manny pointed to the faint, black smudges crossing the floor.
“Shit. We should have thought of this,” swore Alex.
“We can have the info on what manufacturer produced these tires and what kind of vehicle they belong to, at least narrowed down significantly, in less than an hour,” said Max.
Chapter-28
Ruby Hayes glanced at the computer screen of her laptop, read the final set of instructions from her latest and greatest client, and then deleted the e-mail forever by initiating the program to whitewash the hard drive. The message had been coded, of course, and the chance of anyone else ever seeing it, except her and the sender, was extremely remote at best. Still, caution was a way of life in this business, and there was no reason to risk any more than necessary.
She pushed away from the desk, walked into the kitchen of the oceanfront condo, and turned the burner down on the small rib eye steak that was frying in the pan. The aroma was intoxicating, and she was starved. She loved her steak barely seared on each side, and this one was made to perfection.
She’d always enjoyed the taste and texture of raw meat, and this one was going to be exceptionally good. Ruby didn’t have Simon’s flare as a chef, but not many did.
Simon. She bowed her head and for the millionth time, wondered why he had wanted Simon out of the way. But she was learning that this special client was always right. And besides, Simon was becoming somewhat of a hindrance. The client had said so, and she was helpless against his persuasive logic. He had spoken to her more frequently and with amazing clarity over the last few weeks, and she believed him.
The logic voice thundered in her head, but it was velvet thunder. Demanding, but loving. It was powerful, persuasive, and always right. She found herself waiting for him to come to her, like a secret lover, and help her make the next decision. He had, in a very real sense, taken Simon’s place, and she only had time, or need, for one lover—not to mention how much she’d enjoyed his voice, if she had to put all of her cards on the table.
She’d realized the truth when she’d pulled the gun out of her pocket in the garage. The client had said she would. Her new confidant knew things about her, and now, she believed what he said completely. The only problem was that he didn’t speak to her all of the time. Only an occasion or two during the day, and of course, when she dreamed, but the rest of the hours in between, she was on her own. Like tonight.
As she lifted the steak from the pan and began to gnaw on it, she thought about her next job. She went over each detail, then did it again. Once this one was completed, the big one—the one that would set her on Easy Street—was next.
“Isn’t Easy Street a part of the American Dream, a powerful part?” she said out loud.
Nothing personal with the target, it never was. Well, Chief Richardson had pissed her off more than once, so that was satisfying, but it was still just business. There was nothing wrong with enjoying your job, right? Ninety-two percent of Americans hated what they did for a living. She was one of the lucky ones.
Finishing the steak in a flurry, she moved to the front window and peered through the gap in the pink curtains. The white-sand beach seemed to be alive with sun-worshippers and families enjoying the last few days before school was back in session.
Kids building sand castles; colorful umbrellas and bright beach chairs filled with folks without a care in the world. She wondered how they would react if they were aware of people like her.
She laughed. “They’d run like hell and never unlock their doors again.”
Ruby sat on the stuffed couch and turned on her police scanner. Eight hours to go before she finished this assignment, and she could use some rest. The scanner might warn her if the Feds and Manny Williams’s misfits had a bead on her. Like that could happen.
Still, Williams was bright, and the FBI had databases that regular law enforcement had no idea existed, so she’d be cautious. But then, she was always careful, and his voice was there for her if she needed him, really needed him. Somehow that made it all better, better than anything else she could imagine.
Great for her, not so great for the FBI special agent who was going to die tonight.
Chapter-29
“Come on, Josh, get your carcass in the car. I’ve got to see how this heifer performs,” yelled Sophie.
Josh s
hook his head as he and Manny stood near the front door of Ruby Hayes’s house. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. I should ride with you to the airport.”
“Hey, you’re the one who told her she could drive the Camaro to the impound lot, and you told her you’d ride shotgun,” said Manny. “Just don’t let her text at the same time. She sucks at that.”
“I’ll pick you up at the impound lot, and then we’ll go to the parking ramp together. Alex and Max went to the field office to see if they can match up the tread marks from the floor in the tire database. The black light from their kit did the trick on the tire prints so they could get some good photos, and we just might get lucky there. Detective Swifton and her partner are going to go over the house with a fine-tooth comb, again. They even called in their own CSU. So it looks like we’ve got things covered for now,” said Manny.
Sophie waved again and revved the engine. “Come on, FBI boy, I got some other things to show you too. Did I mention that I can multitask with the best of them?”
“Yes, yes you did, in Lansing a few months back,” he answered. Josh turned to Manny and Chloe. “She’s one of the best drivers I’ve seen—crazy, but good. So why are my knees shaking?”
“Well, you might be worried more about the multitasking than the driving,” warned Chloe.
“Maybe.” He looked back to Sophie and stuck one finger in the air. “Give me one minute.” He then motioned Manny to follow him. “We need to talk.”
Manny followed him to the Fed’s black SUV and felt a sense of dread when Josh faced him.
“Two things. Manny, you’re still one of the best I’ve ever seen. I mean, you’ve been off since we lost Louise and you’ve not missed a beat. It’s time you seriously start thinking about joining my team. I think it would be great for Jen too. Not to mention it would help you move forward.”
Manny looked at the Bermuda grass clumped near his feet, trying to control his mixed set of emotions. He was grateful, angry, and guilt-ridden all at the same time. Not a great combination. He wanted to join the Feds. Even though that meant leaving Lansing and Gavin Crosby, his friend and police chief, behind. He also bristled at the thought that Josh knew better than Manny what was best for Jen. And how in God’s name did he move on from Louise? She’d died in his arms, and he still thought it his fault.
He let out a breath and answered the special agent and good friend. “I’ve been thinking about it. But I’ll make the decision on what’s best for Jen and about moving forward. Is that clear?”
He watched Josh flinch, before one of those patented slow smiles spread across his face. “Good to know I can still piss you off.”
“Asshole,” said Manny.
“Well, thank you,” said Josh. “Listen. I know you’ll make the right call, but I can’t say it any plainer than . . . we need you, okay?”
“Okay. What’s the second thing?”
“Chloe is the second thing.”
Manny’s heart raced. Josh must have noticed the tension between them; worse, he might have perceived the attraction. He felt himself grow warmer, and it wasn’t the Miami heat.
“What about Chloe?” he asked, keeping his voice steady.
“Her cousin’s best friend was murdered back in Galway yesterday, and she wants to go back for the funeral in three days.”
“Yeah. She mentioned that this morning. That’s awful, but she’s keeping it to herself.”
“Not really her style. Anyway, she’s going to take vacation at the same time, and she’ll be away for two weeks. I want you to take her place until she returns, when you get back from your cruise. You’ll only be gone for five days, so it would work out.”
Manny ran his hand through his hair. How ironic would that be? He’d be taking her place while she went home to be with family that had lost a loved one. Life does have its twists.
“I’ll think about it. Let’s see how things work out the next two days. I hate leaving Jen alone with that psycho Argyle still out there, although Destina and her staff are keeping an eye on her. “Like I told you on the phone, when he contacts me like that, I get nervous.”
“I know, but like I said his contacting you like that probably means he’s trying to rattle you—and I get that. I’d be the same way about Jen. But you’re checking in with her and don’t look now, but she’s growing up.”
He sighed. “I know. Too well. I guess there’s no way to stop that.”
Josh put his hand on Manny’s arm and spoke softly. “There is one more thing. I’m not the profiler you are, but I’d have to be blind and deaf to not notice the thing between you and Chloe.”
There it was.
“What thing?” he asked, pulling away from his friend.
Josh rolled his eyes. “Damn. Either Sophie’s right about you being clueless regarding women, or you’re living in complete denial. Either way, I don’t believe you.”
Manny stiffened. “We need to get going. We have to see if we can find Ruby Hayes, or does that get in the way of your gossip time?”
Josh stared at Manny and shook his head. “Okay. You’re right, let’s go.”
The special agent headed for the Camaro, and just before Manny got into the SUV, he heard Sophie holler. “About damned time. Buckle up. Shut up. And hold on to your weenie.”
She spun out of the driveway and was a green streak down the street before Josh could shut the door.
As Manny started the engine, he realized how grateful he was that Chloe was driving the second SUV to the parking garage. Riding with her for twenty minutes could be torture . . . or maybe a little Heaven, but it was hard to know which would raise its head.
An old Eagles song ran across his mind. Something about being a prisoner of our own device. Good God. He had that one down pat. But that’s what workaholics do, and for a change, he was glad for that trait.
Just before he put the Chevy Tahoe in gear, the passenger door swung open and Chloe jumped in. “I need to ride with you. Josh has the keys for the other truck and he’s not answering his phone. He may be too terrified to realize it’s ringing.”
She smiled, and his thoughts went crazy.
“Ah . . . sure. Let’s go.”
He glanced at her as they pulled out. She glanced back.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to bite. I’m not even going to jump you while you’re driving—unless you stop at the light too long.”
“Thanks, I think.” he smiled. Then he turned serious. “Chloe. I’m sorry to hear about your cousin’s friend.”
She turned to the window. “Thanks. It’s hard not to think about.”
“If I can help in any—”
“If you can help?” The tone in her voice changed. She crossed her legs and folded her arms. Not good signs.
“I only meant—”
“You really don’t get any of this, do you? Or are you playing dumb? I need your help in ways that I haven’t even thought of, but you . . . just . . . damn. You don’t even . . . oh shit. Never mind.”
Manny slammed the brakes, and the SUV skidded to a stop. The smell of burning rubber reached the cab before he could put the SUV into park.
“Listen to me.” His voice portrayed an anger and frustration that he’d not experienced often and, frankly, didn’t care to control now.
Chloe stared back, not moving her steel gaze.
“I’m not trying to avoid you or anything that might be going on, and God knows you’re on my mind too much. I get it. I get you, more than you give me credit for, much more, but there are more important things than what I want . . . even more than what you want. My daughter, how my wife died, your future: I’m not ready to deal with all of it. And I’ll say it again. I may never be. You’re an amazing woman, but you deserve more because this is all I’ve got.”
His face softened, and he reached for her hand. “Chloe. There’s too much to think about right now. The best way for me to deal is to concentrate on this case. I need this, to get back some of my life. I’d like you to do the s
ame. But if we can’t do it, one of us has to leave.”
She looked at his hand, then back to the window, eyes shining. “You’re right. If you can’t deal with things, then I’ll do my part today and tell Josh I’m leaving tomorrow. No sense in making us both crazy.”
Her words brought a pang of emotion that hit him harder than he anticipated, but it was for the best. He nodded. “That’s the right call, okay?”
He drummed his fingers on the wheel. “So are we good?”
Chloe’s face darkened, and she started to speak, then bit her lip. A second later, she spoke in the saddest voice he’d ever heard. “I guess it depends on how you define good,” she whispered.
Manny put the truck into gear, and they drove the rest of the way to the impound lot in silence—the terrible kind.
Chapter-30
Alex stood next to Max and watched as the FBI tech loaded the fifteen pictures, all taken at different angles, from Max’s high-resolution digital camera. The tech then pulled up the first photo, clicking the CAD-based enhancement software. He felt like he was in science nirvana. What he wouldn’t give to have access to the FBI’s toys.
“Thanks, Jess. I’ll take it from here.”
The slender, pretty brunette smiled. “Sure thing, Max. I’ve got a ton of other stuff to get to.” She walked away.
“This program references thousands of tire treads, then selects the most likely match for that section of the tire. It even takes into account the wear, weathering, and if there are any significant nicks or irregularities in the tread. It then rebuilds that part of the tread, based on our pictures, of course, and after a few whacks at it, gives the very best match possible,” said Max. “Since we didn’t have any environmental issues, like rain and dirt, to contend with, this should be a quick process.”
“I’ve read the articles, but on our department’s budget, this kind of reconstruction software is out of the question,” said Alex.
Max grinned. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?”
