Retribution: A Psychic Detective Kate Pierce Crime Thriller (Psychic Detective Kate Pierce Crime Thriller Series Book 1)

by C. M. Sutter

  Henry swiveled the arm that the mobile computer rested on.

  The abandoned warehouse was at the end of the next street. Mills turned left and headed that way. He glanced at Henry. “What are you doing?”

  “Pulling up the DMV database. We have John’s full name now, and if he actually owns a vehicle, there has to be an address registered with it.”

  “Great idea. Let’s see what comes up.”

  Henry tapped the keys, and the DMV database popped up. He typed in John’s first and last name and the address on his driver’s license. “Here we go. It shows that John owns a 2015 midnight-blue Honda CR-V. I’ll get the plate number out there and set up a BOLO alert, but he has to be using another vehicle. He’d know that as soon as we had his last name, we’d pull up the SUV on the DMV database. He hasn’t gotten as far as he has by being stupid.”

  “I have another idea. I’ll check out the name search database and see how many men named John Conrad are in the greater Chicago area. He could have registered a vehicle using a different version of his name.” Henry looked up as Mills parked next to three squad cars. He waved him on. “Go ahead. I’ll work on this.”

  Lutz pulled up and parked just as Mills exited the cruiser and joined the officers. He rapped on Henry’s window. “What are you doing?”

  Henry exited the cruiser. “Hey, Boss. There are plenty of officers here besides you sergeants and detectives so I figured I’d do some database investigating instead.”

  Lutz glanced over his shoulder. In addition to himself, there were a dozen officers, detectives, Finley, and the forensic team. “Yeah, I see what you mean. What are you working on?”

  Henry opened the passenger door, returned to his seat, then angled the computer toward Lutz. “I logged in to the DMV database and entered John’s full name under his mother’s address. I came up with a midnight-blue Honda CR-V registered to a John Conrad.” Henry tipped his head toward the abandoned squad car. “But he had to have a different getaway car, if you will, stashed here. It’s the vehicle he’s been using in place of the Honda. Keep in mind, he knows everything we’re doing. I’m sure he was aware that a neighbor told us about seeing a dark-colored SUV parked by Jesse’s house. Officers talk among themselves, and he’s covering his ass by using an unknown vehicle. I’ll check different variations of the name John or even his middle name to see if other addresses come up.”

  “I’d have to agree with you, Henry.” Lutz slapped the doorframe. “Keep working on that theory. Make sure you get an alert out to every police department in Illinois. We have kidnapped male and female detectives who are likely being held within thirty miles of Chicago. I’ll check back with you in a bit.”

  Chapter 54

  I crouched to the ground as I neared the cement slab and looked toward the left. I saw a sliding glass door and felt my stomach knot.

  Maybe the fact that there’s no furniture out here means John doesn’t use that room.

  I didn’t know whether my thoughts were based on wishful thinking or fact but the area looked unused, and the plants surrounding the slab were overgrown and unkempt. Yet without curtains on those large double patio doors, I could be putting myself in the center of his crosshairs as I scurried by. There was no way to know if the room leading out was a den, a kitchen, or even a master bedroom, but time was ticking, and I needed to decide. I sucked in a deep breath and knew I might be running for my life in seconds. I wasn’t wearing the best shoes for an all-out sprint, but I had to go. It was now or never. I counted backward—three, two, one—and ran past the glass doors with everything I had.

  I rounded the wall and pressed myself against the side of the house. I didn’t hear the doors opening, footsteps on the cement, or a bullet being chambered.

  I made it.

  After a few calming breaths, I looked out at what lay in front of me. I could run through the field until I came upon something or someone, but I’d be visible for quite a distance. Without trees, bushes, or boulders as cover, I’d be a sitting duck if John came looking for me. Taking the route of the woods on each side of the driveway would allow me more opportunity to remain unseen until I reached the road and found help. I ran for the woods.

  When I reached what seemed like a safe distance in, I looked back at the house from behind a wide oak tree. I memorized the entry points, the windows, and the location of that outbuilding. With the garage door closed, I couldn’t see what kind of vehicle was inside or if one was even there. I had no way of knowing if John was home and abusing Jesse or if he was gone. I’d reach the road in a few minutes but remain out of sight until I found a house. That was when I’d flash the only official thing I still had with me—my badge—and hope a good citizen would let me use their phone.

  The road was just ahead through the tree cover, and I prayed I’d see a house once I got there. All I needed was a house, a friendly face, and a telephone. I continued on and reached the blacktop a minute later. I climbed up the loose gravel to the road’s edge, looked both ways, and saw the rooftop of a barn about a half mile farther up the road. A house had to be on that property, and I willed myself to believe it. I looked back at the woods where I’d be safe, but the underbrush would make running impossible. A half mile wasn’t far, and I was fit with long legs. I’d be there in five minutes. I remained on the shoulder and began jogging in the direction of the barn. It was my only option, anyway. If I’d gone left, I’d have to pass the house and outbuilding even though they were hidden from sight by the woods but running toward danger was never a good idea.

  I was getting close. I could see the full barn, and it looked as though a second rooftop was just beyond it. A parked vehicle came into view seconds later. My heart pounded with excitement at the realization that John’s reign of terror was about to end. The driveway was only a football-field length from me when I caught sight of a vehicle rounding the curve ahead and coming my way. I had no choice—the woods were my only option and I hoped the driver hadn’t seen me. The gravel gave out, and I felt the rocks spin under my shoes when I tried to climb down the embankment. I was slipping, and I couldn’t catch myself. I fell and landed on my backside and elbows, but it was the sound of squealing brakes and a car door opening behind me that told me to scramble to my feet and run with every ounce of energy I had.

  Chapter 55

  Henry jumped out of the cruiser and ran for the building. He yelled to get everyone’s attention as he entered the darkened warehouse. “Boss, where are you?”

  The sergeant’s voice echoed through the wide-open space as he called out. “Back here, Henry. What’s wrong?” He appeared from an adjoining room on the left of the main warehouse and walked toward Henry.

  “A call just came in from the Lincolnshire PD, sir. A woman reported what looked like an abduction along West Fork Drive in their jurisdiction.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “She told the PD she was driving home after buying groceries and saw a man fighting with a woman on the shoulder of the road. He yanked her by the hair, dragged her up the embankment, and threw her into his vehicle. She was kicking and screaming the entire time.”

  Lutz rounded up the group. “It’s got to be John. It sounds like Kate made a run for it, he caught up with her, and now she’s probably in a world of hurt. Time is of the essence, people. We’ve got to move on this and fast! Did the caller describe the vehicle?”

  Henry continued. “All she could make out was that it was silver and probably less than ten years old. She said it was a medium-sized car and must have been a sedan because the man threw the woman in the backseat. She admits she was afraid to get involved.”

  “And what is the Lincolnshire PD doing?”

  “They’re en route as we speak. They’re sending several officers to check West Fork Drive and every road in a five-mile radius of that area, and a couple more units are going to interview the caller.”

  “Okay, let’s go. Get Truman on the horn and tell him that his guys are going to keep combing
this warehouse along with Forensics. We’re heading north. Mills, call Lincolnshire PD and let them know we’re coming. Make sure that caller stays at the scene until we arrive. I want to speak with her directly. Henry, keep working that database search. Look for a silver sedan registered to any John or Jack Conrad, especially in the northern suburbs.”

  “I’m on it, Boss.”

  Three cruisers peeled out of the broken asphalt parking lot. Mills drove while Henry rode shotgun and searched the database. Finley and Lutz followed on their bumper, and Potter and Murray took up the rear.

  “Damn it, I’m not finding a silver sedan registered to a John or Jack Conrad anywhere in Lake County.”

  Mills let out a groan. “What’s his middle name?”

  “I don’t remember. I have to check his driver’s license again.” Henry pulled up the copy of John’s license from his police file. “Okay, here we go. You’ve got to be shitting me.”

  “What?”

  “That asshole’s middle name is Henry.”

  Mills chuckled. “Type in Henry Conrad instead and see if anything comes up.”

  Henry’s fingers were a flurry of movement as he typed the name into the DMV database. “Still nothing.”

  “Then call his mother. See if John ever went by a nickname.”

  “Yeah, that could speed up the process.” Henry dialed the Daily home, and the call went to voicemail. He hung up.

  Mills gave him a glance. “Why did you hang up?”

  “Nobody answered. It went to voicemail.”

  “Then leave a message, dumbshit.”

  “What if John happened by and heard it? The message would tip him off, or what if the mom called him and asked why we wanted to know about a nickname. Better to get her on the phone directly so I can concoct a story that doesn’t raise suspicion with her.”

  “I guess that makes sense.” Mills pressed the gas pedal to the floor. “Call Lutz and tell him to take the lead. I’m sure the Lincolnshire PD gave him directions to the exact location where the caller is waiting. We’ll follow his cruiser.”

  With a nod, Henry tapped Lutz’s name on his contact list. “Boss, why don’t you pull around us? We’ll follow you to the scene where John snatched Kate.”

  Seconds later, Lutz passed Mills and sped north on State Highway 43.

  Henry checked the time. “We should be there in fifteen minutes or so. Damn it, why didn’t we get a cell number for John’s mom?”

  “A lot of older people don’t have cell phones, Henry. Don’t beat yourself up about it. We’ll get ahold of her. Just give it a few minutes and try again.”

  It was nearly three o’clock when Lutz moved to the far right lane to exit South Waukegan Road. He clicked the left blinker at the top of the ramp.

  “We must be close.” Henry peered out the windshield at the upcoming road sign. “Old Mill Road. We have a few miles to go yet.”

  Three cruisers, bumper to nose, continued down Old Mill Road for several more minutes. Once they rounded a right-hand curve, Old Mill Road turned into West Fork Drive.

  “Here we go. Now we’re on West Fork.” Henry pointed out three cars parked on the shoulder a quarter mile ahead, two of them squad cars. Lutz slowed to a stop on the gravel opposite them. Mills parked behind Lutz, and Murray pulled in at the rear of the second cruiser. The sergeants and detectives exited their vehicles and approached the two male officers and a woman, likely the caller.

  Lutz made the introductions and explained the situation. “Ma’am, I know you’ve given a statement to the Lincolnshire police, but we’re going to need more details. This is a life-or-death situation, and you’re the only witness we have.”

  “I understand, Sergeant, and I’ll do the best I can.”

  “Give me just a moment, please.” Lutz tipped his head at Finley and his men, then asked one of the officers to join them. They walked away until they were out of earshot of the witness. Lutz turned to the local officer and looked at his name tag. “What’s the latest, Carlyle?”

  “Nobody has seen a vehicle matching that description yet, sir.”

  Finley spoke up. “Were there signs of a scuffle back there?” He pointed over his shoulder.

  “Yes, sir. The gravel is disturbed for quite a distance along the shoulder. I can show you where.”

  “Let’s take a look.” Finley and Carlyle walked away from the rest.

  Lutz scratched the top of his balding head then addressed Henry. “Anything in the database for a silver car registered to John out this way?”

  “Nope. I even tried his middle name, but nothing popped. I gave the Daily house a call but got their voicemail. There could be a chance John goes under a nickname and has a car registered to that. I’m sure he has enough connections to get a fake ID from someone.”

  “Okay, keep trying the house. Find out if Mrs. Daily knows anything about a silver sedan too. Maybe it belongs to a friend or somebody else in the family.”

  “I will, sir.”

  “All right, let’s go talk to the witness.”

  The woman, Elizabeth Moore, was still shaking nearly an hour after making the call to the local police.

  “Ma’am, it’s imperative that you give us every detail you can remember. Did you get anything off the license plate?”

  “I’m sorry, but I was too focused on that poor woman. I couldn’t believe what was unfolding right in front of me.”

  “Speaking of that woman, can you describe her to us?”

  Henry took notes as Elizabeth continued her statement. “I was a hundred feet away, Sergeant. I can tell you she was tall, slender, and had dark shoulder-length hair, but nothing about her features. Only that she fought like hell.”

  “Yeah, that’s Kate. Think back to the car. Were there any window decals, dents, burned-out headlights, that sort of thing?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing that caught my eye. I slowed down when I saw the car parked at the shoulder and with the driver’s door open. At first glance, I thought somebody walked into the woods to use the bathroom. Then suddenly a man appeared, and he was pulling a woman up the embankment. I was horrified for her and myself as well. I hoped he hadn’t seen me. He threw her in the backseat—”

  Lutz raised a brow. “Ma’am, did something come to mind?”

  “Just that he must have been hitting her. He was at the back door for a good minute before he climbed into the car and drove toward me. I ducked down in the driver’s seat when he passed.”

  “That’s unfortunate but understandable. Being that close, you could have gotten his plate number.”

  “I’m sorry, sir, I was too frightened. I had no idea what he would have done if he knew somebody witnessed his actions.”

  Lutz sighed. “We really appreciate your help in reporting the incident. You’re a good citizen, Ms. Moore.” Lutz reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and handed it to her. “Please, if you think of anything else, don’t hesitate to call.” He nodded at the second officer, who escorted Elizabeth to her vehicle.

  Finley and Carlyle joined the group seconds later. “There was definitely a ruckus in the gravel. We found torn bits of clothing in the bushes and a few spots of blood on the pavement. Lincolnshire PD called the crime lab, and they’re on their way.”

  Henry stepped away from the conversation to call the Daily house again. He thought of the excuse he’d use if Mrs. Daily actually answered. The phone rang twice, then a female voice said hello.

  “Mrs. Daily, it’s Detective Johnson. We met earlier.”

  “Yes, I’ll get Norm.”

  “Ma’am, it’s you I’d like to speak with.”

  “Why me?”

  “I have a question about John.” He waited for a response.

  “Oh, okay, what is it?”

  “Was he ever called by a nickname as a kid?”

  “Well, he didn’t like Jack, which would be the typical nickname. Growing up, the teachers called him John Henry since there were three boys named John in his class. That
evolved to the school kids calling him Henry and eventually, as he grew older, Hank. Why do you ask?”

  “It’s nothing important, just a name that came up in Mason’s file that we didn’t recognize. It was Hank. Did Mason call John that?”

  “Come to think of it, he did.”

  “Ma’am, do you know anybody with a silver four-door hatchback?”

  “We sold our old silver Kia hatchback to John a few years ago. Is that the car you’re talking about?”

  “Yes, the Kia. Do you happen to know the plate number of that vehicle?”

  “Of course not, but I have a picture on my phone of John washing it just a few months ago. He was here visiting and—”

  “Ma’am, can you text that picture to me right now?”

  “Okay, hang on. I’m looking for it in my gallery. Here it is, and I’m sending it right now.”

  Henry waited for the beep that indicated a text had come in. He heard it. “Give me one second to check it out, Mrs. Daily. Don’t hang up.”

  “I won’t.”

  Henry held his breath as he tapped the picture and used his thumb and index finger to enlarge it. He dragged the photo to the top of his screen so he could see the plates. The last two numbers were obstructed by the hose reel but he’d make it work one way or another. “Thank you. You’ve been a big help, Mrs. Daily.” He hung up before she had a chance to ask why he’d wanted the photo of the car. Henry raced past the group to his cruiser and tapped John’s nickname—Hank Conrad—into the DMV database, along with the partial plate number. “Bingo! I’ve got it.”

  His colleagues approached the car.

  “What have you got?” Lutz leaned in with his hand resting on the doorframe.

  “Boss, I have his address. A DMV hit on a 2011 silver Kia Forte came up for Hank Conrad. The address listed is just off West Fork Drive on Old Barn Lane.” Henry rattled off the house number.

  Lutz cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled out to the Lincolnshire officers. “Over here, guys. We have a hit on the address. Carlyle, call your supervisor and have him round up those other patrol units. We need as many people with us as we can get. Give him the address and tell him we’re headed to John Conrad’s house.”