Behind Her Eyes

by Robin Mahle

  “What’s that going to matter? Isn’t Priority One finding Chloe’s killer?” Ethan replied.

  “Of course it is, but if Jacob thinks tracking down Hammond could help, what harm can it do?”

  “What harm?” He looked at Jacob. “We’re already in this up to our knees. We’ve got mobsters running the plant that we thought was going to be this town’s salvation. Turns out, they’re just crooks, and once this goes down, so will the plant. So what harm it could do is to risk more lives. No. We have enough to deal with, Riley. If George Hammond stole the mob’s money, he’ll pay the price. Chloe Dawson deserves justice.”

  “Jacob?” she asked him.

  “I can see I’m outnumbered and maybe you’re right. But what I don’t think anyone’s considered here is that these guys went to great lengths to find me, but not the man who took their money? That doesn’t make sense. Unless…”

  “Unless he’s a part of their organization too,” Riley said.

  “He could be the one holding the cards. He could be the boss of this entire shit show. So I’m trying to figure out why I’m the only one who cares about him.”

  Riley stood up, placing her hands on her hips. “I’ll be right back.” She left the two alone and headed into Ward’s office. “Captain? Can I talk to you?”

  “What’s up?” He drew back in his chair.

  “What can we get on George Hammond? He’s the owner of the architecture firm Jacob was working for. Jacob has a theory that maybe Hammond is part of this organization behind the plant operation.”

  “I can ask Pryce and see if he’s popped up on their radar. He made no mention of the name when we spoke earlier.”

  “I think if we can understand his motives, or who’s paying his bills, we’ll understand why he and Blake Rhodes are pointing the finger at Jacob for the sixty grand.”

  “I’ll see what I can get. And in the meantime, I think it would be a good idea for you to find a place for Jacob. Someplace these guys won’t find him.”

  16

  The floral wallpaper and green carpet of the home where Carl lived held a familiar scent to Jacob. “This place reminds me of my grandparents’ house. I know what he means to you, Riley, but what if you’re putting him in danger?”

  “I’m not. Those guys don’t know about Carl; they know about me. And if the car that’s been driving past my house and past the diner belongs to them, then they know where I live too. It’s best if we hole up here.”

  “Please don’t make me sit on my hands while you track down these men. Riley, I brought this on and I should be the one to finish it.”

  “Unless you’re the one who killed Chloe Dawson, you didn’t bring on this problem. There’s a connection to her I can’t yet see, but it’s there. So we’re going to talk to Carl, let him in on what’s happening, and ask that he let us stay here tonight. We don’t know when those men are coming, but we need to be prepared.”

  “Then let me at least help you to prepare.”

  She knocked on Carl’s door. “One step at a time.”

  “Come in, Riley,” Carl sounded through the door.

  Riley opened the door and the two walked inside to find Carl on his recliner. “How you feeling, Carl?”

  “First of all, let me say that these walls are pretty damn thin. I heard every last word you two said outside my door. So how I’m feeling is a little uneasy at the moment.”

  “Right, sorry.” She eyed Jacob. “You remember Jacob, don’t you?”

  “Course I do.”

  Jacob offered his hand. “Nice to see you again, sir. It’s been a long time.”

  “That it has, son. That it has.” Carl returned the greeting. “Sit down, both of you. So I hear you need a place to hang your hat—temporarily.”

  “Riley insists that I keep out of sight for the time being,” Jacob replied.

  “She’s usually right about these things and I figured you of all people would recall that.”

  “I do, sir, but I also don’t think she should be taking this on alone.”

  “I’m not alone,” Riley began. “I have my department and the help of the Indianapolis police.” She turned to Carl. “Just until this is over. I could send him to see his parents, but I think that would create more problems.”

  “I agree. He should stay here. No one will think to look for you here, son. And we’ve got pretty tight security in place. Mostly to keep the old folks in, but it helps to keep some people out too.”

  “Fine, but I can still help. They aren’t here yet,” Jacob replied.

  “That you know of.” Carl turned to Riley. “What’s your senses telling you? How much time do you all have?”

  “I can’t see anything right now, which worries me even more. So the plan is to get something on Jacob’s boss, George Hammond, and find out he’s involved with this group of men. The captain’s working on that now. I’m hoping that will shed some light on a plan of action.”

  “What can I do to help?” Carl continued.

  “Just knowing you’ll keep Jacob hidden here is enough. I can’t say which direction this is headed.”

  “Riley, please, let me work with you on this. I’ll come back here tonight and hide out. But I can be of some use. I know these people. I spent hours holding two of them hostage yesterday, and Rhodes, well, I know him like the back of my hand. So let me help.”

  “Boy’s right,” Carl added. “He’ll be nothing more than a limp noddle sitting here with me. I’ll keep cover for him tonight, but you and Ward are going to need all the help you can get. And I think you can sense at least that much. I know I can. Despite his past behavior, I’m inclined to suggest you take the boy up on his offer.”

  It was two against one and it seemed Riley was on the losing side of this battle. And while Carl couldn’t help getting in a dig about their previous relationship, he was urging her to do what was necessary. “Fine. How do you propose to help, Jacob?”

  “Let me call Blake. I can convince him he’s in danger too. That they’ll turn on him and come after him and probably frame him for Chloe’s death. If there’s one thing I know about Blake, it’s that he’s easily swayed by money, power, and women. I can convince him all three are at stake if he chooses to side with Virgil Howard and his boss, who may or may not be George Hammond.”

  “And you’ll find out what their plans are?” Riley asked.

  “Yes. You work on finding George, I’ll get to the bottom of the rest of them and get a feel for if they’re coming here.”

  “If?” Carl interrupted. “If isn’t the problem. It’s when.”

  In the car, as Riley started back toward the station, Jacob regarded her. “He’s been like a father to you all these years, hasn’t he?”

  “Yeah, he has. If it hadn’t been for him, I would’ve probably ended up like my grandfather. He couldn’t handle the gift. It ate him alive.”

  “But that’s not you, never has been. You feel too much responsibility to let anyone down and that’s exactly what you feel it would be—letting people down. It’s the one thing I saw as your biggest flaw, Riley.”

  “Flaw? Being responsible is a flaw?”

  “No, of course not. Taking responsibility for things you have no control over, people you owe nothing to; that’s your flaw.”

  “Is that why you left me?”

  Jacob shook his head. “No. I left because I had to. I didn’t feel the same way about this town that you did—that you still do.”

  “Then why come back?”

  “And bring with me all this trouble?” Jacob asked.

  “That’s not what I said.”

  “You didn’t have to say it. Riley, I didn’t know. Well, maybe on some level, I knew I was working for a man of questionable scruples, and a partner who had virtually no conscience. But I swear, if I’d known this was going to happen, I never would have come back. I honestly can’t tell you what drove me to it. Maybe it was my breakup or losing my job. Maybe I wanted your sympathy and I was just looking
for a shoulder to cry on.”

  “You’re not helping your cause here,” she replied.

  “I’m not trying to. I’m trying to be honest with you,” Jacob replied.

  “And what happens when this is over? When we stop these people and we’re left with just each other? Will you leave again? No longer needing my shoulder?”

  “If I survive this without ending up dead or in jail, well, I don’t know what I’ll do. I guess that depends on you.” When she didn’t respond, he continued. “You’re coming back to Carl’s tonight? With me?”

  She eyed him briefly before peering through the windshield again. “That’s the plan. I can’t stay with Dillon, so I don’t have much choice.”

  The patrol car radio sounded. “Riley, come in.” It was the captain.

  “I’m here. What is it, Captain?”

  “Where the hell are you?”

  She eyed Jacob for a moment as an uneasy feeling enveloped her. “Heading back to camp. What’s going on?”

  “I have information on George Hammond. Come see me as soon as you arrive. Ward out.”

  “He’s got something and I hope it’s good.” Riley pressed on the gas pedal and picked up some speed. “We could use something going in our favor today.”

  “Maybe he found him. Man, I hope so.” Jacob grabbed hold of the safety handle above the door frame as she continued to pick up speed.

  With a turn to the left, the station house was in sight. “Looks like he called in the night shift,” Riley said. She arrived and pulled into the parking lot, nearly slamming on her brakes to stop at the front of the building. “Come on.” Riley jumped out and didn’t wait for Jacob, but he soon caught up and joined her as they entered.

  Ward was in the bullpen with Ethan, Abrams, and Decker. “Riley, come here.” He eyed Jacob. “Why are you still here?”

  “I think I can help, sir.”

  Ward cast a chary eye to Riley. “This your idea?”

  “Not exactly, but I don’t disagree.”

  “Fine. Here’s the deal. Captain Pryce found something interesting on George Hammond.” He looked to Jacob. “Your instincts served you well on this one, son. Hammond used to work for an architectural firm called G3 in Indianapolis.”

  “I remember him mentioning that,” Jacob said.

  “So one of his first clients was a company called Sandoval Industries.”

  “Oh my God.” Riley folded her arms and waited for the shoe to drop.

  “Yep. And apparently, he was written up on more than one occasion for accepting what could only be described as personal gifts. The people he worked with at Sandoval took him out, wined and dined him.”

  “But why? If he was just an architect, why invest in growing a relationship with him?” Ethan asked.

  “I suspect it was because Hammond’s brother sat on the city planning commission. They approved all construction projects submitted to the city.”

  “Well, that would make sense. Schmooze him to get to this brother,” Riley added. “And how did he happen to give up that cushy gig?”

  “I can answer that,” Jacob said. “George mentioned his brother used to serve on the commission when we were working on a bid for a government building. I asked him why he wasn’t still there. He said he got caught taking bribes, lost his job, and went to jail.”

  “So George Hammond outlived his usefulness to Sandoval Industries,” Ward began. “He decided it would be best to convince them he could offer help in other ways.”

  “And that was when he started our firm,” Jacob added.

  “Oh, and there’s something else.” Ward turned to Decker. “Can you pull up that note?” He waited a moment and continued. “Pryce presented his case to the DA’s office and the DA placed a temporary freeze on Great Grains’ bank accounts last year when he was knee-deep in this deal, only they weren’t called Great Grains at the time. And what he found then, but it only makes sense now, was a promissory note to Hammond and issued by the owner of what is now Great Grains and Sandoval industries.”

  “They lent him the money to start the architecture firm,” Jacob said.

  Ward placed his index finger on his nose. “Bingo.”

  “So he’s not the head honcho, but he’s been wrapped up with them for years,” Jacob said. “He had to have taken the money and fled. And it was after the girl, Chloe Dawson, was killed.”

  “There’s a connection.” Riley looked at Ward. “He has to be involved in her death or else why steal money from your own people? The operation was going smoothly. None of us ever questioned what was happening at the plant except that it was going to bring jobs again.”

  “You think George killed her?” Ward asked.

  “All signs seem to point in that direction.” Riley eyed Jacob. “You were let go. He was closing down the office. He had to have planned it, but who was Chloe to him?” She recalled her vision at the girl’s previous home. “You have to stop him.” That was what she said, but why? Stop Hammond? What had he done to her?

  “Riley? Are you okay?” Ethan asked as he steadied her.

  “What?”

  “You went quiet and started zoning out. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Sorry. Captain, how are we going to find the connection to Chloe? I know those men are coming. I just don’t know exactly when, but they’re coming for Jacob. And they’re coming to cover up any connection to the death of Chloe Dawson.”

  “George must’ve somehow convinced them Jacob was the real culprit. The one who stole the money and killed Chloe at their plant.” Ward looked at Jacob. “What did you do to piss this guy off?”

  “Nothing, I swear. I came in every day and did my job. It’s Blake. The two had to be working together on how to set me up. Blake probably got a split of the cash too. That way, he keeps Virgil Howard and his boss off his back and I take the fall.”

  Riley peered at the team. “I have to find the correlation between Chloe and George. What am I not seeing?”

  Chris Decker chimed in as he and Abrams sat in virtual silence, since this was the first they were hearing about any of this. “Did he know her?” He asked Jacob. “You say she was Blake Rhodes’ girlfriend. Did Blake Rhodes hang out with George Hammond socially? And if so, might he have met Chloe then?”

  “It’s possible. We were a small office. We did hang out as a group on occasion. If George met Chloe, I wasn’t there,” Jacob replied.

  “Captain, is Pryce monitoring Hammond’s financial activity?” Riley asked.

  “He is.”

  “Good. If Hammond thinks he’s in the clear, he’s probably been using his bank account or credit cards or whatever else because why wouldn’t he? And that’s how we’re going to find him.”

  “That doesn’t solve our present and chief problem,” Abrams continued. “We’ve got a bunch of mobsters headed into town and I don’t know if you all realized this, but there are only four of us.” He peered at Jacob. “You’re a civilian.”

  “I’ll get on the horn with Pryce and let him know what we’ve discussed. He’s going to have to move up his timeline.” Ward returned to his office.

  “Something still doesn’t sit right with me.” Riley turned to Ethan. “I think we should talk to Justin Rehnquist again.”

  “Why?” Ethan asked.

  “I need to know more about their relationship. And he knows Blake Rhodes too. Let’s ask him about that.”

  “If you say so.”

  She turned her sights to Jacob. “I need for you to stay put. You’ll be safe here. I don’t know how much time we have until this storm hits, but I need to know more while Ward is working the other angle.”

  Jacob’s face masked in disappointment.

  “You know I’m right.”

  “Fine. I’ll stay here. Not that I have much choice. Just keep me posted, please?”

  “I will.” She turned to Ethan. “You ready? We should get on the road.”

  Riley turned sharply to the right.

  “Wait, the Auto
Zone is left,” Ethan said.

  “I know. I need to stop by the school and talk to Dillon. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Does it involve our current situation?”

  “I think so.”

  “Then do whatever you have to do,” Ethan replied.

  She continued into the parking lot and noted the kids leaving. “What time is it?”

  “Two thirty. Looks like school’s letting out,” Ethan said.

  “Damn. Okay.” She unbuckled her seat belt. “If we hurry, we can catch him probably still in his classroom.”

  “You want to rush through the school in uniform? You think that’s a good idea?’

  “Right. Okay, we’d better check in up front and we’ll casually stroll through.” She reached for her phone. “I’ll just text him to stay put and that we’re heading his way.”

  “That might be more prudent.” Ethan stepped out of the car.

  With her phone in her hand, she viewed the returned message. “He’s waiting for us in his classroom.” Riley started toward the front office and both entered.

  “Wow, third time this week?” the woman behind the desk said.

  “I know. I don’t mean to cause a disruption. Just working on something with Mr. Thompson for his class. You know, career day type of stuff. That’s why I brought Officer Pruitt with me.”

  “Oh sure. You both go right on back. I’m sure he’s still in his classroom.”

  “Thank you.” Riley took the lead and started through the school again. And among the stares and slacked-jaws, finally turned to Pruitt. “I never got this much attention when I attended.”

  “Neither did I.” He smiled.

  She peeked through the door of Dillon’s classroom. “He’s there; come on.” And upon opening it, she was greeted by her haggard brother. “Hey. Wow, rough day?”

  “Standardized testing today. I really wish there was a better way. My kids are always so panicked about it.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I know it puts them under a lot of stress. Not to be rude and change the subject, but I need another favor.”