“So what’s our plan, Alex?” Frost asked.
“We can use the angle Morgan used: I was going back through my notes and found the discrepancy, and we’re there to follow up on it. Problem with that is if he’s involved, he’ll head straight back to Anders when we leave.”
“Sometimes the best plans are no plans at all,” Crimshaw said. “We just play it by ear and go with it.”
“Tamara, Reefer, Gavin, what do you guys think?” Alex asked.
“We got the warrant for Newcomb’s phone this morning. There haven’t been any calls yet. It’s almost dark. We can visit the Martins. If you don’t get anything there, we make an appointment with DuPont and Newcomb. Act like you’re not buying the kidnapping story. Shake them up. In the meantime, we’ll try to sober up Emma and get her talking,” Tamara said.
Alex glanced at Crimshaw and Frost. One thing she’d learned in the last year was how territorial American police officers were. They didn’t give up a case if there was any possibility of making a collar and taking the glory for their own department. “How important is making this collar to you?”
Frost glanced at Crimshaw, who nodded. “Not as important as saving those babies.”
“When things start happening, we’re going to have to move fast. We’ll need someone covering Anders, Newcomb, DuPont, and whoever is holding the babies. If the Martins are involved, we’ll need someone covering them, too. If we can’t move on all of them at once, one or more of them may slip away. The babies are our top priority, with Anders coming in second. Mrs. Dinsmore called her evil, and I think she’s right. Carissa Anders is a sociopath.”
“Speaking of Dinsmore,” Crimshaw interrupted, “we need to make that call Morgan suggested. Reefer, can you find out if Bridgett Sanchez had any kids? And if she does, see where they are.”
“Sure.”
Frost stood and pulled out his cell phone. “We’ve got a few guys that know how to keep their mouth shut. I’ll line up a crew and have them on standby.”
Alex stood and grabbed her cell just as it rang. “I’ll take this and then call Mrs. Dinsmore.”
“Hello.”
“Detective Fox?”
“Yes, this is Alex Fox.”
“Rhonda Dinsmore, dear. I wanted to let you know that I remembered something.”
Alex waved at the crew, bringing them back to the table. “Go ahead, Mrs. Dinsmore. I’ve put you on speaker so Officer Crimshaw can hear this conversation too.”
“There was another girl, Wanda something. Can’t remember her last name for the life of me. She was a pretty little thing, though. Never did anything wrong that I can think of, but she was always hanging out with Carissa or Sabrina.”
“How about someone named Sophia?” Crimshaw asked.
“Sophia. Let me think… Oh, yes, there was one. A sweet little girl with long black hair. A very quiet child, and as I remember, a very unwilling participant in their schemes. Carissa was always terrifying her. I think she killed the little girl’s dog. After that, I believe her parents finally moved her somewhere else.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Dinsmore. You’ve been very helpful,” Alex said. “If you remember anything else, please ring us back.”
Alex ended the call and stuffed her phone in her pocket. “I’ll type a quick e-mail to Morgan, and then we’ll be off.”
Reefer walked back in. “Sanchez didn’t have any children, but she had an ailing mother who lived with her. She died the same day Bridgett did.”
“We have got to stop these people,” Alex said. “The bodies just keep piling up.”
“Dinner is served,” Gabriella called from the kitchen. “And no one is going anywhere until everyone eats.”
The group ate swiftly, eager to get started. Alex pushed back from the table and stood. “I’m going to check on the kids, brush my teeth, and we’ll be off.”
She let herself into the apartment, taking her normal stance by the door and waiting for Dixie to pounce. Fear gripped her insides when nothing happened, and her hand went to the gun at her waist. “Dixie? Cinders?”
A pink envelope lying on the counter caught her attention, and she picked it up and tore it open. She glanced at the photos and tossed them on the counter as she rushed toward her bedroom, her heart pounding. Dixie lay on the bed, fast asleep, and Alex slumped down beside her. She quickly ran her hands over Dixie’s body and lifted her head. Dixie stirred, trying to open her eyes, and Alex recognized the symptoms. She’d been drugged.
“Where’s Cinders, girl?”
A weak meow came from the closet, and Alex pulled her gun and approached the closet door slowly. She cracked the door then threw it wide open dropping to her knees. Cinders lay on her uniform, his back leg bent at an angle and blood around his mouth. “Hang on, little guy. I’m gonna get help.” She pulled out her cell and dialed Nobby’s number.
He answered immediately. “We’re all waiting on you.”
A lump formed in her throat as Cinders meowed again. “I need you, Nobby, and I need a vet right now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Gabriella and Tamara watched the rest of the crew going in and out of Alex’s apartment. “How the hell did that happen? Some of us have been here all the time.”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure as hell going to find out. Carissa’s got friends in low places, but they shouldn’t have been able to get past our guys. Somebody’s ass is going to get chewed—that’s for certain. Frost spotted our guys earlier, so he’s probably going to have some questions we can’t answer.”
“I still think we should tell her. She has a right to know what she’s up against and that this isn’t all about the babies.”
Tamara shook her head. “Part of the deal was she wouldn’t be told. Anders has slipped through our fingers for years. This time, she’s not getting away, and neither is he.”
Gabriella turned her attention back to the apartment. “The chief may change his mind after this. Could be a deal breaker.”
Frost came down the stairs and crossed the yard toward the house, a scowl on his face.
“Here it comes,” Tamara whispered.
“Let me handle it.” Gabriella stepped off the porch. She met Frost coming up the sidewalk. “How are they?”
“Vet says they’ll be fine. He’s taking the cat to the hospital with him. As soon as the drugs are out of the dog’s system, Matt’s bringing her back here.” His gaze fixed on Tamara. “I got a few questions for her.”
Gabriella placed a hand on his arm. “Don’t. She can’t answer them, and if we go down that track, we’ll lose sight of why we’re all here. We’ve got three babies to find. That’s the only way we can really help Alex.”
Frost nodded. “All right. But once this is over, somebody is gonna explain what the hell is going on here.”
She looked back at Tamara. “If she won’t, Frost, I promise I will.”
~ ~ ~
“That guilt you’re carrying is gonna eat you alive, Fox,” Frost said, as they pulled out of Nobby’s drive. “You keep dumping it on yourself, and pretty soon, you won’t be able to function at all.”
Alex glared at him. “If Ted Martin was asking for help and I missed it, then I deserve to feel guilty. And Cinders and Dixie are my responsibility. I should’ve protected them.”
Frost knew there was nothing he could say to ease her guilt about the animals. Martin was a different thing, though. She had no reason to feel guilty there. “Seriously, Alex? You’re the only officer investigating this matter? Only one who can solve all the cases? Martin was interviewed by other officers and the FBI. He could have asked for help anytime he wanted to. For all we know, he did, and they missed it, too.”
“But he trusted me,” Alex said, her voice shaking slightly, “and I let him down. Maybe Patterson is right, and I’m not ready for the detective role.”
Frost shook his head and turned his attention to the window. “Saw you as a lot of things, but never as a quitter. If you’re throwing your to
wel in with Patterson, I’ll ride back with Crimshaw.”
~ ~ ~
Alex remained quiet as she concentrated on the road, her self-doubt at an all-time high. Frost was trying to be a friend, and if she needed anything right now, she desperately needed a friend. “I’m sorry, Derek. I’m being an arse.”
He chuckled. “I’ll agree with that. Apology accepted.”
Alex glanced in her rearview mirror at the car following them. “Crimshaw is a good man. You’re lucky to have him as a partner.” She shot him a glance and a sad smile. “I wish I’d kept you as a partner. Things might have gone differently.”
“You had a lot to learn when you came here. I knew how different things were where you came from, and figured at the time I wasn’t the right teacher.” He chuckled again. “Looks like you learned anyway. Sometimes you just can’t do things by the book.”
“Some things are the same. Although it pains me to speak ill of my commanding officers, Patterson is as big a prick as my detective inspector was. He kept us in constant fear of losing our jobs if we didn’t do things his way.”
“Like I said, Alex, you’re a good cop, and you’re gonna make a damned good detective. Someone should have spoken up against Patterson a long time ago. He’ll get his.”
“Does this kind of thing happen often here?” Alex asked.
“What kind of thing?”
“Officers getting together behind their commander’s back and going after cases like we’re doing.”
“It’s happening more with the cutbacks. Not in precincts with good commanders, but there’s a few others out there with commanders like Patterson where the officers take matters into their own hands at times,” Frost said.
“So you’ve done this before?” Alex asked.
“A couple of times. Not getting worried you corrupted me, are you?”
“No, I’m just trying to understand. Aren’t you ever concerned that you’re breaking the very laws we’re here to enforce?”
Frost sighed. “Times have changed a lot, Alex. When I took the oath to serve and protect, it meant that I served my community and protected the people from harm. It also meant I served with my fellow officers and protected them from harm. If that meant breaking a few laws I don’t agree with, then so be it. To people like Patterson, it means protecting him and serving the police force.”
Alex parked in front of the Martin home and waited for Crimshaw and Tamara to park behind her. “Thanks, Derek.”
“Anytime, Fox.” He glanced at the dark house. “Doesn’t look like anybody’s home. That’s not a good sign.”
“Let’s check it out. If they’re not here, we’ll split up and head for Anders and Newcomb,” Alex said, exiting the vehicle.
“Tamara and I will take the back,” Crimshaw said.
“Alex?” Frost nodded toward the door.
They couldn’t see it from the street, but on the landing, the small gap was clearly noticeable. Alex unclipped her holster, pulled her gun, and called out, “Mr. Martin?”
“What’s going on up there?” Crimshaw asked through the earbud. “Back is clear.”
“Door’s gaped open,” Alex answered. She glanced at Frost and nodded. “Keep covering the back. We’re going in.”
“You’ve been here,” Frost said. “Give me a layout.”
“Hallway straight in front of us, with stairs. Living room to the right. That leads into the kitchen and back door. Baby’s room is on the left in the hallway. Bathroom on the right. I think there’s a small utility room at the end of the hallway. I didn’t go upstairs.”
“You take the bottom floor, and I’ll take the upper floor. Call out if you find anything.” Frost pushed the door open with his foot.
They entered together, and Alex went to the right. She rushed through the rooms and came back to the hallway to check the baby’s room, bath, and utility room. “All clear on the ground floor.”
“All clear up here,” Frost said from the top of the steps. “They couldn’t have gone far. Doesn’t appear to be anything missing, although I did find several suitcases packed and ready to go.” He waited until he reached the last step before continuing. “Only women’s clothing in the cases. I don’t think she’s planning on taking Ted with her.”
Alex sighed heavily. “I wish we had a warrant. We could go through things and see if we can find any connection to the babies.”
Frost shook his head. “They’re too smart to leave anything connected to the babies lying around. We have enough to connect them and maybe even arrest them, but if we do that without finding the kids first or knowing who has them, we’d probably just sign their death certificates.”
Crimshaw and Tamara joined them inside the house. “We should put a car on this place. Get a heads-up when they come back,” Crimshaw said.
“If they come back,” Alex mumbled, remembering Bob’s words when Scarlet was taken. “This looks like their endgame to me.”
Reefer’s voice came through the earbuds. “Morgan has something to add. It’ll take me a second to hook him up, so hang loose.”
The earbuds crackled with static before Morgan’s voice rang out. “Describe what you’re seeing to me, Alexandra.”
“Virtually nothing. The kitchen is the only room in the house that looks used. There’s a piece of cake on a saucer on the table and a cup of coffee. It appears they left in the middle of dessert.”
“Alexandra may be right about the endgame. We don’t know much about Wanda, except she’s a cohort of Anders and Newcomb,” Morgan said.
“And she wasn’t concerned about her baby at all,” Alex added.
“Unless they’ve found someone else to make that transfer, though, they still need someone inside the bank. Tamara, did you check with your team and see if anyone has been making a noise about being chosen to make the transfer?” Morgan continued. “If not, then they’re probably not going to take out their main man inside.”
“We’ve already done that, Morgan. Forgot to tell you earlier that the bank president chose Ted. That was one of the reasons we didn’t think he was connected to the kidnappings,” Tamara said.
Alex frowned. “Did anyone ask him why he chose Ted Martin? With his baby missing, too, wouldn’t that be like pouring salt into an open wound if he wasn’t connected?”
“Fu…” Tamara grabbed her cell phone and stepped outside. “Sorry. I doubt anyone asked him that question, but they sure as hell will now.”
“Hold up on that.” Alex reached out to grab Tamara’s arm. “Our priorities right now are to find Ted Martin before they kill him and to find those babies. The president gets an inkling anything is suspicious, he might say something to DuPont, even if he thinks it’s innocent. If they’re not planning on killing Ted right away, that might push them into it.”
“Alexandra’s right,” Morgan stated, amid more crackling static. “Leave someone watching the house in case they’re just out for a drive. Reefer, can you find out if the Martins own any other property in the area?”
“Already on it, sir. Seems I remember seeing something on their financials. Ah, there it is. They have a cabin in Suffern. About an hour and a half away.”
“Send Alex a map on her cell.” Frost held out his hand. “Keys.”
Alex passed them over, and Frost handed them to Crimshaw. “You and Alex take the cabin. Tamara and I will stick close to here until you get back, just in case they show up or anything new comes up on the phones.”
“Keep your cells open,” Reefer said. “Unless I hook you through a computer or your cell phone, the earbuds will be useless there.”
“You ready, partner?” Crimshaw asked.
Alex nodded and smiled. For the first time since she’d left England, having a partner besides Nobby sounded damn good.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Gabriella listened to the squeaking of the rocker on the front porch. Matt had been sitting there for over an hour with Cinders on his lap and Dixie at his feet. Her heart ached for the old
man, as well as Alex.
Reefer came up beside her. “You feel the guilt, too, huh?”
“We should have told her.”
“Nobody expected anyone to go after her pets, Gabs. We figured if it was the Escape Artist he’d hit either her or Matt.”
“We don’t even know who did it, Reefer. It could be part of the mob. She had a right to know about that, too. Anders could have put a hit out on her just like she did Newcomb.”
Reefer sighed. “She’s pretty much the chief’s goddaughter. If she was going to be told, he should have done it.”
“Yeah, well, he’s not the one here, seeing the pain in her eyes.” She reached for the doorknob. “Or Matt’s. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Gabriella closed the door behind her and sat down on the top step of the porch. She glanced at Matt. “How is he?”
“Vet gave him pain pills that will keep him knocked out pretty much until his leg heals. Bastards kicked him around pretty good, though. Soft food for a few days.”
“But he’s going to be okay, though, right?” Gabriella asked.
Matt patted the gun lying next to him. “Yep. First son of a bitch that even looks at him or Dixie funny, I’m gonna kill the bastard.”
“I still don’t understand how they got into Alex’s apartment without any of us hearing or seeing something.”
The rocker squeaked again as Matt continued to rock. “You care to check on Mrs. DuPont? Like to sit here a little longer if that’s okay.”
Gabriella stood up. “Sure. Do you need anything?”
Matt didn’t answer, and Gabriella opened the door, closed it softly behind her, and headed for the basement. She stopped at the top of the steps to wipe the tears from her eyes. She didn’t care what the chief thought, when Tamara came back, Gabriella was going to make her tell them the truth.
~ ~ ~
Ted lay back on the blanket as he watched Wanda dance near the edge of the water. She stopped occasionally to splash water on that perfect body so that droplets gleamed in the moonlight. She was exquisite, sex being her talent, which she used quite often. He wondered, not for the first time, just how many she’d spread those beautiful legs for. Both male and female. He could have forgiven her for those. In fact, he had many times. He felt the first stirrings of desire and cursed himself for his weakness.
Tragic Deception (Deception Series Book 1) Page 13
