“What are we looking at as far as a time commitment?” Kevin jotted some notes on the paper she handed him.
“As little or as much time as people want, basically. They train people to detect and report suspicious behavior. People disappear in this country every day. Some are forced to live as a slave in a house down the street.” She looked at the two pastors. “I’m passionate about this subject, as you can tell. You know the town better than I do, whether this is a good topic for this congregation, or not. I think when people see how many kids disappear each year from the county they live in, they’ll want to get involved.” She shifted forward in her chair.
“Kevin, what do you think? Are you interested? You guys plan it, and I’ll promote the class.”
“I’m definitely interested.” He looked at Jessie. “I think coming so close to Abigail’s abduction and rescue would make it impactful.”
“I believe it would too.”
They talked a few more minutes, and then Jessie went back into her office and got to work.
****
Matt had dropped by the hospital on his way back to the station. Josh’s parents were more upbeat this morning; his doctor had upgraded his condition. He was making steady progress.
The doctors were not as optimistic about Sammy Adelson who was still in critical condition with major internal injuries. Marsha Cane, the head ICU nurse, told Matt that Sammy’s pregnant wife had been there most of the morning. She had just left to go rest. Matt left the hospital with her promise to call him the minute Mrs. Adelson was back at her husband’s side. Matt trusted Marsha explicitly. The other nurses on the floor called her their drill sergeant. With her formidable manners and size, she appeared intimidating. She was harmless, and Matt loved to tease her. He knew she would call, so he could get to work.
Three murders was a lot to handle for his overtaxed unit. Matt looked at his watch. Tom Maxwell and his team would be there soon. He could use the extra hands and fresh minds. He twirled his pencil, staring out the window. If Booker came here to kill Karl and Jed, a person of influence had to be in the mix. How did Jed slip the noose and kill the hit man? Booker always got his man. Which one of them killed Lutz and more importantly, who had the kids? Were they still in the area? Booker’s usual calling card wasn’t there, which seemed a little strange for the elusive man. He was always meticulous about his hits. Matt needed answers. He stood, stretched, and walked out of his office. The walls were closing in on him. He walked into the kitchen, picked up a bottle of water, and unscrewed the lid. Why hadn’t he thought of it before? He grabbed his phone and called Jessie.
“Hey, Jess.” He grinned when he heard her groan.
“What’s up?”
“About Friday night, I have a change of plans for you. We’re going to mix a little business with pleasure if that’s okay with you.”
“Sounds intriguing, what do you have in mind?”
“I’m officially asking you to the hospital’s Autumn Ball. It’s a black tie event.”
“Now that’s odd, I just had someone else call and ask me to the ball. He even asked me to break my previous plans so I could go with him.”
“I hope you set the record straight on that.” He chuckled. “Do you have something to wear for the occasion? I know how you girls are about having the right dress.”
“I think I can manage to pull something together. Oh, and by the way, I told him I’d think about it if I could come up with a good let-down so as not to hurt the other guy’s feelings.” He heard her muffled giggle.
“Now you’re just being mean. There’s no call for that, sweetheart.” He walked back toward his office. “I hate these dressy affairs. If what I’m thinking pans out, though, we’ll be watching for our guy to be there.” He pictured her sitting at her desk. “I might even let you dance with him. It’ll depend on how charitable I’m feeling. This was supposed to be our first date, and I’m not sure I want to share you with all the other boys.”
“Who will we be looking for?”
“Let’s leave it at I don’t know.”
“That will make it a little hard, don’t you think? How do you know he’ll even be there?”
“Oh, he’ll be there all right. The kids are still in the area, my gut tells me. He’ll be there out of curiosity. His ego will tempt him to show his hand.” Matt eased himself into his chair.
“So technically, it’s work now and not a date.”
He shook his head. He knew what she was up too. “It’s a date, sweetheart. I’m going to give you a night you’ll never forget.” He looked up as Kenny popped his head in the door and gave him a thumbs-up. “I need to go; the cavalry has just arrived to help out. I’ll stop by this evening to give you an update.” His tone became serious. “Have you been to the shooting range?”
“Every day for the past week, scout’s honor. Why?”
“I want you comfortable firing your weapon. You may need to! Find a way to carry it on you the night of the ball. I’ll catch you later.” He hung up the phone, leaving his office.
Matt walked into the reception area and shook hands with Tom. He introduced his officers and staff members to Tom. Tom did the same. The meeting room would be their place of operation for the next several days. Matt brought them up to speed. When they heard T.R. Booker was one of the victims, all of them had plenty of things to say.
“Booker has been on the most wanted list for years. He has flown so low under the radar I didn’t think he’d ever be caught.” Tom shook his head. “That changes this case considerably.”
“It changes everything. You know somewhere there is someone with power, maybe a few people. What has me stumped though, he didn’t use his calling card or his normal MO, which isn’t like him.” Matt looked around the room.
“Hell, that’s the one constant when it comes to him.” Tom doodled on the edge of his notepad. “Are you sure it’s him?”
“The DNA is still out, but the prints say it’s him. Nothing is as it seems in this case, though. There is someone involved with impressive computer skills. They know the criminal background system well enough to tamper with records.” Matt looked around the table. “Here’s the case so far. We have three dead, two fighting for their lives, and one child rescued. Let’s hear your theories on what we’re dealing with.” Matt sat down and listened.
They went back and forth from one theory to the next. Something one of the agents said triggered a thought in Matt’s head. He stood, excused himself, and asked them to continue with what they were doing. He walked back to his office, sat down, and opened the file, studying his notations. He wrote a new name on the top of one of the pages with a question mark beside it.
Kenny interrupted his thoughts. “Matt.” He looked up from his file. “Dylan is on line one. I would have put him through, but I thought you were in the meeting room.”
“Thanks, I just got back here. I’ll take it.”
“What do you have for me, Dylan?” Matt picked up his pencil to write.
“I talked with Jed’s wife Barbara today. She’s still in a state of shock. She said she knew he was involved when she saw the mug shots. She quit taking his calls after that. Jed is a father with three kids.”
“Was she suspicious of him at all?”
“Not really. She had an interesting bit of information that she passed on to me. He still hangs out with a group of friends from high school. They were the jocks from wealthy families, with some big plans. They had dreams of becoming rich. After high school, some of them moved on, but some stayed in Evansville. A few made it to the millionaire’s club. About five or six years ago, they recruited Jed, Karl, and Eddie to be a part of their business. The three of them traveled a lot. She got out his old yearbook and showed me pictures of some of them in high school. I marked them and I’ll bring it back with me.”
We’ll check out the yearbook when you get back.” Matt took notes.
“She also mentioned Jed knew all the places to hide in the area. They used to ha
ve keg parties in high school. They were always one step ahead of the local police and love to brag about how they gave them the slip.”
“Interesting, things are starting to add up. Is there anything else?”
“Only that Jed has been living pretty high. So was Karl. If Eddie has money, I don’t know what he’s doing with it. What they made was peanuts compared to a couple of other men in the group. They’re very well-off according to Barbara.”
“Good work, we’ll talk more when you get back.”
If Matt were a betting man, he would put money that the name he had just written down would be one of the people in that high school group. He wanted to get Jessie involved in this part of it sooner rather than later.
Chapter 20
Dylan arrived back from Evansville shortly before Matt was ready to leave. He opened the yearbook and showed Matt the photos of a few of the jock club members, Jed Johnson, Karl Hampton, Eddie Lutz, Robert Drunner, Mike Pearson, and Larry Thompson. “Barbara told me they all played football together. They were on the team the year Evansville took state. They were a close group, drove fast cars, had lots of girls, and they liked to party. Somehow, they managed to have good grades and stay out of trouble with the law. All except for Eddie Lutz, he had a few things on his juvenile record.”
“I guess every high school has a version of that group.”
Dylan nodded, opening his file. “Eddie had a drinking problem, even in high school. He was arrested a couple of times, but Daddy always bailed him out. He married his second year in college. His dad was angry. He didn’t like the girl and cut Eddie off. One night while he was in a drunken fit, Eddie beat her up bad. She divorced him, which Barbara said started his downward spiral. Sounded to me like it he’d been going that way for a while.”
Matt nodded, jotting something on the file in front of him. “That’s only six. Are there any more?” Matt didn’t see the name he was looking for.
“Barbara said that a few of them came in from a different school and she didn’t know their names. She didn’t meet Jed until after high school.” Dylan sat down in the chair. “But these six from Evansville still get together at least once a month.” Dylan shuffled through the file. “She gave me a check stub from one of Jed’s paychecks.” He handed it to Matt. “I looked the company up online and it appears to be a legitimate business.”
“It could be their cover in the community. They might launder money through it.” He looked at it and smirked. “It’s a little ironic don’t you think?”
“You mean the name of the company, Tot’s Togs & Toys?” Dylan grinned.
“I’m talking about their slogan: Your kids—are our business.” Matt clicked his pen on and off.
“A little too honest if you ask me.” Dylan stretched his legs.
“We’ll need search warrants for all three homes. I’ll get in touch with Judge Sanders.” Matt scribbled a few notes on his file. “I think I’ll have Jessie look into the store.”
“Barbara told me she orders things from the store for her kids all the time. Being a wife of an employee, she gets a nice discount. She was never suspicious and neither was Karl’s wife. I got the impression from both ladies that Karl was a little bit of a follower, a nice guy.” Dylan stood up to leave.
“Maybe not as nice as everyone thinks!” Matt frowned. “I guess we’ll never know.”
When Dylan walked out, Matt gathered up his stuff and left his office. He stopped to fill Tom in on the high school jock club. He needed to get to the hospital. Marsha had called to let him know Mrs. Adelson was back in the room with her husband.
****
He walked into the room and found her sitting by the bed. So young, was his first thought. Her dark hair covered her Madonna-like face. She was very pregnant and looked to him as if she was ready to deliver. He caught the strain that clearly showed on her face when she turned her dark velvety eyes on him. Her small hand stroking Sammy’s cheek suddenly paused.
“May I help you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Mrs. Adelson, I’m Chief Parker with the Blue Cove Police Department. I need to ask you some questions. Is this a good time for you?”
“I’ve been expecting someone to come and question me, seeing as there’s a policeman outside of the door. Please be seated.” She motioned toward a chair. “My name is Lindsey, by the way.” She smiled.
“How’s he doing?” Matt sat in the chair.
“He’s holding his own.” She turned her chair to face Matt as he sat down. “I am as surprised as anyone that Sammy is here. He had a lot of problems growing up, but none lately. We met a few years ago. You know the story, we fell in love and got married. The last several years, Sammy has stayed out of trouble. A few weeks ago, an old friend called him with a great job opportunity. He was so excited because it was great money, and with the baby coming, well, you can imagine how happy he was.” She placed her hand on her stomach when the baby suddenly kicked.
“Was it from a company called Tot’s Togs & Toys?”
She nodded. “How’d you know?” Her eyes questioned him briefly. She straightened in the chair and shifted again. “Sammy brought me a catalog, filled with everything you could want for your child. He told me to get everything I needed for the baby. He had received a bonus when he went to work for them plus an employee discount.” She scrutinized Sammy’s quiet face. “What did he get himself into, Officer?” She turned her eyes to Matt.
“He was found shot beside a notorious hit man. Do you know the name of the friend who called him?” He sat forward in the chair.
“I know that Sammy had gone to high school with him. They grew up together in Rocky Pointe. Sammy said he hadn’t seen or heard from him in years. His name was Travis something.” She looked at Matt. “He couldn’t possibly be your hit man, could he?”
“If his name was Travis Booker then, yes, ma’am, he could be.” He watched emotions play across her face.
“Booker, hmmm, yes, that’s the name. I remember Sammy telling me they hung out during their senior year. A couple of other boys took them once or twice to a group that Sammy had called the jock club. They were all athletes, good students, and dreamers. Travis and Sammy were misfits. The jocks in that group bullied them. Sammy was surprised when one of them called him about the job. Travis called right after.”
“Do you remember the name of the guy who called?”
“No, I don’t. We didn’t get much of a chance to talk because he came home after the interview and packed. He told me he had to leave to go on a business trip.” She wiped the tears running down her cheeks. “He handed me fifteen thousand dollars and told me to get the baby’s room ready; he’d be home in a few days. He called every night until the day I got the call to come here.” She looked at Sammy’s deathly pale form. “They aren’t holding out much hope for him, but he’s hung in longer than they thought he would already. I hope he lives so he can give you all the names. Maybe he can make it all right somehow.”
“I hope he does too, ma’am. I hope he lives to see his child.” Matt talked to her for a few minutes more. He stood up to leave. “Lindsey, do you need anything?” She shook her head no. Matt left the hospital thinking he should bring Jessie by to meet her. Lindsey looked so young and alone.
****
Jessie went to target practice and then for a run after work. When she got back to her house, she found Matt sitting on the bench out front. “What are you doing here?” She smiled at him unlocking her door. “I’m not dressed for company, obviously.”
“I’m waiting for you. Do you think it’s wise to be running alone with Jed out there? I mean they’ve already tried to kill you once.” He glowered at her. “Why not put a target on your back?”
“Okay, I get it. You’re upset that you had to wait, but what’s this really all about?” She opened the door and motioned him in. “Sit down, get something to drink, and I’ll be out in a minute. I need to change my clothes.” She walked out of the room before he could sa
y anything.
“Look, Jess, I’m sorry I snapped at you.” He looked almost penitent by the time she returned, dressed in a long sleeve t-shirt and clean jeans. “I really don’t have a good excuse, so I won’t make one. I know you didn’t have any idea of when I was coming. Sometimes I find it hard to stay away. You’re beautiful scenery to me.”
She waved his comment off. “Surly is how I know you best. What’s up?” She sat down on the couch and tucked her legs under her, noticing how tired he looked.
He brought her up to speed on all the details that had unfolded so far and gave her the names of the six men from Evansville. “You can look them up and see what you find on all of them.” He told her about Lindsey, the conversation they had about Sammy and Travis. “She looked so young and scared. I don’t know why a guy would do something so stupid with a wife and a kid on the way.”
“He was probably worried about money. We tend to focus on the wrong things when we’re under pressure.” She sighed, feeling sad. Poor woman, what would she do now? Money can suck people in pretty fast. “I hope for her sake he does wake up.”
“While you’re at it, look into Tot’s Togs & Toys. I know it’s a front, but it may be hard to prove.” He took his glasses out of his shirt pocket and put them on.
“I can do that.” She leaned forward on the couch. “Do you want something to eat? I was just about to make dinner.” She stood up.
“I ordered a pizza while I was waiting. It should be here in a few minutes. I was hoping we could eat together if you didn’t already have plans.” He looked thoughtful, shrugging his shoulders. “You don’t already have plans, do you? I guess I should call before I drop by. But I did tell you earlier I’d be by later.”
“No, I don’t, and yes, you should.” She pointed her finger at him. “But since you told me you were coming by, I’ll let you off the hook.”
“You relax, and I’ll get things ready. I even ordered a salad.” He went into the kitchen and took the plates and glasses out of the cupboard.
Not for Sale Page 16
