by Debra Webb
“This is Agent Clint Wentworth, Office of Professional Responsibility,” Gant added, introducing the other man.
Dan got the picture now. This was about Jess, not his case. . . and it was definitely trouble.
Wentworth offered his hand as well; Dan gave it a shake. Manning introduced himself. Apparently he had never met these two either.
“I wasn’t briefed,” Manning said, “that anyone from Quantico was coming.”
“The decision was made just this morning,” Gant explained, giving Manning the minimum amount of information possible.
At least Dan wasn’t the only one in the dark here.
“Have a seat, gentlemen.” He moved around behind his desk and waited until the three were settled.
Manning dragged up a chair to join his colleagues.
Dan sat and offered his undivided attention, as difficult as that was to do. He had an investigation to get off the ground. “I have a briefing going on in my conference room,” he said when no one seemed inclined to get to the point. “One of my detectives is missing and time is of the essence.” Impatience screwed tighter around his forehead. Why the hell were they here?
“We have reservations as to whether your unsub is Eric Spears,” Gant said. “Certainly, it’s far too early to call this the Player’s work. After the disaster in Richmond, there are legal ramifications that need to be considered. Keeping Spears’ name out of this until there is some sort of evidence would be prudent. That said, the reason we felt compelled to make this impromptu visit is our escalating concern with Agent Harris’ ability to be an asset to your investigation under the circumstances. However, this is your investigation.”
Dan’s guard went up. “We consider Jess an incredible asset. In fact, we’ve offered her a deputy chief position. We’re all hoping she’ll stay.”
Another of those awkward moments passed.
“I would strongly urge you to reconsider that offer for now,” Gant recommended.
Dan’s patience had run out. Now he was just pissed off. He stood. “As I said, I have a missing detective and a strategy briefing. Unless you have some relevant input to this investigation, I’d say we’re done here.”
The three stood in one choreographed move, like dancers in a chorus line.
“Manning, why don’t you wait for us in the lobby?” Gant instructed.
Dan’s tension moved to the next level.
The silence thickened, pushed the air out of the room as they waited for the door to close behind Manning.
“I’m not sure you have the full story on what happened with the Spears investigation,” Gant said.
“I know all I need to know.”
Disregarding his comment, Gant went on, “We believe Agent Harris may have suffered a meltdown of sorts. Recent discoveries have led us to believe it would be in her best interest to seek psychiatric evaluation and counseling. I assure you this is standard operating procedure when an agent’s actions are called into question. Her cooperation, however, is essential. If she chooses not to comply, we will be forced to pursue separation from service measures based on our conclusion that she is no longer fit for duty.”
Outrage blasted any good sense Dan had managed to hang onto right out the door with the dismissed agent. “I’d say what she needs is legal counsel.”
“This is your mistake to make, Chief Burnett. But bear in mind that we feel her fixation with the idea that Spears has followed her here and whatever is actually going on will not end well.”
“I’ve seen his messages to her,” Dan thundered just a decibel or two below shouting. “Two witnesses to my detective’s abduction identified him.”
“She received messages before,” Gant reminded him unnecessarily. “Followed leads he gave only to her. . . but there was no connection found to the man, Eric Spears, she continues to insist is the Player despite a total lack of evidence. Those anonymous emails she received during our investigation in Richmond were sent from her own home.”
The ramifications of that statement sent Dan’s concern for Jess up several degrees. The Bureau was building a case against her and if she had any idea, she hadn’t said a word. “There’s no way Jess sent anything to herself.” This was way over the edge.
Gant exhaled a big breath. “I want to agree with you more than you can possibly imagine. But we have no choice but to consider what this development means. The sender used a path that was nearly impossible to trace, and when we did find the source it was one we didn’t want to see. But our hands are tied. We cannot simply ignore the possibility.”
“You must understand, Chief Burnett,” Wentworth jumped in with his New England accent and visible impatience, “that Agent Harris’ conduct during the final weeks of the Player investigation, even without this stunning evidence, was questionable. OPR must investigate her actions for her own benefit as well as the Bureau’s.”
Jesus Christ. They were trying to railroad Jess for more than allegedly screwing up an investigation. Dan took a moment to get his initial reaction in check. “Whatever you believe, Jess is an essential part of our team and, unless you’re planning to take her into custody, that’s not going to change.”
“We came to you,” Gant contended, his own impatience showing, “as a courtesy. For now, the decision is yours to make but we needed to ensure you were fully aware of Agent Harris’ situation. The outcome of our investigation could prove detrimental to yours when all is said and done. The unsub in your case, if and when he’s caught, could very well use this decision against you.”
Dan struggled to make sure his voice was calm when he spoke. “Why are you dismissing our stunning evidence? We have two witnesses who ID’d Spears. We can’t ignore that. And I would gladly take Jess’s findings into a courtroom any day.”
“We would certainly like to interview those witnesses,” Wentworth responded. “At this time, however, our evaluation of the situation remains unchanged.”
“We’re not suggesting you take Spears off the table as a person of interest,” Gant clarified. “But an ID made from a cell phone snapshot by two witnesses who were no doubt compromised by emotion is not conclusive evidence that Spears is your man. A good attorney, and Spears has the best, could suggest Harris prompted the witnesses. We must tread carefully here.”
What was the deal? “Maybe you think that just because I’m a police chief in Alabama that I can’t hear beyond what you’re telling me. This hammering at the same issues is getting a little old. You must have more than what you’re disclosing. You and I both know that anyone could have sent those emails via Jess’s home computer.”
Gant and Wentworth exchanged a look.
Oh, yeah. There was a lot more.
“Before we were forced to release Eric Spears, he confided in me that he thought Agent Harris had an interest in him beyond the investigation.” Gant shook his head. “I ignored the assertion. These things happen sometimes. Suspects take shots at the agents involved with their cases. It wasn’t until after we released him that evidence beyond the emails was brought to our attention suggesting he may very well have been telling the truth.”
“You’re taking the word of a killer over Jess’s?” The timing had dread twisting in Dan’s gut. Spears had only been released three days ago. Whatever had happened, it was fresh and Jess hadn’t been informed.
“We can’t prove he’s a killer,” Gant repeated, openly exasperated with Dan’s resistance. “Whatever he is, I’m compelled, for Jess’s protection, to investigate his claim. Particularly after last night’s development. New, incriminating evidence was discovered in her home.”
“Are you saying you searched her house without her permission?” Jess was going to be livid. Dan was mad on her behalf. What the hell was wrong with these people? Jess had given them nearly twenty years of dedicated and distinguished service. Didn’t that count for anything?
“We didn’t need her permission. Last night there were two apparent robberies in her neighborhood, her house and a neighbor’s. Her neighbor was
murdered. The door to Jess’s home was standing wide open, the local police entered to ensure there were no other victims.”
“No one called Jess.” Dan would have heard about that.
“After what the local police found, they called us first.”
Dan braced for worse news.
“Pictures of Spears were all over the walls of her home office. Photos of herself cut and taped together with photos of him, as if they were a couple. And there was a message.” Gant heaved another of those burdened sighs. “Why did you leave me? The words were written on the wall of her living room, using her neighbor’s blood.”
Shock grabbed Dan by the throat. This bastard didn’t just want revenge, he was infatuated with Jess. “He’s setting her up. You have to see that.”
“Off the record,” Gant admitted, “that’s our initial conclusion, but we also can’t rule out that she’s a danger to herself and others. I’ve worked with Jess for seventeen years, Burnett. This case got to her. The one certainty in all this is that Jess is in trouble and we have to get to the bottom of the source.”
Dan shook his head. “Whatever you think, she sure as hell didn’t dress up like Spears and abduct my detective.” This whole scenario was absurd. Even the break-in at her home sounded fishy to him. He said as much to the other man.
This madman had killed an innocent person to send Jess a message.
“That’s the reason I’m here,” Gant admitted. “I feel compelled to support Jess in this investigation. What I’m sharing with you is not for public dissemination or even for others within BPD. We’d like to conduct our own, parallel investigation into the theory that Spears may be involved in what’s happening here. We’re not going to ignore that it may very well be that he’s the one who has an interest, as he called it, in Jess.” Gant held up his hands stop-sign fashion. “As much as I would like to assume that’s the case and call it a day, we have a responsibility to look at both sides of this.”
They expected Dan to keep this from Jess. How the hell could he do that?
“I can’t prevent you from doing what you have to do,” he admitted. “And I’d be a fool not to accept your assistance in finding Spears – or whoever the hell we’re dealing with. But I will not be a party to your witch hunt. My only question is, do you or do you not intend to keep your agent assigned to Jess’s family?” Dan had a uniform assigned to the family but the Bureau had a responsibility here, too. And, by God, he intended to see that they did their part.
“No question,” Gant answered without hesitation. “The safety of all concerned is our top priority.”
“Does that include Jess?”
“It seems you already have that covered, chief,” Wentworth countered smugly. “Your personal feelings appear to be slanting your objectivity. Since entering your office we’ve been very accommodating and, frankly, we’re not feeling the love.”
Anger, outrage, fury. . . none of those words adequately articulated Dan’s internal reaction to the remark. “FYI, Wentworth, around here you get as good as you give. And you’re right, I will keep Jess covered. If you have an issue with that, I’m happy to settle it with you any time, any place.”
For five seconds that turned to ten, Wentworth didn’t back down, then he said, “I have no issue with you handling her personal security.”
That was all Dan needed to know. “I need to get back to my briefing. Call if you have some development to pass along.”
He had nothing else to say. Evidently the two feds were a little slow on the uptake since both simply stared at him.
Gant cleared his throat. “Well. We appreciate your cooperation, chief.”
Dan made a sound that was more grunt than laugh. “Do not mistake my tolerance for cooperation, gentlemen.”
He didn’t wait for a reaction, he walked out.
The situation was crystal clear. Jess was in danger from both sides of the law.
As Dan returned to the conference room silence fell over the group. He ignored the quiet and settled in his seat at the head of the table. “What have I missed, Sergeant Harper?” His attention zeroed in on his detective.
Harper exchanged a look with Jess who was seated next to him.
“Deputy Chiefs Hogan and Black have divided the city and the surrounding communities into quadrants. The search teams consist of three officers each. One by one the locations will be searched and the results reported to the search commander who will report directly to Chief Hogan.”
Hogan nodded. “We’ve already cleared several areas. Property owners are cooperating. So far no issues to slow us down. No demands for warrants. Thanks to the preliminary media blitz, the citizens of Birmingham are already responding to our call for help.”
Dan was grateful for any good news. “That’s what we want to hear.”
Deputy Chief Black gestured to the flat panel television mounted on the wall. “We’ve just watched the first press release with our public relations liaison officer and Ms. Coleman. I’ve also received several notifications that some of the same groups and organizations that rallied to help with the search for the missing young ladies have stepped up to offer their support.”
“If,” Jess jumped in, “we can have folks like those walking the streets with flyers with both Detective Wells and Spears’ photos – business to business, house to house – we can keep the pressure on. . . maybe make it more difficult for him to come out into the open and snatch another victim.”
“But if he stays hunkered down,” Harper countered, “how are we going to find him?”
Harper was running on emotions. Dan couldn’t fault him for that; he was halfway there himself. Who was he kidding? He was already there.
Jess didn’t look directly at Harper as she spoke. “The existing profile on the Player is that he is compelled to begin his ritual once each year, taking six victims over a period of eight to ten weeks. Since he has deviated from the pattern the Bureau has tracked as far back as five years, we can’t be sure what his next move will be. But whatever that move is,” she turned to the man at her side, “we can’t make it easy for him.”
“Excuse me.” Harper pushed back his chair and exited the room.
Jess would have followed him but Dan shook his head. Harper was having a difficult time with this investigation. He no more belonged on this task force than Dan had belonged on the last one that convened in this room. But Dan would not refuse him the opportunity to do what he could unless he lost it completely.
For the first time since he resumed his place at the table he allowed his gaze to fully meet Jess’s. He knew before she said a word she was about to ask the question he did not want to answer.
“What about the Bureau? Is there a reason Manning is MIA?”
Everyone gathered at the table swung their attention to Dan and waited for his answer.
“The Bureau will be conducting a separate investigation.” He turned his palms up as if it weren’t really such a great mystery. “After the media’s scrutiny on their handling of the case with Spears, they appear to be looking for close containment.”
Griggs and the others adopted that who-cares look. Jess, on the other hand, understood that something was up. Dan did not look forward to the conversation that would follow this briefing.
“Meanwhile,” he said, turning his attention back to the more immediate matter, “I’ll meet with Gina Coleman in a couple of hours for that sound bite she wants to air on the evening broadcast. We need to get this done.” He surveyed the faces in the room. “As with all cases, time is our enemy, but never more so than now. Typically we’re dealing with many unknowns, that’s also different in this case. We have a firm idea of what we’re up against. We know how this will go down if we don’t stop him.”
Harper entered the room and took his seat. He didn’t make eye contact with Dan or anyone else. That was another conversation he didn’t look forward to but it grew clearer all the time that it was going to have to happen.
“Agent Harris briefed
us earlier on Spears’, aka the Player’s, MO. No need to rehash that just now.” Dan indicated the case board on the other side of the room. “If anyone has specific questions, hang around. Otherwise, let’s get the job done.”
Mayor Pratt stood and all eyes shifted to him. “Just let me say, ladies and gentlemen, that I am very proud and impressed by your rapid movement on this case. For the sake of Detective Wells and our community, I expect quick results.”
With that, the mayor took his leave.
Nice speech but it boiled down to one warning: he wanted this taken care of yesterday. That was something Dan imagined everyone in the room had in common. He stood, shuffled his notes together and hoped Jess would wait until they were alone before launching her interrogation.
“Chief Burnett.”
Tara’s voice floated above the hum of conversations and the rustle of papers as the rest of the task force prepared to leave. Again she hovered at the door.
Christ. What now?
Dan motioned for her to join him at the conference table. She moved hesitantly through the disbursing group. That she didn’t smile had frustration banding more tightly around his chest.
“Chief, a local florist just delivered a huge bouquet for Agent Harris.” Tara chewed at her lip. “Security brought it up. They said it’s okay but considering the package this morning. . .”
“Thank you, Tara.” Dan snagged Harper who was already moving toward the door. “Come with me.”
Thankful Jess was deep in conversation with Griggs, Dan cut through those milling in the corridor, Harper keeping step. Tara followed close behind.
She’d been right about one thing, the bouquet was massive. Right up front was a small white envelope tucked at the end of a clear plastic holder with Agent Harris scrawled across the front.
But security had been wrong. It was not okay. After this morning, any delivery addressed to Jess was considered suspicious.
“Did you open the envelope?”
Tara shook her head.
Harper withdrew a pair of gloves from his pocket and handed them to Dan. His heart rate climbing, he pulled on the gloves and reached for the envelope. It opened easily, not taped or glued. Inside was a small card. . . a business card.
