“It won’t break any cover. They know we’ve been watching them off and on. Go check. If he doesn’t answer, let me know.”
Matt drummed his fingers on the desk and waited for the phone to ring. It didn’t take long. “No reply. What’s next?” Dylan asked.
“Canvas a few of the neighbors, and ask if anyone has seen him since the last visual. Check his job, and see if he was expected in and didn’t show. If you establish that no one has seen him, go in.”
“I’ll let you know what I find out.” Dylan hung up, and Matt studied Rick’s computer, looking for something which would feed his building suspicion.
Rick kept referring to someone as the Grimm Reaper.
Twenty minutes later the phone rang again. “Matt, we’re going in. Brad didn’t show up for work, and someone thought they heard arguing at the house last night.”
“I’m on my way. You know the protocol. I’m sending back-up.”
Matt arrived at Brad’s with the kits, the bags, and the gloves. Dylan kicked open the door open, gun drawn. Brad was tied to a chair, his house had been ransacked, and a good portion of his face and head were missing.
“Geez, what a mess.” Dylan snapped his rubber gloves on.
Crime tape went up, the coroner was called, photos, and sketches made of the victim and how he was found. Samples were taken for the lab. It was a long afternoon.
Matt now had two murders on his hands and an attempted murder. He was also trying to figure out why Zach would risk breaking his cover to be seen with them at Patterson’s. Matt’s suspicion was growing. This crime scene was too messy. Not the normal HC MO.
Matt unplugged the computer in Brad’s office, rifled through his desk and personal papers. He saw a tablet where Brad had written the word Gina over and over again. He put both of them in bags and tagged them into evidence. He collected some sleeping pills, a gun, and few other personal items.
Matt sent out a couple of officers to canvas the neighbors and talked to the coroner about the time of death so he could establish a time line.
“Did you learn anything?” Matt asked the officers on their return.
“A little of this and a little of that; mostly we were told Brad hadn’t been the same since his wife died. The guy right next door heard arguing about 1:30 a.m. He was sure of the time because he looked at the clock. He also thought he heard a gunshot or fireworks about ten or fifteen minutes later.”
“Put it in your report, make sure you have his name, address, and phone numbers where he can be reached. His time fits in the approximate time of death established by the coroner.”
This job was messy, and unlike Gina’s murder site, there was plenty for forensics. Gina’s corpse had been clean, no semen, fingerprints, shoe prints, or even tire tracks. No DNA under her nails, no sign of a struggle. This was a sloppy job, and who knew what they would find on the tape across Brad’s mouth and the ropes holding his body to the chair? Matt thought maybe someone was being set up. He’d know more if he got a hit on the prints.
Matt went outside to make a call. “Carter, this is Matt Parker. I need someone to go over to Don and Pam Bradley and let them know Brad Martin has been murdered. See if they know any of his next of kin. They will know best what to tell the children.”
“Consider it done. What’s going on in our county? Hardly a murder in years, mostly petty crime. Seems we have graduated to the big league now. Anything else we can take care of?”
“I’ll get back to you on that, but I’ll need any information on next of kin.”
“Okay.”
Matt would let them finish processing the scene. He asked for a rush on the fingerprints. DNA would take longer.
Kip was watching over Jessie. She was in safe hands. He went back to the office to make sure all the arrest warrants were in order. They had enough admissible evidence from Rick’s computer and now maybe Brad’s, all done by the book. He knew he was missing an important detail. It was driving him nuts. He pored over files and notes.
Matt had the results and a hit on the prints in a few hours. It was Gordon Stockton. It didn’t make sense to him. Gordon was too careful to be so dumb. He hadn’t kept the club off the radar by being dumb. Matt explained to Anderson what he was thinking, and he was told to go ahead with his plan. He picked up his office phone and pressed the numbers.
“Hey, Carter, Matt here…Look, the homicide I called you about earlier has Gordon Stockton’s fingerprints all over it. Can you pick him up and hold him for questioning?”
“You mean the mayor? Are you screwing with me?”
“That’s exactly who I mean. His fingerprints were the only ones found on the victim, almost too easy. I think it could be a set-up. The scene was a messy job unlike anything we’ve seen out of the club to this point. They’ve been careful to maintain spotless records, but the pressure could be getting to them.”
“This will rock this community for sure.”
“That’s a ditto for several communities. We’re going start making arrests.”
“We’ll send over a car to pick him up and hold him for you.”
“Thanks, Carter. Let me know when he’s in custody.”
Matt had just hung up and his phone started beeping again. “This is Matt.”
“Matt, you told me to call if I saw anyone pull into the church that shouldn’t be there.”
“Who do you see?” Matt’s thought processes revved into full gear.
“The FBI guy Zach. Is he okay, or should I be concerned?”
“My gut tells me to keep an eye on him. Something seems a little off with him.”
“He’s just sitting in the parking lot and not getting out of his car.”
“Don’t let him approach Jessie alone. I’m sending some back up.”
Matt walked out to get a bottle of water. Joe came around the corner and grabbed him.
“Hey, Matt, you’re wanted on line two. It’s an emergency.”
He picked the phone up in the waiting area. “This is Matt.”
“We’ve got Gordon, but you’re not going to be able to question him unless you can get a corpse to talk. They’re processing it now.”
“Gunshot or what?”
“Nothing visible, but I’m not willing to write it off as natural causes. Our honorable mayor had some powerful and exotic drugs on hand. His body was lying on the couch, eyes wide open like he recognized who killed him and was stunned.”
“Tell the coroner to look for a needle mark and any trace of a drug, one that might not show up in a routine toxicology exam. Traces were found in Gina’s body of a strong muscle relaxant, Pavulon, a drug sometimes used in combination with others during surgery. Paralysis and a systemic shut down is just a couple of the symptoms. The person is aware but can’t do anything about it. They usually come out of it in an hour to two; if too much is given it’s lights out.”
They talked for a few more minutes and then Matt called Kip.
“Is Zach still there?”
“No, he left a while ago.”
“Let me know if he comes back and don’t let him anywhere near Jessie, you hear?”
“Got it.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Jessie hadn’t seen Matt for a few days. She had heard about Brad Martin and Gordon Stockton and the arrests of the Harvest Club members; to say Matt was busy was an understatement. Jessie knew he’d be around when things settled down a little to fill her in.
She had left a message earlier on Pam’s phone. She wanted to make sure the kids were doing okay. When Jessie’s phone rang, caller ID showed it was Pam returning her call.
“Hi, Pam, how are all of you doing?”
“We’re hanging in there.” She sniffed. “Don and I are wondering though, was Brad a part of Gina’s death or not? It has been convenient to blame him so we could make sense out of what happened to our Gina. For the kids’ sakes, I almost hope he wasn’t.”
“I think when all the dust settles, you’ll learn he was culpable bec
ause of his dealings with the Harvest Club, but he didn’t murder her and never recovered from her death.”
“Do you really think that? For the kids, I want to believe you.”
“It’s my opinion, and I believe the facts will back it up.”
“Rocky Pointe is in a state of shock over Gordon Stockton and his involvement in the club and all his shady dealings. I can’t believe all the arrests that have been made; the mayor of Blue Cove, too. I’ve known Jason’s mother for years. She was shocked by her son’s dealing and didn’t have a clue what he had gotten into. It’s a strange world in which we live.”
“I hear you. When we can start justifying taking organs from the poor and selling them to save the rich who can afford it, something has gone terribly wrong.” Jessie stood up and walked with her phone in hand. “I don’t want to get on a soap box. I’ll save it for my article. It bothers me how these guys were all taken in and controlled by Gordon.”
“Will you be at Brad’s memorial tomorrow? Don and I would love to see you.”
“I’ll be there,” Jessie said. Something told her Gina would, too.
Jessie sat at her computer writing her article. Gary was taking the surveillance equipment out of the house. This part of the operation was coming to a close now that all the arrests had been made.
“I’m going to miss you being here every day, Gary.” She looked up at him smiled.
“Don’t think you’ll get rid of me so easy, doll.” He grinned. “I’ll still need you to give me a decent meal from time to time. You’ll have the Kipper to keep you company until Matt thinks the threat is over.”
“I hope his job will soon be done. Not that I don’t like him, but it will be nice to get back to my life without someone shadowing me. I believe Kip and a couple of the other guys would prefer not to have to run with me in the morning.”
“It’s been good for them.” Gary smirked. “Besides, I think Kip likes being around you and will be happy to come see you even when he doesn’t have to.” He walked back into the room to get more equipment.
Gary came back through and opened the door with another box. “Well, well, look what we have here.” He motioned for Matt to come in. He was carrying a couple of pizzas and a six pack of beer. “Boy, I’m glad to see you’ve come bearing food. I’ll be right back.”
Matt looked at Jessie. “How are you doing?” He placed the pizzas on the counter. “Let’s eat while it’s still hot.”
“I’m well.” She glanced sideways at him and smiled. “I’m finishing up the next article, but I have some holes in my information that need to be filled in. So is it over with? Can I resume my life?”
“Not so fast. I still have a few unanswered questions.”
“Like?”
“Like who really murdered Brad and Gordon Stockton? Why has Zach been hanging around your job? Is he the big guy? I’m not sure, although I think his hands are dirty; he’s only dabbled from his undercover position. I don’t like him or trust him, but there is someone else that I don’t think any of us suspect yet.”
“I’ve never seen Zach at work.”
“I know, but Kip has. We’re getting close, but we’re not home free yet. I think Zach came to us because he wanted to ruin his cover. Someone holds something over him and requested him from the FBI to work undercover on this.”
“Did you come to fill in some of the blanks for me?” She went into the kitchen to get the plates, napkins, and glasses ready.
“Sure. What you just said, and I just wanted to see you. I haven’t had a good argument for a few days, and I need someone to keep me on my toes.” He grinned, his eyes flashed with something else. “Besides I needed to celebrate putting the club out of business.” He followed her into the kitchen, filled his plate with several slices of pizza, and took a beer.
Jessie watched him and knew something was bothering him. He needed to talk something out. She walked into the room carrying her plate and sat down in the chair across from him.
“Okay, let’s have it.” She tucked her legs underneath her.
“What do you mean?”
“Something is bothering you, so out with it. You didn’t come here because you missed me.”
“I sort of did, but you’re right, I do have something on my mind.” His eyebrows furrowed, and his back straightened. “If anyone knew what I was thinking, well I can’t even begin to imagine.”
Gary popped back in and grabbed a slice of pizza. “Don’t eat it all. I’ll be right back. I have to take this first load to the station.” He walked out the door with keys in his hand and pizza in his mouth.
“Don’t tell me who you’re thinking about, but what makes you think this person might be guilty.” She watched his face for a reaction.
“There doesn’t appear to be any connection to the Harvest Club, he has an exemplary life, above the fray. This person is a leader, could lead strongly behind the scene. No one would ever suspect him.”
“Why do you?”
“Because he seemed to know things I never told him. He’s a little too good and throws around a little too much money. Something I read in Rick’s diary makes me wonder. What can I say? I have no strong evidence, but a gut feeling. It makes me feel guilty that I even suspect him.”
“Dylan told me to go with my feeling the night I was shot, and I think I should say the same to you. Don’t overanalyze it.”
“But this is someone I’ve always respected.”
“Remember what you told me. In this case, nothing is as it seems. We have a mayor, a city councilman involved, clergy, and lawyers. When it comes to the big three, power, money, and sex, I’m not sure anyone is immune.” She watched him wrestle with his thoughts. “Greed, money, and being able to live the good life could draw in someone who was tired of the struggle. I know you just exchange one set of troubles for another, but you know your mind doesn’t always play fair.”
“You’ve got that right. How come you’re so smart?” He gave her a half-hearted attempt at a smile.
“I was trained by one of the best.” She smiled and nodded at him. “The question is, what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m going to set a trap and use you as the bait.”
“What makes you think I would be party to being used as bait?”
“Because you’re game, and even I’ve started to believe that Gina wants you to help solve this one.”
He stood up to leave, and she walked him to the door. He turned around to look at her. His gaze moved down her face, lingering at her lips before returning to her eyes. Time stood still. He stretched out his hand, letting his finger follow the path his eyes had taken. “Goodnight.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Matt left Jessie’s place in no better shape than when he had arrived. Seeing her had helped, yet he still felt a pent-up nervous energy; he lifted weights, ran on the treadmill, and nearly beat his punching bag to death all to no avail. Jessie had told him to go with his gut. She was right, of course, but she had no clue who he suspected, and neither did anyone else. Matt was still searching for evidence that wasn’t just circumstantial. Anyone who knew the man would find it next to impossible to believe he could be involved. Hell, he found it hard to believe. He wiped the sweat from his brow tallying the evidence up in his mind. Matt’s suspicion grew every time he was with the man; maybe he couldn’t wait for the evidence to present itself; he would have to go with his gut.
Zach Johnson was a different matter entirely. Zach was guilty, and Matt had enough evidence to put Zach away for a long time. His fingerprints and DNA were found at the scene of Brad’s murder even though Gordon was the one who had been framed for it. A money trail led to Zach. He was taking money under the table, kickbacks and payoffs for keeping the club looking like saints and leading the FBI away from them.
Matt had skirted the department and went to his friend Tom at the FBI, and Hamilton, the prosecutor, to see if the case he had built was strong enough to issue a warrant. It was a formality becau
se he knew it was air tight. Matt didn’t want to bounce anything off the chief right now. He wasn’t sure where the leak in the department was, but he knew someone was giving out privileged information.
He walked outside. The evening air was cool, and he could hear the sound of the waves lapping the shoreline. It was a clear night, stars filled the sky, and the crescent moon gave off just enough light to make the trees cast eerie shadows as they danced in the slight breeze. Matt pushed Dylan’s number on speed dial, pacing impatiently as he waited. “Hey, Dylan, this is Matt. I’m waiting on the final okay to issue the warrant on Zach. I’m not sure if it will come through before the funeral tomorrow. So I want you and Kip there to keep him under surveillance just in case I’m late. We’ll arrest him after the funeral once I have the warrant.” Matt sat down on the retaining wall.
“Consider it done. You must be damn happy to see this winding down. Zach’s arrest will be the end to a very brutal, time-consuming case.”
“I wish I could believe that. I keep thinking there’s still someone out there; someone more ruthless, who called all the shots. He’s the one who killed Gordon, I’m convinced. I just don’t have the evidence to prove it or a suspect yet.” Matt’s foot tapped restlessly against the wall.
“I think you should just accept that you’ve done a damn fine job, and it’s almost over.”
“I will when I’ve turned over every rock, and I no longer find one of these bastards crawling out from under it. I owe that much to all the people who were affected by these guys here and overseas.”
“You can count me in, until you say it’s done.”
“Thanks, man. I’m going to need you. See you tomorrow.”
Matt’s night didn’t get any better. Jessie filled his dreams, all of which started out innocently enough, but quickly turned into a nightmare. She was drowning, but there was no water, only a murky darkness that consumed her. She looked directly at him never calling out, but with a look of sheer terror in her eyes. He awakened with a start, afraid to shut his eyes again and risk seeing hers. He threw off his covers. His body was soaked with sweat. He was spooked, which was a sensation he hadn’t felt in years.
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