by Anne Patrick
"Be right back." Gwen took Jake by the arm and they stepped out of sight. She returned seconds later alone. "You still have my backpack in your car?"
He nodded. Surprised by the sudden turn of events.
"Good, you can give me a lift home. While I'm changing, you can make us some coffee."
*****
Ian followed Gwen into her apartment. On the drive over, she briefed him on the missing person call she had last night. He was thankful the teenager had been returned home safely.
"I'll just be a few minutes."
In her absence, Ian had a look around. She had a nice place. Left of the entryway was the living room, with tan carpeting, a large blue sofa, and matching chairs. The white walls had only two pictures hung on them. Both were beautiful paintings of sunsets. He wondered if Gwen was the artist. The city lights shined brightly through the open curtains behind the sofa. Except for a discarded newspaper lying on the coffee table, the living room was immaculate. His gaze fell on a photograph sitting on the end table, next to the sofa. A blond headed man in a flight suit stood next to an F-16. He picked it up. Gwen's hair was a little darker but she had her father's eyes and smile.
The kitchen looked a lot like his. Dirty dishes sat in the sink, an open cereal box on the counter, and two of the cabinets were left standing open. Inside one, he saw a small assortment of dishes and decided to take Gwen up on her suggestion to make coffee. He found a tub of coffee grounds and filters next to the Mr. Coffee and started a pot.
He noticed a pair of french doors next to the refrigerator and flipped the switch on the wall beside them. Multi-colored lights lit up a small balcony with a gas grill and two Adirondack chairs. Stepping outside, he looked down at the well-lit park next door. A cool westerly breeze brought the smell of roses and azaleas from the flower gardens along the side and front of the building.
"There you are." Gwen spoke from behind. Ian turned to see Gwen with a medium size, black and white cat in her arms.
"Who do you have there?"
"This is Lizzie."
He reached over to pet it and the cat hissed at him.
Gwen laughed. "That's how she got her name."
"Lizzie Borden?" he guessed.
She nodded. "I got her at the shelter when she was a kitten. The first month I had her, she nearly shredded both my arms."
"A lot of people would've returned her."
"Which is why I didn't."
Ian smiled to himself. Gwen could be obstinate and overbearing, but underneath that tough exterior there was gentleness in her that she kept well hidden. He'd seen it in the way she dealt with Stuart Adkins. "You ready to go?"
"As soon as I feed her."
While she fed the cat, he rinsed out the thermos and filled it with fresh coffee.
*****
Gwen poured them each a cup of coffee and then took out two packs of peanut butter crackers and offered him one.
"Maybe later."
She laid them next to the gearshift and picked up the binoculars. They sat in the same spot they had less than twenty-four hours ago. Tonight, she hoped they would get lucky and finally catch Bartlett and put him behind bars where he belonged.
"How long have you and Jake been dating?"
"We're not. I mean, I went out with him tonight, but only as a friend."
"Oh."
"Is that why you were upset at the bar, because Jake and I were on a date?" Gwen knew she was venturing into dangerous territory but couldn't help it.
Ian grinned. "What makes you think I was upset?"
"Maybe nervous is a better word."
"Are you wanting to know if I'm interested in you, Gwen? Is that what you're fishing for? If so, I think you already know the answer."
She did. She just didn't know what she wanted to do with that information. Impulsive by nature, Gwen knew she needed to be very careful in this case. Ian was an equal, but he was also her boss.
It was close to one in the morning before they saw any movement from the Bartlett house. Gwen's adrenaline spiked as the Monte Carlo left the drive and headed north. The opposite direction he had gone last night.
Ian waited until the car was well ahead of them before he began to follow. "Either our boy is an insomniac or he's up to something."
"You already know what I think. Just be careful and don't let him spot you."
"This isn't my first surveillance gig, Gwen."
"Sorry."
For the next hour and a half, Dawson Bartlett drove all over the city, only stopping once. The same convenience store he had visited the night before. Instead of chips and a soda, he purchased gas.
Gwen sighed. "He's playing with us, Ian. Bartlett knows I'm on to him."
"How could he possibly know that? We've been careful."
"All I know is he's doing exactly like he did before. He'd lead me on wild goose chases and then pop up in places where I was when off duty. Like the mall, grocery store, or restaurant, just to prove to me he was one step ahead of me."
"That information wasn't in your notes."
"Because it wasn't directly pertinent to the case."
"Oh yes it is." Ian pulled over to the curb as Bartlett drove into his garage. "It's indicative to his psychotic behavior." He turned in the seat and looked at her. "Gwen, guys like Bartlett have the tendency to fixate on the one person they fear can bring them down. He doesn't like to be challenged. It takes away from his feeling of control. That makes him a very dangerous man."
"I know how dangerous he is, Ian. I was there for his first carnage. Those images of his murdered family are still with me. They’re the driving force behind my obsession with him. Sooner or later, I'm going to get him."
CHAPTER TEN
Gwen arrived fifteen minutes late for work Monday morning. Ian glanced at her as she entered the squad room. "Glad you could join us this morning, Jamison."
"Sorry, sir." She walked over to the board and signed in.
"As I was saying, it was a busy Sunday." Ian sorted through several slips of paper in his hand. "Harris, I need you to go to the hospital and talk to a robbery victim." He handed Nick the details. "Chavez, a suspicious death at 314 Lakeview Drive. Todd, two burglary reports in the 1700 block of Winchester." He handed each of them a piece of paper then looked at Gwen. "Jamison, I need to see you in my office. All right, let's get to work people."
Gwen followed Ian into his office and he closed the door.
"Sorry I was late." Gwen took a seat in front of his desk.
"Let me guess, an all night stakeout?"
"Just until two."
"Seems your hunch was right." Ian continued to stand. "Bartlett's attorney called the captain and made the complaint that you've been harassing the young man."
How did Bartlett know she had talked to his co-workers, had the woman said something to him? Did he see Gwen and Ian watching his house? "The fact he's nervous is further conformation he is up to something."
"Could be, but I've been instructed to tell you to back off this guy."
"Seriously?"
Ian walked in front of his desk and leaned against it, looking down at her. "That's a direct order, Gwen. You aren't to go anywhere near him or question anyone close to him."
"So we're just going to let him walk again?"
"You get an eyewitness who can place Dawson Bartlett at the scene of one of the liquor store holdups then we'll talk."
Gwen curbed her anger. She knew he was only following orders. "All right. You want a witness, I'll get you one."
"You're referring to your girl from the videos?"
"Yep. She's gotta be around here somewhere. I'll find her."
*****
Gwen sat in her sanctuary, the stairwell between second and third floor. Hardly anyone ever took the stairs, so when she needed to vent or just needed a quiet place for a few minutes, this was where she came.
It wasn't just Bartlett who had her nerves on end. What is wrong with me? I'm thirty years old and this guy makes me feel like a teenage ch
eerleader who's got a crush on the school quarterback.
She thought about the hours she spent watching Bartlett's house with Ian and weighing the consequences of pursuing their ever-evolving relationship. What the captain might do if he found out. They wouldn't lose their jobs, but she would become the cop who's dating her boss. One of the few labels she had yet to acquire, and much worse than being called arrogant, stubborn, and dangerous.
The door above her opened and she immediately stood.
"I knew I'd find you here." Jake joined her on the landing.
She forced a smile. "Now isn't a good time, Jake."
"Yeah, I heard Dawson Bartlett's lawyer filed a complaint against you. I didn't realize you were still actively pursuing him in the murders of his family."
"Wow, that was fast." All the more reason she needed to stop fantasizing about a relationship with Ian McKean and concentrate on getting the spoiled brat turned murderer.
"Well I have some good news that will cheer you up. I gave Teddy, at Boulevard Liquors, a call and he's willing to talk to you about setting up a sting operation to catch your robber." He handed her a slip of paper. "That's his contact information. He's free this morning if you can make it."
"Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it."
"Have you talked to Kelly yet?"
"I was just on my way to do that."
"Give me a call later."
"I will."
CSI Cooper smiled at Gwen as she entered the lab. "Hey, Gwen. Thanks for the brownies you left Friday. Managed to get a couple before Siequist hid them. They were delicious."
"Glad you enjoyed them. Can I talk to Carpenter?"
"Sure." He glanced over his shoulder. "Hey, Kelly. Detective Jamison wants to see you."
"Come on back, Detective."
Kelly's station was in the far left corner of the room where computers, laptops and other electronic devices surrounded her. The mid-twenties ash-blond woman spun around and smiled at Gwen. "What can I do for you, Detective?"
Gwen glanced at the screen of the computer she'd been working on and saw thirty or so files. "I know you're busy so I won't keep you too long. Two things. First, can you give me any sort of a time line on when you can get to my surveillance videos from the liquor store robberies?"
"A conservative figure would be a week. Sorry, Detective, I'm really backlogged."
"Come on, Carpenter. My robber killed his last victim. I'd settle for a clean image of the girl in the ATM footage." The sketch was a good one but a photo would be better. Plus, Gwen wanted to know what was dropped outside the store and who dropped it. "She's a material witness and a suspect in a strong-arm robbery."
"I'll get to it as soon as I can. I promise."
"All right. The other thing is…well, are you currently dating anyone?"
"Why would you want to know that?"
"Okay, let me try a different approach. What are your thoughts on Jake Rafferty?"
She grinned. "The K-9 cop?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't know. He's cute, I guess. Seems like a nice guy."
"Is he the type of guy you might want to go out with?"
She laughed. "What'd you loose a bet or something? Is this a joke?"
"No." Gwen sighed. She sucked at matchmaking. "Look, Jake's a great guy. I've known him for, I don't know, seven or eight years. He's a great cop, a hard worker, a good dancer; he's sweet and considerate. He's just really bashful when it comes to women. So the reason I'm standing here like an idiot is to see if you're interested so I can tell him and he can ask you out."
Kelly's face took on a red tint and she shifted her eyes back to the computer screen.
Gwen knew she had her answer before she asked, "So shall I give him the go-ahead to call you?"
"I guess it'd be okay." Kelly opened a nearby drawer and removed a business card. She wrote something on the back then handed it to Gwen. "My cell phone number."
"Great. I'm sure this will make is day."
*****
Boulevard Liquors on East Lincoln Boulevard was exactly eight blocks from the freeway and, in Gwen's opinion, due to its location it was a safe bet it would be the next target. Gwen parked her cruiser in front and went inside. A silver-haired woman stood behind the counter. Gwen showed her badge and asked to see Mr. Lennox.
"Back here, Detective."
Gwen saw a hand shoot out at the end of the first aisle. She walked that direction. "I appreciate you meeting with me, sir."
Mr. Lennox rose from his kneeling position where he had been stacking twelve packs of beer to display on the end cap. He stood at least six-five and was bald except for small patches of grey hair on the sides and a three-inch ponytail in the back. Grinning, he held his hand out to her. "When Jake said a female detective would be dropping by, I never expected you to be so beautiful."
"Thank you. Is there somewhere we can go to talk?"
"Certainly. Martha, I'll be in the back. Buzz me if you need me." He waited for her to answer and when she didn't he excused himself and stepped to the front to tell her. He returned, still smiling. "Sorry. She doesn't hear so well."
Gwen followed Mr. Lennox through a closed door. She noticed to the left was the entrance to the cooler, then a unisex bathroom. In front of her, the alley exit. To her right was the office and storeroom. He opened the office door and invited her inside. It wasn't much bigger than a walk-in closet with a desk and computer, a small safe, and a filing cabinet.
"You want to sit down?" He motioned to the small office chair.
"That's okay, you go ahead."
He sat and interlocked his fingers behind his head. "Okay, so how do we do this?"
"We'd like to use your store between the hours of Midnight and two, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. One or two detectives would be inside the store with backup nearby. We'd need you to train us on your cash register and store procedures a day or two ahead of time. I have some retail experience so I'll be the one behind the counter."
"I'm not going to loose any money, am I?"
"No, sir. We'll apprehend the suspect as soon as it's determined it's a robbery."
"Will I get to be here?"
"I'm afraid not, but the department will reimburse you for any damage that may occur. Not that there will be any, but on the off chance there is, you'll be covered."
"So I'm supposed to trust you with my livelihood just like that?"
"Sir, I know—"
"Please, just call me Teddy."
"Okay, Teddy. I know it's difficult to place your blind trust in someone, but think of it this way. You're going to help us get a murderer off the streets. By my calculations, this store and maybe two others are next on this guy's hit list. We don't want there to be anymore casualties."
"What if he hits one of the other liquor stores?"
"Then we'll do it again the following weekend."
He rubbed his chin and cheek, seemingly mulling it over.
"Come on, Teddy. It's only two and a half hours for three nights. At eleven-thirty, you'll let me in the back door then come back shortly after two."
"How much money will I have to leave?"
"Just enough to make change. He's not going to get your money, Teddy. I guarantee you that."
"I like your spunk, lady."
"Thank you. Will you do it?"
"Sure."
"Great. I'll talk to my supervisor and will be in touch soon." She gave him one of her cards. "If you have any questions, give me a call."
*****
A knock sounded at Ian's opened door and he looked up just as Gwen entered. His gut had been in knots since delivering the bad news that morning. Being ordered to rein in one of his detectives wasn't something he wanted to hear his second week on the job, but what bothered him more was sharing the same hunch Gwen had about Bartlett and not having the proof to back it up.
"I have something I'd like to run by you."
"If it's about Bartlett, forget it. You're to stay away from him, period."
"It's about the liquor store robberies."
"Okay. Have a seat." Ian closed the file he'd been reading. "Is there a new lead?"
"No, sir." Gwen sat and crossed her legs. "Last week Nick suggested a sting operation to try and catch the robber, and this morning I found a liquor store owner who is willing to participate."
"Without consulting me first?"
"I didn't see the point until I found an owner willing to help in the sting."
Of course she didn't. Ian smothered a smile. He recalled her boldness Saturday night when she suggested he was jealous of her and Jake's relationship and the apprehension he sensed afterward when he dropped the ball in her court. Ian had always loved working puzzles, and trying to figure out Gwen Jamison was much like that. To say she intrigued him would be an understatement.
"Let's hear your plan."
"Do you mind if I bring the others in. They'll be helping."
"All right."
Gwen motioned for her colleagues to come in the office. Nick led the pack and handed Gwen a folded piece of paper.
Gwen opened the paper and laid it on his desk. "It's crude, I know, but it shows all thirty-three liquor stores and the distances between them and the freeway. I've marked through the ones that have already been hit. Of the remaining twenty-nine, Boulevard Liquors is the closest, by two blocks, to the freeway. The owner, Mr. Lennox, has agreed to give us use of his store from eleven-thirty to a little after two on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night."
"What makes you so sure he'll hit this weekend?" Ian asked. His pattern had been every three or four weeks.
"As you know, he scored less than a hundred bucks on his last robbery," Gwen pointed out. "And since he didn't hit last weekend, it's a good bet he'll hit either this weekend or next."
"And if he hits one of these other liquor stores..." he held the paper closer to read the names highlighted…"Williby's, Liquor Mart or—"
"Then we'll give it another shot in a couple weeks," Kris answered.
"Okay. Who's going to be in the store?"
"I am, sir."
Ian looked at Gwen, not in the least surprised that she'd placed herself in the hot seat. "You'll be wearing a vest."
