Explosive Situation (True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn Book 4)

by Terri Reed

  * * *

  “Henry,” Eden called from outside the training ring.

  Dressed in a bite suit, Henry motioned to Officer Max Santelli and his K-9 partner, a black and gold rottweiler named Sam. “Give me a moment.”

  After training first with Noelle and Liberty, and now with Max and Sam, Henry wanted more than a moment’s break, but he had his orders. Stay put and be a K-9 bite target.

  Max took out a toy to play tug with Sam while Henry jogged over to Eden. The heavily padded bite suit made his gait awkward.

  “What’s up?” he asked.

  “Lieutenant Vance wanted me to see if I could find any video footage of Parker Wilton at Owl’s Head Park on the night Davey Carrell was injured,” Eden told him.

  Henry’s gut clenched. “And?”

  She shot a quick glance at Max before focusing once again on Henry. “Parker was there. I didn’t know to look for him before.”

  Henry’s heart rate doubled. “Have you told the Lieutenant?”

  “I left her a voice message,” Eden said. “I thought you’d want to know, also.”

  “I do. Thank you.” But what did it mean? Parker had to be working with Davey. To what end? But how had the boys disabled his body cam that night in the park? Why the bombs, the threats and the vandalism? And how did Riley figure into their plan? What was Parker’s endgame?

  “Also, the lieutenant asked me to run facial recognition through various social media sites for that night, looking for anything connected to Owl’s Head Park. I think I found something that might be of interest. You’ll want to see this.”

  His curiosity piqued, Henry said, “As soon as I’m done here I’ll come to your office.”

  “Okay, that works,” she said. “I’ll see you later.”

  Henry stood there a moment, his mind whirling. He couldn’t make sense of it all. He had to find Parker Wilton. Then he would have his answers.

  “Dude, you okay?” Max asked. He approached with his K-9 partner, Sam.

  Sam growled, clearly ready to continue with their bite work training.

  “Would you mind if we take a lunch break?”

  Max shrugged. “Sure. Is everything okay with Eden?”

  Henry nodded. “Yes. She’s helping me on a case.”

  “Aren’t you on modified duty?” Max said.

  In lieu of an answer, he said, “I’ll catch you later,” and jogged out of the ring to the locker room. He made quick work of changing back into his uniform and then picked up Cody from the kennel room before going in search of his sergeant.

  He found Gavin in his office and told him what he’d learned.

  Gavin set aside the report he’d been reading. “Let me get this straight, you think Parker is working with Davey and trying to railroad you into the assault charges?”

  “I do,” Henry said.

  “What proof do you have?”

  “I don’t have proof. Just my gut feeling. I need to talk to Parker. He’s involved my sister.”

  “How?”

  “By trying to date her and not leaving her alone when she refused. I want to find out why.”

  Gavin contemplated the request. “Hmm. You can’t compromise the Carrell case.”

  “I won’t,” Henry promised. “I’ll just ask the kid what his intentions are toward Riley.”

  “Not alone. Take someone with you. Feel the kid out, but don’t make any references to Davey Carrell.”

  “Thanks, Sarge.” Henry backed out of the office. If his boss had noticed that Henry hadn’t promised not to dig into the connection between Parker and Davey, he didn’t call him on it.

  He went in search of Bradley but instead found Olivia and Lani entering the building.

  “Parker was at Owl’s Head Park the night of the incident with Davey Carrell,” Henry said, without preamble.

  “We’re convinced Davey knows Parker,” Olivia said at the same time.

  Henry digested her words. “He does?”

  Olivia nodded. “Yes, though he lied to me about it. Parker was there? That’s interesting. And unlikely a coincidence.”

  “I’m on my way to talk to Parker,” Henry said.

  “He didn’t show up at the college today,” Olivia told him. “We stopped by there on the way back.”

  “I’ll go to his house,” Henry said. “Do you want to come?”

  “Of course,” she said.

  A throat clearing brought their attention to Lani. “I’ll drive. Someone has to keep you two out of trouble.”

  THIRTEEN

  While Lani drove the large SUV with the dogs in separate crates in the back, Henry sat in the front passenger seat willing her to drive faster. He had to find out what Parker and Davey were up to, and how Riley figured into their plan. Olivia sat forward in the back passenger seat. He appreciated her calming presence.

  She didn’t have to be here. Undoubtedly shouldn’t be, but he was loathe to do this without her.

  In a short amount of time he’d come to respect and admire the woman. His feelings ran deeper but he couldn’t let himself acknowledge them. Because if he did, he didn’t know how he’d ever be able to walk away.

  Right now he needed to stay focused on finding out if Parker Wilton was the bombing suspect. And what the kid wanted from Riley. That had to be his priority.

  Once again entering the peninsula village of Red Hook, Lani found a parking spot near the five-story walk-up where Parker and his mother, Karen, lived.

  “Snapper and I will keep watch outside,” Lani said as Henry popped open his door.

  “If you see anything suspicious let us know and call for more backup,” Henry told her.

  “Will do.”

  He hurried around to the back of the SUV to release Cody.

  “We don’t want to go in there making any accusations,” Olivia warned as they walked into the building.

  “I’ll try to keep my accusations to a minimum,” Henry said. “But I can’t promise.”

  She stopped him on the landing of the fourth floor. “Henry, you let me do the talking.”

  He liked her all fierce and serious. She was a woman of substance with a strong will and a sharp mind. He wished the circumstances were different. “I will do my best.”

  Giving him a stern look, she said, “I hope so.”

  They approached the door. Henry let Cody sniff the edges but showed no sign of an alert. Henry rapped his knuckles sharply on the door.

  After a moment, the door opened to reveal a petite woman holding a coffee mug and wearing the waitressing uniform of a local chain restaurant. Her light brown eyes widened. “Yes?”

  “Are you Mrs. Wilton?” Olivia stepped forward with her badge in hand.

  “That’s right. It’s actually Miss. But Karen is fine. Can I help you, officers?” She tilted her head as she gazed at Henry.

  “I’m Lieutenant Vance and this is Detective Roarke with the Brooklyn K-9 Unit. May we come in?”

  Karen stepped aside and opened the door wider for them to enter. The apartment was small but well kept. There were pictures of Parker on the walls, mostly school photos.

  Setting her mug on the kitchen counter, Karen stared at Henry. “I remember you.”

  Henry was sure he’d never seen the woman before or been to this apartment. “I’m sorry?”

  Karen smiled. “I know you don’t recognize me. I’m not surprised. I looked very different the last time we met.”

  “Okay.” Henry searched his memory for some recollection of this woman and came up blank. “Can you remind me?”

  “Six years ago, you saved my life. And my son’s.”

  Memories surged and Henry’s heart twisted in his chest. He exchanged a glance with Olivia. This was the woman from the domestic case that Olivia had questioned him about. Her husband had accused Henry
of excessive force.

  “I do remember,” Henry said. “But you had a different last name.”

  “Yes,” she affirmed. “When I recovered from the abuse, I filed for divorce and took back my maiden name. And I changed my son’s last name, also.”

  “I’m glad to know you recovered and got out of that situation,” Henry said with sincerity. “Whatever happened to your husband?” Could her ex-husband be behind the bombings? Had he attacked Olivia in the museum?

  “Jack died in prison.”

  Henry wasn’t sure what to say. He wanted to offer condolences, but the words stuck in his throat. He wasn’t happy that a life was lost but the man had beaten his wife nearly to death. It was hard to find sympathy but he dredged up what he could. “I’m sure the loss was hard for you and your son.”

  Karen’s lips twisted. “Yes. For Parker, anyway.”

  Henry had a bad feeling about Parker Wilton’s state of mind. “Is your son home?”

  Olivia shot him a censuring glance. “We have some questions for Parker.”

  Karen shook her head. “Parker has an apartment with some other kids his age. I haven’t been there yet. I work swing shift at the restaurant. It leaves little time for socializing.”

  Cody sniffed the floor and sat in front of a closed door.

  Henry moved to the door. “What’s in here?”

  “Coats.”

  “Can you open it, please?” Olivia asked.

  Clearly confused, Karen went to the door and pulled it open. Coats hung on hangers, shoes lined the floor. Cody moved forward to sniff and sat in front of a pair of athletic shoes. “Are these Parker’s?” Henry asked.

  “Yes, those are. Why is your dog sniffing his shoes?”

  “Does Parker have a room here?” Olivia moved toward the hallway.

  “He does.” Karen hurried to catch up with her. “In case he ever wants to come home.”

  “May we see it?” Olivia’s words were polite, but Henry heard the tension in her tone.

  “Why do you need to see his room? He’s not here. What is going on?”

  Olivia faced the woman. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but your son is a person of interest in the case we’re working.”

  Karen seemed to deflate. “What has he done?”

  “We’re in the early stages of the investigation and his name came up,” Olivia said. “I’d rather not accuse him of something without proof.”

  Karen scoffed. “I’ve tried everything I can to keep him on the straight and narrow. He just seems to want to follow in his father’s footsteps.” She walked forward and opened a door. “This is his room.”

  Henry crowded past the women to enter Parker’s personal space. It was neat and tidy. Posters of sports icons decorated the walls. The bed was made with a simple blue comforter and a desk that looked like it had never been used stood under the window. Cody sniffed around the room but didn’t alert.

  “Do you have the address where Parker’s staying?” Henry asked.

  Karen grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from the desk and wrote down an address. “You can probably find him at work. He’s been working at the Tire Mart over in Gowanus since he was sixteen. That’s how he can afford to live on his own.”

  “I took my SUV there last March when I had a nail in the back tire,” Henry said to Olivia.

  Her eyes widened with understanding. She turned to Karen. “Does Parker drive a silver sedan?”

  “Sometimes.” Karen walked back into the living room. Henry, Cody and Olivia followed. “His boss has a bunch of different cars that he allows his employees to use. He’s been very generous with Parker.”

  “Do you know a young man named Davey Carrell?” Olivia asked.

  Karen tilted her head. “The name does sound familiar. Does he work with Parker?”

  “Not that we know of,” Olivia said. “But they may have gone to high school together.”

  “Oh.” Karen held up a hand. “Just a moment.” She left the room.

  Olivia grabbed Henry’s arm. “Do you think Parker blames you for his father’s death?”

  He’d had that same thought. “Possibly. But why pursue Riley?”

  Before Olivia could speculate, Karen returned with a yearbook in hand. She flipped through the pages until she found one that had a group photo. “Okay, here you go. Davey and Parker were classmates. They both were part of the technology club.”

  Henry stared at the photo of the boys sitting together at a table working on electronics. “Do you mind if I look through this?”

  “Not at all,” Karen said.

  Henry flipped through the book. Olivia pressed close to him to see the pages. Her fresh apple scent was distracting and reminded him of her sweet kiss.

  Henry flipped the page to the formal senior photos and froze. Beneath Parker’s image the caption read, Oh, yeah! Life is really great. LOLZ.

  Henry shivered. LOLZ! Just like in the texts. Parker had to be the bomber.

  Meeting Olivia’s gaze, Henry could see she agreed by the grim expression in her eyes. She turned to Karen. “Do you mind if we take this?”

  “Sure. How much trouble is Parker in?”

  “It’s hard to say at this moment, but we believe he’s been targeting Detective Roarke and those close to him,” Olivia said.

  Karen’s dropped her head into her hands. “This is his dad’s fault.” She lifted her head. “Jack sent Parker letters. I found them after the fact. They were full of hate for the police.” She gave Henry an apologetic look. “And you specifically.”

  “But from what I understand, Detective Roarke saved you and your son that night,” Olivia said. “Doesn’t Parker remember that?”

  Karen shook her head. “No. The counselor I took him to said he has dissociative amnesia. He remembers only the good times with his father. Parker has no memory of the abuse or the months in foster care while I recovered in the hospital.”

  “Selective memory loss?” Henry said. He looked at Olivia. “Is that a thing?”

  “Yes, and needs to be taken quite seriously,” she replied. “It stems from the effects of extreme stress as a part of post-traumatic stress disorder.”

  Henry mulled that over. The kid was experiencing PTSD. But that didn’t excuse what he’d done so far. Nor explain why he was pushing Riley to date him.

  Olivia handed Karen a card. “If you hear from Parker or he comes home, please call me. I really need to speak with him.”

  “Detective Roarke,” Karen said when they were at the door, ready to leave. “I never got to say thank you. I’m not kidding when I say you saved my life. The doctor said if you and your partner hadn’t arrived when you had and pulled Jack off me, I would’ve died. And I don’t know what would’ve happened to Parker if you hadn’t intervened.”

  Henry nodded, appreciating her words. He’d done his job that day. As he did every day. Protecting and serving the citizens of New York was the creed that got him through the worst days of his life. “I’m glad I was able to help you.”

  Sadness washed over him to think her son was now going to be the one in trouble.

  Lani was waiting in the vehicle at the curb. After securing Cody in the crate at the back of the SUV, Henry climbed in the front passenger seat. “Any problems?”

  “No,” she said. “Did you get what you were hoping for here?”

  Olivia filled Lani in as she drove. “Davey did lie to us. I’ll be seeing him again, but next time in an interrogation room. But for now, I think we need to pay a visit to the Tire Mart. You okay with that, Lani?”

  “Sure.”

  Olivia gave her the address. The SUV merged into traffic, headed for the neighborhood of Gowanus.

  “I’ve been here,” Henry said as Lani pulled up to the garage that took up the whole block. He told them about the nail in his tire. “That must be
why Parker seemed familiar to me. He wasn’t nearly as tall or filled out at age thirteen as he is now at nineteen, so I didn’t connect him to the domestic violence case from six years ago. He must’ve worked on the SUV.”

  “And the sight of you must have brought back all of his rage and given him someone to blame, starting him on his quest for revenge,” Olivia said. “Lani, you good to join us? I’m not sure how Parker will respond.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.” Lani unbuckled and hopped out.

  After releasing the dogs, Henry led the way inside. The garage had large bays, with cars being worked on by men of a wide range of ages. But Henry didn’t see Parker.

  “We’re looking for the owner,” Henry called out.

  “He’s in his office,” a man said, pointing to a glass-walled enclosure.

  A man in his late sixties with a full head of shocking white hair and bright blue eyes opened his office door and motioned them in. “Morton Daniels at your service. To what do I owe this visit?”

  “We’re looking for Parker Wilton,” Olivia said. “We understand he works here.”

  “Parker hasn’t shown up for the past two days. He’s usually not flaky,” Morton said.

  “We understand that you have a silver sedan that you let your employees borrow,” Olivia said. “Is it here?”

  “Should be parked out in the lot.” They walked out of the tire center and into the back where there were five or six different kinds of cars parked. But no silver sedan. “Somebody must have it out. Let me check the logbook.”

  They followed him back to his office. “Hmm. Last person to check out the silver sedan was Parker. It doesn’t show it coming back in.” The man shook his head. “I assume since you’re looking for him he’s in some sort of trouble. I feel bad for his mama. She’s nice.”

  Olivia handed the man her card. “If Parker returns, can you please call me?”

  “Will do, ma’am,” Morton said, taking the card and tucking it into the pocket of his work shirt.

  Once they were headed back to the station, Olivia said, “This puts a different spin on things. Once we find Parker and interview him, I have a feeling we’ll know for sure if you’re being set up for Davey Carrell’s injuries.”