CDR Hunter never looked stressed, but his crossed arms and sharp jaw told a different story.
“Police will want to question Melodie. Right now, she’s in the wind. You sure you don’t have her cell number, Cracker?”
“Sorry, sir, I don’t. Didn’t expect to see Melodie again. Surprised the hell out of me when she showed up. She said Kallis had all the Frogs’ addresses and that’s how she found me. Admiral Austen suggested the cops stake out the lounge where she meets her dealer.”
CDR Hunter stepped into his small kitchen. “You mind?” He reached for a glass in Ed’s cabinet.
While the cops did their investigation, Tex had filled him in on Dixie’s arrest. “No, sir. Go ahead. How’s Dixie?”
The commander filled the glass with cold water from the tap. “Pissed off. As she should be.” He glanced at his watch. “Your exercise starts soon. You need to get to the loadout room with the rest of the squad.”
“Sir, if you need anything—”
Cracker’s senior officer shook his head. “Your exercise takes precedence. If the police need anything from you, I’ll pull you out.” A couple deep gulps and the water disappeared. “I appreciate you making contact with Melodie for us.”
He escorted CDR Hunter to the door. “Do you think that’s Dixie’s 9mm, sir?”
“Don’t know, but the CSI tech said the serial number was removed.”
A neighbor from down the hall strolled by at an achingly slow pace, nodding when Ed made eye contact. The woman, in her late seventies, stopped. “Everything all right, dear? I saw the police.”
“Yes, Mrs. Abernathy. No worries.” Regardless of what he said, word of the excitement in his apartment would spread like wildfire through the retiree gossip mill in their building.
Once his neighbor carried on down the hallway, he said, “Melodie was pretty spooked when she first got here. Desperation makes people do strange things. Maybe she killed her brother then tried to hide the weapon here.”
CDR Hunter nodded. “Possibly. I don’t give a shit who did it, as long as Dixie is released.”
****
Near three in the afternoon, Lt. Manchester, Det. Dean and Josh stood in the lab where Captain Gethsemane Reynolds lay on an autopsy table. Dr. Toland, the chief medical examiner, wore a lab coat over his scrubs in preparation to continue his exam, which they’d interrupted. The rest of his protective gear sat on a mobile cart with the other equipment.
Bright lights wired into the autopsy air ventilation system situated over the table illuminated her body. Josh had held an ounce of hope that Gesem wasn’t one of three women found on the Kallis estate until this moment.
Even in death, her features remained regal. He’d respected her intelligence and tenacity, two characteristics that initially drew his attention. Their relationship had spanned three years, but he’d known her for five.
“Dr. Toland, any initial thoughts?” Lt. Manchester asked.
He pointed at her neck. “There’s no patterned contusions or abrasions on her skin. But the petechiae in her eyes leads me to believe it was strangulation. I’ll complete the autopsy and wait for the test results to come back before I release my report.”
“No external marks?” Det. Dean confirmed.
Dr. Toland shook his head. “A choke hold won’t leave marks as fingers do.”
Josh listened, but his thoughts revolved around why Gesem was on this table. The video proved she’d left the Ardon building alive. Det. Dean had requested the traffic cams in the area surrounding the building be examined. The process would take a few hours, but at Dean’s request, which the Coronado PD’s captain authorized, the search moved to the head of the queue.
Lt. Manchester from NCIS asked, “And the time of death?”
“Between eleven p.m. and midnight.” The ME paused. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Josh pulled his gaze from Gesem to Dr. Toland when he realized the ME was speaking to him. “Thank you. Have her parents been notified? They live in Texas.”
Lt. Manchester shifted to the foot of the table. “Yes, Commander. They’re on their way. Do you know them?”
“Met them once.” He shrugged. “Captain Reynolds opted to stay in Little Creek when I transferred to the west coast a year ago. We haven’t communicated since.”
Manchester eyed him. “Her parents will have questions. In a case like this, hearing the answers, even if we don’t have all of them, is easier coming from someone they’ve met.”
Josh nodded. “Let me know when they’re here, Dr. Toland. I’ll join you when you speak with them, but my priority is finding proof that Dixie did not kill Chandler Kallis.” There weren’t any other bodies in the autopsy room. The morgue was down the hall. “I assume he’s here.”
“Yes.” Dr. Toland shoved his hands in his lab coat. “I completed his autopsy. Three shots to the heart. A tight grouping. I would surmise whoever killed him was familiar with the use of a handgun. By my estimation, the murderer stood no more than five feet away.”
Dean listened carefully, then glanced at Josh.
“Dixie is familiar with her weapon, but she wouldn’t have that type of accuracy.” A weak point, but none-the-less, a point in her favor.
The detective pulled his cell and read a message. “We asked El Cajon PD to watch the Copperhead Lounge. They just picked up Melodie Kallis on Possession of Narcotics.”
“Is she being held in El Cajon?” Josh asked.
“Yes, we’ll have to question her there.”
He wanted to hear firsthand what the bastard’s sister had to say, versus a regurgitated version from Det. Dean.
“Am I invited?” When Dean didn’t answer immediately, he said, “She implicated one of my men by placing a weapon in his bathroom, Detective. I have questions as well. Since Melodie is involved in Gesem’s murder, I’m sure Lt. Manchester has a few of his own.”
The detective seemed conflicted when he didn’t initially answer, perhaps worried that Josh was too involved because of Dixie.
Finally, Dean said, “We may not be able to ask her anything if we don’t get there before her attorney. The senator will close the lid on any questioning.”
“And when is he going to be questioned about the murder of his son?” Josh asked.
“We’re working on it.”
Fuck. Working on it? Money and power, the grease used by cartels and politicians to slither into their hidey holes and evade the justice they deserved.
Chapter Twenty-five
On the other side of a wall with a one-way glass window, Josh, NCIS agent Lt. Manchester and Det. Dean from Coronado PD viewed Melodie Kallis in the interrogation room they looked into. Chandler’s sister sat at a six-person table. Unlike a cramped box with white walls and light fixtures that make you squint, the moss green paint and low level lighting reflected a calm, safe environment.
Detective Blanchard sat across from Melodie, his hazel eyes glued to the woman. With a chiseled jaw and shaggy blond cut, he certainly didn’t look like a cop who spent his time behind a desk. This was the guy who’d been present when they’d brought Dixie in for questioning.
“Who is he?” Josh asked Det. Dean. “And don’t bother giving me the party line.”
Instead of answering right away, Dean opened the file he held and showed the paperwork to Josh. The report indicated a previous charge against Melodie for drug possession dated two years earlier and the arresting officer was Blanchard.
“So he knows her,” Josh stated.
Dean nodded. “Think there’s more to it than that.”
“Is he San Diego PD?”
Again, Det. Dean nodded. “He is. Been a cop for ten years. When he showed up requesting to be part of Dixie’s interrogation, my captain gave him authorization. I was warned not to ask questions.”
Grey hair lightened Lt. Manchester’s temples, indicating he approached retirement. The officer glanced at Josh. “Think we’re all on the same page. Blanchard’s on the senator’s payroll as well a
s the county’s.”
So far, Blanchard’s tone sounded comforting versus incriminating. By appearance, the guy wasn’t much older than Melodie.
Through a speaker in the viewing room, Josh heard Blanchard explain the small amount of narcotics in her possession was a misdemeanor. Worst case, she’d do a year in prison.
Melodie started to cry when he mentioned the incarceration. Josh noticed Blanchard’s hand shifted toward hers, then stopped abruptly before contact.
The door to the interrogation room opened and a middle-aged man wearing a dark suit and a pinched brow entered, carrying a black leather briefcase.
“I’m assuming that’s Melodie’s attorney,” Dean stated.
The El Cajon police had stonewalled Josh and Lt. Manchester from entering the room, saying they could ask questions once Blanchard was finished. As Josh suspected, Blanchard wrapped up his talk with Melodie once her lawyer arrived.
Bullshit.
The door to the viewing room opened. An El Cajon detective leaned in. “You can talk to her now.”
Lt. Manchester unfolded his arms and headed for the door. “I’ll take the lead.”
NCIS was mainly staffed by civilians. Manchester was one of the few naval officers employed by the department. A few seconds later, the lieutenant appeared inside the interrogation room with Melodie.
As expected, every question Manchester asked was answered by her quick-tongued lawyer. She only copped to seeing Gesem at the estate and described her as a guest.
Josh momentarily concentrated on his breathing to calm his rampaging pulse. “Det. Dean, did Senator Kallis leave California?”
“No. His corporate jet is still in San Diego. His lawyers asked for a couple days while he grieves for his son before making a statement to the police.”
“Statement? As in, he will not answer questions.” Josh highly doubted Kallis senior had the ability to grieve. Some researchers believed psychopathy could be inherited. The more severe the case, the greater the possibility of passing it on.
Lt. Manchester queried Melodie as to her whereabouts the night her brother was murdered. Although her lawyer tried to intercept, Melodie answered that she’d picked up her father at the San Diego airport around six-thirty p.m. and drove to the Kallis estate. Josh was certain Melodie and her father were providing cover for each other’s asses.
When Manchester asked if anyone had a reason to murder her brother, Josh held his breath.
“Chandler had a fascination with a woman named Dixie Hammond.” Melodie shot a look at her lawyer who nodded for her to continue. “My brother had been secretly following her for years. Sending her notes. Recently, she found out who he was.” With a pregnant pause, Melodie built the anticipation. “If anyone murdered him, it was probably her.”
Manchester sat back in his seat and stared at the brunette. When she shifted uneasily in her chair, her lawyer asked, “Any more questions?”
The NCIS agent knew he wasn’t going to get the truth from Melodie, especially with her lawyer sitting there playing a game of interception and defense.
“I have an idea,” Josh said.
Det. Dean faced him. “You’re up next. Make it count. My captain is coming down on my head to charge Dixie. Kallis’s people want her indicted to take the heat off of them. I was hoping Dr. Toland found something in his examination of Chandler that proved Dixie’s innocence. So far, that hasn’t happened. The 9mm from Saxton’s apartment might be the key.”
“Did you give Dix a polygraph test?” Josh asked.
“Not yet. It’s customary, but when I approached my captain, he shot it down.”
“Can’t Dix demand a test? She’ll pass. It’s another point in her favor.”
“Yeah, well, in this case, I don’t know if that’s possible.” Dean’s brow cinched with frustration.
Josh crossed his arms. A better idea than driving his fist through a cement wall. “Chandler’s time of death and the text Dixie received to meet him, is proof enough. There’s no video evidence of Dix entering the building. You can’t put her at the scene of the crime.”
Dean nodded, staring through the glass into the interrogation room. “I know that. Eventually, a jury would say the same thing.”
No fucking way would he allow Dixie to rot in a prison waiting for a trial. This farce had to end. Josh turned his attention back to the NCIS agent.
Lt. Manchester leaned forward in his chair. “Yes, I do have a couple more issues.”
The lawyer’s lips pinched into an irritated seam and he tilted his head, indicating the agent continue.
“Miss Kallis, I represent the Naval Criminal Investigations Unit. We are separate and apart from civilian law enforcement agencies. Our investigations primarily involve military personnel. Captain Gethsemane Reynolds was a United States Naval Officer with the Office of Naval Intelligence. As a civilian, you might think that you’re shielded from being charged by our department.”
Josh noticed her lawyer’s brow squeezing together, as if trying to figure out where this was going.
Manchester opened a folder on the table and showed her a picture of the 9 mil found in Cracker’s bathroom. “This pistol is being examined to see if it was the weapon used to kill your brother. We found this in Petty Officer Ed Saxton’s apartment. You know him, correct?”
Melodie shrugged, staring at the tabletop. “Yeah, I know him.”
“You visited him last night. Correct?”
She fiddled with her thumbnail. “I did.”
“Can you tell me why?”
“He approached me yesterday. We talked for a while. I got the feeling he was into me.”
Manchester nodded. “I see. Did he give you his address at your first meeting?”
Melodie’s lawyer jumped in. “What does this have to do with her possessions charge?”
Like sniper fire, Manchester said, “Nothing. Melodie Kallis is being charged with accessory to murder.”
“What?” she screeched.
Lt. Manchester continued to speak in a calm voice. “When you hid the murder weapon in P.O. Saxton’s toilet, did you know you forgot to wipe your prints from the toilet tank?”
Melodie’s hands began to shake and her lawyer patted her arm to calm her down. “Are you trying to implicate my client in her own brother’s murder? That’s ludicrous. Even if you have the murder weapon, there’s no proof Melodie placed the weapon in the SEAL’s bathroom.”
As if he’d eaten a satisfying meal, Manchester smiled. “I don’t recall mentioning Ed Saxton being a SEAL. Do you know him?”
The lawyer’s expression tightened. “We know Dixie Hammond is involved with a Navy SEAL. Doesn’t take much to figure out it was a SEAL who approached Melodie to squeeze her for information.” He paused, seemingly to gather his thoughts. “Or maybe to set Melodie up.”
Manchester rested his forearms on the table and folded his hands. “Miss Kallis, you arrived at Mr. Saxton’s apartment at approximately ten p.m. last night. You stayed the night, then disappeared in the morning. Can you explain how your prints got on the tank’s lid?”
Melodie’s complexion paled. “I didn’t kill my brother.”
“Maybe not, but you hid the weapon that did. Who gave it to you?”
“I’m not saying anything else!” she screeched. She swiveled in her chair to glare at her lawyer. “Do something.”
Her lawyer’s cool exterior ruffled with Manchester’s information crossing home plate like a ball from the outfield. “Are…are you charging my client, or just on a fishing trip?”
Manchester closed the file and drew it back across the table. “We’re charging her—on several counts. One count of accessory to murder. A count of felony tampering. Also obstruction of justice and interfering with a criminal investigation. That’s where we’ll start, but I’m sure there’s more.”
“I’ll be damned,” Josh said under his breath.
Melodie slammed both fists on the table. “I didn’t kill my brother.”
&nb
sp; “No, maybe not, Miss Kallis, but you know who did,” Manchester said calmly and rose to his feet. “I’m not concerned with your brother. My concern is Captain Reynolds’ murder.”
Ho, talk about being surrounded. Josh had to admire Manchester’s technique.
The NCIS officer continued. “Captain Reynolds’ body was located on the Kallis estate where you live. El Cajon PD is releasing you into my custody. You will be transferred to San Diego County Jail where you will be questioned and processed for the charges I’ve mentioned. I would suggest you think about your future on the drive back to San Diego and whether you have more to share with investigators.” He nodded to her lawyer. “By all means, you may escort your client if you wish.”
The door burst open. Detective Blanchard rushed into the room, his gaze snapping with anger.
“James?” she cried. “Please. Don’t let him do this.”
Josh had spent many years interrogating the guilty. Didn’t matter if the prisoners were insurgent rebels or a civilian. Guilt was guilt. Regret was regret. Sympathy was sympathy and Blanchard showed all three by his expression.
What the hell was going on here?
Beside Josh, the detective exhaled a deep breath and smiled. “What the hell, Dean?”
The veteran cop shrugged. “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
Dean left the viewing room and Josh watched as an officer handcuffed Melodie and Lt. Manchester escorted her from the room. Josh retrieved his cell when it vibrated in his pants’ front pocket.
EB 30 mikes?
Josh responded with a thumbs-up.
****
Mace and Tinman were waiting when Josh entered the Erotic Bean. Soon as Sabrina caught sight of him, she practically bolted across the coffeehouse.
“How’s Dixie? What’s happening? Are the cops going to let her go?”
He pointed at the chair because her complexion paled as if she might faint, but Dixie’s second in command wouldn’t sit.
Mace and Tinman nodded their greetings at him.
Dixie Under Siege (A Warrior's Passion Book 2) Page 28