Josh took a seat in the alcove next to the front door, where Lt. Bach’s girlfriend liked to hang out on her days off and before work. “Dixie is safe. You handling things around here?”
She nodded. “Of course I am, but we want Dixie back. This is crazy. She didn’t kill anyone. Nobody believes that.”
Dixie’s employees were good people. They had faith in their leader, which was the sign of a respected boss. “Everything is going to be fine, Sabrina. It would be a lot easier on Dix if I can tell her the business is running smoothly.”
Sabrina yanked the white terry towel from her shoulder and balled it in her hands. “No problems here.” She took a deep breath. “Guess you want to talk with your men.”
“Yes, I do.” By her fidgeting, Sabrina wanted details, which he couldn’t provide other than to reassure her.
She swept a wisp of red hair from her eyes. “Okay, I’ll get you all something to drink.”
“That’d be great. Thanks, Sabrina.”
When she headed for the service counter, he asked. “What did you find?”
Earlier, Josh had asked the men to conduct some recon of their own. Mace and Tinman edged forward in their seats.
T-man took the lead. “We got a hold of the janitorial staff at the Ardon building, as you asked. Wasn’t easy, they’d gone into hiding. We located a guy named Paulo Flores. He owns the company contracted to clean the building. It’s a family-run operation. Once we eased his fears that we weren’t cops, he told us what they’d heard the night Chandler was murdered. One of Flores’s sons was working on the fifth floor around seven-thirty. He’d been in the office next door. The son can’t identify faces, but he said there were two women and two men. Four distinctly different voices.”
Good information Josh could use. “Gesem had to be one of the women. And one of the men was Chandler.”
Mace nodded. “Flores’s son said he heard loud voices. Shouting. Definitely an argument. The next thing he heard was three shots fired. After the gunfire, a woman started crying. He couldn’t hear everything, but one woman yelled, “What do we do?” Flores’s son quickly headed for the staircase. He told his father what had happened. Flores grabbed two other family members working there that night, and scrammed.”
Josh nodded. “Okay, so now we know four people were in the Ardon office that night. I was just in El Cajon. NCIS arrested Melodie Kallis.”
Tinman raised a brow. “Did you know Lt. Manchester’s intentions?”
“No, I didn’t. I got the distinct feeling Det. Dean and Manchester came up with a plan. Dean’s captain is pressuring him to wrap up Chandler’s case and blame Dixie. The senator’s reach stops short of NCIS. I think they both suspect Senator Kallis murdered Gesem, and the only way to get information is to arrest Melodie and hopes she talks. The senator is using legal counsel to stonewall being questioned by the cops.”
Tinman grimaced. “Not sure the senator gives a shit about Melodie. We heard from Cracker before he started the work-up exercise. I don’t know whether to feel sorry for that gal or hate her for trying to dump a murder weapon on Saxton. Either way, she’s a victim. Cracker told us the senator is just as sick as his son. The whole family is fucked up, Commander.”
Josh nodded. “No doubt there.”
The front door of the Erotic Bean opened and Ditz joined them. “You called, sir?”
“I did indeed. How’s the exercise going?”
Ditz wore his combat fatigues, his face covered in camo grease. Josh had pulled him out of Container City for an hour. All SEALs prepped for deployment. Didn’t matter if they had fifteen years in service or one. Training exercises not only sharpened a Frog’s skills, but created a cohesive team under duress.
“Keeping our shit tight. What’s the plan, sir?” Ditz asked.
Josh thanked Sabrina when she returned to their table with coffees.
“One more?” she asked, gazing at Ditz.
“Could use a cold drink and lots of it,” he said.
The caffeine slid down Josh’s throat and landed on an empty stomach. “I’ve been listening to the media. Not a damn word about the dirty secrets in the Kallis family. Every news outlet is pointing the finger at Dixie, slamming her with Chandler’s death. How hard would it be to start an anonymous campaign? And we need it to go viral.”
Ditz narrowed his eyes. “You want the world to know the truth about Chandler and his father. The white underbelly.”
“Exactly. The senator prides himself on a squeaky clean image. He’s crafted a pyramid of lies and deception. It’s time the truth leaked out.”
Ditz sat back in the leather chair and thought about it for a second. “The problem is his political allies. Anyone he has on the hook will immediately scream conspiracy theory. A catch-phrase that makes people instantly refute the claim, even when it’s the truth.”
Josh considered the comm expert’s concerns. “Doesn’t matter who believes it or not. It’s the unveiling, and the senator won’t want that. Besides, takes a lot of resources and phone calls to derail the conspiracy theory train, doesn’t it?”
Mace grinned. “I see what you’re doing. You want so many leaks in the senator’s boat, he won’t know what to plug first.”
“Exactly. Pandora’s Box is just that. A box. With enough cracks, the containment fails.”
Tinman stretched his broad shoulders while palming his cardboard cup. “How does any of this help Dixie prove her innocence? They’ve got that one locked down.”
Josh glanced out the window at people going about their daily lives. She needed her life back. He needed her back. “This is still the United States of America, Petty Officer Bale. It’s not about Dix proving her innocence, it’s about the police proving she’s guilty. If it wasn’t for the senator’s interference, she’d be free. If we air the senator and his son’s dirty laundry, Kallis will figure out the leak is coming from our side of the fence. He thought he could hang his son’s murder on Dixie and no one would bat an eye. He’ll soon learn differently. Then he has to make a decision. If he keeps using his influence to railroad her, we’ll keep the pressure on. Not only does his reputation go down the tubes, but the Feds might get involved. If they investigate, who knows what they’ll find.”
Ditz nodded. “Any idea who killed Chandler?”
“We have to wait and see. Medical Examiner hasn’t released his findings. In the meantime, is it possible to peel the layers off the senator and put the truth out for public consumption?”
“Yes, sir.” Ditz nodded his thanks to Sabrina when she set his drink on the knee-high table. “Give me a few hours.”
Josh’s cell rang and the caller ID read Berrywhite.
“Hello, Mr. Berrywhite, this is CDR Hunter.”
“I’m sorry to bother you. I was notified about Captain Reynold’s passing. We’re all shocked.”
“As am I,” Josh said. “Gesem was a wonderful woman.”
“She was and she’ll be missed, but that’s not why I’m calling.”
“I’m sitting with some of my Special Operators who are working with me to uncover what we can about her murder. I’m going to put you on speaker.”
“That’s fine.”
Josh checked the customers in their vicinity then put Gesem’s boss on speaker. “Go ahead, Mr. Berrywhite.”
“Since you’re involved with solving Capt. Reynolds’ homicide, I thought you should know that I contacted the DOJ. When I came to work this morning, I found an email from her. Gesem wrote it before leaving for San Diego. I can only assume if she had returned safely, she would have recalled the email.”
Josh’s gut tightened. “Gesem was always a smart woman. Shall I go out on a limb and guess the email was in regards to Senator Kallis and her suspicions that he’s involved in human trafficking?”
A long pause followed. “Exactly.”
Josh shot a look at his SEALs, who listened intently. “She sent you that email in case she didn’t return.”
“I can’t divulge t
he exact details,” Berrywhite said. “But the DOJ was extremely interested in what she’d found. An investigation has been opened. In her email, she admitted Senator Kallis threatened her life when she confronted him.” The man paused, as if deliberating. “I respected Miss Reynolds. We knew each other quite well.” Berrywhite cleared his throat. “I know she was conflicted over choosing her career and, to be quite open, her fondness for you, Commander. I believe she went to San Diego to ask for your help.”
Josh bowed his head. “And I would have helped her. Now, I intend to help prove who murdered her, if I can.”
Berrywhite choked up, but said, “Thank you, Commander. I’d appreciate that.” He hung up.
To Josh, the extreme empathy from Gesem’s boss sounded more like a broken heart.
Ditz downed his drink. Hydrated, he stood. “Sir, sounds like the senator’s ride is about to get a little bumpy. I’ll get to work on our plan. The more firepower we direct at Kallis, the less chance he can escape.”
After Ditz departed, Mace said, “Smart lady. She left a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow.”
Josh wasn’t surprised Gesem had the forethought to cover her bases. He considered himself honored to have spent a few years with a woman of her caliber. Her unwavering commitment to the US Navy a priority. He respected that. But she also had a softer side. One he’d experienced firsthand and enjoyed while it lasted.
Josh placed his empty cup on the table. “No question, she was intelligent. Yet, the wheels of justice turn slowly. Probably be months before the DOJ can follow her leads and come up with enough evidence to lock Kallis up.”
Mace smiled. “No, sir. Don’t think that’s true. I’m pretty sure someone is going to help them connect the dots.” He shot a glance at Tinman, who nodded and grinned.
Josh gazed at Mace, uncertain of what he meant. For now, Kallis wasn’t in complete control anymore, and the tide always turned.
Chapter Twenty-six
Dixie opened the Styrofoam take-out container the guard slid into her cell. The dinner consisted of congealed brown beans, a stale bun, something that might have been chicken once, and wilted lettuce with a few carrot shavings.
She closed the lid and placed the container on the cement floor, then returned to the cot with the bottle of water that had come with her meal. Thankfully, Rayne had dropped by with fresh clothes, but wasn’t allowed a face-to-face visit.
Whiling the hours away with only odd noises from other cells to keep her occupied made it hard to remain optimistic. Dixie hadn’t been formally charged or moved to county jail, where her daily attire would include orange pajamas.
Irony and bad luck smirked at her like two mean girls in a high school locker room.
For the last twelve years she’d lived a life of restrictions. Chandler Kallis had kept her on a leash with notes and threats. Her current dilemma taught Dix that living outside a jail cell far outweighed the alternative.
She closed her eyes and imagined walking through a hayfield with Josh. An unspoiled vision. Blue sky. Fresh air. A gentle breeze. The scent of nature and the warmth of his hand holding hers. Instead of seeing an eighteen-year-old, Dix saw the man he’d become. Her ex was the most handsome guy she’d ever known with his dark blue eyes and carved jaw.
She wondered whether Gethsemane thought the same thing. At least the poor woman had her freedom. Although Dix told herself not to have dark thoughts, she couldn’t help but wonder how much time Gesem and Josh were spending together. His old girlfriend had a right to be scared of a politician like Senator Kallis. If she took sanctuary with Josh, Dixie wouldn’t blame the woman.
Dix didn’t open her eyes when she heard footsteps and the cell door across the walkway slide open.
A woman slurred, “Fuck you, pig.”
She kept her eyes shut, but listened. The guard ordered the gal to turn around, probably removing her handcuffs. Next came the clang of steel when the guard secured the cell door.
If the ninety-six hours expired, Lumin or someone from her firm would represent Dixie. She had to have faith her attorney could convince the jury of her innocence. No matter how long that took.
“Heyyy, bitch. Whad’ya in for?”
Dix opened her eyes to see a woman with long, stringy hair, wearing a low-cut tank and black leather jacket and jeans, staring at her from between the bars of her cell.
The woman swayed on her feet. Dix considered ignoring her but if she did, she’d probably keep hassling her.
“Murder,” she answered.
The chick bobbed her head and grinned. “Awesome.”
Dix rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, then lay on her cot. Yeah, awesome.
****
Josh sat at his desk in Base Command. His office felt more like a tomb than an accomplishment. He glanced at Red’s empty chair, which he’d vacated at seventeen-hundred hours.
Lt. Manchester had called a couple minutes ago with an update. They were leaving Melodie to stew for a while before asking her more questions. The hope was that she could carry on a normal conversation without her addiction commanding her attention.
Det. Dean’s text didn’t bode well for Dixie. He advised the serial number on the 9mm was unrecoverable, but it matched the weapon used to kill Chandler. CSI techs usually had great success with recovering serial numbers. Whomever had removed this one, knew what they were doing.
The niggling pinch in his gut was a sign he’d come to trust over the years. Perching his elbows on the desk and clasping his hands, he reviewed the facts.
What more could he do?
This had been the longest day of his life, and that was saying something, considering some of the missions he’d endured. The day had started with a smile and a huge exhale of relief. Dix had shared her secret, and he’d admitted he still loved her. They’d considered playing hooky. He’d made coffee, which she’d never gotten to drink.
The promise of a great day swiftly went sideways.
No way would he allow dark thoughts to impale their future. Doubt led to failure.
A notification popped up on the face of his cell. Josh swept his finger over the phone and entered his passcode.
“Hmmm.” An auto-message from the security system he’d installed in Dixie’s place warned the allotted cache was full and would he like to clear or save it?
Leaning back in the leather chair, he entered the password for the app and replayed this morning’s events. The system he’d bought for Dix costs a few dollars for good reason. It came with video and sound. He watched a few seconds of the police arresting Dixie, then fast-forwarded a short time to see the cops enter her home to search the residence.
Josh bolted up in his chair, stopped the video and replayed, zooming in on the cop who entered first.
A face he recognized.
While the police overturned her living room, the guy strode down the hallway to Dixie’s bedroom. Josh changed to the third camera view. He saw the man enter her bedroom, pause and scan the space. Seeming to find what he was looking for, he did a shoulder check and crossed the floor to the left side of her bed and picked up her purse.
Josh’s pulse began to tick faster as the guy unzipped the purse, reached in, retrieved Dixie’s pistol and stuffed it into the back of his pants.
“Son of a bitch!”
Josh quickly saved the file and ran for the stairs.
****
Lt. Manchester, Det. Dean, and Josh watched Melodie shuffle past with her head bowed. A guard gripped her upper right arm, escorting her to the interrogation room.
Standing in the hallway, Det. Dean said, “This is a gamble, Commander.”
Josh darted a look at Manchester. “Not if my theory is correct.”
Detective Blanchard strode down the hall and seared them with a look before entering the room. Apparently, Melodie’s attorney had been called to another case, but she’d agreed to talk if Blanchard stayed with her.
Dean and Manchester headed for the viewing room and Josh followed Blanchar
d into the interrogation room. He took a seat across the table from the fidgeting woman and the cop.
Blanchard’s expression reminded Josh of a determined boxer about to enter the ring.
The detective didn’t wait, but launched his argument. “Melodie did not murder her brother or Captain Reynolds. There’s zero evidence to support your case.”
Josh crossed his arms over his chest. “Not my case, Detective. I’m not law enforcement. What I can do, with your help, is finish what you started.” He paused. “Apparently, you have a stellar track record of bringing the guilty to justice. According to your sergeant, you’re incredibly intelligent. Someone who stands out from the rest.”
“What is your point, Commander?”
Josh leaned forward and clasped his hands on the faux wood tabletop. “I’m exactly where you want me to be.”
Melodie finally lifted her head and stared at him. Not unlike the people he’d rescued over the years, this woman was a hostage. Initially held by a father and a brother who should have protected her, versus abused her, then by her own hand, trying to ease the pain with drugs.
“I’m not following,” Blanchard responded.
Josh smiled. “Listen. Senator Kallis is on his way. He has three lawyers in tow and everything to lose. I think Melodie has sacrificed enough.” He paused and eyed the detective. “And so have you. So, before all of your hard work to save this woman goes down the drain, it’s time to tell me why you stole Dixie Hammond’s 9mm, removed the serial number from the actual murder weapon, and had Melodie plant it in Ed Saxton’s toilet. Keep in mind, I have a pretty good idea of what’s going on here. And once Kallis senior walks into this precinct, your whole plan will implode.”
The woman’s hands shook and she looked drained. Pale.
A tick in Blanchard’s jaw indicated Josh was on the right track.
Josh waited, but obviously Blanchard was still calculating the outcome. The room remained silent but for the white noise caused by lighting and air conditioning.
A monitor had been set up on the table and Josh reached for the remote control. He turned on the screen and played the video from Dixie’s bedroom.
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