Justice at Dawn

by Valerie Massey Goree

  In the the parking garage twenty seconds later, he said, “How do you know?”

  “Duncanson’s one of the most famous black landscape artists of the nineteenth century. I wrote a paper on him in my college art appreciation class. Those are good reproductions, but I doubt they’re worth fighting over.”

  Cooper punched the remote and stood beside his truck. “I wonder if Edith ever had the originals?”

  8

  Fidgeting with her charm bracelet, KC could barely contain her excitement. Online research, at last. She blew out a breath and snapped her seatbelt. “Will we begin right away?”

  “On Edith’s case? Yes, but I have to ask about the paintings. How do you know they’re not authentic?”

  “They are great copies, but Duncanson had a unique brush stroke and signature. There are some inconsistencies in the painting on the right. And both signatures are off, somehow. I’ll have to compare them to an original to determine what for sure.”

  “That’s not why we’ve been hired. Remember Vince’s medical condition.”

  “Oh, for sure. But I’m curious about the artwork. Aren’t you?”

  “It can wait. I’ll drop you off at your folks’—”

  “No.” Keep cool, KC. “I mean, can’t I come to the office with you to see how the research is done?”

  Cooper stared at her for a brief second.

  She had to calm down before she blew her cover. Beaming her biggest smile his way, KC relaxed against the seat. “I’m interested in every aspect of the business.”

  “I can see that.” He turned left instead of right at the corner. “OK, I’ll take you to the office. I won’t actually conduct any research. I’ll ask one of the techs to track Mary’s whereabouts. We always have someone on duty. You can watch, if that’s what you want to do. I’m sure by tomorrow morning, we’ll have an address or phone number for Mary.”

  “Thanks.” KC folded her arms. How soon could she do research on her own? She pressed her lips together lest she blurt out her desire. Patience, patience. She rode the rest of the way in silence, and by the quizzical look Cooper gave her when he stopped in the parking lot, he noticed.

  Once inside, he headed straight to his office. “The tech department is right here.” He knocked on the door next to his.

  An arctic blast hit KC when the door opened. She shivered.

  “Hey. Peter Kimball. KC Briggs, our newest trainee. She wants to sit in on your session.” Cooper handed the young man the folder from Edith and explained the search needed.

  “I promise I won’t bother you.” Towering over the guy, KC ran her hand over her head. Where was her cap when she needed it to prevent icicles from forming? “I want to learn all I can.”

  “Come in.” Peter, wearing a long-sleeved navy sweatshirt, indicated she sit at a desk along the wall.

  She scanned the room. Had to be at least fifteen computers.

  “Remember she’s not approved yet, so keep the search engines confidential.” Cooper slapped Peter on the shoulder “No matter how much she smiles at you.” He deliberately looked KC in the eye. Did he suspect her ulterior motive?

  She smiled anyway. “Thanks, Coop. Are you leaving now?”

  “Yes. See you tomorrow.” At the door, he pivoted. “How’ll you get home?”

  “I’ll take a cab.” She patted her pockets. “Oh, wait. I have my phone, but I left my folks’ house in such a hurry, I forgot my purse.”

  Cooper removed his wallet and withdrew two twenties. “Will this be enough?”

  She took the money. “Yes, thanks. I’ll pay you back with interest.”

  Once the door closed, Peter pored over Mary’s information. “It shouldn’t take long to find her. I assume she hasn’t changed her name.” He plugged in data, using two keyboards.

  No matter how hard KC concentrated, she couldn’t keep up. “Do you mind if I take notes?”

  Without missing a beat, he said, “Go ahead. But I want to see them before you leave.”

  “Fair enough.” She found a legal pad and stubby pencil on the desk. “What have you done so far?”

  “I started with the basics. Searching for her name in—” Peter leaned back, and his fingers stilled. “I’m not comfortable with you watching me. Since Cooper asked, I’ll let you stay, but please sit over there.” He pointed to a chair off to the side.

  Rubbing her chilled arms, KC moved to the seat where she couldn’t see his monitors and deposited the pad and pencil on the desk. “I understand. Will you at least answer my questions?”

  “If I can. We use specialized software, and since you don’t have clearance…”

  Too eager. KC drew in a breath. “I suppose you only use legal means to search for people.”

  Silence. He studied the screens, his gaze darting from one to the other. “You’ll be shown most of the systems we use during your training. We restrict a couple for the IT department’s sole use.”

  “As a regular citizen, could I find Mary, given the details we have?”

  “Probably. Unless she paid someone to wipe her presence from online sites, or officially changed her name.” Peter ran a hand through his shaggy, brown hair. His appearance epitomized a techie. “Use any search engine and type in a person’s name. If she uses any type of social media, her name and possibly a photo will pop up. Or you can type in white pages, then insert a name, city, state, et cetera. You’ll be surprised who and what you can find. Try it when you get home.”

  “Is that what you did?”

  “Yes, but I’m way beyond the basics now.”

  KC waited, but he added nothing else. He tapped keys, scanned monitors, chewed his bottom lip.

  To obtain more specific information, she’d have to be creative. “Can I pose a hypothetical case to you?”

  He nodded.

  “How would you go about looking for a woman who gave up her child for adoption?”

  “We don’t usually handle adoption cases. In fact, searching for this Mary person is, um. I’m not saying it’s not important, but…”

  “It’s very important to Edith.”

  “I know. Sorry, I don’t mean to sound like a snob. Back to your question—aren’t there agencies that help connect birth mothers with their kids? How about those DNA tests?”

  “I’ve done them all,” KC said under her breath.

  “Pardon?”

  “Nothing.” No sense staying. Peter wouldn’t provide the technical assistance she needed. Besides, her feet and hands were like chunks of ice.

  “Thanks for letting me observe. I’m going home now.” KC headed to the door.

  “Too bad. I’ve located a Mary Dawson in Salt Lake City. Just need to verify she’s Edith’s daughter.”

  She spun around. “Great.”

  Peter thumped the desk. “No. Wrong age. This Mary is only twenty-two.”

  Deflated, KC tromped out of the office.

  Her tech training couldn’t come soon enough. The quest to locate her birth mother drove her every action. She had to find out why the woman abandoned her.

  9

  The buzzing phone woke Cooper at ten minutes after five. He rubbed sleep from his eyes and answered without checking caller ID. “Callahan.”

  “I found Mary Dawson.”

  “Kimball?”

  “Yeah. Your lady lives in Temecula. You know where that is?”

  Cooper switched on the bedside lamp. “I’ve heard of it.”

  “Sixty miles north of San Diego.”

  “How’d you locate her?”

  “Her high school students won a math competition last year. The class photo, including Mary and all their names, was on the front page of a local newspaper. I have work and home phone numbers.”

  “Hold on.” Cooper nabbed his notebook and pen from the side table. “Go ahead.” He jotted down the information. “Thanks. You’re a champ. I’ll contact Edith and Mary. Let’s pray for a positive outcome.”

  After ending the call, Cooper climbed out of bed a
nd shuffled to the window. Pray for—

  He opened the drapes and stared at the twinkling city lights. Why did he say those words? Sure, he claimed to be a Christian, tried to follow the Golden Rule. But praying for others? He couldn’t even pray for himself. KC’s outward expressions of faith must be rubbing off on him.

  Anxious to make life-changing phone calls, Cooper dressed, ate a quick breakfast, and then drove to the office. He waited until seven before contacting KC. She arrived within forty minutes.

  No cap today. Her blue, no, teal T-shirt accentuated her eyes. The same citrusy perfume—

  Concentrate

  She sat and beamed. “Thanks for allowing me to be here when you call.”

  “You’re part of the case. Ready?”

  He dialed Mary’s home number first. Before eight in the morning, he figured she might still be home. When the answering machine picked up, he left a vague message. School number next.

  Yes, Mary Dawson taught there. No, she hadn’t signed in yet. “If you leave your name and number, I’ll give her the message as soon as I see her.”

  Cooper complied then leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head. “Now, we wait.”

  “Do you think she’ll call?”

  “I’m not sure. You heard what I said. ‘I have important information for you. It’s urgent that I speak with you.’ Would you call if someone left you that message?”

  “Not if you called my home or cell. But my work? Probably.” She lowered her head. “Did, um, Peter say anything about my visit with him?”

  “Nooo. Why? What happened?”

  “Oh, nothing. I asked a lot of questions.”

  Chuckling, he withdrew the little stop sign from his pocket. “I should have left this with him.” His action didn’t elicit the response he expected. No smile. Only a shrug. Odd. KC didn’t seem her usual jovial self.

  Back to the business at hand. “While we’re waiting, I’ll review your schedule for the upcoming weeks. You have an appointment for ten today at Mario’s Martial Arts Studio and Gym, two blocks from here.”

  She delved into her large bag and withdrew her copy of the handbook. “I read that IRO contracts out some of their training.”

  “Right. Self-defense and legal matters.”

  “I can handle myself pretty well. Lots of practice with George and Bear. Will you be there?” Book open, she scribbled notes.

  “I may stop by. But if Mary doesn’t call, I’ll drive up to Temecula.”

  “Without me?”

  “Mario runs a tight ship. If you miss the sessions today and tomorrow, he can’t reschedule for a week or more. Thursday, we’ll go to the range and review the carrying and use of firearms.”

  “But I—”

  “You may be an expert shot, but in order to pass the California Private Investigator’s exam, you have to undergo the training. And as your partner for now, I have to know that you handle weapons safely, and that I can trust your judgment.”

  She sighed. “OK, I understand. What’s next?”

  Cooper consulted a file on his desk. “The following week, you’ll meet with Sandra Urban, the lawyer who provides our legal support. Professional ethics, the legalities we have to follow, and the basics of criminal investigations. Block out three mornings for her. In between her sessions, we’ll review domestic and family situations.” He turned a page. “The following week, the start of your IT component. More—”

  “Fantastic.” Now she smiled and then covered her mouth. “Sorry. I’m really interested in technology. Peter can attest to that.”

  Studying her file, Cooper frowned. Why the fascination with computer research? Before he could ask, his phone buzzed. “It’s Mary’s school.” He swiped the speaker icon. “Hello.”

  “Yes, good morning. This is Mary Dawson. You left me an urgent message.”

  Cooper explained who he was, and his reason for contacting her.

  “How did you find me? Never mind. I, um, how’s my mother?”

  “Not doing well. She’s under hospice care.”

  “Oh, my. I didn’t know.” Mary paused. “I’ll have to talk with my principal. Tell Vince I’ll be there as soon as I can make arrangements for my pets. Thank you.”

  KC waved at Cooper. “Tell her about the artwork,” she mouthed.

  At first, he decided against the idea, but then added, “I know your disagreement with your mother involved two paintings. I suggest you have them evaluated by an expert.”

  Mary’s silence lasted a number of seconds. “I will. I’ve always thought… Please give me my mother’s address and phone number.”

  After providing the details, Cooper ended the call. “Positive outcome.”

  “A reunion even if she isn’t a match. But I pray she is.”

  KC’s talk of praying reminded Cooper of his early morning words. There was a time when he’d been vocal about his beliefs. A long time ago.

  He wiped a hand across his face. “Where did we get to with your schedule?”

  “Tech training. Only one day?”

  “Two, maybe three. California has certain requirements. IRO has others. IT training will be on-going. Even I have to take refresher courses. Following that, you’re with me for the beginning of surveillance techniques. Later, we’ll tackle undercover work.”

  “A full schedule. What happens if you’re assigned a case while I’m in a class?”

  “Depends on the situation. Other than Mario and Sandra, your training schedule is flexible. If I think you’ll benefit from the investigation, we’ll go together.”

  “Good.” She tilted her head. “So far, I’ve enjoyed the two—well, maybe enjoyed is the wrong word.”

  “I get it. This is exciting work, for the most part.”

  She wiggled in the chair. “A busy schedule. I’m eager to get started. Will I have classes on weekends?” Her face glowed. “Saturdays are fine, but I’d rather not miss Sunday service.”

  “Not usually.” A pain almost like heartburn stabbed his chest. He grabbed a handful of shirt. Did he and Bowen suffer with the same condition?

  No. He recognized his ache as a void where his soul should reside. KC’s enthusiasm for…everything, including her spiritual life, showcased his own lack. Yeah, his job meant a lot, but it was only a job.

  As if KC read his mind, she scooted forward and said, “You’re always welcome to my folks’ home on Sundays.” She stowed her notebook in her purse and withdrew a brown paper sack. “Almost forgot. Here’s the money you loaned me.”

  “Wrapped in paper?” He accepted the bag.

  “No, silly. The cookies are. Remember, I said I’d pay you back with interest.”

  “Thanks. Your handiwork?”

  “No way.” She chuckled. “Mom keeps me supplied. I can’t cook worth a flip.” She glanced at the wall clock and stood. “I’d better get going. Don’t want to be late for Mario.”

  Cooper rose and smoothed his shirt front. “That’s right. I’ll check on you later.”

  Once KC left, he sank back into the chair. The room wasn’t the same without her. It was as if someone turned off the lights. What was happening to him? Stirrings of emotions long buried scared him. And they were all wrapped up in KC. Her bubbly personality, statuesque body. And her faith. He’d only known her a matter of days, and he found himself anxiously waiting the next time he’d see her.

  He stood and kicked his chair backward. It crashed into the wall. For pity’s sake, KC was nine years his junior. She wanted children. A hoard of them. Who are you kidding, Cooper? She won’t be interested in you.

  Storming to his locker, he yanked open the door. Sweatpants, T-shirt. Sneakers. He’d head to Mario’s, but not to observe KC’s session. To pound the life out of a punching bag.

  10

  Basking in the praise from her firearms coach, KC searched the indoor range for Cooper. She’d seen little of him all week. The few times their paths had crossed, he treated her as though she had leprosy. When exactly had his attitu
de changed? She’d noticed it the day he outlined her schedule. But what had she done wrong?

  “You have a remarkable eye and steady hand.”

  His husky voice behind her sent a quiver to her stomach. She turned and couldn’t help but smile. She’d missed him. “Hey, Coop. Where’ve you been?” Why’d she say that? Don’t advertise your feelings.

  “Watching from the sidelines. I didn’t want to influence your performance.”

  “How’d I do?”

  “Almost perfect scores. I don’t think we’ve ever had a rookie score so high. And coach was impressed with your overall skills.”

  His features remained stoic, but his tone held a note of appreciation. Heat rose to her cheeks. What was wrong with her? Words of adulation from coach did little for her ego, but one phrase from Coop was enough to live on for ages.

  “There’s a café around the corner.” He cocked his head toward the exit. “Will you meet me there? I have a few things to discuss.”

  Now what? “Sure.” Talk about a roller coaster. First praise, then “things to discuss.”

  Minutes later, KC slung her bag into the passenger seat of her SUV. Based on Cooper’s changed attitude, she doubted she’d make the cut.

  She followed his truck and parked next to him in the lot beside the café.

  He held the glass door open for her.

  “Thank you.” She entered and slid into a booth.

  He settled opposite. “I know it’s early, but I’m going to order a meal. How about you?”

  Five thirty. Why not? The aroma of grilling meat surrounded her, bolstering her decision. “I’m always ready to eat.”

  The waitress took their orders and then delivered frosty glasses of iced tea. KC squirted lemon into hers and grinned as he did the same. But then she remembered the reason for their meeting and her mood darkened.

  He seemed reluctant to begin the discussion. Stirring his tea, dabbing a spill with a napkin.

  “OK. Why are we here?” No sense lollygagging around. If she was out, she wanted to know immediately.

  Staring into his glass, he clenched his jaw.

  That serious?

  “You surprised me this week.”