“Unfortunately, no,” McMahon said.
“Then let’s go see if we can get something out of Marcus,” Angela said.
McMahon led them to his SUV, which was parked on the curb. They climbed inside and McMahon drove off.
“There is one new development I didn’t mention. I’m no longer the team lead. Agent Samuel Granier has replaced me,” McMahon said, and he took a quick glance at Penfield. “He’s going to have an issue with you being there, Alex. An agent was killed under his watch earlier. There will be no room for flexibility with him.”
“I understand.”
There were, of course, arguments Penfield could have made, but they would have been pointless to make them to McMahon now that he’d been replaced. Penfield thought McMahon was lucky to still be on the case in any capacity. In a way, this new development didn’t matter to Penfield. His sole focus was to find Jenna, and no one was going to get in his way.
They made the rest of the drive to Central State in silence. Penfield assumed McMahon would ask Angela many of the same questions that he had, but he didn’t. Penfield did his best not to bother Angela either. They hadn’t gotten seats together on either flight, and their layover had consisted of a mad dash to the next gate. That had solved the problem of what to potentially talk about. He’d known she wouldn’t be in the mood for small talk, and he certainly wasn’t going to discuss a current FBI investigation on a crowded plane.
Things were different in the safe confines of McMahon’s SUV, but Penfield inadvertently saw Angela’s hands trembling when he turned to her. She caught his concerned look and did her best to stop the shaking, but her effort was to no avail.
As they got closer to Central State, Penfield turned back to Angela.
“We’re about five minutes away.”
She nodded.
“I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to approach this,” McMahon said.
“My presence is the prize, so we need to withhold that from Marcus for as long as possible. I suggest that Alex goes in alone since he’s had the most success in talking with him,” Angela said, and she turned to Penfield. “You press him for information on Jenna. If you can’t get anywhere, then I’ll come in and see what I can do. I have no idea how he’ll react when he sees me.”
“I guess you guys didn’t hear me earlier. There’s no way Agent Granier is going to let Alex anywhere near Marcus,” McMahon said.
“Granier isn’t the one in charge here. The sooner he realizes that, the better,” Angela said.
Penfield knew Angela hadn’t meant for her statement to sound boastful. Instead, she was at her breaking point and she would have no patience for an FBI agent’s stubbornness, especially given her hatred for the Bureau. Penfield and Angela had had a case of theirs taken over by the FBI years before. The agent in charge was reckless and stupid, and his incompetence had gotten the main witness to the crime killed.
They eventually arrived at Central State and were greeted in the lobby by Dr. Mata, as well as Agents Granier, Porter and Santos.
Penfield caught Agent Porter’s disapproving stare at him as they’d entered the building, but he said nothing.
“Good evening, Dr. Mata,” McMahon said.
“Good evening, Agent McMahon,” Dr. Mata said.
The man Penfield assumed was Granier stepped closer to McMahon.
“Is that Penfield?” he asked.
“Yes, it is,” McMahon said.
“How many different ways do I need to say this, McMahon? He’s not coming anywhere near that interview room,” Granier said.
“You FBI guys are all the same,” Angela said.
McMahon and Granier turned to her.
“It’s always a dick measuring contest with you guys,” Angela continued, and she stepped up to Granier who towered over her. “Let me be perfectly clear, Agent Granier. You’re not getting anything out of Marcus without me, and I don’t go into that room without Alex.”
“With all due respect, Ms. Darden, you’re not the one calling the shots here,” Granier said.
Angela turned to McMahon.
“I’m sorry, Doug. I tried,” Angela said.
She turned and started walking toward the exit.
“You’re not going to stop her?” Porter asked Granier.
“She’s bluffing,” Granier said.
“You’ve never met Angela before,” Penfield said.
Angela opened the door and exited the building. The door swung shut behind her.
“Agent Granier, we all want the same thing and we’re losing precious time. We’re not interested in running this investigation, but we know Marcus. You don’t,” Penfield said.
Granier turned to Porter.
“Go get her. Tell Ms. Darden that her friend, Penfield, is back in the game.”
Porter nodded and she jogged for the door. She went outside and returned with Angela a few moments later.
“I’ve had the restraints in the room reinforced. Also, I’ll have two guards posted in the back corners of the room. Now, may we proceed to the interview room?” Dr. Mata asked.
“Of course, Doctor,” Granier said.
They followed Dr. Mata down the hallway, although Penfield knew the way by heart after his multiple visits to the facility. The FBI agents kept pace with Dr. Mata, while Angela was a few steps behind them. Penfield stayed behind Angela the entire way. She held her head high and her hands were steady once more. This was the Angela he remembered from their time on the force. All business and ready to run over whoever got in her way.
When they arrived at the interview room, Penfield looked through the window in the door. He saw that Marcus was already looking at him as if he could sense his presence. Two large guards, each around Penfield’s height and weight, stood behind Marcus.
“Good luck,” Angela whispered.
Penfield turned to her and saw that she’d positioned herself behind the FBI agents and Dr. Mata and out of view of the door’s window. Penfield nodded to her and walked inside the room.
He studied Marcus for a moment. The man’s arrogance seemed to have disappeared, at least for the moment.
Penfield tried to calm his nerves. They were on the third and last day of Marcus’ deadline. He had to get answers out of the man.
Penfield moved to the table and sat opposite Marcus.
“Did you bring her to me?” Marcus asked.
“Who am I speaking to?” Penfield asked, ignoring Marcus’ question.
“It’s not here, not now at least.”
“Then be the Marcus Carter that I remember. Tell me where Jenna is.”
Marcus turned and looked at the mirror. Then he turned back to Penfield.
“I assume Agent McMahon is with you this time. I want him to know that I don’t want his daughter harmed,” Marcus said.
“Then why was she taken?”
“You know why.”
“The time for playing games is at an end. They found Luis Vargas.”
“Is that supposed to mean something to me?”
“They know he was your messenger.”
“Then why are you here if the FBI has figured everything out? Luis Vargas knows nothing. It is the messenger. It doesn’t need a security guard.”
“Where is Jenna?”
“I told you, Alex. There’s only one way I’m going to help you. Bring me Angela. Have you done that or not?”
Penfield said nothing. Marcus turned to the mirror.
“I want to leave this room, Dr. Mata. I’m done talking,” Marcus said.
The door opened a moment later. Penfield didn’t turn to see who it was. He already knew. Instead, he studied Marcus’ reaction. He wasn’t disappointed. The man’s mood dropped even more, and Penfield thought he saw a look of sorrow and regret in Marcus’ eyes.
Penfield stood and stepped away from the table. Angela walked a few paces from the door but then stopped several feet from Marcus.
“Hello, Marcus.”
“They told me you
were dead, but I didn’t believe them. I knew you were alive. I felt it in every part of my body.”
Angela didn’t respond.
“I’ve thought back to that day, the day you were hurt,” Marcus continued.
“You mean the day you tried to murder me,” she said.
“It wasn’t me. I hunted it, just like you did. I didn’t know what it was, not until after you were hurt.”
“I’m not here to talk about the previous case. I don’t want to hear your pathetic excuses.”
“They’re not excuses.”
“Then what are they?”
“I’m sorry, Angela.”
“Do you think that’s what I want to hear? I didn’t come here for that. You’re a sad little man. You hurt others to make yourself feel powerful. Now tell me what I want to know so I can get out of here and never see your face again,” Angela said.
Marcus looked away for a moment. Then he turned back to Angela.
“Is he okay? Tell me about him.”
“Is who okay?” Angela asked.
“Our son. What did you name him?”
Penfield was stunned. He hadn’t told McMahon that Angela had a son and she hadn’t mentioned it during their drive from the airport to Central State. But McMahon wouldn’t have told Marcus that fact anyway. So, how had Marcus known?
Penfield looked at Angela and saw her hands were shaking again.
“We have no son,” Angela said.
“He’s in danger. That’s the real reason I wanted you here. I wanted to warn you.”
Angela said nothing.
“It wants him. It has since I’ve been in here, but I won’t let it leave me. We are connected now. I’ve done everything I can to protect our boy,” Marcus said.
“We have no son,” Angela repeated.
She turned from Marcus and left the room. Penfield waited a long moment. Then he walked back to the table and sat.
“I did what you asked. I brought you Angela. It’s your turn now. Where is Jenna McMahon?”
Marcus looked toward the mirror. He stared at it for several seconds.
“Where is she?” Penfield asked, this time with even more urgency in his voice.
Marcus turned back to Penfield.
“I’ll take you to Jenna. That’s the only way you’ll get her back.”
“No deal. You’ll tell me where she is.”
“No. I’ll take you to the girl myself. If not, then she’ll die, and you’ll never find her body. That is the new deal.”
Penfield stood.
“I need you to tell Angela again that I’m sorry,” Marcus continued. “She and our son are the only ones I care about now.”
Marcus turned to the mirror again.
“I’m ready to go back to my cell, Dr. Mata. We’re done here.”
“It’s out of the question. I’m not letting Marcus Carter leave this facility,” Dr. Mata said.
Dr. Mata, Penfield, Angela, and the FBI agents had reconvened in Dr. Mata’s office.
“I’m inclined to agree with you, Doctor. I’m done playing Marcus Carter’s games,” Granier said.
“If he can take us to my daughter, then we have to try,” McMahon said.
“We all know how much you want her back, but I’m convinced that Carter knows nothing,” Granier said.
“Marcus is lying, Doug. I’m sorry. I know this was the best chance to find Jenna, but he’s toying with you,” Angela said.
“The thing he said about your son, is it true? Did you have a child with Marcus?” McMahon asked.
“The details of my life are not open for discussion,” Angela said.
“Don’t give me that bullshit, Angela. He didn’t just guess that. Besides, he said ‘son’ and not just child. Was he right?” McMahon asked.
“He was just trying to rattle me and throw off the focus of the investigation,” Angela said.
“But why?” Penfield asked.
“What do you mean why? You’ve interviewed thousands of suspects. It’s standard procedure with them. They want to control the narrative. You can’t let them,” Angela said.
“Marcus is no normal suspect and you’re not a typical interrogator to him. Why did he ask that specific thing? There were any number of things he could have done to throw you off, but he picked that one thing. There’s another question we haven’t asked ourselves,” Penfield said.
“I know the question. How did Marcus know?” Angela asked. She hesitated a second. Then she said, “My God, was the point of this to get me away from him?”
Angela pulled out her phone as she quickly left the room.
“My child for hers? Is that what she’s talking about?” McMahon asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I was followed out there,” Penfield said.
“Either way, we need to get the U.S. attorney’s office on the line,” McMahon said.
“You’ll do no such thing. We’re done with Carter,” Granier said.
McMahon was about to respond when a security guard entered Dr. Mata’s office.
“Forgive the intrusion, Doctor, but Marcus Carter is screaming a woman’s name over and over again. I thought you should know.”
“What name is it?” Dr. Mata asked.
“He’s saying the name Abby Patton. He says you can find her body at First Landing State Park,” the guard said.
Penfield turned to McMahon.
“That park is where Marcus left one of his victims. There has to be significance to that. He’s probably left another message too.”
“Do you remember exactly where the body was found?” Granier asked.
“That’s not something you forget,” Penfield said.
“Then it seems you’re still in the game, Mr. Penfield,” Granier said, and he left the office.
29
First Landing
Granier directed Agents Porter and Santos to head immediately for First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He also told them to take Penfield and Angela in an attempt to locate the body of Abby Patton quicker, if she was even there.
As they were leaving, Penfield overheard McMahon arguing with Granier over Marcus. McMahon threatened to go over Granier’s head, which Penfield knew wasn’t an idle threat. He doubted the FBI would be moved by McMahon’s pleas, though. Instead, he thought they’d need a stronger motivation. Penfield just didn’t know what that was.
They exited Central State and walked toward Porter’s vehicle.
Penfield drew closer to Angela.
“Did you get through to them?”
Angela nodded.
“Charlie’s fine. His friend’s father is a cop. It’s one of the reasons I was okay with leaving him.”
“Does he have any idea what’s going on?” Penfield asked.
“No, but the guy’s pretty vigilant anyway.”
“Do you need to go? We can get you to the airport.”
“I know, but I want to follow this through. I didn’t come here to not get that girl back.”
They reached Porter’s vehicle. Penfield and Angela climbed in the back while Porter sat behind the wheel. Santos took the front passenger seat.
Santos spent the first ten minutes of the drive on the phone with Quantico. He ended the call and turned to Porter.
“They found twenty-three Abby Pattons, none of them reported missing.”
“If she fits the pattern of the others, she may not have anyone in her life that would have noticed her absence,” Porter said.
Penfield thought the agent was dead wrong. Instead, he guessed the lack of a missing person’s report pointed to two other possibilities. Either a disinterested cop neglected to fill out the report or Abby hadn’t been gone long enough. If that was the case, how had Marcus learned her name, especially with Luis Vargas dead? There had to be another connection that the FBI had yet to uncover.
“It will be dark by the time we get there. What are the chances we find this woman?” Santos asked.
“If there’s eve
n someone there to find. Why do we even believe this Marcus guy, anyway? This whole thing is a waste of time,” Porter said.
Penfield saw Porter glance at Angela in the rearview mirror.
“Excuse me, but Agent McMahon has said very little about you. You were partners with Marcus Carter, is that correct?” Porter asked.
“I’m sorry, Agent Porter, but I don’t intend to spend the next two hours playing twenty questions with you. I’m here to help. That’s all you need to know,” Angela said.
“You’re lucky you’re here at all. If it was up to me–” Santos started, but Angela cut him off.
“It’s not up to you, though, is it? You two have no idea what you’re up against. And no, Agent, this whole thing is not a waste of time.”
“You’re not talking to a couple of rookies here,” Porter said.
“I may as well be. You know nothing about this case,” Angela said.
“We know a hell of a lot more than someone who just dropped in,” Santos said.
“Is that who I am?” Angela asked.
“You both know this case goes back ten years. Angela was one of the lead investigators. She knows more about this than anyone,” Penfield said.
“Yet she didn’t know what her own partner was up to? Great job, Detective,” Porter said.
“You know what I see? I see a couple of arrogant asses who think three letters on their backs mean something,” Angela said.
Penfield saw Porter about to form another comeback.
“That’s enough, Agents. We’ll get nowhere tearing each other apart,” Penfield said.
“We didn’t start it,” Santos said.
“We didn’t start it? You sound like a child getting scolded by their parent,” Angela said.
“You’re McMahon’s friends. That’s the only reason I don’t pull over and toss you both out,” Porter said.
Penfield placed his hand on Angela’s forearm, and she got the message. He could feel the anger radiating from Angela and he deeply regretted bringing her back into the nightmare that was Marcus Carter. Then again, he knew she’d never left.
As they neared the end of the two-hour drive, Santos received a call. Penfield tried to listen to the other end, but he couldn’t hear anything. Santos, for his part, said very little.
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