The Cold Trail

by J. C. Fields

  “Late fall of each year.”

  Tucker’s face grew pale. “That’s the time of year Moody always went undercover.”

  “Gil, I’m going to call the FBI in. We need to get a federal warrant for Moody’s cell phone records, his bank records and credit card bills. Jimmie Gibbs will assist with getting a federal judge to sign the warrant. Do you want your department to be involved?”

  Tucker nodded.

  ***

  Early the next day, after only three hours of sleep, Kruger ducked under the yellow crime scene tape and entered Joel Moody’s office at the Haylex corporate office. Seattle detectives, local forensic personnel, and several FBI agents Kruger didn’t know were busy gathering files and evidence for closer scrutiny at the local crime lab.

  Sandy Knoll stood in a corner, his massive arms crossed over his chest as he supervised the process. He nodded to Kruger as he approached.

  “Heard anything from JR?”

  “Not yet,” Kruger answered. “Anything of importance here?”

  Knoll chuckled. “Yeah, corporate attorneys keep threatening us. Claiming this is corporate property and not subject to seizure.”

  Smiling, Kruger nodded. “Standard procedure. Seen anything of Burns?”

  “No.”

  “They’ve got this under control.” He pulled a folded sheet of paper from the inside pocket of his blazer. “I need you and one of the computer techs to accompany me. A federal judge just signed this search warrant for Moody and the younger Burns’ work records. When the three of us show up at their HR department, attorneys are going to be coming out of the woodwork. My guess is we’ll meet Burns then.”

  Knoll grinned, “Wish Charlie Craft was here.”

  “I spoke to him before I arrived. He recommended Krista Tam; is she here?”

  Pointing toward a twenty-something woman sitting at Moody’s desk, “That’s her.”

  Krista Tam was in her late twenties, tall, with a round face, almond-shaped eyes, black hair pulled back into a ponytail, and black rim glasses sitting on a petite nose allowing brown eyes to focus on her work. She was dressed professionally in a light gray pantsuit and an open collar silk blouse.

  Knoll walked over to her. “Krista, could you come with me?”

  She looked up at the big man. A slight grin appeared. “Sure.”

  Standing, she followed Knoll and Kruger out of Moody’s office.

  ***

  The receptionist in Haylex Holdings HR department stared at the search warrant with wide eyes and no comment. Refusing to touch the document, she finally picked up the phone on her desk and touched three numbers on the keypad.

  “Ms. Potter, uh… We, uh… Could you come to my desk, please?”

  She was silent for several moments, listening to the person on the other end of the call. “There are three FBI agents with a search warrant standing in front of my desk,” she whispered into the phone.

  More silence as she listened and stared at the warrant still in Kruger’s hand. “Thank you.”

  She replaced the receiver, looked up at Kruger, then Knoll and back to Kruger. “Ms. Potter will be out shortly.”

  Kruger smiled. “Thank you.”

  The clicking of heels on marble tiles could be heard as the Director of HR walked toward the reception area of her department. The pace was hurried, not panicked, but rapid.

  Sheryl Potter was a mature woman, Kruger guessed in her late fifties, with a stern demeanor and attitude. She was immaculately dressed in a navy pantsuit with a light blue sweater underneath. A pearl necklace accented the ensemble. Her shoulder-length white hair bounced as he strode into the lobby. Her hazel eyes glanced from Knoll, to Krista Tam, and finally settled on Kruger.

  “What’s this about a search warrant?” she asked immediately.

  “My name is Sean Kruger, we are special agents with the FBI. This is a federal search warrant, duly signed by a judge, for the Haylex Holdings personnel records of Joel D. Moody and Robert Burns Jr.” He handed her search warrant.

  With a slight hesitation, she accepted the paper. “I’m going to have to contact our attorneys before I let you into our records.”

  Shaking his head, Kruger gave her a frown. “Doesn’t work that way.”

  “Well, I can’t just let you waltz in here and start tearing up the place and looking through everyone’s personnel records.”

  “We’re not interested in anybody else’s records. Only Moody and the younger Burns.”

  She tried to hand the search warrant back to Kruger, who made no effort to accept it.

  “I will not let you into our records until our attorneys are present.”

  Kruger turned to Knoll, “Agent Knoll, please place Ms. Potter under arrest for impeding a rightfully served federal search warrant.”

  As Sandy walked toward the woman, her eyes widened, the color drained from her face, and she put her palms up in the air toward Knoll. “You can’t…”

  “Yes, we can. Now do you want to cooperate, or does Agent Knoll lead you off the premises in cuffs?” Kruger’s jaws clinched and his brow furrowed.

  She lowered her hands, stared at the search warrant, and then slowly nodded her head. “Very well, follow me.” She turned toward the receptionist. “Linda, please call Mr. Burns’ office and let them know what is going on.”

  Ten minutes later, a tall man in his late sixties walked purposely into the officer where Krista Tam was working on a Haylex Holding computer terminal. His face was red, his breathing labored, and his nostrils flared.

  “What the hell is the meaning of this intrusion?” he demanded.

  Kruger, who had been waiting for his opportunity to confront Robert Burns Sr., smiled slightly. He walked toward the man with his credentials held in his right hand.

  “FBI.”

  When the man reached for them, Kruger withdrew his arm and placed his ID back in his inside suitcoat pocket. He stepped forward, “Special Agent Sean Kruger. We have a search warrant duly signed by a federal judge for the personnel records of Joel Moody and your son, Robert Burns Jr. Do not interfere.”

  “Do you know who I am, Agent?”

  “Yes, I know who you are. But quite frankly, I don’t care. Federal law applies to everyone.”

  Burns’ breathing rate became more erratic as his jaw tightened. Through clinched teeth he said, “I am the CEO of this company and a former Senator. I demand you stop this illegal search immediately.”

  Kruger smiled slightly and leaned closer to Burns. “Not going to happen. Now please leave this office.”

  “I will have your badge, Agent, so help me.”

  “Others have tried. I still have it.”

  Both men stood and glared at each other, Kruger standing straight, his arms now crossed over his chest, as he observed the elder Burns. Finally, the older man’s breathing slowed and became more normal, his face softened.

  “May I speak to you privately, Agent?”

  Kruger tilted his head slightly. “Why?”

  “I want to understand the reason for the search warrant.”

  “It’s simple. We need company records concerning Mr. Moody and your son’s whereabouts while traveling on corporate business.”

  “Why my son?”

  “He’s a person of interest in a federal investigation.”

  “Just because he’s been wrongfully accused of a crime does not give you the right to violate his rights.”

  “Your son is a person of interest in a series of abductions seventeen years ago.”

  Burns stared at Kruger, the realization of his worst fears about his son’s future suddenly materializing. In a less confrontation tone, Burns asked. “Once again, Agent, may we speak in private?”

  Kruger turned to Knoll and Tam and asked, “Sandy, could you two give us a few minutes?”

  Knoll nodded and motioned Krista to follow.

  While they walked out, Kruger reached into his pocket and touched an icon on his phone. He then redirected his attention to Bur
ns. “Is this private enough for you?”

  The older man crossed his arms over his chest. “How much?”

  “How much what?”

  “How much money to make you forget this investigation?”

  Smiling slightly, Kruger shook his head. “I’m not following you, Mr. Burns.”

  “Do I have to spell it out for you, Agent? I’m one of the richest men in the world, and I will spend whatever it takes to defend my son. You can do yourself a favor and be the recipient of some of my money instead of it going to a bunch of lawyers.”

  Kruger smiled at Burns, knowing he now had an ace up his sleeve. An attempt by Robert Burns Sr. to bribe an agent with the FBI. He reached into his pocket again and turned off the recording app.

  “I’ll think about it. In the meantime, I have an investigation to conduct.”

  Chapter 37

  Seattle, WA /Springfield, MO

  “I’m at the airport waiting for my flight. Did you find anything on the Marriott’s security cameras?” Sean Kruger held the cell phone tight to his ear with his shoulder as he walked toward his departure gate at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

  “Yeah. Moody and his wife watched the SUV drive off and then walk toward the parking lot. Exact same thing I did in New Jersey. It was a ruse.”

  “Did you see where they went?”

  “SUV in the far corner of the hotel parking lot. He knew where the security cameras were because there isn’t a clear picture of the car or the license plate.”

  “Can you make out the model?”

  “I’m not sure, either a Kia or a Hyundai.”

  “What color?”

  “Dark, either black, dark red, or dark blue. Parking lot lights and distance make it hard to distinguish.”

  “Can you enhance the picture to make sure?”

  “I can, but it will take a little time.”

  “Fine, one more thing.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Gibbs is going to send you a file on Moody. I need you to do a deep dive on him.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  “I don’t want to put any preconceived solutions in your head.”

  “What if I don’t find anything?”

  “If you don’t, hey, you tried. But there’s something there, JR.”

  “Okay, if you say so. How far back do you want me to go?”

  “1997.”

  “Okay. Challenging, but doable.”

  “That’s the JR I’ve grown to love.”

  “Ha ha.”

  “I’ll be in town by tonight.”

  “Let’s talk tomorrow.”

  Kruger ended the call just as he entered the departure gate. He took a deep breath, his current absence from home weighing heavy on his mind. After checking the departure time at the gate, he dialed Stephanie’s cell phone. It was answered on the third ring.

  “Hi, is your flight on time?”

  “Hi back. So far. Sorry for staying a couple of days longer than I thought.”

  There was silence on the call. Finally, he heard. “Did you make any progress?”

  “I think so. JR is helping now.”

  “Good.”

  “How are the kids?”

  “They’re fine. Kristin keeps asking when Daddy will be home and Mikey’s always smiling.”

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The emptiness of being away from his family over the past week suddenly engulfed him. Taking another deep breath, he settled his feelings. “I’ll be home tonight by six, if the flight out of Dallas is on time.”

  “Good. I have some news, if you’re interested?”

  Another pang of guilt swept over him. With a cheerier voice than he felt, he answered, “Of course I’m interested.”

  She chuckled. “It’ll have to wait until you get home. We’ll get the kids to bed and then I’ll tell you.”

  “Not fair.”

  Another chuckle. “Tough, see you tonight.”

  The call ended and his mood darkened even farther.

  ***

  Kruger straightened the blankets on the sleepy little girl’s bed. After kissing his daughter goodnight, he walked out of her bedroom and left the door slightly ajar. When he walked into their bedroom, Stephanie was already in bed with the covers pulled up.

  “So, what was the big news you wanted to tell me?”

  She smiled but did not respond.

  “Are you finally going to tell me?”

  “Get ready for bed. You’re tired.”

  “I’m still on Pacific Time. My body thinks it’s seven.”

  “Go on, it’s late, get cleaned up and come to bed. I’ll tell you then.”

  Five minutes later, he slipped into bed and snuggled against her, feeling bare skin. “So, what’s the big news?”

  “I love you.”

  “I know that.”

  “No, you’re feeling guilty about being out of town for a few days and afraid your family is slipping away from you. I heard it in your voice when you called. Trust me, we are not.”

  “Are you naked?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I want you to quit worrying about being away from us and do what you do best. Then, after you quit worrying, I want you to make love to me.”

  He pulled off his t-shirt and embraced her.

  ***

  As they lay next to each other, the warmth of their intimacy comforted Kruger. Stephanie lay with her head on his chest, and his right arm was draped over her shoulder. The silence and the joy of being together more important than talking. He took a deep breath.

  After a few minutes, he decided to ask, “So what was the good news?”

  “Remember I told you they wanted me to teach part-time and mentor senior women?”

  “Yeah.”

  “The head of the department changed her mind.”

  “I’m sorry, I thought you were excited about it. Why is that good news?”

  “There’s more.”

  “Oh…”

  “She offered me a full-time position as an instructor.”

  He smiled and squeezed her tighter. “That’s wonderful. When do you start?”

  “Next semester. They also want me to start working on my doctorate.”

  “Even better. Where?”

  “Here.”

  “Business?”

  She shook her head, but did not answer.

  “Finance?”

  “No.”

  “Then what?”

  “You’ll laugh.”

  “I promise, I won’t.”

  “It’s a new program they’ve been thinking about for several years and want me to be their first doctorate candidate.”

  “IN WHAT?”

  “Gender Studies. Mainly about women balancing work and personal life.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded.

  “I think it’s wonderful. How did this come about?”

  “She likes the fact I rose to a senior VP position and then walked away to raise a family. The fact I have a master’s degree didn’t hurt. I’ll still get to mentor senior women business majors.”

  “Good. You said yes, didn’t you?”

  She shook her head again.

  “Why not?”

  “Remember we make decisions as a couple now. Or did you forget?”

  “No.” His thoughts went back to his reluctance to rejoin the agency until she told him it was his only choice.

  “I wanted to be intimate with you before we discussed it.”

  “Bribe?”

  She poked a finger in his rib. “Of course not.” She paused briefly. “Well, maybe.”

  “Is this what you want?”

  “Yes, more than I thought I would. It’s exciting. Plus, I won’t have to travel or be away from you and the kids.”

  “Tell her tomorrow you accept.”

  She raised her head and they kissed.

  “I will.”

  ***


  After dropping Kristin and Mikey at their new day-care facility, Kruger parked his Mustang in front of JR Diminski’s office building in a visitor’s parking slot. When he walked in Jodie Roberson, vice president and general manager, was talking to the receptionist and made a bee-line toward him. After a quick I-haven’t-seen-you-in-a-long-time hug, she smiled.

  “I understand you’re back with the FBI?”

  “Yes. How’ve you been, Jodie?”

  “Busy. Trying to keep JR grounded is exhausting work.”

  “I can only imagine. Is he here?”

  She pointed toward the ceiling. “Second floor, his normal cubicle. I got here at seven and he was already engrossed in something. No telling how long he’s been here.”

  Kruger smiled. “I gave him a homework assignment last night.”

  “Good, it’ll keep him from interfering with our normal routine.”

  Chuckling, he walked toward the stairs leading to the second floor. Kruger remained amazed at how JR’s small regional one-man company had grown into a fifty-one employee national enterprise.

  As he approached JR’s cubicle next to the glassed-in conference room, he saw his friend’s head swiveling as he surveyed three flat-screen monitors in front of him. Stopping at the table behind JR, Kruger looked at the Mr. Coffee machine. It looked well used, but he did not see any coffee for it.

  Without turning, JR said, “Everyone is using it, but think it’s someone else’s duty to buy coffee. If you want a cup, you’ll have to use the Keurig.”

  Shrugging, he picked a coffee pod, placed it in the Keurig and pushed the flashing blue button. So far, JR had not diverted his attention from the monitors. When the coffee was done, JR turned to look at him. “Make me one, too.”

  Kruger placed his untouched cup in front of JR and waited for a few moments. “Your welcome.”

  “What?”

  “I said, you’re welcome.”

  “Uh, okay. Uh, thanks, I guess.”

  Chuckling, Kruger returned to the machine to fill another mug with coffee. While the water was forced through the pod, he leaned against the table and asked, “Find anything?”

  “Yeah, finish making your coffee and pull up a chair.”