“As soon as we’re done here, I’m going to have a little chat with him,” Kent said, irritated. “I’ll have the truth out of him in ten minutes.”
Nina gave him a sardonic look. “I’m betting he’ll crack in less than five.”
Wade glanced at his cell. “Buxton just texted me. He wants us all in his suite for a meeting.”
They took the elevator to the thirty-first floor and made their way to the end of the hall, where they found a countersurveillance specialist leaving Buxton’s suite.
“All done with your sweep?” Nina asked him.
He nodded. “Found a total of six bugs, two in each room. One in the lamp and the other in a pen on the desk. The guy was consistent.”
“Have a seat,” Buxton told the team after they filed inside and closed the door. “Not that anyone is likely to be on the other end of Forge’s listening devices anymore, but I wanted them gone before sharing some news with you.”
Nina strolled across the spacious suite, eyeing the sofa, love seat, and armchair clustered around a glass-topped coffee table. As expected, Buxton chose the armchair. She plopped down next to Breck on the love seat, leaving the sofa to Wade and Kent.
Buxton waited for everyone to settle before filling them in. “I was just on the phone with SAC Wong. Agents from the PFO located Mr. Forge’s vehicle parked in the rear of the building. He had a military-grade night-vision system and visible infrared laser, dark camo, and Nike running shoes stashed in the trunk.”
“Now we know how he got the drop on the families,” Nina said. “Did they find a burglary kit too?”
Buxton nodded. “A complete lockpick set. Looked like it had seen a lot of use.” He turned to Breck. “Did you discover anything during your preliminary examination of Mr. Forge’s two laptops?”
“He wiped the one he left in his hotel room,” Breck said. “But the one he left at the crime scene was a gold mine. I figured out how he targeted his victims.” She grew animated, as she always did when discussing computer forensics. “He had encrypted files for all the past cases. It’s fascinating how he slowly and methodically winnowed an ocean of potential victims down to a small pool.”
Buxton leaned forward. “Can you provide an overview for us . . . without too much computer-ese?”
“He’s high enough up in Jexton Security to have access to their entire national client database,” Breck said. “Since Jexton is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rubric Realty, they share information. Forge used that cross-connectivity to devise a kind of back door into Rubric’s computer system.”
“He’s shown he’s tech savvy,” Wade said. “But I still don’t understand how he used the systems.”
“From what I could tell, he cross-referenced Rubric’s clients with Jexton’s,” Breck said. “Then he mined Rubric’s database for couples who had recently purchased a home or were currently looking for one. That yielded tens of thousands of data points across the country. Next, he set up search parameters with keywords like ‘nursery’ or ‘baby.’ Then he narrowed the search further by accessing notes the real estate agents put in their client files. That’s where he would find details about couples moving to have more room for a growing family. As we suspected, he kept several couples under observation as backups to his primary choice.”
“But how did he know those couples didn’t have other kids?” Kent asked. “Each of the victim families had a firstborn child.”
Breck frowned. “Once he found couples that met his criteria, he checked for past birth announcements, information about schools, Little League sports—anything that would indicate they already had other children.”
“How did he access that information?” Nina asked.
Breck shrugged. “It’s not that hard. Most people freely post all kinds of stuff about their families on social media sites. In the days before the internet, there were birth announcements in the papers for him to look up. Once he developed a list of potential targets, he began to spot-check them.”
“How did he do that?” Nina asked.
“The older cases indicate he did the kind of surveillance a private investigator might do. Once camera systems became more common, he used their own home-security system’s video-surveillance capabilities to monitor them.”
“He used their own security systems to spy on them?” Kent said.
“It gets worse.” Breck pursed her lips. “Some of the newer systems are controlled through the client’s home computer. You know how you can use your smartphone to turn on the lights or see who’s at your door when you’re away?”
Everyone nodded. Nina was appalled at Forge’s ability to invade people’s privacy using technology.
“He used that feature to introduce a Trojan horse into their computer,” Breck said. “From that point on, he was in the background, monitoring every keystroke, using their televisions and computer terminals to watch them.”
“He broke into homes without anyone ever knowing,” Kent added.
“What about Thomas Kirk, the real estate agent with Rubric?” Wade asked. “Was there anything about him in there?”
Breck nodded. “Thanks to the bugs, Forge overheard us talking about interviewing Kirk. Turns out Kirk frequently referred high-end clients to Forge, so that must have been why he stole Kirk’s computer. He wanted to hide any digital evidence connecting them.”
“I still don’t understand about the Llorona case.” Kent gave Nina an apologetic look. “I mean, the Vega case. According to Detective O’Malley, they never activated their alarm system.”
“I checked that file and found a record of the alarm system the previous owners had,” Breck said. “It was one of Jexton’s earlier models. We’re talking 1992 here. Back in those days, security systems could be either wireless, wired, or a combination of both. The Vega home’s system was hardwired from the house to a main control box and was connected to a central monitoring station using telephone lines.”
Nina made the next logical leap. “So all Forge would have to do was physically access the wiring, which he could have done if he showed up trying to sell them the service for the existing alarm. After that, he learns that tapping into alarm systems can make his job easier going forward.”
Breck nodded. “He adapts as technology improves,” she said. “It didn’t take long for cameras to be integrated into home security.”
“Anything else we need to know?” Buxton asked.
“It’s like digging in a field, looking for seeds,” Breck said. “I’m still going through everything, but I’ll keep you updated.”
“Thank you, Agent Breck,” Buxton said. He looked uncomfortable, as if he didn’t want to broach the next subject. “Before we get to the rest of the agenda, there is a personnel matter to discuss.” His somber gaze fell on Nina. “Agent Guerrera, you violated numerous policies and procedures in the process of this investigation. Your insubordination has put me in an awkward position, and I intend to deal with it here and now.”
Chapter 61
Nina’s eyes slid down to her folded hands. “I will accept whatever discipline is recommended, sir.”
Buxton frowned. “That may not be necessary.”
Her head snapped back up. “Isn’t that what this meeting is about?” She figured he wanted to make an example of her in case anyone else on the team thought they could flout the rules and get away with it.
“That’s not how it’s done,” he said patiently. “Besides, SAC Wong tells me you’ve become a hero in Phoenix. She hasn’t received so many requests for comment in quite a long time. And never for anything favorable to the Bureau.”
“Then why—”
“I had planned to place a letter of reprimand in your file, Agent Guerrera,” he said. “SAC Wong, however, proposed submitting you for a commendation. We had a discussion and decided they canceled each other out.” A ghost of a smile momentarily lifted the corners of his mouth.
She blinked in confusion. Somehow, she had escaped career annihilation.
&
nbsp; “The next point of order is the lab results,” Buxton continued. “I personally reached out to both Maria’s and Victor Vega’s families to confirm Mr. Snead’s television report,” Buxton said. “They needed to know we had verified the information.”
Nina imagined Teresa sharing the news with the rest of the family. Then she pictured Ana and Luis Vega in their grim, dark house, learning they had a granddaughter . . . a ray of light in their bleak existence.
“There’s another reason I asked you all here for this meeting,” Buxton continued after giving Nina a searching look. “SAC Wong and I had a lengthy conversation about an hour ago. She has a proposal for us.”
The team exchanged glances. Apparently, Nina wasn’t the only one out of the proverbial loop.
“SAC Wong has assigned most of her agents to work a case with national security implications.”
Nina understood that to mean terrorist cell operating in the area.
“Sounds serious,” Kent said. “What does she want us to do?”
“Regarding that investigation?” Buxton waved a dismissive hand. “Nothing. SAC Wong is handling it. Yesterday, however, the Phoenix police approached her requesting assistance with a series of disappearances. She feels our team would be best suited to tackle that investigation due to our unique combination of skills.”
Nina was perplexed. “Why does she want our help?”
“Because SAC Wong’s resources are stretched tight right now, and this new case has the potential to grow hair.” Buxton leaned back. “If we’re willing to work out of the Phoenix field office for the next few weeks, the assignment is ours.”
She recognized the offer for what it was. SAC Wong could have requested assistance from any number of different assets the FBI had at its disposal. There was no specific need for her team to work the Phoenix disappearances. Buxton knew it too. They were providing her an opportunity to stay in town and get to know her family for an extended time. Overwhelmed by gratitude, she wanted to accept, but it was a big ask for her team, who had lives of their own back home. She had no right to uproot everyone else.
Before she could formulate a response, Kent shot to his feet, back ramrod straight, arms tight against his sides.
Buxton looked as baffled as Nina felt. “What are you doing, Agent Kent?” he asked.
Still keeping his rigid stance, Kent spoke in clipped tones. “Volunteering, sir.”
“I don’t understand,” Buxton said.
Kent continued to stare straight ahead. “In my unit, every member of the platoon stood to show their acceptance of a new mission.”
Kent’s gesture let all of them know he understood what this meant for Nina and was willing to make the sacrifice for her.
The idea that a member of her team was willing to put his personal life on hold in order to give her a chance to come to terms with her new identity as a member of a family—of two families—tugged at her heart.
The cushion beside her shifted as Breck rose to her feet as well. Moments later, Wade followed suit. Buxton gave her a long look before he, too, stood.
She glanced at the four people around her, all standing at attention in a silent show of solidarity. With the backs of her eyes stinging, she got up to stand with those who stood with her.
Chapter 62
Nina lingered on her aunt’s doorstep the following morning, nerves roiling her stomach. Repeated calls to Teresa the previous evening had gone straight to voice mail. At first, she’d assumed Teresa was busy with the arrival of her first grandchild, but as the hours went by with no response, Nina had concluded her aunt did not want to speak to her.
She didn’t blame her. Because of Nina’s involvement in the investigation, the same killer who had taken her sister’s life had nearly murdered Teresa’s daughter and granddaughter. Nina had brought the specter of death back to their family. She hadn’t bargained for the pain her return would bring into their lives. Or her own.
Finally, after hours of no response, Teresa had texted Nina’s cell phone half an hour earlier, asking her to come to the house without further explanation. Kent had offered to accompany her, but this was something she had to face alone.
She didn’t expect virtual strangers who had just learned of their biological connection to understand what she had done, but she hoped they would at least hear her out. All she could do was apologize, which was what she had come to do.
Thoughts of the twenty-eight-year separation from her relatives made Nina realize today was March 11, her designated date of birth. Now she knew her actual birthday had been February 23. The pediatrician at the hospital where social workers had taken her had probably underestimated her age due to her small size and undernourishment. What the doctor had no way of knowing was that her undernourishment would continue in various forms. The next several years of her life involved starvation of the soul that had wrought damage she was still in the process of repairing. Given her total lack of experience as a member of a family, she was completely out of her depth in her current situation.
Expecting the worst, Nina had lifted her hand to knock when the door swung open. Teresa stood in the foyer, eyes wide. “I saw you through the living room window. Why are you standing there?” She stepped aside. “Come in.”
Nina trailed Teresa into the kitchen, where the countertops were heaped with food, as they had been before.
“Everyone’s out in the backyard.” Teresa waved a hand toward the rear of the house. “Go on through.”
Nina hesitated. “First, how is Selena?”
“She and the baby are both doing fine.” Teresa’s features warmed. “They’re out back too. You can see for yourself.”
Nina wanted to clear the air with her aunt before facing the rest of the boisterous clan. “Teresa, I owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“I’m the reason your daughter was kidnapped,” Nina began. “Clay Forge knew he could use her to get to me. If it weren’t for me, Selena and the baby would never have been in danger.”
Teresa frowned. “I don’t understand.”
If this family was going to be angry with her, to reject her, they might as well know the full extent of her guilt.
Nina straightened. “I was the one who came up with the idea to lure Forge out of hiding by using myself as bait. I thought I was taking all the risk, but Forge outmaneuvered me. My plan backfired, and it almost cost Selena and her baby their lives.”
She finished with a dry mouth, unable to look in her aunt’s eyes. “I wanted you to know the truth about what happened yesterday—and where to put the blame.” She started to turn toward the front door.
Teresa’s warm hand wrapped around her wrist, stopping her. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Don’t you see?” Nina asked her. “What happened to Selena”—she placed her palm on her chest—“is all on me.”
“You did what you thought was right,” Teresa said gently. “You had no way of knowing what would happen.” Still clutching her by the wrist, she drew Nina toward the french doors leading to the backyard. “Come celebrate with us.”
Nina shook her head. “I don’t want to intrude.”
An interloper, she had no right to join the party as they celebrated the birth of their newest family member. She might be biologically related, but she felt separate. Apart.
Realizing Teresa wouldn’t be denied, Nina relented and allowed herself to be tugged outside. As soon as the doors opened, the sounds of animated chatter reached her ears. Long picnic tables festooned with decorations dotted the yard. Paper garlands hung from a gazebo in the center of the property. At least fifty people milled around, gradually turning in her direction as they took notice of her arrival.
“Everyone.” Teresa’s voice carried, bringing the last vestiges of conversation to a stop. “For those of you who haven’t met her, this is Nina Guerrera . . . Maria’s daughter.”
Several family members approached with smiling faces. Nina started to shake their hands, bu
t they seemed to prefer rib-crushing hugs.
Selena nudged her way toward Nina through the crowd, a tiny pink bundle in her arms.
“I thought you might like a better look at your new cousin,” Selena said, angling the baby to face Nina. “Her name is Victoria Maria Fernandez.” Selena smiled as she glanced up at her husband, who had made his way to her side. “We named her after you.”
Nina didn’t understand. “Me?”
“Didn’t you know?” Selena’s eyes widened. “Your birth name was Victoria Maria Vega. You were named after both of your parents.”
She blushed as she recalled Luis Vega telling her that when she stood in his living room with Perez, pretending she didn’t have a clue he was her grandfather.
“I’m going to call her Tori,” Selena said, nuzzling the sleeping baby.
“I like that name for her.” Nina spoke through a clogged throat. “I’m so grateful to all of you for letting me join your celebration. It’s really—”
The words died on her lips when the french doors opened again, and Teresa ushered two latecomers out to the backyard. A hush fell over the party as all eyes fell on the new arrivals.
“It’s been too long since we’ve been together,” Teresa said to Ana and Luis Vega.
Luis nodded. “Thank you for inviting us.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Ana said, her brown eyes misting as they found Nina in the crowd.
Everyone seemed to be looking at her. Overwhelmed with a tidal wave of unfamiliar emotions, Nina shifted on her feet. Nothing in her life had prepared her for this. What should she say? What should she do?
Sofia, matriarch of the Soto family, stepped forward to clasp Ana’s hands in hers. “Bienvenidos. Welcome.”
As the two women embraced, Nina wondered if they had spoken at all since their respective children’s funerals.
“We are a family again.” Teresa gestured toward Nina. “Thanks to our guest of honor.”
A Different Dawn (Nina Guerrera) Page 30