A despondent fog glossed over Joshua’s eyes as he spoke. “I’ve been in the breathtaking city of Milwaukee for thirty-four glamorous and highly rewarding days. Getting my, as you say, ‘crap’ organized is about all there is to do.”
“Thirty-four, huh?” Finding the city’s offerings more than interesting himself, Seth figured he’d offer up a good starting point for Joshua to explore. “Well, the town may not be crawling with celebrities, but you may get to meet Bob Uecker if you flash your credentials at County Stadium before a Brewer game.”
Raising one eyebrow, Joshua stared blankly at Seth, offering a single word query that was clearly meant more as an insult. “Who?” Hoping to discourage in further conversation, he went back to his paperwork.
Refusing to give up just yet, Seth made a final attempt to soften the agent’s stony demeanor. “Good lord man. Is your window unit broken?” he asked, as if only just noticing how uncomfortably warm the room was.
Without looking up, Joshua admonished the very question. “Air conditioning is a waste of energy and taxpayer money.”
Beyond the impetuous agent’s standoffish posturing, something else had been bothering Seth about the young man, he just hadn’t put his finger on it until now. Despite the ever-increasing warmth and humidity, Agent Toth appeared perfectly cool and comfortable. There was more than just physical conditioning and the gift of youth driving this phenomenon. Seth detected an air of superiority, flowing off Joshua like dry ice in boiling water.
Reading Seth’s expression without so much as looking up from his desk, Joshua expanded upon his statement with obvious conceit. “Mind over matter, Agent Alexander. With proper discipline, a properly honed mind can accomplish anything.”
Feeling his shoulders tense at the lack of respect emanating from the fledgling agent, Seth understood that the conversation was over before it ever really began. Shaking his head, he turned slowly toward his original destination. “Good chat. Well, I hope you enjoy your time in the luxurious city of Milwaukee,” he said and began walking away, hoping that getting in the last word would get under the new agent’s skin.
“I’m sure I will,” said Joshua, just loud enough to ensure Seth heard him.
***
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Simpson began the long process of cleanup and reorganization of all of the mingled case files and requisition forms strewn about his still-sweltering office. Starting the process under his desk on his hands and knees, he hadn’t given much thought to his positioning in relation to the partially opened office door until he heard the hinges squeak open.
Inadvertently looking squarely into the posterior protruding out from under his boss’s desk, Agent Alexander’s eyes narrowed to slits as if looking directly into the noonday sun. “This is the welcome I get for busting one of the Milwaukee’s most wanted?”
CLANK!
Banging his head loudly on the bottom of the metal desk, Robert let out an even louder curse. “Son of a Biloxi bastard!” Backing slowly out of the cubbyhole, he did his best to not repeat the mistake. Rubbing his battered head, he glared at Seth’s amused grin. Annoyed, but not surprised, that his misery would cause such enjoyment in a subordinate, he skipped any pleasantries. “I only see one half of the freak show,” he barked sharply. “Where’s Alejo?” Placing his forearm on the top of his, he pushed himself to his feet.
Sensing that he’d pushed a wrong button, Seth had no wish to tarnish what had been a good day thus far. “He’s still processing the suspect,” he replied quickly, stepping forward to grasp Robert’s arm in an effort to help him get to his feet.
Pushing the offer to assist him away, Robert chose to ignore the helpful gesture in an attempt to preserve what dignity he had left. “Tell your partner to get that housing project he calls a car tuned up.” Speaking as he continued to pick stray papers off his desk, he knew his order would likely be met with a lack of enthusiasm. “I’m sending you both on a fact-finding assignment in Madison.”
Sagging noticeably, Seth shoulder’s confirmed Robert’s prediction. “As exciting as that sounds, can my partner and I take a minute to celebrate the arrest we just made?” Pointing further down the hallway, he added to the appeal. “Why not send Agents Everson and Steffl? You know they’re just laying low in the a/c today anyway.”
With the oppressive heat in the man’s office, there was the distinct chance that the image could deflect his sweaty boss’s attention in another direction. Lifting a hairy, moisture-laden arm, Robert pointed stiffly at Seth with a hand full of crumpled paper. “Give it a rest Alexander. You took down a drug dealer, not a cartel.” The rise in his blood pressure wasn’t making the room feel any cooler. “Besides, you know full well that the local P.D. did most of the legwork while you and your giddy little side kick swooped in to take the glory. If it weren’t for the police being shorthanded, we wouldn’t even be involved.”
His energy sapped, he flopped down with a familiar grunt and a loud squeak from the chair. “Furthermore, the day you or Alejo make the decisions around here is the day I retire.” The mere mention of the word retire gave him visions of sitting on a faraway beach sipping a piña colada.
“It was just a suggestion, sir. I meant nothing by it,” assured Seth. He realized that caution was quickly becoming the better part of valor, given that Robert’s mood was more foul than usual. Noticing that the room was in greater disarray than usual, he took the opportunity to mend some fences. “Do you need help picking this place up?”
Robert’s eyes widened slightly as he contemplated taking Seth up on his offer, but he quickly realized that it was likely just a tactic to get on his good side. “Nice try, Alexander, but thanks to you, I have a couple other agents in mind for that job,” he replied wickedly. Ignoring the loud, creaky protest made by his chair, he took a deep breath and leaned forward to reach for one of the few still-intact files sitting on his desk.
Pausing momentarily, he looked up thoughtfully at the young agent standing in front of him, struck by how much he was reminded of the days when he was a field agent with a trim waistline and full head of hair. Even with that, there was something more intangible than vigor and youth driving Robert to call upon him in this case. He knew Seth needed the experience, and had a gut feeling that this case might offer more than meets the eye. “This is what I have for you, but don’t ask me to fully explain it.” The process of pushing the thick folder toward Seth knocked several others onto the floor. “This came to me from Madison law enforcement and I’m not sure where to go with it just yet. Take a look and tell me what you see,” he said nodding at Seth to take it.
Distracted momentarily by a few more papers falling from a nearby stack of files, Seth reached over and opened the dossier. It opened directly to several pictures of battered women, assailants, witness statements, and various police reports which varied from domestic disturbance to assault and battery. Accompanying each case number was a recent birth certificate. His head tilted slightly to the right as he attempted to make sense of the information. “Is this a kidnapping ring or something?” he asked, unsure.
Shaking his head in the negative, Robert urged him to read on. “Nope, all present and accounted for….Keep reading.”
“Maybe it’s this heat, but I’m not sure what I am supposed to be looking at here,” admitted Seth with a despondent shrug.
An expression of devilish delight crossed Robert’s face as he relished the rare opportunity to point something out that Agent Alexander had missed. “Maybe all that extra book reading didn’t make you smarter after all?” A hint was in order. “Take a closer look at the dates.”
Thumbing quickly through the file, Seth realized what his boss was getting at. “It does seem like an inordinate number of cases for such a short period of time,” he admitted though still not convinced that the information pointed to an actual case. “I’m just not getting why the FBI would be interested. The UW Hospital is huge, this can’t be the first rash of spousal abuse cases they’ve ever enc
ountered.” Placing the file back on Robert’s desk, he still didn’t see the point. “This looks like something the police could handle.”
Glaring menacingly, Robert leaned forward, ignoring the piercing squeal made by his chair. “That may be, Agent Alexander, but there seems to be more to the story.”
“Based on what?” Seth reluctantly picked up the file and paged through it again.
Furrows dug deep into Robert’s brow as his mind raced back to a time spent in a jungle he didn’t want to be in, doing things he never imagined he’d have to. “Based on the fact that my contact is an old army buddy. The kind of buddy who’d carry you out of the jungle on his back, knowing you’d do the same for him.” The tropical climate of the room only intensified his recollection of war. “More importantly, based upon my giving you a direct order to do it!” He pounded a sweaty palm down loudly on the desk, bringing it up again with several pieces of paper sticking to it. “Now get your edumacated ass to Madison before I punt it there like Chester Marcol!” Flapping his hand until the papers reluctantly fell away, Robert didn’t intend for the discussion to continue.
Realizing that he was not going to win this one, Seth gave up trying to talk his way out of what was sure to be a colossal waste of time. Raising his arms in surrender, he tucked the file under his arm and turned to leave. “You got it, big guy.” Hesitating, a small oscillating fan sitting on a stack of files caught his attention. A devious grin formed at the corner of his mouth as he reached down and put his thumb on the power switch. “You look warm, Bob” he said with mischief in his heart. In one motion, he stepped out of Robert’s office and flipped the toggle to the ‘on’ position, and walked quickly out of the room. He managed to get all the way down the hall and just through a stairwell door before his stunned boss could fully react. The sound of flying paper and Bob yelling some colloquial version of ‘Son of a bitch!’ echoed through the stairwell.
Smiling like a kid who just pulled one over on the neighborhood bully, Seth realized that leaving town for a little while might actually be a great idea after all.
Chapter 5
Griddle Marks
LITTLE MORE THAN the FBI’s version of a medieval dungeon, the basement level had all the trappings. From Sparse lighting and windowless concrete walls, to dank aromas and the occasional infestation of rats, it really did fit the bill nicely. Primarily used as a parking garage for a small fleet of Ford Crown Victoria Sedans and non-descript surveillance vans, today the venue would add one more defining feature to the list; a bonafide prisoner.
Although lacking in aesthetic charm, the relatively dry, cool air was proving to be a very welcome contrast to the sweltering heat at street level. For all his bravado about heat tolerance, even Agent Alejo appreciated a respite from the thick, air above.
Two uniformed city police officers had taken advantage of the fact that this was a parking garage; they stood, leaning against their squad car while smoking cigarettes, as Leo completed a custodial release form which would allow the officers to take Jorge to the precinct for questioning.
Heralded by the sound of hinges in need of grease, Agent Alexander’s footsteps resonated along desolate concrete surfaces as he emerged from a nearby stairwell. Drawing a deep breath through his nostrils, his overall mood lightened thanks to the more temperate atmosphere. Seeing that his partner was waiting for him, he approached briskly and gave a knowing wink. “What’s taking so long, Leo? Is Jorge giving you problems?”
“Nah, he’s being a good boy. We’re just enjoying the cool air down here while we decide if we should have someone look at his shoulder,” Leo joked.
One of the police officers moved in to take the defeated man into custody. “Gahhh!” yelled Jorge, pulling his shoulder away instinctively as the officer unwittingly grabbed the injured area.
Leaning into the detainee’s direct line of sight, Leo reminded him of just how much sympathy he was due. “Be careful there officer, I’d hate to have Jorge accuse you of police brutality,” said Leo, feigning concern. The comment was met immediately by a piercing, angry stare.
Grinning, the officer guided the prisoner into the back seat of the police interceptor. Leo and Seth waved goodbye to the disgruntled man who was still glaring at them through the rear window as the squad car drove up the steep ramp and out of the parking garage.
Seth turned to face his partner. “Don’t get used to the cool air down here. Bob’s sending us to Madison to investigate a series of spousal abuse cases or something.” He titled his head at the thought of trying to explain the situation to Leo when he did not fully understand it himself.
“Or something?” His thick black eyebrows raised with curiosity. “That sounds promising.”
Crossing his arms, Seth didn’t paint the brightest picture of his conversation with the boss. “I’m not sure if the big guy thinks we’ll really come up with anything or if he just wants to torture us.”
“What’s Bob have against you and how can I switch partners?” asked Leo in a semiserious voice.
Knowing he’d rather walk to Madison than lose the best partner he’d ever had, he downplayed the idea. “Don’t bother. I’m pretty sure he hates everybody. Besides, as far as switching partners goes, there just aren’t any takers for either of us.” Slapping Leo firmly on the shoulder, he added a bit of jovial reassurance. “Trust me, I asked around.” Hoping the exchange distracted Leo for a moment, Set took a few quick steps toward the vehicle requisition desk. “Let’s check out a crown vic and get going before lunch.” A familiar jingling stopped him in his tracks.
“Not so fast, bro!” said Leo, holding up a mass of keys. “I’ll drive.”
Cringing, gave a pleading look at his partner. “Can I at least pick the music this time?”
“Nope. Now let’s get going,” said Leo cheerfully, spinning away on his heels. His eyes widened as a thought suddenly occurred to him. “Hey!” he said, holding up his hand with index finger raised as he let his initial spin bring him back to face his partner. “I know you have a hot date and all, but could we visit my brother Pedro and his family while we’re in town?”
Shifting his gaze back and forth, Seth calculated the time needed to get to Madison, meet their contact, and still be back for his dinner with his girlfriend. “It’s been too long since our last visit. Sounds like fun.” Mirroring Leo’s held up hand and pointed index finger, he suggested one caveat. “If I’m late getting back though, I’m telling Sarah it’s your fault.”
Accepting the terms, Leo pumped his fist and shouted like a kid on his way to play at a friend’s house. “Sweet! If I call them along the way, maybe Michelle will cook us something to tide us over for the trip home.” Rubbing his hands together greedily, he again turned toward the parking garage exit.
Watching with mild amusement as his partner seemed to almost skip up the parking ramp, Seth wasn’t sure if it was the man’s energy, car, or taste in music that tended to get under his skin most often. Shaking his head, he turned the opposite direction and walked slowly to the requisition desk. “Do you have any earplugs?” he asked hopefully.
As if she knew what he was going to ask for before he did, the attendant responded without even checking her inventory. “Sorry Agent, all out.”
“Figures.” Seth turned back around and walked to where Leo was waiting impatiently at the top of the ramp leading to the street. With every step closer to the street outside, he could feel the temperature rise a few degrees. Once on the sidewalk, the oppressive atmosphere of the late morning dropped like an anvil on his chest. Having settled into the high nineties, the city appeared alive as waves of heat reached like ghostly tendrils up into the air. Moisture from nearby Lake Michigan only served to feed the beast as the moist air made evaporation impossible and perspiration useless.
Still dilated from being in the darkened parking ramp, Seth shielded his eyes from the piercing sunlight. As his vision cleared, the image of a hulking green vehicle, easily taking up two full-sized parking spaces, ap
peared like a mirage in front of him.
“Did ya have to roll the windows all the way up?” complained Seth. He could only imagine the oven-like temperatures and the smell of rotting fast food remnants baking within.
Throwing his arms into the air in disbelief, Leo decried the suggestion. “And take a chance on someone stealing the old girl? Don’t be loco, bro!”
Hoping it was just the heat talking, Seth shook his head. “Somehow, I think you’d have a better shot at the lottery.” He tried not to come in contact with Gertrude’s searing hot exterior as he took the long walk around to the passenger side of the vehicle.
Reaching into his front pocket, Leo fished out what could only be described as the keychain to end all keychains. It would have been fair to suggest that he had more keys than a custodian in a deadbolt factory. Consisting of server interlinked rings, it held more than just keys. It had a bullet-shaped cigar cutter, several supermarket saver cards, a grimy poker chip, a troll doll named Eduardo, and of course…another keychain. A person in the front row at a rock concert could hear him jingling from a mile away.
Through what must have been pure muscle memory, Leo immediately found the key to the door and eased it into the lock, cautious not to scratch what was left of the original green paint. With an audible hiss, the door opened, letting superheated air pour out as if from a thousand-year-old crypt long forgotten in the middle of a South American Jungle. Ducking down, he crawled across the front seat, unlocked the passenger side door, and pushed it open for Seth with his right leg.
“Dear Lord, Leo. You could fry an egg on these seats, man!” An inferno-like blast of heat forced him to take a few involuntary steps back. “And it smells like you probably have...” he complained, reflexively putting a hand over his mouth and nose.
“Sit your pale ass down. You could use a little color anyway,” Leo shot back as he watched his partner slide uncomfortably into the passenger seat. He took an almost perverse pleasure in watching his partner writhe like an ant under a magnifying glass as the hot vinyl scorched him through the thin fabric of his shirt. Again, Leo found the key he needed without even looking at the mass of items playing interference on his keychain. With an odd shake of his wrist and then what sounded like a briefly whispered prayer, Leo turned the ignition. Gertrude gasped, and then roared to life with a deep rumble. The entire car trembled noticeably for a few seconds before smoothing out and settling into a less severe, but definitely noticeable vibration.
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