Trace of Doubt

by DiAnn Mills

  “Two suspected kingpins in money laundering and drugs are valid witnesses?”

  “They are when evidence points to an ex-con committing another murder. As far as I’m concerned, all three are guilty, but your girl has the least going for her.”

  “This has setup smeared across it. We’re on our way to the Miami office.” I slid my phone into my pant pocket while informing Mike of the conversation.

  Miami’s FBI proved more cooperative. Agent Kyle Van Dyke, Lance Mason’s partner, met with Mike and me. Van Dyke, barely out of his twenties, reminded me of myself years back.

  “Ms. Pearce has been cooperative. She gave us a clear picture of what might have happened. What are the chances her sister learned she’s an informant?”

  “High. Shelby’s not trained and believes her room’s bugged. Marissa claimed Aria was picked up to keep Shelby in line.” I fought the tension in my neck and shoulders. “We have no evidence other than Shelby witnessed Agent Mason’s murder.”

  “When I interviewed her, she requested a polygraph.” Van Dyke pointed to a file in front of him. “We conducted the test, and no indications of deceit were present.”

  Mike cleared his throat. “I assume you’re letting her go, but what’s the point of sending her back to her sister? So far she hasn’t been able to access any evidence that leads to Marissa’s criminal activities.”

  “She’s asked for more time.” Agent Van Dyke observed me as though he knew of my feelings for her.

  “I’m not surprised,” I said. “She has stubborn tenacity, and now her niece has been thrown into the fire.”

  “Before we bring her back into the interview and discuss how to proceed, we’ve uncovered more information on Rudder. Some of the generic auto parts he purchases from Liu have made him a little cash. He slaps big-name packaging labels on the auto parts and sells them to make him a hefty profit. That conviction would have cost him, but we’ve been holding out for the big payoff.”

  “I assume Liu didn’t care. Not worth killing a man when he’s making millions from him. Rudder’s paid a hefty price for auto parts.”

  Mike spoke into the conversation. “But Rudder might not have been careful in other areas, and some of his practices could have made him a liability, especially in dealing with heroin.” He nodded at me to continue.

  “Mike and I have a theory about the heroin. Liu is known for making his millions with it, and we’re sure he’d been supplying Rudder. Problem is, without proof of him shipping the drug with the auto parts, we didn’t have a case. Neither do we know if the heroin was packed in specific boxes of auto parts or a mix.”

  “We need to find out who’s in control of Rudder’s business now that he’s dead. I’ll keep you two updated,” Van Dyke said.

  An agent escorted Shelby into the interview room. Her pale face alarmed me. I didn’t understand God allowing this. I wanted to hold her . . . want and necessity were at opposite ends of the pole. I heard her wheezing. “You don’t have your inhaler?”

  “No.” She eased onto a chair and greeted Mike and me. “Glad you’re here. The situation has escalated, and I know you two have reservations about my part, but I can’t give up with Aria involved. I have an idea.”

  “Let’s hear it.”

  She smiled at me. “Agent Van Dyke says the FBI will release me, but I want to remain in custody until tomorrow. My person-of-interest status keeps Marissa satisfied. She won’t leave the country until she knows my fate. Besides, a sudden disappearance stacks the guilt against them after Rudder’s death. I assume she has a passport for Aria, so time is critical.”

  “Your plan?” I said.

  “I’ll lift my sister’s purse while she’s sleeping, take her phone, which has all her dealings and contacts, and get Aria out of there.”

  My blood pressure rose. “How do you plan to walk past Marissa and the bodyguards?”

  “I’m not finished.” She punched each word. “Every night, Marissa, Eli, and the two bodyguards have a drink before she goes to bed. If I have a few strong sleeping pills, I can make sure they’re drugged.”

  “That’s crazy. You’ll never get away with it.”

  She stared at me, those blue-gray eyes resembling thunderclouds. “Do you have a better idea? Marissa and Liu set me up to take the fall for Rudder. Why else use cyanide when it’s easily detected? In the car, she told me not to drink at the restaurant. There Rudder was already drunk. He wanted more wine, and Liu told him he’d had enough, and Marissa offers my full glass.”

  I ground my teeth. Shelby couldn’t go back there. “What are the chances the FBI will hand you a controlled substance?”

  “None. But they know the people on the street who could get them for me.”

  “I have a prescription,” Mike said.

  I shot Mike a glare. “What? Aren’t you the agent who follows protocol like an addict chases heroin? You can’t give Shelby sleeping pills.”

  “I have a prescription. But I didn’t say what kind. Neither did I say I’d give her anything.”

  Van Dyke ran interference. “Agents. Back to business. We haven’t been successful in hacking into Stover’s or Liu’s devices. Rudder’s missing phone must contain incriminating evidence.”

  “When I went for help at the restaurant, Marissa and Feng stayed behind. If my sister has the phone, I’ll find it.” She leaned into the table. “You need evidence to make arrests. I want the murders solved, and my niece free to live without fear.”

  “Shelby, this is—”

  “And I never requested your help. One more bit of information. Rudder liked to talk about himself. He claimed to be Liu’s largest heroin buyer. He mentioned loving what was inside those boxes of spark plugs and washer blades. Or he could have been speaking figuratively.”

  “Rudder must have gotten greedy and demanded more money,” I said. “Look, we have enough with his murder to request a search warrant into his business. No reason for you to go back.”

  She shook her head. “No point arguing with me. My mind is made up.”

  78

  SHELBY

  The look on Marissa’s face when I entered the condo the following morning hit the top of the startled list. Priceless, but I kept the smug satisfaction to myself. For certain I looked a mess after spending a night in jail.

  I was thankful Denton arranged for me to receive an inhaler. He always seemed to have my best interests at heart, even if he did border on overprotective.

  “Shelby, you’re a wreck.”

  “I spent a night behind bars.”

  “Was it déjà vu?”

  Fury raged through me, and the impulsiveness I’d given to God vanished. Ten feet between us slipped to one. I jabbed my finger into her chest. “You’ve messed me over for the last time.”

  She grabbed my finger. “Sis, I called my attorney the moment the police arrested you.”

  “When would your attorney take action? In fifteen years?”

  “I might have had that coming.”

  I stepped back out of her reach. “I have questions.”

  “I’m sure you do.” Marissa asked Eli and the two bodyguards to step inside while we talked on the balcony.

  The glass door closed, and still I couldn’t control the anger spiraling through me. “You poisoned my wine, offered it to Rudder, then made sure the police knew I’d given him my glass.”

  “I could have you killed.”

  “But you won’t because it drags your name through the mud, and you won’t risk an investigation until you’re ready to disappear. Aria would turn on you, tell the wrong people about her mother. That means eliminating your own daughter or convincing her a new identity overseas is best.”

  Marissa laughed. “You think you’ve figured me out?”

  “No, just making sensible observations. Why poison Rudder?”

  “He knew too much. My business thrives on me being smarter than those around me.”

  “Feng?”

  “He’s different. A geni
us. We’re a good match.”

  “And how will you recoup your cut of the revenue?”

  “The car parts business now belongs to me.”

  I assumed she’d formed a shell company to handle ownership. “Marissa, you have no need for me. So why am I here? You and Liu have a good thing going on.”

  “I’ve told you all along I need someone to help me oversee business, and I’m constantly expanding.”

  “Here in Miami?”

  She shook her head. “I have a flat for you in London where you can keep an eye on Aria. You two behave, and you both live.”

  “I see. And where will you be?”

  “Anywhere I choose.” She reached into her shoulder bag. “Here’s your purse back. Congratulations, you’ve passed all my tests. Glad to see you finally have the guts to call me out.”

  “What’s my cut?”

  “To be determined.” She touched my cheek. “You’ve seen what happens to those who displease me. I used to think your aversion to weapons would be a detriment. But no more. Who expects a woman of organized crime who won’t touch a gun? I’ve found a couple of bodyguards who’ll ensure your orders are followed.”

  “Your orders or mine?”

  “As you’ve observed, I have my tentacles in everything.”

  Did Marissa think she had me fooled into believing Aria and I were safe?

  79

  My original burner phone from Sheriff Wendall remained turned off and concealed inside the wig I’d originally worn to Miami and left on my closet shelf. I checked to see if someone had discovered it while I’d been a guest of Miami PD and the FBI. Nothing appeared out of place, and I’d memorized every item’s location in the drawers and the closet. I’d see Denton around one in the morning, and I wouldn’t sabotage my plan by contacting him. I’d taken enough risks and put friends and family in danger.

  Aria lived behind her bedroom’s locked door. Not sure how the poor girl survived, but the distant sobbing tore at my heart. At least I could talk to her from the hallway, although anyone could hear our conversation. Marissa allowed her out for some meals, and she’d taken her shopping with Lee and Jess. Entertainment consisted of downloaded music and movies on an iPad—minus Internet connectivity.

  I’d seen my sister slide the key to Aria’s room into a zippered compartment of her purse. Hopefully she hadn’t moved it. If not, I’d use a paper clip. Denton had given me a handful this morning. Years had passed since I’d picked a lock, but I’m sure it was like riding a bike.

  I had spent the evening on the balcony chatting with Marissa, Eli, and the guards. I made fun of the FBI agents who’d interviewed me, even Denton and Mike. At ten thirty Marissa asked Eli to bring their drinks from inside the condo.

  “I’ll go with you,” I said. “A Diet Coke sounds good.” In the hollow heel of my sandal, I’d hidden sleeping pills that Mike had given me. Denton hadn’t been pleased. Now to distract Eli for a few seconds.

  In the kitchen, Eli grabbed the liquor from the counter, and I pulled glasses from the cabinet. I’d examined various places where Marissa could have installed a camera, and I stood with my back against the one I’d noted. While Eli poured shots of liquor, I pressed the ice dispenser button, allowing several cubes to drop to the floor. “Rats. Would you help me?”

  “I’ve got them.” Eli bent to pick up the ice, allowing me enough time to retrieve and drop the pills into the liquor glasses.

  We carried the drinks to the balcony. Marissa stood and took hers. “I’m going to bed.”

  “Me too,” I said. “Tonight’s sleep has to be better than last night’s.”

  “We have plans for tomorrow.” Marissa stifled a yawn. “Many details to work out.”

  “Looking forward to it.” I toasted my Diet Coke to the men before I headed inside the condo.

  At twelve thirty I crept from my room. Lee and Jess had disappeared, and Eli must have gone to his own condo. A mix of adrenaline and downright fear kept me on alert. In the shadows, I moved to the far side of the penthouse to Marissa’s suite. She took her privacy seriously, and I’d not been inside her bedroom. I needed clarity to find her purse and get Aria and me out of the penthouse undetected.

  I slowly turned the knob on Marissa’s bedroom door. Locked. I pulled a paper clip from my jean pocket and bent it, allowing me to insert into the keyhole. My stomach churned as I probed and twisted. A faint click released the lock. Holding my breath, I grasped the knob, and the door opened to a shadowed room. From what I could tell through shadowed lights from the street below, Marissa’s suite looked out onto a private balcony area. I searched for her purse.

  Moving about chanced knocking something over and startling my drugged sister. But I had no choice. Time ticked away.

  Inside the bathroom, her purse sat on the marble countertop. I stared into the mirror—my profile frightened me. I felt inside her shoulder bag and wrapped my fingers around two phones and the key to Aria’s room. One had to belong to John Rudder. Gripping the handles like a lifeline, I crept from the room.

  Emotional paralysis took control. Had tonight been too easy? I shoved the nagging thought aside.

  I made my way to Aria’s room. This time I had a key. Silence ruled the moment, for I didn’t need my niece to scream. Once in her room, I closed the door and tiptoed to Aria’s bedside. I covered her mouth, instantly wakening her.

  “This is Shelby,” I whispered. “We’re getting out of here.”

  She nodded and relaxed.

  “Dress quickly. Don’t make a sound.”

  While she slipped into clothes, I checked both phones in Marissa’s bag. Thank goodness, I had hers and Rudder’s. I handed Aria the bag. “Take this in case anything happens. Evidence is inside the phones to end these crimes.” I checked the time. “Denton and his partner are waiting on the first-floor entrance. Other FBI agents and police officers have the building surrounded.”

  Aria blinked. “Mom or one of those guys will kill us.”

  I shook my head. “I slipped sleeping pills into their drinks. The problem is I don’t have the password for the alarm system. At best guess, we have thirty to forty seconds before it jars them awake. We’ll take the stairs on the left side of the hallway. You go first, and don’t look back. Just keep running until Denton has you safe.”

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  I slipped Marissa’s purse over Aria’s shoulder, and I grabbed mine. “I love you. Keep praying.”

  In the foyer, I opened the door to freedom and pushed Aria into the hallway. I raced behind her toward the steps.

  “Aria, stop or I’m pulling the trigger on Shelby.”

  Marissa’s voice slowed my niece. “Keep running,” I said.

  Aria didn’t take another step. She faced me. “I won’t let Mom . . . Marissa hurt you.”

  “That’s my girl.” Marissa rushed toward us with her gun aimed, yanked her purse from Aria’s shoulder, and grabbed mine.

  “This is over.” I stepped in front of Marissa’s face. “Feds have the building surrounded. You have nowhere to run.”

  “That’s what you think. Lee already told me. Head up the steps to the roof.”

  “Please, let Aria—”

  “Now!”

  I climbed the steps behind Aria and recognized the whir of helicopter blades. The advantage of a top-floor penthouse and a landing pad made a getaway easier. How had this happened when I’d drugged them?

  Where were we going? Why not kill me, then make her escape? Aria deserved much more from life than the hand dealt to her.

  My mind twisted with my failure. Had I heard wrong? I’d believed God stood with me in finding the evidence to arrest my sister.

  Aria opened the door to the rooftop, and a chopper sat on the helipad ready for departure. I expected the noise to be deafening, yet I still heard Marissa order us inside. Why hadn’t I planned for Marissa having a helicopter at the ready?

  Aria and I slid into the rear passenger seats, and my sister took the left
side beside the pilot and put on a headset. I hadn’t seen the pilot before now, a stranger. In seconds, we lifted into the air and headed northwest. Marissa waved a gun in front of my face and ordered both Aria and me to put on our headsets. We complied.

  “Don’t even think about trying anything stupid. I have always been ahead of you.” She laughed. “Do you like my pilot? He’s on duty 24-7, ready to take me wherever I want to go in ninety seconds.”

  “Marissa.” Aria sounded so frightened. “We won’t tell anyone about what you’re doing.”

  She sneered. “Little girl, you have no idea what all I’ve done. Take a look below us. The area is swarming with cops and Feds.”

  “You can’t go on like this,” I said. “Turn yourself in.”

  “You must think I’m stupid. No one knows the real me. Oh, some think they do. And you’re aware of far too much.”

  “Actually, you’re brilliant. A good lawyer would go to bat for you.”

  “No thanks.”

  “Where are we going?” I fought my fury to think.

  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  80

  DENTON

  Miami FBI agents had placed the penthouse building under surveillance since 7 p.m., and the police department monitored all floor exits from the building. Quiet permeated the watch, as though the calm before the storm. The time neared 1 a.m., when Shelby had timed to make her escape with Aria.

  A voice in my earpiece reported hearing the start-up of a helicopter’s turbine engine from the building’s roof. From the pinched look on Mike’s face, he’d been told the same. I raced up the stairs toward the top floor with my firearm in hand. Mike stayed on my heels as he called for backup.

  I needed to run into Shelby and Aria on their way down as scheduled. But the possibility of finding them in a pool of blood hadn’t escaped me. I rounded one set of stairs to another until I reached the eleventh floor. Out of breath but undeterred.

  Down the hall, the main entrance to Marissa’s penthouse was closed. Mike and I took a position on each side of the door. Mike took aim, and I pounded our arrival. “Open up. FBI!”