The Final Flashpoint

by Iona Morrison

  Jessie showed the photo to Matt. “He’s the same man as in the picture I sent you,” she whispered in his ear.

  “Do you remember what day this was?” Matt asked.

  “It was a couple of weeks before they went missing. Look, I liked Amir, and they were all my friends. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt them. The Foreign and Local Students’ Club is great. So many friendships and bonds have been formed. The leaders of the group were the best. I hope this helps in some way.”

  “You have helped more than you know. We should be able to tie a couple of pieces together now.” Matt handed her his business card. “If you remember anything or see any of these men around here again, please call Agent Kaufman or us.”

  “I will. May I ask you a question?” Misty looked at Matt.

  “Sure, go ahead.” Matt stood beside her.

  “I haven’t seen Darsha Sarin for a few days. Is she going to be okay? I’ve called, but she isn’t answering her phone.”

  “She’s grieving. We have her under police protection, and they are monitoring calls. Until we know why the kids were targeted, we’re keeping an eye on her,” Matt told her.

  “No matter who did the killing, it’s all about hate. The anger is getting scary on campus. It doesn’t take much to make people turn on each other. If they emigrated from another country, it’s worse. Walk through this campus for a few days, and you’ll see what I mean. That was what the demonstrations were about today. There are people willing to take advantage of the anger to promote their own causes.” Misty shook her head.

  “We might have to do as you suggest.” Matt leaned his hip against the table.

  “You’ll see how heated it gets from time to time. Tempers flare, and people choose sides. Two women wearing hijabs were attacked at the coffee shop near the campus. Please watch Darsha. Don’t let anyone hurt her.” Misty shifted from foot to foot.

  “We are going to do our best to see that she lives a nice long life.” Matt smiled. “Thank you, Miss Carlson; you have given us some valuable information.”

  Jessie watched the perky girl leave. “She has given us some good info to think about.”

  “This picture links this man to the students and to your store. Next time you see him, call us, and we’ll bring him in for questioning. I wonder if Tom was able to get a name to go with the face.”

  “I hope so.” Jessie gathered her stuff. “I thought Tom was supposed to shadow you. Where is he?”

  “We’re with Kaufman and the other agent today. Tom is catching up on the case. Until the Bureau thinks it’s safe while we are in public, he’ll be with us. When I have time alone with you, he can sit in the car and be happy about it.” Matt grinned at her. “Let’s get out of here.” He took her hand. Kaufman followed a few strides behind them.

  ****

  If he hadn’t been late this morning, he wouldn’t be sitting in this damn car hungry. Marshall listened to the tune on the radio, keeping time to the beat of the music on the steering wheel. A stiff belt of whiskey would help, but it never ended with one, and it usually left him in a stupor for hours in the morning. He’d missed the cop leaving this morning. He had better not do it again, or he wouldn’t see his next payday. Marshall only knew to head to the campus from the chatter on the police radio he’d listened to earlier.

  He turned in his seat in time to see them walk out of one of the buildings. Positioning the camera, he snapped a couple of photos. The boss would ask him who the cop had met with, and once again, Marshall would have to do some fancy improvising to remain alive. Lying was his new daily routine. Coming up with good ones left him feeling drained. He was too old for this junk. Marshall frowned, the wrinkles on his face furrowed into deep, unsightly lines. He looked at his image in the mirror. Bloodshot eyes stared back at him. Damn, he was a mess.

  Chapter 14

  Jessie was glad to be home. All the sitting in the car made her long for fresh air and activity. She changed her clothes, tied her running shoes, and jogged her way to the path leading down to the marina. The ocean was beautiful with the sunlight dancing off the water. It felt great, her feet pounding the ground, deep breaths bringing oxygen into her lungs and giving her more energy, and the sense of well-being that increased with each mile she covered. Running wasn’t a chore for her. She loved it.

  The man casing her store was one of the men in Misty’s photo. How did he play into the case? Did they need to worry about the family friend? It was hard to believe that Amir’s family would have him killed. Jessie couldn’t imagine it. She placed the family friend at the bottom of the list for now. Amir’s letter was placed at the top, along with the strange little man who had come into her shop. What about the heated phone call? She turned around at the marina and started for home. What would any of this have to do with Matt? Why was his life in jeopardy? She knew it was, but how it all fit together was still unclear. How she wished the ghosts could talk and make it easy for Matt. Maybe they communicated by actions. She would have to be more observant the next few days.

  Jessie took her ringing phone out of her pocket. “Jessie speaking,” she said breathlessly.

  “I take it you’re running.” Katie’s cheerful voice sounded in her ear.

  “I am. It’s a perfect evening for it. You should try it with me. There are lots of folks on the trail with me.”

  “You’re nuts. I would never run anywhere unless my life depended on it. How you enjoy the pounding on your joints and getting all sweaty is beyond me.”

  “Come on, you know you want to.” Jessie loved teasing her.

  “I love the fads and the pretty exercise clothes, not the actual work of it. Let me Zumba in mixed company, mainly with Dylan, or do yoga poses in my new yoga pants. That’s my idea of a good time.” Katie chuckled. “Where are you?”

  “I’m heading up the hill back to my place right now. I only have a few minutes left, and I feel great.” Jessie smiled at another runner who passed her.

  “I think you’re making it up. No one feels good when they’re working hard.”

  Jessie laughed. “You know me well enough by now to know that I don’t do what I don’t like to do.”

  “Yeah, I guess, but I still don’t get it.”

  “Why did you call, anyway?” Jessie slowed down her pace.

  “All this talk of enjoying running took me off track. I want you to come to the Inn when you’re finished beating yourself into the ground. We have some wedding planning to do. I’ll even feed you supper.”

  “Sounds good to me. I’ll be there as soon as I shower and change.” Jessie placed the phone back in her pocket and ran to her front door. She did a few jogs in place, walked around for a moment, and did some stretches.

  After she had changed, she walked out her back door, locking it as she went. The days were getting longer, and the trees were budding. She was happy to see the changes. Jessie could almost feel the garden coming to life around her. Did the buds make sounds if you listened carefully? Fanciful is what she was being. Although, Sadie had told her when she was little that if she would listen with care, she could hear the flowers grow. Maybe if she started to listen, she could hear what was happening around her. Amir’s cries had reached her ears because she could hear them. It was something to consider.

  Katie was standing at the stove as Jessie peeked through the window on the door before she opened it. “What wonderful casserole are you making now, my friend?”

  “Wait until you taste this one. It’s brilliant if I do say so myself.” She gave Jessie a taste from the spoon.

  “Oh my, this is so good.” She sighed with pleasure. “What is it called?”

  “I’m calling it Katie’s surprise. It has a little of this, a little of that, and it gives your taste buds a wonderful surprise.”

  “Well, I’m down for it.”

  After dinner, Jessie listened to Katie gush on about Dylan. They looked through endless wedding magazines and wrote down the ideas that Katie liked. From flowers to the color
s of the bridesmaid dresses, Katie had a sense of exactly what she wanted. A simple, small, and intimate wedding at the Inn and a lavish dance reception at the marina began to take shape.

  Later, Jessie strolled toward home feeling quite content. The stars filled the night sky. Wishing on the first star that appeared had been pure magic when she was a kid. Jessie never knew if any of the wishes had come true. It was more about hoping they would. Life needed doses of hope. Reality could often be a bummer. The first real test for her perpetual state of optimism was when her friend, Tessa, had died in middle school, followed a few years later by her Grandpa Max. Those were her angry years. How could life be so mean and yet so wonderful? It was perplexing at times. Jessie felt bad for the parents of Amir, Shara, Ryan, and Carlos. How were they dealing with the pain and loss?

  Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She checked the caller’s name. “Hi, Matt.”

  “I would like you to go with me to Ryan’s memorial service on Saturday. Sometimes a suspect will show up at a service to gloat. I’d like you to write about Ryan and each of the kids, and you can always learn something great about a person at their service.”

  “It works for me. Saturday is my day off, and the store is already taken care of for the day.”

  “As soon as they release Amir’s and Shara’s bodies, we will be attending their services too.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll go if I can.” Jessie caught a strange sight out of the corner of her eye. “Oh my gosh,” she squealed. All three ghosts were darting among the trees. She rubbed her eyes, not quite believing what she saw. A magnificent creature of light was following them. Its wing span alone was incredible. The angel lit up the night sky.

  “Where are you? What’s happening?” Matt yelled into the phone.

  “Sorry, I’m walking home from the Inn, and I saw something strange. Something tells me you’re going to find another body or something in the woods by my house.”

  “What did you see?” he shouted into the phone.

  “Amir and the others are zipping through the woods. It’s eerie; the night is extremely quiet except for the sound of their wailing. The strange thing is, I don’t see a fourth ghost, yet. Still, it’s active over here. Something is going on.” Her breathing was rapid. She wasn’t ready to share what else she had seen.

  “Damn, Jess, I know what this means—Radar will be doing another track. I was hoping there wouldn’t be anyone else.” She heard him tell Frank “We’ll be there in the morning.”

  “I’ll be at work, but let me know what you find.” She ran the rest of the way to her cottage, locked the door, and leaned against it. Gasping for air, she bent over. All these sightings were making her uncomfortable. Carlos had to be out there. She could still hear the cries of his friends.

  ****

  Matt disconnected the call. He would have never thought to look in the woods by Jessie’s place. The pattern of body disposals made no sense to him. He took out his file on the case. He needed to read it over again. What was he missing?

  “Did Frank tell me right, you think there’s another body?” Tom sat on the sofa.

  “Yes. Jessie saw something, and you know what that means.” He threw the remote to Maxwell. “If you’re going to stay here to babysit me you may as well make yourself at home. I can’t have you spreading the word that I’m a lousy host.”

  “I know you’re not happy about this, Matt, but let’s make the best of it.” He turned on the TV. “Besides, your house is a lot more comfortable than the motel I was staying at.”

  “I hope it doesn’t mean you’ll be making a nuisance of yourself every time you come to town.” Matt slipped his glasses on and began reading the file. “I like your company, but not underfoot.”

  “I don’t mind hanging with you either, but do you mind if we don’t throw in murder, ghosts, and general mayhem? I could come for a barbecue or some social event.” Tom chuckled. “Or you could invite me here when another good looking unattached female like Jessie moves to town. Heck, if you’re ready to break up with her, let me know. I’ll help you out.”

  “You can forget it.” Matt snorted. “I’m more serious about her than ever. I’ll take her any day—right along with the ghosts she sees. Her strange dreams and the voices she hears are a part of what makes her endearing to me.”

  “Okay, I get it. Don’t get all mushy. You’re in love.” Tom changed the channel. “I hope I don’t have to come here often, either. Every time I do, it means something major is coming down. When it comes to Jessie and you, it’s never simple.”

  “It’s true lately. I’d like some downtime without any murders involved. I wouldn’t mind a few traffic tickets, a couple of disorderly conduct arrests, or simple vandalism cases for a change.”

  “Hell, why would you want any of those cases? You’re a regular damn hero on the fast track with all these major solves you have. Of course, you have an unfair advantage over the rest of us poor saps. You have someone giving you clues that the rest of us can’t see.” Tom grumbled.

  “I’d say strange is the word you’re looking for. I’m a logical person, and I don’t know what to think of this unconventional way of dealing with a case. But I do love the messenger and the package she comes in.” Matt took his glasses off and cleaned a smudge of the lens.

  “Speaking of hero, why did you quit the agency? I got a look at your file; you were a damn hero then too.”

  “Not really. Besides, I needed to come back to Blue Cove.” Matt shrugged his shoulders.

  “Why?” Tom asked.

  “Let’s just say I needed to deal with some things and leave it at that. My days at the agency gave me a healthy dose of fear. I couldn’t imagine having a family and working in that unit.”

  “How’s it working for you here?”

  “Fine.”

  “Are you sure about that? You’ve had your share of trouble in your safe little town.” Tom pointed out.

  “I’m fine.” Matt was curt.

  “Okay, but I may keep badgering you. Which brings me back to the first question; are you doing a track tomorrow?” Tom stacked his arms behind his head and leaned back.

  “Yes, the first thing in the morning,” Matt told him.

  “I heard that the coroner is releasing Amir’s and Shara’s bodies tomorrow. The burials will be tomorrow, before sundown.” Tom stretched out his legs.

  “Who told you?” Matt asked.

  “Kaufman mentioned it as I was leaving the station.”

  “Will you be going to the services with me?” He would need to let Jessie know.

  “If you’re going, then yes, I’m going, too.” Tom found the sports channel and paused his surfing.

  “I figured you would be tagging along. I hope you don’t get too bored playing my shadow.” Matt placed the file on the table beside his chair. “Leave it here for a minute. I want to see today’s scores.”

  Chapter 15

  The team met in the woods early the next morning. With Radar’s help, they found the next victim a short time later. Tied to an old broken fence, the young man’s battered body hung limp. Matt thought for sure he was looking at the fourth fatality. He placed his fingers on the boy’s head and ran them down the vein in his neck looking for some sign of life.

  “Call an ambulance,” Matt yelled out. His finger had found a weak pulse. “Help me get him down and covered. The sick bastards left him to die from exposure.” Dylan helped Matt gently lift him, and they placed the young man on the ground. Each of them took off their jackets to cover his body. This crime scene was different. He had been tortured the same way the others had, but then had been brutally beaten and strapped to the fence to die. The derogatory word written across his chest led Matt to believe that this was Carlos.

  “Do you think he’ll make it?” Kip stared down at the battered body.

  “I hope we found him in time.” Matt squatted beside the young man, willing him to live. “Dylan, go wait for the ambulance. They won’t be able to get back here.
The Inn has a motorized garden cart. You can drive them back here with the stretcher in it.”

  “I can hear the siren. We’ll get them here as soon as possible.” Dylan took off running.

  For what seemed like an eternity, Matt watched his team do what they did best, work together. He was proud of this group. Kaufman had even commented on how well they worked together. Matt heard a soft moan come from the young man. He bent close to his mouth. There were no words, only groans of pain. “Hang in there, son. Help is on the way.” The young man groaned several times, and Matt tried to comfort him the best he could. Words were powerful, but they failed him when he needed them most. Tom was watching the woods with an anxious expression. “Relax, Tom, I doubt they’re still in the area. Take a look at Radar. He’d alert us if they were close by.” Radar was chilling, stretched out by Frank’s feet.

  Matt was relieved to hear the sound of the cart headed toward them. The last time he had used the cart had been to carry Jessie after she had jumped out of the tree. He hated feeling powerless, and he knew every second counted when it came to this boy’s care. Matt stood and moved out of the paramedics’ way. They lifted the young man onto the stretcher and inserted a drip line. The medics wrapped him in a hypothermia wrap. After a few more checks, they were ready to make their way back to the ambulance to transport him.

  Matt watched until they were out of sight. “What’s next?” Tom stood beside him.

  “I’m headed to the hospital. I want to see what the doctors say.” Matt gave his team a few instructions and walked back to the car with Tom. Frank and Radar walked with them.

  “You know, Frank, you have a damn fine dog here.” Tom patted Radar’s head. “He found the kid with minimal effort and probably saved his life.” Tom stopped at the car while Frank put Radar in his crate. “I think every police department in the country should have access to a dog like this. It would make our work a whole lot easier, believe me.”