More Than a Lawman

by Anna J. Stewart

  “He’s going to be okay, then?” Cole felt as if a two-ton boulder had been lifted off his chest.

  “He’s done better than we expected. That’s all I’m comfortable saying at this moment.”

  “His wife is flying in from New York,” Lieutenant Santos said. “She’ll be here by morning. You.” He pointed at Cole once the doctor left. “Tammy called from the warehouse. She found something she thinks you need to see. Since you’re insisting on not going home, this seems like the perfect option for you to clear your head and deal with whatever anger you’ve got going on. Detectives Sutherland and Ramirez should be on site in the next hour. You can then turn the scene over to them.”

  “Yes, sir.” As anxious as Cole was to make things up to Eden, the lieutenant was right. He wasn’t in the best frame of mind. He hoped Allie and Simone would still help him out. “Would you two—”

  “We’ll meet you at Eden’s.” Allie nodded.

  * * *

  Clearing his head involved Cole rolling down the windows and turning the radio’s volume up to full blast. Classic ’70s rock blared through his head like a scouring brush.

  He was closing in on the Sloughhouse warehouse off Highway 16 when his phone rang. “Delaney, go.”

  “Detective Delaney? It’s Jenna Batsakis.”

  “Jenna?” Cole strained to hear her. Stupid dead zones. He made a right turn and sped up. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s...out...my...rother.”

  His brain filled in the blanks. Even though he knew about the siblings, he said, “Your brother? But you told us you don’t have any relatives, Jenna.” He yelled in case she couldn’t hear him. “I don’t like being lied to.”

  “I...sorry. But he’s...family...left. Scared, Detective. Hector’s in...basement, where...told me...treatments...approved. I—I think he has someone with him. I...yelling. Can...come?”

  He quickly pulled over so he could make a U-turn. “You’re just off Zinfandel, correct?”

  “That...our mother’s house. I moved downtown...closer to the community center. It’s off B Street.” He barely caught the street number.

  “I’m on my way, Jenna. Can you get out of the house?”

  “He’ll know...wrong if...do. Might leave.”

  Who knew what her brother would do if he felt backed into a corner. “Okay, keep your phone on you. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He waited until he was back on 16 before he dialed Jack. Flipping the siren on in his car, he barreled through a red light, ignoring the horns and screech of tires as he headed downtown. “Yeah, Jack. It’s me,” Cole shouted into the voice mail. “Jenna Batsakis just called. Said her brother’s in the basement doing something weird. I’m going over to...” He recited the address. “Send a couple of backup units and have an ambulance standing by. I think he’s got Jeff Cottswold with him.”

  * * *

  “What are you doing here, Eden?” Jack’s exhausted voice bounced off her adrenaline-boosted system. “I thought Cole sent you home.”

  “Don’t worry, I kept the bodyguards.” She sorted through stacks and stacks of receipts and paperwork from the various victims. Nothing like having two pairs of eyes watching every move she made. “There has to be something here with that logo I remember seeing on the bus.”

  “The logo again?” Jack set his coffee down and circled the table. “You don’t think we’re past that now, since we’ve got Batsakis’s warehouse in lockdown?”

  “That’s my point. If you guys have run him to ground, he doesn’t have many places left to hide, does he? And that bus, coach, mobile blood bank thingy he drives around in is the best place to start.”

  “I must be getting used to you because that actually made sense. Tell me what you’re looking for.”

  Frustrated, Eden smacked the stack of papers on the table. Nothing with Pam Norris’s records. “Medical receipts, vouchers, lab results, something that ties our victims to his mobile unit. I usually just chuck mine into a bin on my desk and sort them later.”

  “Castillo, Pearson?” Jack called. “Front and center.”

  “Sir?” The two officers moved as one, glancing uncertainly at Eden. “We can explain.”

  “You don’t have to,” Jack said. “It’s called the Eden St. Claire effect.” He pointed to the papers and receipts. “Each of you take a stack. We’re looking for any kind of medical paperwork, especially if it has a blood-related logo or any related information.”

  They each set their caps down on the table and got to work.

  “What’s this?” Eden asked two cups of coffee later, when she still hadn’t found anything. A lone worn cardboard box sat on a chair; there were odd scribbles written on its side.

  “The hotel Eric DeFornio was staying in kept that box in their storage room when he didn’t come back. Someone made an inventory list, but that’s as far as we’ve gotten so far,” Jack said. “Might want to wear gloves if you’re going to go through it. Lot of meth heads live in that place.”

  “I think we’re beyond tetanus concerns at the moment.” Eden dragged the box over to the table and flipped open the lid. The stench of sweat and other things she didn’t want to think about hit her first. She tossed the clothes to the side after going through the pockets. Next, she reached for the coat underneath... “Hang on.” She pulled out a folded-up piece of paper. Computer printout. “Got it.”

  “What?” Jack rounded the table.

  She smoothed the printout flat, jabbed her finger at the blood drop with a caduceus through its center. “That’s what I saw on the side of the van.” Now that she saw it again, the image crystallized in her memory. “Aesclepius Blood Donations. This address is near Zinfandel Drive. I know that was listed...” She grabbed Hector Batsakis’s file. “Sure. Here it is. The house belonged to his mother.”

  “Hold up.” Pearson snatched a photo off one of the boards. “Elliot Scarbrough had a receipt for a mobile blood unit in his office when they searched it.” He tapped his finger against the image of the receipt on Scarbrough’s desk.

  “Search every photo from each victim’s home,” Jack ordered. “I want as many of those receipts noted as possible. Castillo, pull up that house on street view.” He leaned over her chair and watched the image come onto the screen. “Single-story structure, center of a cul-de-sac. At least five homes for sale on the same street. No one around to pay much attention to them. I’m calling the lieutenant.”

  “I’m going with you, Jack,” Eden said.

  “Did today not teach you anything?” Jack blasted. “Seriously?”

  “What was I supposed to do when you guys started shooting? Just sit in that car and—”

  “When we started shooting?” Jack’s brow knit. “What are you talking about? Those shots came from outside.”

  Eden’s brain slowed. “What?” That didn’t follow.

  “Hang on.” He held up a hand as he spoke into his phone. “Sir, I need units over at the following address as soon as possible. If Hector’s not there, it might still give us an idea of where he’s gone. Yeah, I’m going there now.” He hesitated and then winced. “Yes, sir. Eden will remain here at the station.” He hung up. “That was from the top, Eden. You stay put.”

  “What about Cole? Have you heard from him?” Eden deflected.

  “Right.” He punched up his voice mail and listened, worry and irritation flashing across his face. “I can only make out half of what he’s saying. I swear he finds every dead zone in the city. I’ll try calling him on my way.”

  “Ma’am?” Castillo started organizing papers once Jack had left. “Can I get you anything?”

  Eden sank into the chair, feeling elated at having found the Iceman and possibly saving his latest victim. “I guess I’m stuck here, huh?”

  “Or we could take you back to your place,” Pearson offer
ed. “As we were originally ordered.”

  “No.” They’d need as much evidence as they could get to use against Batsakis when they finally brought him in. She may as well put her true talents to use and give them a hand with more research. “I’ll help you get all this put into some order, okay? I just want to look up one thing first, though.” She logged in to the nearest laptop and brought up Aesclepius Blood Donations. Then, with a fresh cup of coffee in her hand, she settled in to read every word on their website.

  * * *

  Cole screeched to a stop in front of the dilapidated house on B Street. Single story, weathered porch, crooked shutters. The lack of activity sent his heartbeat racing. He was used to silence, but this dead-end street held an odd vibe that had every nerve in his body tingling. Why on earth would a young woman like Jenna live here? Keeping his ears open for the sirens—that would be his backup—he got out of the car, unlatched the snap on his holster and headed up the narrow, neglected walk.

  The house was old. Creaky, rickety old. The hair on the back of his neck prickled. Something wasn’t right. He didn’t see any sign of a handicapped ramp or railing on the stairs to the porch. Nothing about this house said special needs, and given what he’d seen of Jenna Batsakis, she was in need of help.

  Reason battled with concern. He should wait for Jack, but if Jenna was in trouble—

  Yeah. Doubt niggled at his mind and he stopped walking.

  If she was in trouble. His phone rang.

  Cole took a step away. A twig snapped behind him.

  He spun, ducking at the last second, as a plank of wood came for his head. It missed. But before he could move again, he felt the smash against his back. He went down, hard and aching, and tried to roll as he caught a glance of a frail young woman in a bright yellow dress. Jenna’s hands trembled around a splintered two-by-four. “Jenna—” he managed before a third swing turned everything black.

  * * *

  “What’s this?” Eden murmured as she scrolled through the last bit of information on the about page.

  “What’s what?” Pearson asked as he finished loading Eric DeFornio’s belongings into the weathered box.

  “I pulled up an old newsletter Aesclepius mailed to subscribers...” Her voice trailed off as she opened a new window and typed in the address. “This newsletter has an address I don’t recognize from the case. Huh. It’s an old church.”

  “Which one?” Pearson leaned over the back of her chair as Eden clicked through various articles on-screen. “Oh, sure. St. Augustus. One of those full-service churches. Used to have a soup kitchen for the homeless. It was a grammar school at one time, too. Kindergarten through eighth grade. I remember my grandmother talking about it.”

  Eden continued to scroll. “According to this article from five years ago, they often hosted blood drives, as well.” That certainly couldn’t be a coincidence.

  “St. Augustus closed, what? Three, four years ago?” Castillo wheeled her chair over to them. “There was a rash of assaults in the area. Then a couple of the regulars went missing. City got involved, shut the place down. Wasn’t much holding it together anyway, after Father Gregory passed on.”

  Eden and Pearson both looked at the wide-eyed brunette.

  “What? I’m Catholic. Churches work as a kind of homing beacon for us.” She grinned. “What’s it got to do with Aesclepius?”

  “Don’t know. Did the vehicle Batsakis bought have tracking capability on it?” Eden asked. A coach like that would have a pretty substantial power source.

  “Um.” Castillo dug through some documents. “Capable, not activated,” she confirmed.

  “Is it something you can activate remotely?”

  “Only with a court order through the manufacturer,” Pearson said. “And there’s no one here right now who can call for one.”

  “Can you contact Cole and see if he can apply for one? If he needs a DA’s help I can get that.” Eden reached for her phone to call Simone.

  “I’ll give him a try,” Pearson agreed.

  “Great. Hey, Simone.”

  “Where are you?” Simone demanded. “Cole said you were at your house.”

  “Change of plans. I’m at the station.”

  “Oh, thank goodness.” Simone let out a big sigh. “Allie, she’s at the station with Cole. She’s fine.”

  “Wait. No.” Eden gripped the edge of the table. “Cole’s not here. I thought he was still at the hospital with you all.”

  “We’re not at the hospital. He sent us to your place. Where you’re supposed to be.”

  “Then where’s Cole?”

  “His lieutenant sent him back to the warehouse to look at some evidence Tammy found. He was going to come by after.” She hesitated. “I have to admit, I thought he’d be here by now.”

  Eden’s stomach dropped. She hung up and dialed Tammy, squeezing her eyes shut even as she hoped she was wrong.

  “Go for Tammy.” The normally cheery voice had definite dulcet tones.

  “Hey, Tam, it’s Eden. Can I talk to Cole? He’s not picking up his cell.” Not that she’d tried to call, given how they’d left things. A problem for another time.

  “He’s not with us,” Tammy said. “We’ve got evidence here of a jacked-up electrical system, though. Like Batsakis tried to bypass the regular power source. Maybe he’d hooked up to a portable generator. I wanted Cole to see—”

  Eden hung up again, making a mental note to buy the lab tech another bottle of tequila. Or maybe a case. She made one more call. “Jack? Where’s Cole?” she blurted the second he answered. She could barely speak past the catch in her chest.

  “Last I saw him he was at the hospital—”

  “He’s not. And he’s not at the warehouse, either, and that’s where Simone said he was headed. You can’t decipher the message on your phone?”

  “Total loss. Why? What’s going on, Eden?”

  “What about the Zinfandel house?”

  “We hit an accident on 50. We’re still about five minutes out. I’ll let you know when we—”

  Eden shook her head and disconnected.

  “You hang up on everyone, or just your friends?” Pearson asked.

  “Something’s wrong.” Eden dialed Cole. It went straight to voice mail, as she expected it to. “Even when he’s angry at me he takes the call.” Except this time she’d pushed him too far.

  “Now his phone, that I can get a read on,” Castillo said. “We can track all department—”

  “Do it,” Eden whispered. Unease gave way to panic. “Where’s Batsakis’s personal file?” She plowed through what was left on the table.

  “Here.” Pearson handed the file to her. “I left it on top.”

  “Yeah, great.” She flipped the file open and scanned the contents. “Where’s that name...? There.” She jabbed a finger under where it said “education.” “He and his sister attended St. Augustus grammar school on B Street for second through fourth grade. Right before she got pulled for homeschooling.”

  “Place is pretty decrepit,” Castillo said. “Street view, here.”

  Eden cringed at the crumbling structure. “Is that current?”

  “Doubtful,” Pearson replied. “That part of downtown’s pretty dead, so to speak. Can’t imagine they’ve installed cameras.”

  “Soup kitchen. Grammar school. Did...?” Eden’s mind raced. “It had a working kitchen, didn’t it? Maybe even a walk-in freezer?”

  “I’d imagine so. Not that it would be working now.”

  “Hook up a decent generator, though, it wouldn’t be so hard to get it working again,” Castillo said.

  “Or you could hook it up to a coach with its own power source,” Eden said. “Tammy told me they suspect he was using a portable power source at the warehouse. Guys, before you say no,
I want you to listen to me.”

  Castillo and Pearson glanced at each other. Then at her.

  “No,” they said in unison.

  “Fine,” Eden grumbled as she reached out with her foot to draw her purse closer. “Did you find Cole’s phone yet?”

  “No, but if he turned it off, it wouldn’t register anyway.”

  “What about his car?”

  “He’s been using his personal vehicle the last couple of weeks,” Pearson said. “We don’t track those.”

  Eden resisted the urge to scream. She couldn’t explain it, but she knew Cole was in trouble. And there didn’t seem to be anything she could do about it, not as long as these two had her under lock and key. An idea caught. A bad—very, very bad—idea. She reached out to grab a bottle of water and twisted off the cap.

  “One of you needs to call your lieutenant and tell him about this church. It’s off the radar, it’s abandoned, but it’s the best lead we have. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong.” But she wasn’t. She knew it. “Go!” she said to Pearson and then opened a new document after taking a long drink of water. “I’ll get all my notes down and printed out, so you can add them to the file.”

  “O-kay...” Pearson looked uneasy before he turned and walked over to the bull pen to make the call from Cole’s desk.

  Eden watched him leave. Her heart pounded in her chest. One down, one to go.

  “You know,” Officer Castillo said and scooted her chair closer to the table, “I have to admit, you being a reporter isn’t such a bad thing. You’ve got a good brain. You think like a cop.”

  Maybe, Eden considered. But she certainly wasn’t about to act like one. She inched the bottle of water toward the laptop.

  “Let’s see if we’re wrong about that street-view camera at the chur— Oh, jeez!” Eden leaped out of her chair as water flooded across the keyboard. “I’m such a klutz!” Sparks exploded from the computer, followed by a hideous pop and sizzle.