Night Watch

by Susan Sleeman

  Erik tried to trace the deposits but quickly lost the trail. If anyone could track these deposits and find information on this company, it would be Nick at Veritas. Erik texted the computer and cybercrimes expert to ask him to look into inDents and trace the deposits.

  Nick replied that he would fit it in as soon as possible. Knowing his schedule, it could be weeks, which Erik didn’t have. He had to figure this out himself.

  This large of a deposit suggested something illegal to him. Just his gut feel. Maybe blackmail, but that wasn’t likely as those payments wouldn’t be done via electronic transfer but in cash. Plus, the thought of Wanda being a blackmailer was absurd.

  The deposits could just be insurance payouts, though information on an insurance company should be readily available. Maybe Wanda sold a patent and was being paid in an installment plan.

  Erik just didn’t know, but it seemed likely to him that if he discovered where this money was coming from, he would figure out who wanted her dead.

  6

  Early the next morning, Kennedy once again sat with the Byrd brothers in their office, and she had to fight twisting her hair to relieve the stress. If possible, they all looked more intense. Or maybe Erik had shared the information he’d learned about her mother’s finances last night, and they were wondering if she and her mother were both involved in something illegal when that was the last thing either of them would do.

  She wanted to sigh, but she held it in and waited for the brothers to grab coffee and bagels and take a seat. She loved coffee, but her stomach turned at the nutty scent permeating the air.

  Or maybe it was churning over Erik’s news. He’d told her on the way to the office that her mother had received twenty thousand dollars wired to her checking account for the last two months from a company called inDents. He asked her to think about where it might’ve come from so she was ready to talk about it at the meeting, but Kennedy couldn’t come up with a logical explanation for such a large sum of money from an unknown place.

  Erik stepped up to the whiteboard, his footfalls confident and sure. “First up, I left a message with the sergeant I spoke to at PPB about the break-in.”

  “Let’s hope he calls back soon.” Clay set down his mug with a thud. “But I wouldn’t hold my breath when we’re talking about a break-in.”

  “I was able to get Silas’s autopsy report.” Brendan slid a set of papers down the table to each person.

  Erik grabbed a copy. “I was hoping you’d do this quickly.”

  Brendan brushed his knuckles over his chest. “Just chalk it up to my superhero status.”

  The others groaned, but a ball of dread formed in Kennedy’s stomach as she flipped through the pages. “The report doesn’t tell us anything that we don’t already know.”

  Brendan swallowed a bite of his blueberry bagel, which he set on a plate. “But it also doesn’t list the blood pressure meds your mother died from. Not surprising since it was a basic screening. My source told me that, if we want to know about those meds, a comprehensive test is necessary.”

  Kennedy sighed. “I don’t want to have my dad’s body exhumed.”

  “And I don’t think we should just yet,” Erik said. “I’ll stick with my earlier recommendation that we wait until we have proof that your mother was murdered.”

  “Agreed.” She took in his sympathetic gaze.

  Erik gave her a tight smile. “Then let’s get to work proving what happened to Wanda. I completed my deep dive on her finances. I found her PSU income, but didn’t find any source of income for her current project.” He shifted his focus to Kennedy. “Do you know how she was paid?”

  Kennedy took a sip of her water. “All I know is that she got a grant from two big pharmaceutical companies.”

  “Did she keep the money in a separate business account that we haven’t found yet?” Erik asked.

  Kennedy shrugged. “I haven’t looked for that information, but I would think it’s at her lab. And yes, I would think she would have a separate business account.”

  Aiden cupped his mug. “Is her lab independent or part of another facility?”

  “Independent,” she said. “The big pharma companies provided the equipment, and they said I could continue to use it.”

  “This is unrelated.” Drake eyed her with a quirk of his brow, an expression that she remembered would be followed with a challenge. “But do you really think you can finish the project on the counterfeit drugs?”

  “It’s been a while since I’ve done the kind of research my mom was doing.” She sat up straighter. “But even if I’m rusty, I’ll keep working until I succeed.”

  “Has the pharmaceutical company given you a completion deadline?” Drake asked.

  “One month, but I assume if I haven’t completed her work by then that, if I show progress, they’ll extend it.”

  Drake’s eyebrow rose even higher. “Don’t you find it odd that they outsourced this project when they have so many researchers on staff?”

  Kennedy shook her head. “They’re far too busy creating the next drug to work on this. Besides, it’s not just one company that’s being ripped off by the counterfeits. The two companies funding the research are the ones who have the most to lose, but this will be used by other companies and law enforcement too.”

  “Guess that makes sense.” Drake grabbed his bagel covered with strawberry cream cheese. “So where is this lab?”

  “In a leased industrial space not far from my mom’s house.”

  “There was no record of that in her accounts,” Erik said. “Is the place leased directly by the pharma companies?”

  “Yes, and the utilities and security system are billed directly too.”

  Erik passed out a handout. “If you check out my report on Wanda’s finances, you’ll see that she’s been receiving electronic transfers each month from a company called inDents to the tune of twenty grand.”

  Clay whistled and eyed Kennedy. “Do you know anything about inDents?”

  “Nothing,” Kennedy said. “I couldn’t bring myself to look through her accounts yet, and I’ve never heard of inDents.”

  “Seems suspicious,” Drake said.

  “I searched for a website or any information on the company, but the only thing I found is that the domain name is registered, but is parked at a domain registry site. All other registry data is private. I also struck out on tracing the deposits. Still, I sent the info to Nick to do his thing.” Erik looked at Kennedy. “Nick’s the Veritas Center’s computer and cybercrimes guru.”

  Brendan tapped the report in front of him. “I was thinking retirement money, but this says you didn’t find any retirement accounts. You’ve ruled out the logical sources, so now I really want to know who this company is.”

  “You thinking bribe?” Erik planted his hands on the table and looked at Brendan. “Maybe blackmail? ’Cause I sure am.”

  “Could be.”

  Kennedy wished Erik would look at her so she could make eye contact to dispute his thoughts, but he didn’t. “My mom would never do anything like that.”

  Erik shifted his focus to her, and she didn’t like the distrust in his eyes. “You never know what someone might do when pushed.”

  Kennedy sat forward. “But she wasn’t pushed financially. Her accounts show that. Plus the house was paid for, and she made money off selling the family home. And the pharma companies were paying her somehow. Maybe that money was coming from them.”

  “It’s possible,” Erik said.

  “What about her will,” Drake asked. “Who did she leave her money to, and who’s the executor of her estate?”

  Kennedy shrugged. “Finley’s been pushing me to read it, but I haven’t had the heart to.”

  “Seems like now would be a great time to do so,” Aiden suggested.

  “Yes,” Kennedy said, though she still didn’t want to read it. The act made everything seem so final.

  “Let’s go ahead and table this discussion,” Erik said. “I’
ll head to the lab to check Wanda’s files when we’re done, and maybe I’ll find more information.”

  “You mean we’ll head to the lab,” Kennedy said.

  “About that.” Erik planted his feet.

  Uh-oh. Argument coming.

  “I’d rather you stay here for your safety,” he said.

  He made it seem as if she had a choice when she knew she didn’t. “With the short deadline, I need all the time I can get to work on the project.”

  “It’s safer here.”

  “Do you keep all of your clients prisoner here?”

  “No, but—”

  “But you protect people in danger, right?” She issued him a nonverbal challenge with a lift of her chin. “So you must have a protocol you can follow to allow me to go to work.”

  “We do. But you’re…you’re not just any client.” Erik crossed his arms.

  “We can do recon on the lab,” Aiden said. “And find a way to let her work.”

  Erik shook his head.

  “Let’s go ahead and do a risk assessment,” Aiden suggested. “And then we can decide if transport is safe.”

  His brothers murmured their agreement.

  “Fine.” Erik was still looking at her, but his jaw wasn’t clenched now. “I’ll do an in-person evaluation while you remain here.”

  “Okay.” She wanted to get to the lab, but she didn’t want to unnecessarily risk her life or cause Erik additional grief. That was going to happen as they spent time together, and on this, she was willing to compromise.

  Instead of sitting around waiting for Sarge to call back, Erik and Clay headed out to evaluate Wanda Walker’s lab. It sat across the road from the river, and Erik focused as he drove into the lot that abutted a large single-story building painted a drab yellow. One side held loading docks, and a sign offered space for rent.

  “Separate entrance and exit from the lot,” Clay said.

  “Good.” Erik slowed to take a careful look around. “Gives us two options for a fast getaway if needed.”

  “And good visuals for the entrance. Plus, Brendan could take a stand on the roof. Not only to keep us informed of any movement, but he’d have good line of sight for a shot.” Clay sat back. “Unless there’s a problem inside, I’d put this at a low-risk situation.”

  Erik wouldn’t call anything that involved Kennedy’s safety a low-risk situation. Sure, Clay was right so far, but Clay hadn’t once loved this woman more than anything. Clay’s gut wasn’t tied up in knots over it.

  “Let’s take a look at the lab entrance.” Erik drove closer to the building until he found the entrance to Suite G, which held the lab. He parked in front, scanning the vehicles and nearby suites. They were all small manufacturing companies. “No red flags here.”

  Erik’s phone rang, and he saw the PPB ID, so he tapped the screen and answered.

  “Your message said you have some unknown prints and DNA from Wanda Walker’s home,” Sarge said in his usual gruff tone. “Still not sure that’s enough to open an investigation here.”

  “I get that.” Erik concentrated on breathing evenly instead of snapping at the guy and losing even more hope of getting his buy-in. “But you have to know the prints and DNA are meaningless to us unless they can be run through law enforcement databases.”

  “Yeah, that’s a problem. But there’s a lot of paperwork and time involved in one of my detectives opening an official investigation that will likely go nowhere.”

  “Can’t they run them unofficially?”

  “You know they can’t.” Sarge’s deep voice pounded through the phone.

  Erik focused on that calm breathing. “What can I do to make this happen?”

  “Tell you what,” Sarge said. “I’ll go to my guys and ask around. See if one of them will do all the paperwork for this. If I get a bite, I’ll contact the Veritas Center and give them my approval to run the prints and DNA. ’Course the results will come to us, and depending on what we see, we might not be able to share them with you.”

  “Trust me, I get it,” Erik said. “Can you text me if one of the detectives steps?”

  “Sure thing.” Sarge sounded positive on the surface, but there was a cautious bent to the undertone.

  “And make sure you tell them one of their former officers is asking for the help. Maybe that will help me.”

  “Wouldn’t count on it.” Sarge disconnected.

  “Let’s hope we get someone who doesn’t hate an officer who moves to the private sector.” Clay slid out of the truck.

  Erik removed the keys and got out, forgetting about the call and keeping his head on a swivel for their suspect. He unlocked the suite door, flipped on lights, and tapped the security alarm code on the keypad.

  Erik spun to take in the entire space. “No windows or doors.”

  “Makes protecting Kennedy easier.”

  “Once we get her safely inside.”

  Clay gave a firm nod, and Erik turned to look at the back wall. Made of glass, it divided the large space. A small reception or maybe administration area sat in front of the wall. A desk, tall metal file cabinet, and side chair took up the space. A business phone, computer, and stack of unopened mail sat on the tidy desk.

  Clay strode to the glass wall and looked into the lab area. “Some of the same equipment Sierra and Maya use, but I have no idea what anything is.”

  “I’m sure Sierra’s told us, but…” Erik shrugged. Not a one of the guys had ever had any interest in science when she’d been all over it since grade school.

  A glass door opened to a small vestibule, which then led into the lab space. A shower was set up in the corner, and a sticker on the door read, Authorized Biosafety Level 2 Lab. Even with the set up, he could still smell chemicals lingering in the air.

  “Level four’s the top and most restrictive rating.” Clay joined Erik. “At least I think that’s what Sierra said. Who knew they needed such a high rating for this lab?”

  “They’re dealing with counterfeit drugs, and they can be cut with anything. Even fentanyl, which can be fatal just by touching a small amount.”

  “Yeah. Right. Makes sense. Fentanyl’s nothing to mess around with.”

  Erik turned to the side wall, where he found a small bathroom and a second exit. “We have two exits here too.”

  “I don’t see anything that would stop us from letting Kennedy come to work.”

  “Yeah, me neither,” Erik grumbled.

  “Hey, it’s good news. Don’t sound so disappointed.” Clay eyed him. “Right. You still have a thing for her.”

  “Maybe,” Erik admitted.

  “If your disappointment in this assessment says anything, it’s not a maybe.” Clay led the way to their SUV.

  Erik climbed into the driver’s seat. “I can control it.”

  “Can you? ’Cause, man, with the way I felt about Toni, if her life was in danger, I couldn’t.”

  Erik gunned the engine. “I’m not going to be told to stand down.”

  “I’m not telling you that. Just wanting you to admit that you have an issue so you can deal with it.”

  Erik pulled out of the parking lot, spitting gravel behind him. His brother was right, but Erik wasn’t ready to accept that he wasn’t over Kennedy. That gave her power over him when he didn’t want to be so vulnerable. Not ever again. But he also wouldn’t turn his back on her or let his brothers take charge. He felt a personal responsibly for her safety, and he would see this through to the end no matter the cost to his emotions.

  Kennedy sighed contentedly. This was right. The place she was meant to be when she wasn’t in the water. The lab. Her second home. Both places sealed out the public and left her on her own. Even the chemical odors comforted her. Sure, Erik was just on the other side of the glass wall going through the files and computers. And he’d also emptied the mini fridge and trash cans for food and drink containers that could’ve potentially been used to give her mother the overdose of medicine. He’d loaded the items in their vehicl
e, and he would have Maya analyze it all.

  Kennedy hoped Maya located the meds so the question of whether her mother was murdered or not was answered. She also hoped Erik would find the information he sought on her mom’s contract, and it would explain everything about her finances. What he wasn’t going to find was any evidence that her mother was corrupt. Of course not.

  Or was she?

  Had her mom been involved when her dad had handled the accounting for the scammer? Kennedy had never asked. Why would she? There was no point twenty-plus years later. Her family had been upright citizens. Some might say a model family. And look at her doubting her parents. She had no reason to. No reason at all. There would be logical explanations for the money.

  She shook her head to clear out the doubts and focused on her work. She’d inserted her arms into holes in a glass-fronted class 3 biosafety containment cabinet. Long, heavy gloves were attached to the holes inside the cabinet. She also wore a positive pressure personal suit for protection from powders, a face shield, and non-porous gloves inside the outer protective gloves attached to the suit. All to keep her safe from the drugs she was evaluating.

  Overkill for sure, but all it took was seven hundred micrograms of fentanyl to kill, just a half dozen grains or so. Plus, fentanyl sold on the street was almost always made in clandestine labs. It wasn’t as pure as the pharmaceutical version. Meant the effect on the body could be more unpredictable.

  A knock sounded on the glass behind her, and she swiveled to see Erik holding up a yellow envelope. He pressed the intercom button. “This was in the mail. Addressed to your mom. The colored envelope caught my attention.”

  “Do you think it’s something I need to look at?”

  He nodded. “We should open everything in the mail. I just brought this one to your attention because it seems like it might be personal. Want me to bring it in to you?”

  “I’ll come get it. Meet me at the inner door.” She pulled her arms free and pushed her chair back. She wouldn’t be leaving the room, so she didn’t need to remove her protective clothing or take a shower.