by C. M. Sutter
“Not necessarily, but if he is hunkered down in a motel between the border and here, we’ll find that out pretty quickly. We need to make sure his face is still being broadcast on every news channel too. I don’t want those stations to drop the ball on us. Come on. Let’s finish eating and get back to work.”
Again at our desks, we continued the calls to the frontage road motels. Jack took the Highway 41 corridor, and I took Route 31, which was closer to the lake as it meandered through the outskirts of Kenosha and Racine and then connected with Route 32 when it neared Milwaukee.
At three thirty, I stood and heaved a deep sigh. So far we hadn’t had a single hit. “I need a break. Want something to drink?”
“A soda would be good, thanks.”
“Sure thing.” I pulled two dollar bills out of my wallet and headed down the hallway to the lunchroom.
I returned to our desks with two soda cans in hand, one dark and one clear. J.T. had just hung up his phone and was scratching out something on his notepad.
“We have to go.” He stood, secured his shoulder holster, clipped his badge to his waistband, and put on his jacket.
“What the hell is going on?” I reached for my gun and jacket too.
“We have a hit.” J.T. handed me the slip of paper. “Program this address into your GPS. I’ll tell Spelling we’re leaving.”
I walked at a quickened pace alongside J.T. as I programmed my phone. “What did the desk clerk say?”
“No hits on the credit cards, but he said a huge guy checked in yesterday and paid cash. He also said the guy had a full beard.”
I punched J.T. in the arm.
“What was that for?”
“Sorry, I’m just excited.”
We knocked on Spelling’s door, and he ushered us in. By the expression on his face and the fact that we had our coats on, he likely assumed we had a lead. He rose from his chair and walked around his desk.
“What’s up?”
“We have a hit, boss. We’re going to check it out now.”
“Where?”
I looked at the slip of paper still clutched in my hand. “Twenty Winks Motel on the north side of Milwaukee. It sounds familiar. I’m sure I’ve driven by it before. It’s located on Fairview Street, which is a frontage road parallel to Highway 41.”
“How do you want to handle this? Call the local PD or surveil the motel first?”
“We need a positive ID before anything else. The clerk only said a man checked in yesterday, paid cash, and fit Max’s description. I’d prefer to go in quietly, talk to the clerk, and show him the picture we have of Max. The clerk didn’t know what Max was driving, though. He said there was never a vehicle parked in front of the room Max was assigned to. It’s probably hidden nearby.”
“Okay, go ahead and keep under the radar. Just because you don’t see a vehicle doesn’t mean he isn’t there. And to be fair, we don’t know for sure if the man is actually Max at all. I want an update the second you arrive and the second you leave. Both of you put vests on under those coats.”
“Yes, boss.” I nudged J.T. “Let’s go.”
J.T. and I hopped into one of the unmarked cars we kept in the lot. I checked the distance on the GPS.
“Looks like it’s a half-hour drive from us. The motel is on the far north side of Milwaukee County. Take 43 North then cut west on Good Hope. That should keep us out of traffic. I’m pretty sure I know which motel it is. There are two of them within a block of each other. You can see them from the highway.”
J.T. smiled. “This could be over with by tonight, Jade. I’m sure that would be a big weight off your chest.”
“And Amber’s too. If the desk clerk makes a positive ID, I’m going to call Jack. I’d like anyone that may be on Max’s radar to stay at my house tonight where it’s the safest. There’s no reason to spread the North Bend PD and the sheriff’s department too thin. If everyone is hunkered down at my fortress”—I smiled—“that could free up the cops to keep an eye out for him.”
“Agreed.”
“We’re getting close. I think we should pass by on the highway first, where we can see the parking lot, then cut back on the frontage road and walk in.”
J.T. merged with traffic once we reached Highway 41.
“Stay in the right lane, where you can go slower. I’ll check out the parking lot when we pass by. The exit for the frontage road will be a half mile beyond the motel. We’re almost there.” I pointed a quarter mile ahead on the left. “The motels are by that billboard. Slow down a bit.”
J.T. drove past while I craned my neck to the left. I snapped three pictures with my cell phone while I had the chance. At the top of the ramp, J.T. turned left at the green light.
I pointed to my right. “Pull into that gas station so we can look at these pictures.”
J.T. pulled in and parked between two cars on the side of the building.
“Okay, let’s see what we have.” I tapped the gallery icon and pulled up the last three pictures. I spread my thumb and index finger across the screen to enlarge each image, one by one.
“Did the desk clerk say which room the man was given?”
“Yeah, the third room to the left of the office. No vehicle there, and nothing in the lot that resembles a black Ford Focus, either.”
I turned my phone sideways to get the widescreen view. I mentally counted the rooms. “There are ten rooms and three cars in the lot. I don’t even know what that’s telling us. Either the place sucks, it’s inconvenient to get to from the highway, or it’s closing in on dinnertime.”
J.T. stared at the photo. “I’m going with the place sucks. They’re lucky to get three tenants. The clerk said the man only paid for one night in advance.” He jerked his chin toward the frontage road and pulled back on the street. “Let’s check it out.”
“Park in the back, and we’ll enter from the south side. That way if he actually is in room three, we won’t be passing his window.”
J.T. drove the half mile back to the motel and parked on a residential side street. We took off our coats and slipped the vests over our heads then snugged the Velcro straps tightly. We put our coats back on before we exited the car. Once outside, we crossed the street and made our way to the motel office. I pulled my hood up over my head and stared at the ground as we walked.
“Cold?”
“No, I’m trying to remain incognito. Max knows my face.”
“I’ll walk ahead and scope it out. He’d have no idea who I am, anyway. Keep your eyes peeled for that car.”
Chapter 48
Max pulled into the right lane at the Highway 41/45 split as he listened to the country music station. He had another fifteen miles to go before he reached North Bend. Max perked up when the traffic slowed on Highway 45 about three miles out of the city limits. Unless there was an accident, that was unusual. He had already passed St. Joseph Community Hospital, and no ambulance had sped by on the opposite side of the highway. Something was up. Max could smell it. He squinted through the smoke-stained windshield.
“Damn smokers.” He pulled out a rag that was jammed in the fold of the bench seat and wiped the window. “There, that’s better.” He scowled at the yellow residue on the rag and tossed it to the floor. “Disgusting habit.” He returned his focus to the road. Squad car red and blues flickered ahead of him in the distance. “Think you’re so smart, don’t you, Jade? Setting up roadblocks just for me? You should be setting up a welcoming committee.” He laughed loudly as he cut east on Rusco Road, a quiet two-lane country road that nobody was monitoring. “This will take me where I want to go, anyway.”
Max turned left when he reached County Highway G. The old farmstead was two miles ahead of him. He hadn’t been back since the day he was ordered off the property and the Swedish megastore took possession. He wouldn’t chance getting too close while workers were still in the area. From a half mile away, he could see the enormous building being erected. The street leading into the parking lot and most of the i
nfrastructure were already in place. A large sign at the next intersection showed an arrow and the words Future Home of IPEL, Opening Soon.
Max pounded his fist on the steering wheel. “That was my farm, the only home I’ve ever known. It’s time to pay for taking it away from me.”
He cranked the wheel, causing the truck to jerk to the right. He knew where to wait, and he’d move in once darkness took over. Max drove to the back side of the hundred-acre parcel. The old dirt tractor path was still there, and he pulled in. He hid the truck within the brush and killed the engine. He set the phone alarm for seven thirty and closed his eyes.
Chapter 49
J.T. scanned the area to the north and south of the motel. He looked down several side streets then waved me forward.
“I don’t see a black Ford anywhere. Let’s talk to the clerk.”
J.T. rounded the corner then motioned all was quiet on the front side of the building. We entered the office together and approached the counter.
A young man that looked no older than twenty-five sat behind the counter. He glanced up for a second when we walked in then went back to staring at his phone.
“Hate to disturb you and all,” J.T. said as he pulled out his badge and flashed it in the kid’s face.
“Oh, sorry, man.” He stood up, nearly tripping over the stool at his side, and looked around.
“Something wrong?”
“Are you the guy, I mean the agent, that called earlier?”
“That would be correct. Your name is?”
“Jessie Brill.”
J.T. stuck out his hand. “Agent Harper here, and my partner is Agent Monroe. What are you nervous about, Jessie?”
“Just that big guy. I don’t need any trouble.”
“Has he caused trouble?”
“No, but you’re the FBI. Apparently he did something wrong.”
“Okay, we’ll make this quick, then.” J.T. pulled a picture of Max out of his inner jacket pocket. “Is this the man that’s staying here? Look at it closely. I want you to be sure.”
I kept my eye on the outside walkway and the parking lot as J.T. questioned the clerk.
“Yeah, that’s him.”
J.T. glanced my way, his eyebrows raised. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to say yes just because we’re asking.”
“I’m sure. It’s him.”
“Did you see him today or notice him leave?”
“I mind my own business. I don’t pay much attention to anyone.”
J.T. jerked his chin at the cell phone sitting on the counter. “And I’m sure the phone helps keep you occupied. Listen closely, Jessie. We want you to go knock on his door.”
“What the hell for?”
“Ask if he needs clean towels. We just want to establish if he’s in the room or not. He isn’t going to do anything to you from the other side of the door. Now go on, we’ll only be ten feet away.”
Jessie rounded the counter and grabbed a handful of towels, just in case. J.T. tipped his head toward the door. We followed to the wall between rooms one and two then waited.
Jessie knocked on door three and called out loudly, “Need any clean towels, sir?” He looked in our direction.
“Don’t look at us,” I whispered. “Knock again.”
He rapped harder on the door. “Sir, do you need any clean towels?”
J.T. waved him back. “Okay, Jessie, here’s what we’re going to do. We need you to unlock the door and let us peek in. We aren’t going to mess anything up, and we’ll only be in there for a second. We have to know that he hasn’t left for good. Once we establish that his belongings are still inside, we’ll have the local sheriff’s department watch this room. You won’t even know they’re here, but they will be. Don’t act nervous, and don’t do anything out of the ordinary. You won’t be in danger at any time. This motel is going to be covered at all times. Got it?”
“I got it, sir.”
“Good, now go ahead and open the door.”
Jessie fumbled with the large key ring he pulled out of his pocket. He pushed the number three key into the lock then backed away from the door. J.T. covered his hand with his sleeve and turned the knob. I opened my jacket and kept my hand on my gun. With his foot, J.T. pushed the door, and it slowly creaked open. The TV playing was the only light that illuminated the room. The unmade bed had a crumbled potato chip bag lying near the pillow, and a few clothing items draped the chairs next to the small table. We backed out and closed the door.
“Okay, it looks like he could possibly return. Here’s my card, Jessie, and make sure to call me if anything else comes to mind. We appreciate your help, and don’t worry, I’m calling the local authorities right now. They’ll be watching that room day and night.”
We returned to the car and climbed in.
I fastened my seat belt. “Shit.”
“What?”
“We forgot to call Spelling. He’s probably pacing a hole in his carpet as we speak. I’ll call him now.”
“I’ll check on my phone for the nearest sheriff’s substation. I doubt if we’re within the city limits anymore.”
I listened as Spelling’s phone rang in my ear. He answered on the fourth ring.
“Sorry we forgot to call earlier, boss. We got caught up in surveilling the motel.”
“No problem. What did you find out?”
“The desk clerk confirmed the man is Max. He knocked on his motel door and nobody answered, so he let us in. Some of Max’s belongings are still inside. There are three cars in the lot, none are the Ford, and there aren’t any black Fords on the neighboring streets. He’s out doing something right now, but it appears he’ll be back.”
“Okay, is that the sheriff’s department jurisdiction?”
“We think so. J.T. is checking on that now.”
“I’ll take care of it. We need someone on that room around the clock. Go ahead and come back to the office.”
“Got it. We’ll see you in a bit.” I clicked off. “Spelling wants us back. He’s going to take care of putting somebody on the motel.”
“Good enough.” J.T. shifted into Drive, and we headed back to Glendale.
We reached the office at six o’clock and had a short briefing before we parted ways for the night. Spelling explained that the motel was heavily covered, and as soon as Max returned, he’d be taken into custody. Spelling didn’t want any innocent people in harm’s way, so taking Max by surprise seemed to be the best option. I agreed. Spelling had never had a face-to-face with Max, but knowing that dozens of people died at his hands, including officers of the law, made Spelling that much more cautious. Max had nothing to lose.
“If Max is sighted and taken into custody, you’ll be the first to know, Jade. I promise you that. Round up your loved ones and stay together. Safety in numbers, you know. It’s the smart thing to do.”
“I’ll call Jack and have him notify the officers covering my mom’s house. They can transport her and her husband to my place. We’ll stay hunkered down until this fiasco is over with. Washburn County Sheriff’s Department is watching the main roads coming into North Bend, and the PD is on high alert. They’re all familiar with the Sims’ violent history. When I last checked in, they said everything was quiet.”
“Sounds good, and keep me posted if you hear anything. I’ll do the same.”
“Good night, sir.” I put my jacket on and zipped it up.
“Good night, Jade.” Spelling patted J.T. on the shoulder. “Go home, Harper, and get some rest. With any luck, we’ll have good news by morning.”
J.T. and I swiped our badges and left the building. Night had fallen, and a cold chill swept across the parking lot. I looked up. Thick clouds made the sky look even darker. J.T. followed my eyes.
“Looks like snow.”
“Hush. Those are fighting words.”
He chuckled. “It’s inevitable, Jade. You live in Wisconsin.”
I was quiet for a minute. My mind had gone back to that dark night las
t summer. “There are a lot of things that are inevitable, J.T.”
“Are you getting philosophical on me, Monroe?”
“Nope. Just stating the facts.” I reached my car and popped the door lock.
“I still can’t believe you drive this thing. I’ll admit, it looks like fun.”
I grinned. “As opposed to your Corolla?”
He glanced at the car parked next to mine and frowned.
“Cat got your tongue?” I laughed.
“It gets good mileage.”
I rolled my eyes and gave him a sympathetic pat on the arm. “Night, J.T.”
Inside the car and buckled up, I backed my Mustang Cobra out of the space and dropped it into first gear. The tires squawked when I let off the brakes and gunned it. I saw J.T. shake his head when I looked in the rearview mirror.
Once I reached the interstate, I called Jack. I wanted everyone at my house where it was safe.
“Hey, partner, what’s up?”
“Driving home. We have a lot to talk about, Jack. Can you round everyone up at my house? I’d like the officers that are sitting on my mom’s house to bring them to mine. I’d feel a lot better if everyone was under one roof. I’ll even order pizza delivery.”
“Yeah, sure, you don’t have to ask me twice. Just make sure you order from Anton’s.”
“No problem.” I clicked my blinker and scooted over two lanes to my right. I exited on the Highway 60 ramp and turned left. “Have you talked to Amber or Kate?”
“Actually both, and I believe Amber already went home. Kate is working until seven forty-five or so.”
“Why’s that?”
“She’s covering for Silver until then. I’ll let her know to come to your house when she finishes up.”
“Okay, thanks. I should be home in twenty minutes.”
I slowed when I turned in to Ashbury Woods and downshifted into second gear. I saw Jack’s car, already parked on the far right side of my driveway when I reached my house. I smiled. Jack knew I parked my car in the garage on the left side. A squad car sat across the street against the curb. I shifted into Park and got out. The driver’s side window rolled down as I approached the cruiser.