Shadows of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Series Book 2)

by Teresa Greene

  Josh asked, “Did he see you?”

  “No, I managed to get behind the bushes before Kane saw me. Pistol in hand, he circled the house before he went back inside. He probably thought it was an animal that tripped the alarm.”

  Grant asked as he moved toward the camera. “Did the other man come out when the alarm was triggered?”

  “No, but I did see the curtain flutter from the huge picture window. If it is Collins, he is doing his best to stay out of sight.”

  Tate reached into his inside jacket pocket and then handed Josh an envelope. “Here’s your search warrant.”

  “Thanks.” He didn’t tell his uncle he had gotten the warrant under false pretenses. The less he knew the better. No reason for anyone else to get into trouble because he decided to bend the law just a little.

  Grant peered into the camera. Seconds passed as he watched the man sitting in the gazebo throwing bread to some ducks waddling along the bank. “I can’t see his face.” He adjusted the focus. “I think he has blond hair so it’s not Kane. It’s getting too dark to be sure.” The man took the steps leading to the river and walked along the bank for a few minutes before disappearing back in the house.

  Without knocking, Agent Jacobs entered with Agent Marcy Daniels who had assisted with the case when Nina and Juan had been kidnapped by Collins six months earlier. Grant stepped out and offered his hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Agent Daniels.”

  She shook his hand. “Seems like Collins just won’t ever go away.”

  “Maybe this time we’ll get him.”

  Jacobs handed Bauer a plastic container. “Molly was worried you might be eating too many sandwiches and not getting any proper nutrition.”

  Bauer opened the container and took a huge whiff. “Cubed steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn on the cob.” A huge smile split his face as he licked his lips. “Remind me to give Molly a big kiss the next time I see her.” He sat in the chair against the wall, placed the container on his lap and began to devour his home cooked meal. Mouth full of food, he replied, “Damn this is good. If you ever die in a hail of bullets, I’ll marry Molly.” He scooped a huge spoonful of potatoes up and replied, “I promise I’ll take good care of her.”

  “You better not go near my wife. Besides, she don’t want no skinny, white boy.” Jacobs asked Tate, “What’s the plan?”

  He pointed at Josh. “Talk to Josh. This is his rodeo. I have all the confidence in the world in him.”

  “Uncle Tate and I’ll knock on the door and ask to speak with Kane. When we’re ready to search the place, I’ll call and let you know so you can assist us.”

  Grant squared his shoulders before he replied in a firm voice, “I’m going in with you.”

  “You’re not an agent. You can stay out back of the house with Jacobs and Bauer just in case Collins or Kane try to escape. Daniels will watch the front of the house.”

  “I’m going with you. I want to hear what Kane has to say. I want to be the one to put the cuffs on Collins.”

  By Grant’s stance he wasn’t about to stay behind. Prickles of irritation scraped at the back of his neck. “Fine, but don’t shoot anyone to get them to talk. Don’t do anything rash. Let me do the talking.”

  His brother gave a slight nod of his head in consent. Josh had a bad feeling. If Kane didn’t give him the answers Grant wanted, he might do something stupid. When it came to his family, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill to protect them.

  As Josh walked across the front lawn, he noticed several cameras positioned toward the road. He pointed and Grant nodded letting him know he had seen them. One was attached to the front porch and one on the eave of the right and left side of the house. That meant Kane knew they were coming. He was probably watching them at that very moment. “Keep your eyes peeled.”

  Josh knocked on the door. It wasn’t long before Travis Kane opened the door. He hadn’t changed much since high school. He still wore his hair in the same style as he did in his school’s yearbook. Unruly, dark curls covered his head. The slightest hint of cleft dented his chin. Kathy had not said anything about the cleft, but then she said she didn’t get a good look at him.

  Without showing a hint of surprise, he asked, “May I help you?”

  Josh opened his jacket so the badge on his belt was visible. “I’m Josh Wilson with the FBI.” He jerked his head toward Grant standing to the left. “This is my brother Grant Wilson, a consultant for the bureau. Are you Travis Kane?”

  He nodded his head. “I am.”

  “We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

  Kane waved them inside. A curious look on his face, he asked, “Why does the FBI have questions for me?”

  Josh stepped over the threshold, Grant shadowed behind. “I have a few questions about an old acquaintance.” The great room looked like a picture out of a magazine. The living area and kitchen were one big room but it was huge and tastefully decorated. Soft music swept through the room. An enormous wide screen television covered one wall. A gaming system was on the console under the television. “Nice place.”

  “Thank you. It’s not much, but I like it here.”

  Josh moved to the sliding door that overlooked the river. The view of the moon shining on the water was extraordinary. It was a peaceful scene as he imagined the sound of the water lapping at the bank. Land on the Neuse River was extremely expensive. Only the rich lived along the river.

  “Is it normal for the FBI to make visits at night?”

  Josh turned and glanced at Grant. He was stiff as a spear as his eyes swept around the room. “Under these circumstances, we felt it imperative to speak with you.”

  “I’m not easily surprised, but I must admit I wasn’t expecting the FBI to show up at my door. Can I get you anything?” He moved toward the refrigerator. “I abstain from alcohol, but I’ll be glad to get you coffee or water.”

  “I’m fine.” Kane’s eyes stopped on Grant but he never said a word. His brother’s eyes flashed with annoyance as if he wanted him to stop wasting time and get down to asking the questions about Collins.

  As if needing something to do with his hands, Grant moved to the bookcase on the far wall and acted as if he were reading the spines. He took out a book and flipped through it before putting it back on the shelf. He paced the room as his eyes swept over the table, the counter. He was already looking for anything that could prove Randal Collins was in the house.

  Kane opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of Voss water. Josh wondered if it tasted any different than the cheap bottled water he drank.

  “Please sit down.” He waited until he and Grant sat on the black leather sofa before he plopped down into the recliner on the opposite side. He took a long lazy sip of water as if bored. “Now what can I do for you gentlemen?”

  Josh leaned back on the sofa and crossed his legs. “Has Randal Collins contacted you?”

  Dark eyes never blinked. “Not since high school.”

  “Were the two of you close in school?”

  “No, we had very little in common. Randal was the school jock and I was more into spending my time studying.” Kane opened a wood box on the side table and got a cigarette. He lit the cigarette with what looked like a pure gold lighter. Smoke circled his head.

  “And yet you didn’t go to college.”

  “Wasn’t for me.”

  Josh swept his hand through the air. “How do you afford all this when you don’t work? You own a prime piece of real estate. What’d it set you back? My guess is at least a million?”

  “My father had a huge insurance policy. After his death my mother never spent a cent, gave it all to me.”

  A barefaced lie. Josh had already checked into Kane’s background. If there had been a life insurance policy, he had not been able to find any evidence of any money passing to his mother. His mother had a nice home, but working as a cafeteria worker at an elementary school didn’t pay for the house. Kane’s drug dealing probably paid for everything.

&nbs
p; Grant sat forward on the edge of the sofa and his scowl increased; a look that could only be interpreted as a warning. Josh prayed he would bear with him a little longer. “It has come to our attention that you and Randal Collins sold drugs while in high school.”

  Kane let out a roll of laughter. Grant’s fingers bit into the arm of the sofa as his laughter continued. After a futile attempt at controlling his laughter, he lost all control. He placed his hand to his chest and took several deep breaths. “Do you have evidence to back up that allegation?”

  “I did discover Randal Collins was arrested while in high school, but someone had his record expunged.”

  Smile still on his face, Kane offered, “Probably his father, the high sheriff. Anytime Randal got into trouble at school his father always got him out of it. I guess having a parent in law enforcement gave him the right to bully and torment other students without having to pay the consequences. He was not a nice person.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. Did you participate in selling drugs while in high school?”

  “No, please forgive me but whoever told you that gossip is lying.” The smile vanished from his face. He flicked ashes into the ashtray on the table. “Who told you Randal and I were friends in high school.”

  “I’m not at liberty to divulge his name.” Fearing Kane might put two and two together and guess he had spoken with Tina Callicutt, he wanted him to believe it was a man that divulged he and Collins had been selling drugs in high school. “He described you as a silent partner obtaining the drugs and Randal Collins did the selling.”

  “I’ve read the papers. I know what Randal Collins had been involved in before you let him slip away. Contrary to what you believe, I don’t rub elbows with murderers and drug dealers.”

  With a curl of his upper lip Kane gave Josh a direct look. “I could barely tolerate Randal in school. He was the most obnoxious, arrogant bastard I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I assure you we were never friends and never could be.”

  Time to cut to the chase. Cautious and thorough in his questioning, he asked, “Is there anyone else in the house?”

  “No, I prefer to live alone.” He propped his elbow on the chair, the cigarette dangling from his fingers. “I’m not very sociable, preferring to live a quiet life.”

  Hoping Kane wouldn’t lawyer up, he asked, “Were you at The Red Diamond Bar on the night of February 10th?”

  “No, as I’ve already told you I rarely socialize. The bar scene is not my thing.” Eyes narrowed, he asked, “What crime am I suspected of committing at The Red Diamond?”

  Josh ignored his question. “I need you to come to the bureau tomorrow for a lineup?”

  Kane leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. “Do I need an attorney, Agent Wilson?”

  “Not if you haven’t broken the law.”

  “I’ll be glad to come to the bureau and participate in your little lineup. I have nothing to hide.” He downed the rest of the water in the fancy bottle. He returned the lid and placed it on the table, then squashed out his cigarette which he had smoked all the way down to the filter.

  Josh hoped he didn’t light another one. He hated the smell of cigarette smoke. It gave him a headache. The tension between his eyes was bad enough fearing what Grant might do. He didn’t need anything else to add to his discomfort. “Do you know Chase Powers?”

  Without hesitating for a second, Kane answered, “No, never heard of the man. What has your informant said I’m doing with him?” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Maybe running guns, operating an illegal gambling establishment, or something of that nature.”

  “He is a professional hit man and evidence points to you being the person that took out the contract.”

  “And just who would I hate so much that I would contract a hit man to kill? What motive would I have for wanting someone eliminated?” He said stiffly.

  Josh wasn’t getting anywhere. Again he didn’t bother answering Kane’s question. “If you have nothing to hide, then you won’t mind letting us have a look around.”

  His demeanor changed. He stood and glared at Josh. “I do mind. It is time for you two gentlemen to go. I have tolerated your stupid questions long enough. I don’t appreciate being treated like a common criminal.” Outrage and disbelief showed on his face. “You know the way out.”

  Josh reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, stood, and handed Kane the search warrant. “What is the meaning of this?” He unfolded the paper and his eyes scanned over the search warrant. Face red with rage, he threw the warrant on the floor. “You have no grounds to search my house.”

  Josh held out his hand. “I need your cell phone and computer.”

  Grant stood and for the first time since coming in Kane’s house spoke. “They are on the kitchen table.” He disappeared into the room off from the great room. Of course he was after Collins. It had taken every ounce of willpower he had to sit and wait for Josh to serve Kane with the search warrant.

  Josh flipped open his phone and called his team. They would go through the house inch by inch to see if they could find any evidence that Kane hired Chase Powers to kill Kathy. The little evidence they had was not enough to hold Kane so he didn’t bother reading him his rights. He would take him in for questioning but his attorney would have him out within twenty-four hours so he wouldn’t bother with an arrest until he had more evidence. At least they could detain him for questioning.

  Grant stormed back into the great room and grabbed Kane by the shirtfront lifting him off his feet. “Where is the man we saw in the backyard earlier?”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about. As I’ve already told you, no one lives here but me.”

  “We have him on surveillance sitting in the gazebo.” Grant lifted him higher causing Kane’s face to turn purple as his air supply was cut off. “I saw him with my own eyes enter through the back door. Where is Randal Collins?”

  Josh placed his hand on Grant’s shoulder. “Put him down.” Grant shoved Kane so hard he fell back into the recliner.

  Kane’s hands clenched into fists. “This is police brutality. You can’t manhandle me.”

  Hand still on Grant’s shoulder, Josh pushed him. “Randal Collins has to be here. There is no way he got by Uncle Tate, Daniels, Jacobs, and Bauer. He is here somewhere. Go find him.”

  Grant took out his pistol and pressed it against Kane’s leg. “Last time I’m asking. Where is Randal Collins?”

  “No, Grant. You can’t shoot him.”He shoved his brother with all his strength. It was like pushing at an elephant. “There are certain boundaries we can’t cross. You’re going to ruin my career.”

  The words finally penetrated Grant’s anger and he stuffed his pistol into the back of the waistband of his jeans. Hands on both sides of Kane, he leaned in so close their noses were almost touching. “Randal Collins kidnapped my wife, and a child in my charge. He put a bounty on my head. I will not rest until he is behind bars,” Grant hesitated for a split second, “or dead.”

  Lips pressed into a hard line, Kane snapped, “I assure you, Mr. Wilson, I do not know where Randal Collins is. Never has he stepped a foot in this house. Now touch me again and I’ll take legal action against you for assault.” He straightened the collar on his shirt with stiff movements.

  Jacobs and Bauer opened the sliding door and entered. Uncle Tate and Agent Daniels walked through the front door. “What in the hell’s going on in here?” Uncle Tate’s eyes stayed on Grant. “I can hear you from outside the house.”

  Josh gave Grant a hard look. “Nothing, everything is okay.”

  Grant took several deep breaths before he followed Jacobs and Bauer into the other part of the house. Josh turned and faced Uncle Tate. “The man’s a powder keg waiting to go off. I should never have let him get involved with the case.”

  Uncle Tate replied under his breath. “I don’t think you could have stopped him. He is too emotionally involved.”

  “Agent Daniels, will you
please take Kane’s phone and computer back to the bureau and see if you can find any evidence tying Kane to Chase Powers?” She nodded her head as she pulled a pair of gloves from the pocket of her black pants.

  “Uncle Tate, will you please call CSI and get someone to dust for prints and collect DNA?” If Randal Collins had been in the house they would know. It was obvious Kane had no idea the FBI had him under surveillance so they didn’t have time to get rid of any evidence. He was confident they would find DNA and fingerprints belonging to Randal Collins.

  ****

  Frustrated, Grant kicked the wall. Collins had given them the slip. Every corner of the house had been searched and he was nowhere to be found. How did he get out of the house? While in Iraq he had found secret passages and tunnels on many occasions where the Taliban would escape. There had to be one in the house. After a few moments of reflection, he thought the best place to have an escape route would be the bedroom.

  He stepped into Kane’s bedroom and stood in the middle of the room. It was big and airy with widows overlooking the river. Even he had to admit the man had impeccable tastes.

  He didn’t see anything that looked out of place. The door to the walk-in closet stood open because he had already searched there for Collins. He took out all the clothes and threw them on the floor. Down on his knees, he began to tap the walls with his fist. All the walls were solid wood. At the far end of the closet the sound was different when he tapped with his knuckles. The panel was loose. He managed to get his fingers around the edges and pulled the panel away from the wall. Excitement swept through him when he saw the tunnel. With any luck, Collins would be hiding inside.

  Grant reached for his pistol in the back waistband of his jeans. He flicked the safety off before he bent low and entered the tunnel. It was so low and narrow he almost had to crawl on his hands and feet. Instead he squatted and waddled like a duck because he was too afraid he might be ambushed by Collins. He needed to keep his pistol ready to fire. On the sides and overhead wood boards had been braced to keep the tunnel from caving in.