“I’m fine,” I say, pulling away.
Kowalski clears his throat, all of a sudden extremely uncomfortable. Gee, I wonder why. He can’t even look at us. We can be expecting more of this from now on. As I said, so worth it. “Um, sir, we, uh, still don’t have an ID on the dead guy. We have an APB out on the make and model of the car his accomplice was driving.” He looks at me. “And I, uh, need your gun for comparison.”
I bend down to pick up my purse but wince in pain. “I’ll get it,” Harry says. He retrieves the gun from my purse, handing it to Kowalski.
“Right. Thanks. I’ll just, uh, leave you two…yeah.” He scurries away.
“Guess the cat’s out of the bag, huh?” I ask as I watch Kowalski tell Mirabelle.
Harry grabs my arm, drawing my attention back to him. “Are you out of your fucking mind?” he hisses. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I just had a hunch. If I was wrong, I didn’t want to waste your time. I didn’t think it would turn into Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. And I had back-up.”
“Your back-up killed a man. You were shot!”
“I’m fine, it’s just a bad bruise. I was wearing my supercoat.”
“You were shot, Joanna!” he screams, his face tight. “Do you have any idea what I thought when I—”
He can’t even finish, the idea of it too much for him. He steps away from me, running his hand through his hair. He thought I was dead. Shit, I’ve done it again. I hurt him. I wait a few seconds before approaching. I hug him from behind, resting my cheek on his shoulder blade. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I just, I don’t think sometimes. I’m sorry.”
After a few seconds, his body relaxes and he pats my hand. “Don’t do that to me again. I mean it.”
I squeeze him again. “Promise.”
I let go when I see Cam walking toward us. If he’s shocked by our PDA he doesn’t let on. “Sir, Logan Dodd and his mother are waiting at the station. I’m headed over there now.”
“He lawyer up?” Harry asks.
“Not yet. I told them to wait until we’re there before talking to him.”
“Then let’s go,” Harry says, walking away with Cam.
I chase after them. Neither says a word when Geoff and I climb into the backseat, though Cam glances at me with a hint of annoyance. They both know it’d be pointless to say or do anything. I’d run all the way to the station for this. We don’t talk on the way, or at least to each other. Harry fills the commissioner in on recent events and for once he seems pleased. A rare occurrence.
When I walk back into the squad room it feels like any other day. I’ve missed this place. My desk remains as I left it, a mess. I miss my messy desk. There isn’t time to greet everyone as I stay on the heels of men with a purpose. I do wave to a few. Chip, our A.V. guy, sits behind the two monitors, one with a petrified Logan just staring into space and the other with Sophia, arms folded and out for blood. Gee, I wonder who will break first?
“We locate anything pertinent at the apartment yet?” Harry asks.
“Just started the search, but we did look earlier this week and turned up nothing,” Cam says.
“Why didn’t we know about his connection to Ryder before?” Harry asks.
“His father was never officially linked to Ryder’s syndicate,” I say. “It was just a rumor. The official motive for Desmond Logan’s death was due to his relationship with Sophia, not his job. I didn’t know Sophia Dodd was Logan’s mother until I read it in your notes. Put two and two together.”
“So, what’s your theory?” Cam asks.
“Ryder kept in touch with his old friend’s girl and kid, maybe passing them money or work from time to time. Or maybe Dodd’s worked for Alkaline his whole life, I don’t know.”
“We interviewed his friends and extended family. They didn’t mention any criminal activity in his past. There was no juvie file and the prison did a background investigation,” Cam says.
“Then I’d go with St. Alkaline asking for a favor,” I say.
“We can ask the mother,” Cam says.
“Have we charged her with anything yet?” Harry asks.
“No. We have nothing on her,” Cam says.
“Then there’s no way she’ll talk. My money’s on Logan.”
“Okay,” Harry says, putting in his earwig. Cam does too. “I’m thinking high intimidation factor.”
“I agree,” Cam says. “I’m going to enjoy this one.”
“Just try and stay objective,” Harry says. “Let’s go.”
I sit next to Chip for the show. Wish I had some popcorn. This is going to be good.
On the monitor Logan wipes a tear away with his stump. If he hadn’t tried to kill me, I’d feel bad for the kid. He’s facing a life behind bars if the psycho who spews blood doesn’t get him first. Not an enviable position.
Cam and Harry step in, both sporting scowls that would frighten the blind. Cam slams the door shut as hard as he can, jolting Logan out of his pity party. A calm Harry sits, but Cam picks up the chair and smashes it back down, freaking the man again. He’ll be peeing his pants in a few minutes. Glaring, Cam leans back in his chair and folds his arms.
“This is Lt. Harold O’Hara and Det. Terrance Cameron with Logan Dodd. It is Wednesday, May twenty-third, at 2:56 pm,” Harry says. “Mr. Dodd, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of a police officer and accessory to first degree murder. Have you been read and understand your rights?”
“Yes,” he says quietly.
“Do you wish to have an attorney present for questioning?”
“N—No,” he almost whispers.
“Speak the fuck up!” Cam says.
“I said I don’t want a lawyer,” he says, glancing at Cam. “You—you’re going to protect me, right? Me and my mom?”
“That depends on what you can tell us,” Harry says. “You cooperate and the DA should take that fact under advisement. No promises, though. You helped a serial killer escape, who then raped and killed an entire family. Then you shot at a police officer who is near and dear to my heart. If it was up to me, I’d string you up on Pendergast Bridge myself and let him have you.”
So much for being objective. Cam nods in agreement. “You’ll be lucky if we give you a spoon to paddle up shit creek.”
“So start talking. When were you first in contact with James Ryder?” Harry asks.
“I only met him once or twice when I was a kid. About every three months, there’d be a grand in cash in our mailbox. Mom said it was from James, for my father being such a good soldier and her lying to the police when he was killed. She just said the other man used to be her boyfriend to keep James’ name out of it. I saw him around the Ward before he became, you know, Alkaline. We only spoke to him twice, once when I was eight and Mom dragged me over to thank him. The second was when I was eleven and he happened to be in the same store. He bought me a magazine.”
“When did he reach out again?” Cam asks.
“He didn’t,” Logan says. “I was having a hard time finding a job. I guess it got around the neighborhood because about a year ago this guy, Mike Spencer, approached me on the street. He said he might have a job for me.”
“Mike Spencer, one of Alkaline’s old lieutenants?” Cam asks.
“Yeah.” And the mystery of Mike Spencer’s death is solved. Ryder had him killed to shut him up. “I’d tried to join the organization a couple times, but Mom made sure they wouldn’t accept me. I was so excited when they asked, I forgot to ask what the job was. About a week later, Mike called me in. Said his connection inside the prison was quitting and they needed someone else to look after James.”
“Did he give the name of the man you were replacing?” Harry asks.
“No, but it had to be Denny Darcy because all the guys said how sad they were when he quit.”
“What happened next?” Harry asks.
“I filled out the application, and it was pushed right through. I think they had someone inside to h
elp with that, but I don’t know who.”
“What did they have you do?” Cam asks.
“Stupid stuff. Pass notes back and forth. When I could, just talk to him. And once a week give him some pills. That’s it.”
“Who gave you the pills? Mike?” Harry asks.
“No. After I got hired, I never saw him again.”
“The notes you passed, who were they to?” Cam asks.
“Jane Smith at a P.O. Box in town. He’d give them to me sealed and I’d just stamp and mail them. Then Jane would mail hers to my apartment, sometimes with the pills. I never opened the letters. I was under strict orders not to.”
“How much were they paying you?” Cam asks.
“Two grand a month in cash on top of my salary. James told me not to put it in my bank account or make big purchases.”
“How considerate of him,” Cam says.
“Do you remember the P.O. Box number?” Harry asks.
“Um, it had a one and a seven.”
“Did you keep any of the envelopes your payments came in?” Harry asks.
“Maybe. All my cash is hidden in the Bible in my duffel bag.”
I flip open my cell phone and dial Mirabelle. He picks up. “Det. Mirabelle.”
“It’s Jo. You’re at the Dodd apartment, right?”
“Just walked in.”
“In the duffel bag on his bed is a bible with a stash of cash. Check the room for letters or envelopes with a woman’s handwriting. Oh, and have someone pick up former C.O. Denny Darcy for questioning. He was working for Alkaline.”
“On it.”
I shut the phone and return my attention to Dodd. He’s chewing on his lower lip as if it was made of chocolate. “…they were all from Jane Smith, but I never met her.”
“Who first approached you about the escape?” Harry asks.
“James. I usually worked nights with Leon up until last month when Moore switched so Leon could be home with his new baby. Leon would fall asleep, and I’d talk to James. About two months ago he brought it up, just in passing, how he was thinking of getting out. The next time we talked, he said he’d decided it was time. Asked if I’d help.”
“You agreed?” Cam asks.
“Not at first. I said hell no, hell no, but then he started crying. Crying! He said he was going crazy. He said that a lot. That if he had to stay another minute inside, he’d string himself up. Said Jane was thinking of moving away, leaving him. I—I just couldn’t say no. You don’t know what he’s like. It’s like you get sucked in. He mesmerizes you with his voice, his look, I don’t know. The things he says. The way he listened to me. I thought he was my friend. I thought…” He vigorously shakes his head, and his face scrunches up as if he’s about to cry.
“What happened next?” Harry asks.
“Um, Moore switched with Leon and I couldn’t talk to him anymore. I could still pass letters and the pills, but none of the others really slept on duty.”
“So how did you know what to do?” Cam asks.
“Well, I didn’t hear anymore about it at first, not until a week before. There was a letter for me from James. He gave me the date and time it was happening and detailed instructions of what I was supposed to do.”
“Which was what exactly?” Harry asks.
“When I was walking the block, I’d shout that James was trying to hang himself. Moore would come running as I unlocked the door. I’d pretend to revive him and when Moore came in, James would knock him out, take his uniform, pass, and gun. While he changed, I’d wipe the security system. Then he’d pretend to take me hostage and release me in the parking lot.” Logan looks away from the men down at the table. “He promised he’d send for me when the dust settled. I believed him.”
“So what really happened?” Cam asks.
Logan starts playing with his stump, as if stroking his non-existent hand. “The night came and I was scared as hell. Shaking. I even threw up. Moore wanted to send me home, but I refused. I think he got suspicious.” Logan shakes his head. “Then the time came and I did everything he told me to. Shouted, opened the door, pretended, but…instead of coming in to help me, Moore pulled his gun and told me to move away. I don’t know what happened. James just sat up, cool as ice, and shot that acid right in Moore’s face with that tube thing that came out of his wrist.
“Moore started screaming like nothing I’ve ever heard. He was in so much pain. I just, I was too scared to even move. No one was supposed to get hurt. I don’t know how long I just sat in that cell, watching Moore die. Seconds maybe? James had left and come back twice, the second time grabbing me off the floor. He slapped me and dragged me to the control room. Asked where the disc with the computer virus was.”
“How did you get that?” Harry asks.
“Jane sent it. There were instructions on how to install it. It was in my CD player in my bag. As he got it out he told me to strip, that Moore’s uniform was no good anymore. I said, ‘Won’t that be suspicious, me walking around with no clothes?’ He ignored me and got the disc. That’s when I realized he hadn’t taken the pistol off me the whole time. It was pointed at me since the cell. He told me to strip again, so I did. Then he dragged me to the door, telling me that I was now an accessory to a murder and if I didn’t keep my mouth shut, he’d make sure me and Mom would never make it to trial. Then that acid thing came out again, and all I felt was pain. I don’t remember stumbling down the stairs to get help.”
“Why didn’t he do us a favor and kill you that night?” Cam asks.
“I don’t know. Mom came by the hospital yesterday. Said she found an envelope with twenty grand and a fake passport with my picture in it. The note read, ‘Thanks for giving me a hand. You have two days before I come for the rest.’ I was about to leave when that detective came.”
“Why did you shoot at her?” Harry asks.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt her. I just wanted to get away.”
“The men who shot at you, have you seen them before?” Cam asks.
“No, but he must have sent them. I—I get protection now, right?”
“What else can you tell us about Jane Smith?” Harry asks, ignoring him.
“Nothing. I never spoke to her or even met her.”
“You said you and he had conversations,” Harry says. “What did he say about her?”
“He barely talked about her. I’d bring her up, just ask questions, but all he’d say was they’d do anything for each other, and he loved her for it.” Logan scoffs. “Said he felt the same about me. All we really talked about was me. Girls I liked, my future. He said he’d talk to Mike again, get me in the organization when I got bored working at the prison.”
“So you have no clue who she is?” Harry asks.
“None! I’d tell you if I did! I’ll tell you anything if you just keep me and my mom safe!”
“Did he tell you his plans about when he got out? Did you know he was going to rape and murder an entire family?” Cam snarls.
“No! God, no! He was supposed to meet up with Jane and go to Rio.”
“Do you have any idea why he targeted them? What else he might have planned?” Cam asks.
“No.”
“And here I thought you were his best friend,” Cam says.
“What else did you two talk about?” Harry asks. “Did he mention any other names? Locations? Is he going to butcher another family? Blow up another building?” Harry pounds on the table. “Tell me!”
He can’t hold it in any longer. I’m surprised he’s lasted this long. Logan bursts into hysterical tears, wiping them away with the stub while he winces in pain. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. He…and I…that little girl.” They let him cry for a minute until he’s capable of coherent words.
“Do you know why he killed the Thorntons?” Harry asks gently.
My body tenses. I don’t want to hear the answer.
“One—One time, a week before the escape, when I was checking his cell, I found some newspaper
articles on them. And pictures. Real pictures someone took. There were names, addresses, times, all typed up. And not just on them. He had the same stuff on that detective and this rich old lady, the one who was at the funeral with the lady detective.”
“Why—Why?” Harry asks, visibly upset.
“I don’t know, I didn’t get a chance to ask him. But it must have to do with Justice.”
“Justice?” Cam asks.
“I mean, you saw his cell. James was obsessed with him. When he did talk it was about their battles and how Justice ruined his life right when everything was going great. He hated him. Said he needed to be taught a lesson in humanity or something. The only time I was ever afraid of James was when he talked about Justice. His lip would quiver he was so angry. Then he’d snap out of it and be nice again.”
“What does this have to do with Rebecca Thornton?” Cam asks.
Logan sniffles, looking back and forth at the men with confusion. “You don’t know? You’ve worked with him for like a decade. It took me all of a minute to figure it out after I heard about the deaths. Why else would James kill them? He hated Justice. Wanted to punish him. And he knew the best way to do that.”
I stop breathing.
“What—what are you implying?” Harry asks as Cam glances at the camera as if he can see me.
The room begins to spin along with my thoughts. Please don’t say it.
Don’t.
Logan scoffs. “Justin Pendergast is Justice. Duh.”
And the bottom drops out of my world.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Confrontation
I’m vaguely aware of the commotion around me. Cam asking furious questions to Logan. Harry shouting at Chip to turn off the feed. The always steady Chip struggling to get to the button on the computer, accidently brushing a stack of DVRs that go clattering all around. Harry and Cam walking in, almost arguing about what to do next. Cover it all up or haul him in for questioning. But I’m too damn busy going through twenty years of memories to be helpful.
Justice (The Galilee Falls Trilogy) Page 24