“I’ll take care of it, Matt. I’ll run the updates by you before I do them.”
“We’ll work on it together. After today, I think one news conference should suffice. I’ll run it by everyone, but I think we should announce that tonight.” Dylan nodded and walked out of his office.
At a few minutes before four o’clock, representatives from the various agencies involved headed out to the parking lot where the microphones were ready.
Matt was the first to speak. “I would like to start by saying that this is our third and final update for the day. We’ll be cutting back on the news updates to one a day so we can concentrate on our case. It will be at ten a.m. unless we have breaking news, in which case, we’ll give you the heads-up and a thirty minute warning before we proceed.” Matt paused. “We have a list prepared with the latest numbers, the names of the fatalities, and the hospitalized. The families have requested privacy at this challenging time.” Matt reached for the paper Gary handed to him. “Dylan Mitchell will be the spokesman for the Blue Cove Police Department from now on. He will address all of the local concerns. I’ll turn it over to Tom Maxwell, the head of the FBI unit working the case with us. He will fill you in on what happened at the Yacht Club and how it ties to a bigger on-going case. Pictures will be available as soon as he is finished.”
Tom stepped to the microphone. He tied the two cases together. He paused and added, “We want to do all we can to keep these kids in front of the nation. We need the public to keep their eyes and ears open. Let’s make it as hard as possible to transport these kids anywhere without someone noticing.” Tom gave them a hotline number to call with tips. The various agencies involved closed it out by taking questions. Matt was glad that it was over and walked back into the station with the group of men. He had had to give a few press conferences on the Harvest Club case, and he had hated it then, too.
His arm was giving him fits. He was ready to call it a day. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Tom.” Matt headed to his office to grab his files, only to find Jeremy sitting in a chair waiting for him.
He handed Matt several emails that he had printed out. “There’s a lot there tying them together. What’s on this sheet, though, I think you’ll find real interesting.” He handed him another sheet of paper.
Matt read it. “I think we may have to open this can of worms after all. Great work, Jeremy. Tell me if I’m wrong. They were using customers’ purchases, names, and addresses as a way to locate kids? Am I reading this right?”
“Yes. You can see from the other information, it backs up what you were thinking.”
“Do you mind coming to the meeting tomorrow to share this?”
Jeremy ran his hands through his hair. “Not at all, dude.”
“Are you headed back to Jessie’s?”
“I’m going to the Inn for dinner. Did you need a ride?” He pushed away from the doorframe.
“No, Jessie is picking me up and we’re going to dinner. I haven’t had much of chance to see how she’s holding up since last night.”
“I know Katie is pretty shook up. You guys live a little dangerously.”
“Not until Jessie got here—it was pretty tranquil.”
“She has a way of messing things up with her writing. Now, with all this other stuff going on in her head, it’s safe to say you’ll probably have no peace for years to come.” Jeremy chuckled. “Catch you later.”
Matt picked up his phone and called her. “I’m ready anytime you are, Jess.”
“That could be taken so many ways. I think you said it that way on purpose.” She laughed.
“What do you mean?” He imagined the look she was giving him now.
“You know exactly what I mean. I should make you wait, but I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Chapter 28
Jessie looked up from her computer when Jeremy walked in. “I thought you were going to the Inn for dinner.”
“I am. I had to stop by and get something.” He walked into the guest room.
“Before you go, look at this.”
Jeremy glanced at the screen. “Stand up and let me have a look.” Jeremy took over and pulled up more on the subject. “Hey, Jessie, weren’t you suppose to pick up Matt?”
Jessie looked at her watch and jumped out of the chair, almost knocking it over. Fumbling with her phone, she raced for the door. “Thanks, Jeremy.” Her phone was ringing when she grabbed for her coat.
“Where are you? I was starting to get concerned.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to make you wait. You’ll think it was worth it once I tell you what I have found out though. I’ll be there in a few minutes. I’m leaving my house now.”
She couldn’t believe what she had stumbled upon. When Jeremy walked in the door, he took over and they had found something with the potential to blow the case wide open. When she pulled into the parking lot, he was standing there with a frown on his face.
“I’m sorry, Matt,” she blurted the minute he opened the door.
“No problem, once I knew you were okay it gave me time to get a little paperwork done.” He smiled at her.
“You aren’t mad? Why were you frowning?’
“Not at you. I have a nagging suspicion that I can’t prove. It’s bugging the hell out of me.”
“Where are we going for dinner?”
“We missed our reservations, so how about we go for pizza or Patterson’s.” He watched her face. “Before you get too hard on yourself about it, I changed the reservations to next Friday night. You owe me a second date, and now I think a third for making me wait.”
“You’ll be glad you’ve been so nice when you hear what I have to tell you.” She grinned.
“Park the car and let’s hear it.”
She pulled in next to one of the patrol cars. “I was in the middle of something when you called. I was going to stop to come pick you up, but I stumbled onto something about Travis Booker’s family. Jeremy walked in, and he took over at that point.” She paused. “You know how you said that it bothered you that Travis’ normal MO wasn’t present at the crime scene.”
He nodded.
“I think I might know why.”
“Why is that?”
“Travis has an identical twin brother which means they could have similar DNA but not necessarily exact. Their teen mother put Willie up for adoption at birth because she couldn’t afford to raise them both. Recently, the two of them found each other. I talked to the woman who raised Willie and she told me they had been inseparable ever since.”
“I had thought maybe he might have had a brother, I even suggested it to Dave Lewis. I was convinced that the dead guy was not Booker, but his family ID’d him. We won’t have DNA results for a few more weeks. The events of the last few days convinced me that Travis was still alive. I needed a way to prove it.” He took her hand. “Thanks, sweetheart, this was worth the wait.”
“You do know that Frank’s dog can tell the difference between the twins even without the DNA results. Every person’s body odor is the complex result of individual biochemistry. Radar will know.”
“How come you’re so smart?” He smiled at her.
“Frank told me about it. Science is just now catching up to all that dogs are capable of doing. They’re even training dogs to find cancer in people.”
“I might have to bring Frank back. What else can you tell me about Willie?”
“Here’s the kicker. William, as his adopted mom called him, works in an office of a very powerful person.”
“Let me guess,” he interrupted her. “In Senator Brinkman’s office?”
“Yes…You were already putting this together weren’t you?” She smiled at him.
“I had theories; you’ve brought me the facts. Do you realize what an asset you are?” He eased his arm and grinned at her. “I think I’m going to have to keep you around permanently.”
“May I ask how you plan on doing that? Never mind. I don’t think I want to know.” She ch
uckled.
“Coward!”
“Yes, you’re probably right. I’m also famished and I don’t think as well when I’m hungry. I need to be sharp, really sharp, to match wits with you.”
“I bet our Willie boy will have some strong computer knowledge. Working in the office of the senator, he could get access to classified information and major resources. The only other question would be—is the senator somehow involved?”
“We might just have to work on that. Where would you like to go for dinner?” She put her car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot.
“Patterson’s sounds good to me.” He clicked his seatbelt on and adjusted his arm.
“Patterson’s it is.” She looked at him. “Is your arm bothering you? Your pills are in my purse. I remembered to grab them.”
“It’s aching a little. I don’t want anything now. I need a clear head.”
“So you think suffering will keep you more clear-headed?” She grinned.
“If I remember correctly, a certain beautiful young lady wouldn’t take pain pills because she didn’t like how they made her feel,” he teased.
“True, but she did take plenty of over the counter stuff.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners, her dimples showing. “I have some of those in my purse, too, and I suggest you take them now. You do want to sleep tonight, don’t you?” Her eyes sparkled.
“You are too damn pretty, you know it? You make it hard to say no to you. Do you mind if I look?” He motioned to her purse.
“Be my guest. I brought you a bottle of water, too. You don’t have to wait to take them.” She pointed to the bottle in the cup holder and laughed at his expression. “My mama taught me to be ready for anything.”
“Thank you, Jess.” He popped the pills in his mouth and took a swig of water. “We lost another person during the night. Steve was an intended target, I believe. I’m not sure about the senator’s wife. Maybe they were aiming for him. I’m pretty sure though Mary Wentworth was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He raked his hand through his hair.
“You’ll get them. I know that for sure. You’re good at what you do.” She glanced over at him, his head was leaning against the headrest, and his eyes fluttered shut “Are you sure you want to go out? You look tired.”
“I’m fine. I can always relax when you’re around me.”
When she finally parked the car in front of Patterson’s, Matt woke up. “Did you have a nice nap?” She grinned at him.
“I wasn’t sleeping.”
“You could have fooled me. Who was that snoring while I drove for the last twenty minutes?” She laughed.
“You’re kidding me!” He took off his seatbelt and turned to look at her.
“Nope…” She placed her hand over her mouth to hide her smile. “I didn’t have the heart to wake you. I would have still been driving or have just taken you home, but I got too hungry.”
He opened his door, walked around to open hers. “Sorry, I don’t usually fall asleep on my dates.”
“I must be one of the privileged ones. I make you sleepy. I wonder if that makes me boring.” She glanced sideways at him, her eyebrow raised. “Bombs go off, people get shot at, and strange things happen whenever we’re together. I think you may need a more docile female companion.”
“I like it just the way it is. You shake things up. Contrary to your thinking, that’s not boring, sweetheart.” He opened the door to Patterson’s, holding it open for her.
Joe Patterson rushed forward to greet them with menus in hand. “Where have you been keeping yourself, pretty lady?” He smiled at her. “I’ll seat them,” he said as he waved off the hostess. “I haven’t seen your pretty face in my restaurant for a while.”
“Aren’t you happy to see me, Joe?” Matt grinned.
“You’re always welcome, but you’re not as charming or as pretty as your friend here.”
“You’ll get no argument from me on either count.”
Jessie blushed. “To answer your question, I’ve been a little busy the past few days. You know I love your place, though.” She leaned up and whispered something in Joe Patterson’s ear making him laugh.
“You always make me happy to see you.” Joe smiled at her and patted her cheek. He seated them at a table near the front window. “Here you go. My best table for one of my nicest customers.”
“Joe, are you trying to compete with me for the admiration of the lady?” Matt chuckled.
“If I was younger, I might give you a run for your money.” His booming laugh drew eyes toward them. “For now, all I give you is my best table. The rest is up to you. Don’t ruin it.”
Jessie shook her head. “You’re both incorrigible!”
Jessie liked this side of Matt. He was relaxed and fun to be around. She would use that to her advantage. It was for his good after all! She wasn’t being deceptive. At least, she didn’t think she was. She smiled at him and went to work, laughing at something he said. All of this observed by two men sitting in a white car that was parked just out of sight across the street.
Chapter 29
“I hate waiting! Why are we waiting?” Jed shifted on the car’s front seat and glowered at the front of the restaurant. “We could take them out when they leave.” He flicked the safety off on his .38.
“No, we can’t. From now on, we do it my way. We can’t have any more slipups.” His eyes were cold and steely. “I don’t like to kill anyone that I’m not paid to kill. That was a damn messy job last night. You made too many mistakes.” He smirked. “My jobs are perfect. They always go off without a hitch. They don’t draw any attention until it’s too late.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Jed wiped his face, sweat soaking his collar. “The place is crawling with feds.” His eyes darted back and forth between his partner and the restaurant.
“We sit tight and wait. The feds will get tired, and go home. They’ve got no leads.” He shrugged. “We can get the job done right in a few more days. With no one the wiser.” He looked over at Jed. “You’ll do nothing, keep your freaking mouth shut, and do what I say.”
“Don’t tell me what to do! I’m the one who brought you into this.” Jed flipped his gun over on his lap.
“Stop messing with that gun before you shoot your damn leg off.” He reached over and grabbed it. “If I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t stand a chance and you damn well know it.” He pointed the gun at Jed’s head. “You’ll wait and you’ll keep your mouth shut. Do I make myself clear?”
Jed gulped and nodded.
He studied the couple sitting near the window. Nice set-up for a shot. The cop wasn’t too smart. The woman laughed at something the cop said. It was a damn shame to have to waste her, but it was necessary. She’d been trying to hack around in their system and was getting too darn close. Pretty and smart. Yeah, too bad. He smirked. The cop was a different story—the world could always use one less cop. He’d let the little weasel beside him think things were fine and he would get rid of him, too.
“So what are we supposed to do for the next few days?” Jed fidgeted with the keys.
“We’ll lie low. When we see the press and the feds roll out, we’ll drive right back in.” He looked at Jed with disgust. “You and your friends thought you were so smart. Look who’s bailing you out.”
“We’re all rich.” Jed looked down his nose.
“What good is that?” he snorted. “You’re a wanted man and the rest of them are in jail or dead. Where can you spend that money, Mr. Rich Guy? Hell, you can’t even go home.” He chuckled. “Me, I’m a ghost. They know my signature, but I’m always one step ahead of them. You have to plan, man.” He grinned as Jed squirmed. “You’ve got to know your subjects’ every move. You wait, you watch, until you know their thoughts before they think them. And then…” He pointed the gun at Jed. “Boom, it’s over and you’re off to your next hit.” He snickered. “I know for a fact, Jed, that you may have money, but you have nowhere near what I have. So tell me, jock, who
’s so hot now?”
Jed glared at the windshield and shut up. He watched the couple until they stood up to leave. He snapped a couple of pictures of them. Everyone has a weakness. What is yours, Mr. Cop? He knew it now, yes indeed. She was his weakness! This might be entertaining after all. At least for a little while. He sat there a few more minutes, thinking, and then they drove away from the restaurant.
Chapter 30
Matt stretched out in bed. He was bone weary, his sore arm twitched, and sleep eluded him. He was in her bed again, and she was in the next room on the couch. It was impossible to sleep with her so close by. He smiled slowly. She had outmaneuvered him once again. Those blue eyes of hers pleading as she listed all the reasons why he needed to stay one more night. She’d had Dylan bring his clothes by earlier, his dog was taken care of, and she insisted what he really needed was a good night’s sleep. He chuckled silently. Yeah, she could probably get him to do just about anything. If only it would be this easy when his arm healed!
Where was Jed hiding out? How did he convince Travis or was it Willie to work with him? For that matter, who was working for whom? Who had hired the brothers? It just didn’t make any sense. Steve was dead. Why was that? Was the senator somehow involved or had he just been at the wrong place at the wrong time? Too many things to think about! He could feel that they were close, but still a ways from solving this deadly little mystery. Something was nagging at him. He rolled over, winced as his arm protested. He was missing something. Willie worked in the senator’s office in New York, but he had never been in trouble with the law. Travis was a hit man with a lengthy record who would kill anyone for money. When had they gotten together and where? Then there were the Evansville friends, those from Rocky Pointe. How did all of this go together with human trafficking?
Finally, he drifted off. Through the fog of sleep, he heard her scream. He jumped up. His foot tangled in his blankets and he fell hard against the wall with his sore arm, knocking the lamp off the nightstand. He stubbed his toe trying to find the door, yanked it open finally, and charged into the hallway. By the time he got to her, Jeremy was sitting beside her with his arm around her. Matt frowned. “Is she all right?”
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