Mission

by Camilla Chafer

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I waved when I saw Maddox's SUV and he pulled over to where I insisted Alice drop me at the side of the road. Even though I hopped out of her car, she refused to leave me alone, "just in case a calamity befell me" and remained in the car with the kids making faces at me. I should have sat and waited in her car but I was too excited about my revelations.

  "I've worked it all out," I told Maddox as I climbed into his car and buckled the seatbelt. I waved to Alice and she drove off, Ben and Rachel both waving to me from the backseat. "Go!" I shouted as I pointed ahead.

  Maddox didn't move.

  "Hurry up! Time is of the essence!" I waved my forefinger at the road.

  "Seriously?"

  "Pedal to the metal!"

  "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you know."

  "Everything," I said smugly, my mind racing. "I've worked it all out. The bank heist. Sophie. The money. Mackleton's murder. Charlie. Everything."

  "Are you telling me a woman in a coma pulled off... hang on. Which bank heist?" Maddox frowned.

  I gave him a quizzical look. "What are you talking about? Sophie didn't pull off either heist."

  "What are you talking about?" he asked.

  "We have to get to the agency. We need everyone. I'll tell you everything there."

  "Fine," muttered Maddox, shifting the gear into drive.

  I shot off a message to Solomon saying I had it all worked out and he should meet us at the agency. Then I sent the same message to Garrett and Jord. I contemplated sending it to Lily too so she wouldn't feel left out but figured there would be too many questions. I'd make it up to her later.

  I directed Maddox into one of the parking spaces under the building and he followed me up the stairs. Solomon and Delgado waited in the boardroom, arms crossed, faces unreadable. I grabbed the files I needed from my desk. "Where is everyone?" I asked.

  "We’re everyone. Lucas is working the Bagshot angle. Fletcher and Flaherty are still in Boston, running down leads on our dead thief. And I just dispatched two bodyguards to the hospital for the Takahashis. What's the urgency?" asked Solomon.

  "We should wait for my brothers." I opened up my email and forwarded a few items to the office printer while I waited. As I grabbed them and returned, I couldn't deny a small sense of satisfaction, knowing that I put everything together, although I wasn't going to admit to the things I missed in the process. None of it made sense until nearly an hour ago and now everything did.

  "Here they are," said Delgado, nodding to the doors as they opened and both of my brothers stepped in.

  "You're lucky I happened to be in the neighborhood," said Garrett. "And by that, I meant, still at the hospital."

  "How's Austen now?" I asked.

  "Apart from slight shock, he seemed okay when I left him. He's refusing to leave Sophie's side despite me posting two uniforms on the door. I got the security footage. One of my guys is running through it now."

  "I just told Lexi that I sent two bodyguards at Austen's request," said Solomon.

  "Glad he made the call," said Garrett.

  "Did you find Zach yet?" I asked.

  "No sightings. Give it time. Everyone in Montgomery PD is on alert for him and his truck."

  "I assumed this meeting had something to do with the bank robbery," said Jord. "Did you find the stolen item? Because I gotta say, I'm still no closer to knowing what it is and it sounds like you're all focused elsewhere. The information from the kid you sent my way might be useful but I’m not holding out any hope."

  "No, we haven't yet, but Lexi came up with an idea of what it is," said Delgado. He walked the few short steps to the whiteboard where the particulars of the case were quickly rearranged to add the new information. He pointed to the newspaper clipping I found about Charlie, and then another one.

  "What's that?" I asked.

  "A coin that was stolen five years ago. According to our informers, Bagshot did the job and the coin was never recovered. Several others were stolen in the same heist that later turned up in the collection of a Mexican kingpin after he was assassinated, so we think Bagshot might have kept that one for a future payday."

  "Bagshot worked for some unsavory people," I remarked, wincing.

  "It's remarkable he lived to see old age," added Solomon.

  "A coin?" asked Jord. He stepped over, reading the articles. He glanced back at us, surprise written across his face. "Old coins are worth that much?"

  "Yep, and someone worked out who stole it, where it was being kept, and managed to put together a crew to steal it again. All they needed was a seasoned bank robber to pull off the heist," I explained as I pulled a photo from my file, adding it to the whiteboard. "Meet Zach Gallo. Ex-Army, stone-cold bastard, and my hot tip as bank robber." I added the next item to the board, pointing to it as I said, "Zach and his sister, Sophie, used to live in Milwaukee along with his wife, who was also named Sophie, which must have been weird when they were in bed but let's forget I said that."

  "Let's," agreed Delgado. Solomon sighed and Maddox chuckled. My brothers simply waited. Tough crowd.

  "Anyway, the wife, Sophie, died in a horrible car accident back in Milwaukee. Strangely enough, this happened around the same timeframe as a not-yet-solved bank robbery there, and Zach and his sister skipped town within days of both incidents. Sophie has been in a coma ever since she was attacked. That seemed coincidental but thanks to Maddox tracing the cash Sophie hid from the Milwaukee bank robbery, now I'm not so sure. I think if we try, we can find a connection between Zach and Thomas Mackleton too. They knew each other. I'm sure of it."

  "This is all purely circumstantial," said Jord. "But I'll put a call into Milwaukee PD and get the case particulars. See if any of it matches up with our robbery."

  "There's more," I told them.

  "This is the same Zach Gallo that I'm searching for in connection with the assault on Sophie Takahashi at the hospital today?" asked Garrett.

  "The very same," I confirmed.

  "Could Sophie have been the female robber?" asked Delgado.

  "No, she was definitely in a coma by the time First Eastern Bank was hit. That doesn't mean she wasn't involved in the Milwaukee robbery however. You should check into that too, Jord, but I think she probably wasn't connected to either one. She may well have known nothing about it. Or suspected something but wasn't sure."

  "What about..." started Maddox.

  "I'm getting to the cash!" I paused, waiting for everyone's attention. "Austen hired me because he believed his wife was purposely attacked and did not suffer a fall." I added her photo to the board and drew an arrow from Zach to her.

  "What's that got to do with the robbery?" asked Jord.

  "I'm getting to it!"

  "Sorry," muttered Jord.

  "During my investigation into Sophie, Austen found a bag of money hidden in their house and asked me to look deeper into it. He had no idea how she could have come by that money and I couldn't come up with a feasible idea either so I gave some of it to Maddox to investigate."

  "And what do you know?" said Maddox. "The serial numbers took me to that bank robbery in Milwaukee."

  "So Sophie is the definitive link between the two cities. Is it sheer coincidence she has money Maddox can trace to that bank in Milwaukee, and also a coincidence that she was attacked before our bank got hit?" I asked. "I don't think so. I think something went down between Zach and Sophie and he tried to kill her. While she was in the coma, she was safe because she couldn’t talk. But Austen told me that Sophie was making small, positive movements and her doctors are optimistic she'll wake up soon. I thought Zach might have tried to kill her because she was pregnant and ruining a con he had on Austen. However, what if Zach feared as soon as Sophie regained consciousness, she'd tell Austen everything?"

  "That's assuming there is anything to tell," said Garrett. "This is still mostly supposition."

  "Work with me here!"

  "I am! I've got the whole city l
ooking for him!"

  "What's Charlie's role in this?" asked Solomon. "Even if he did know what Joe Bagshot squirreled away, I don't see him as the guy to put together a heist or be involved in other robberies. He doesn't have the skills for it. Are you saying he did?"

  "No. I still believe Charlie is just taking advantage of the heist and hoping we can get that coin before it's passed on or sold to the real mastermind behind it all. He knows its value is and probably wants a comfortable retirement."

  "Maybe I should bring him down for questioning," said Jord.

  "You could, but I think it'll be a waste of time. What would you charge him with? Acting in the bank's best interests by hiring private investigators?"

  "We can't tie him to an inside job," said Solomon. "Lucas combed their security systems and is sure no one on the inside helped."

  "Charlie will just clam up and claim to know nothing. Plus," I added, "Charlie hasn't actually committed a crime. He hasn't even benefited from one. All he's really done is waste our time."

  "I'm sending him a bill anyway," said Solomon.

  "I don't suppose you found this mystery coin?" asked Jord. "Seems to me that would be a nice case to tie up."

  "I wish I could say we had. The team that executed this plan were extremely good. They barely left a trace. The only loose ends were Mackleton and the van and someone got rid of him. I'm not even sure it'll be possible to ever tie anyone to the murder," said Solomon.

  "That's my view too," said Garrett.

  "Unless you find the murder weapon and match it to Zach or one of the bank robberies," I said. "They were all well-armed. Those guns came from somewhere and have to be somewhere now. They couldn't just disappear."

  "We're looking into all the local dealers," said Jord, "but the fact is, those guns could have been purchased years ago or sold on the black market. They've probably already offloaded them. Like you said, this was a well-executed heist, so they had a plan for afterwards too."

  "So, that's everything?" asked Delgado. "You tied the cases together."

  "Yes. And I'm also certain that Sophie targeted Austen in a long con. I don't know if that was a plan she concocted herself or one that she came up with Zach. Maybe Zach pushed her into it, but I am sure it started to fall apart before she even got married to Austen. I just can't work out why Sophie had the cash from that robbery. Why didn't Zach have it?"

  "Maybe she stole it from her brother?" suggested Maddox.

  "I'm told she was a thief too. Maybe she decided she wanted Austen along with the stolen cash," I said with a shrug. I brightened, a light bulb going off in my head. "That could make him mad enough to want to kill her. Only thing is, he still doesn't know where the money is. Sophie hid it."

  "So Zach goes looking for a new payday," said Solomon. "The cash from the previous robbery is long gone. Setting up Austen took time and money but is falling apart. Then somehow, he gets wind of this heist and sees his opportunity to make back all the money, maybe even more. Something happens between him and Sophie and she's rendered comatose. He tries to finish the job to make sure she can't ever rat on him but fails. Austen fights him off and he runs. What does that tell us all?"

  "That Zach's on the run," said Garrett.

  "We need to find him," added Jord.

  "And arrest him," said Maddox. "The Feds will want him."

  "Get in line," said Jord. "He's ours first."

  "Can you guys sort that out later?" I asked. "Zach has a headstart. The longer we debate this, the further and faster he's getting away!"

  "He can't get far. Someone will spot his truck," said Garrett.

  "I bet he ditched it," I said. "He was smart enough not to get caught for this long. I bet he ditched it as soon as Manny chased him out of the hospital. His truck may still be parked there. What else does he have access to?"

  "Does Sophie have a car?" asked Solomon.

  "I think so but I don't know what kind. I'll call Austen and ask."

  Garrett's cellphone rang and he stepped outside to answer it. When he came back, he looked pleased. "Highway Patrol just sighted Zach's truck heading north. They're in pursuit. I'm heading up there. Jord?"

  "I'll come with you," said Jord. "Good work, Lexi. We'll keep you informed of what happens when we make the arrest."

  "Thanks," I called to their retreating backs as they hurried from the room. To the remaining men, I asked, "Do you really think Zach is dumb enough to drive his own truck after attempting to murder Sophie?"

  "Plenty of stupid people around," said Delgado. "If this guy's world is caving all around him, he might make some rash decisions."

  "We should go to his apartment and see if he's taken anything or left any clues as to where he might be headed," I said. "I know it's probably a crapshoot but we should delve into it anyway."

  "I'm all for that," said Maddox. "Plus, I'd like to look around. Maybe there's something that ties him to both robberies."

  "We should all go," decided Solomon. "We'll follow you."

  "I'll text you the address," I said as everyone prepared to leave.

  ~

  We arrived at Zach's apartment building together, just in time for a train to speed past, causing the windows of the car to rattle. I hopped out and Solomon and Delgado followed me to where Maddox waited.

  "This way," I said, leading them up while Delgado waited downstairs on lookout duty.

  My phone beeped as we jogged up the stairs and I pulled it out, hoping it was an update from Garrett or Jord. Instead it was from Austen. Yes, Sophie had a car. A two-door Mercedes convertible. "Austen says Sophie kept her car in the garage at their home but since he's barely been home in over a week, he couldn't confirm it was still there," I told them. "He gave me the plate number."

  "One of us should check that out," said Solomon. He and Maddox exchanged a look.

  "I'm here on federal business," said Maddox.

  "I'll get Manny to ask one of his work crew to check," I said pointing down the corridor. "That's Zach's apartment."

  Solomon reached it first. "Door's unlocked," he said.

  "Is it?" asked Maddox.

  Solomon kicked it and it swung open. "Yes," he replied.

  "Perhaps there was a break-in," said Maddox, drawing his weapon. "I better check."

  "I like how you're all saying these things like I'm recording you to show the video in court later," I said, following them in.

  Zach's apartment was just as sparse as the first time I saw it. Maddox and Solomon cleared the rooms and we convened in the small living area. "Just to state the obvious, he's not here," said Maddox while I shot a text to Manny. "I'm ready to poke around."

  "I'll take the bedroom," I said. "I think I'd notice if anything were missing." Within a few minutes, I verified that Zach's fancy leather jacket, along with the rest of his clothing were gone. Clearly, he packed in a hurry because the closet door hung open and he hadn't even bothered to make the bed or take anything from the bathroom.

  "He's definitely on the run," said Solomon.

  "We could try Sky Outdoors?" I suggested. "If he's not in his truck like we suspect, perhaps he went there?"

  "What for? To hand in his resignation?" asked Maddox, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

  "No, because I think he might have been dating one of the women there. I saw him kissing Vanessa... oh, my God!" My eyes widened.

  "What?"

  "I just realized where I saw the tattoo the little boy drew!"

  "What are you talking about?"

  "The little boy from the bank! He kept drawing a symbol that he said he saw on a woman robber during the bank heist. Vanessa had that same tattoo on her wrist! I remember now! If she and Zach were an item, she could be his accomplice!"

  "You think he would take her with him?"

  "Maybe." Who knew what violent men prioritized while on the run? "Maybe she knows where he’d go. Either way, we should talk to her and quick."

  "Lexi's right. I'm not buying he's driving his truck on the highway
either. If this woman is another piece of the puzzle, we should get to her before Zach does. She might be another loose end to tie up."

  "Let's go," said Solomon and we barreled towards the door. Maddox took off at a run. Solomon and I reached the corridor before I remembered something that still puzzled me.

  "Wait," I said, grabbing Solomon's arm. "I need to check something." I turned and sprinted back to the apartment and went into the living room. I tugged at the couch's cushions and arms but there was nothing hidden there. With one last look behind me, I ran back to join Solomon and we darted down the stairs to the car, motioning for Delgado to follow us.

  "What're you all in such a hurry for?" he asked.

  "Zach cleared out already," I said, explaining where we were going as Solomon gunned the engine and pulled out after Maddox.

  When we hit a red light that Maddox slid through ahead of us, Solomon smacked the steering wheel. "I'm putting my money on Zach fleeing the moment he failed his second attempt at the hospital," he said to no one in particular. "He probably already had his bags packed."

  "That suggests a lot of things," I said. "Like he didn't even try to pretend it wasn't him in Sophie's room, and he's content to pursue a life on the run."

  "You think anything different?"

  "I think he screwed up and panicked. He knows he was seen fleeing her room. Now it's a case of how fast he can get away with enough dough to support a life on the run." I thought about it for a moment. "He either passed the coin on to whomever hired him and got paid, or he still has it with him and possibly plans to double-cross them."

  "Whoever hired him won’t take that well," said Delgado. "He runs, he puts a price on his head."

  "So he runs faster," said Solomon. The light changed and Solomon sailed through the intersection.

  My phone rang and I answered it, hopeful of good news. "He wasn't in the truck," said Garrett.

  "Are you sure?" I asked, even though I knew he was.

  "Positive. The truck came off the road and landed in a ditch. When Highway Patrol pulled the driver out, they found a scrawny kid. He claimed some dude tossed him the keys about three blocks from the hospital and told him to enjoy it."