Dani lowered her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yeah, okay. But if he doesn’t find him by this afternoon, help him out.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Dani glanced at her office and saw Katie studying the monitor. “What’s up with that, Jake?” She motioned with her head to her office.
“She said she needed to see it now. She couldn’t wait till later.”
“You think that’s a good idea?”
Jake laughed. “I have no idea. I figure I’ll deal with it if it turns out to be the wrong way to go.”
Dani blew out a breath. “Fine. Whatever.” She turned back to her team. “That girl in my office is Zach’s daughter, Katie. He found out about her only a few months after finding out about Jake. She ran away and her mother couldn’t find her. She reported it, but the detective that took her statement didn’t think finding her was a high priority. She finally decided letting Zach know about Katie was her best chance at getting help.”
One of the women detectives, Detective Michaels, sat back and sighed. “So that’s why,” she said as she shook her head.
“Why what?”
“Why he let someone get the jump on him. Finding a long lost brother is one thing. Finding out about a teenage daughter is enough to cause anyone to be distracted.
“Michaels, I want to know everything there is to know about a…” She looked at Jake.
Jake answered the silent question without looking at his notes. “Detective Cranstone.”
Dani figured he remembered the name because there was no way Detective Cranstone was going to get away with not taking Katie being missing seriously. Something told her Detective Cranstone was going to have a few injuries once Jake tracked him down. Frankly she didn’t care. She silently hoped Jake put him in the hospital. If he took the report seriously and did his job, Katie would have been found. Zach wouldn’t have been in that abandoned warehouse. He would still be with her. They would be making wedding plans. Nope, she didn’t care what Jake did to Detective Cranstone.
“Yes, ma’am.” She turned to her computer and started hitting keys.
“We have a lead on Zach’s killer.” Dani continued. “We need to find a guy named Daren Becket. If any of you have a free minute, run him down. I want to know everything about him. We’re heading out to talk to his father now. Call with anything you find. And I mean anything. No matter if you think it’s important or not.”
Dani yelled back to her office. “Let’s go, Katie.”
Katie held up a figure to hold them off a moment while she finish scanning the file. She closed the file and put it back on the desk. She grabbed her laptop and left the office. As Dani ran her hand over Zach’s picture, Katie froze in front of it. She stared at it a moment before running her hand over it and following them out.
They ran into Wilson coming in as they were going out. Dani grabbed his arm, dragging him with them. She figured he’d be as good as any to keep an eye on Katie while she visits with Mrs. Wilmington. It was also a good way to find out what he found out.
“Where does Mrs. Wilmington live?” she asked Katie as they all piled into the car.
“West 49th and 7th Avenue.”
Dani nodded and pulled out into traffic. “Wilson, tell me what you were doing this morning.”
“Some guy named Manark called. He said you wanted the name of one of his customers.” He sat up, crossing his arms on the back of the front seat. “Can I talk in front of her?” He motioned with his head toward Katie.
“Yes. Katie was a friend of Willy’s. She’s going to be helping us run down some leads once we get back to the precinct.”
She looked in his eyes in the rearview mirror to make sure he knew that he wasn’t to take that as Katie was now a partner in this and had all rights to the information on the case.
He nodded that he got it before continuing. “His real name is Jack Cameron. Seventy-six years old and still rides his motorcycle all over the place. I went to his apartment this morning, but he wasn’t home. I talked to two of his neighbors. They said he took off to see his daughter in Ohio ten days ago.”
“Ten days? Are they sure that’s when he left?”
“Yes. They said they were all at Bingo the night before. He left early because he had to pack and get some rest for his trip.”
Jake spoke what Dani was thinking. “If that’s true, he was gone before Willy was killed. It can’t be him.”
Dani double parked in front of Mrs. Wilmington’s apartment. She put her flashers on and the strobe light on top of the car. She turned back to Wilson. “He still may know something. See if you can track him down at his daughters. I’d prefer you talk to him in person, but a phone call will do for now.”
“I already tracked down the daughters address and called the local station. I spoke with a Detective Planton. He’s going to run him down. I told him what was going on and asked him to find out whatever he could about any of the old members of the gang.”
Jake laughed. “Not gang. Club.”
“Huh?”
Dani shook her head. “Nothing. Good work. Stay on it.”
They all got out of the car.
“Wilson, I need you to stay with Katie while we run down a lead on Zach’s case,” Dani said. “Don’t let her leave your sight.”
He moved in close and whispered. “Who is she?”
“Zach’s daughter.”
“Zach had a daughter?” He stepped back, surprised.
“It seems so. It’s a long story. Just don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Stay on your toes.” Jake added. “She witnessed Zach’s murder and could be a target.”
“I’m on it.” Wilson followed Katie inside.
When Dani and Jake were on their ways again, Dani called Jeremy to tell him they were heading over to Matt Becket’s office. She also told him to leave the connection live so he could hear what was going on. Not that she wanted him to hear their end, but she really wanted to hear his end. The only way that was going to happen was to let him listen in on their conversation.
“How are we handling this?”
“We’re going to go at him on the Daren front. Jeremy is going to go in as soon as we are out the door. His conversation will have to do with how he felt about Jennifer pulling a gun on him.”
“So we don’t get to ask about that?”
“No,” Dani sighed. “I’d like to, but technically Jennifer’s murder is Jeremy’s case. We’re looking at Daren for Zach’s murder. We don’t know if they are connected in any way except where Katie is involved.”
Jake blew out a breath. “I guess you’re right. Keeping it separate is probably a good idea.”
Dani couldn’t help giving a sarcastic answer. “Gee, thanks. I’m so glad you approve of my plan.”
Jake mumbled to himself. “One step forward, two steps back.”
“What?”
“I didn’t say anything.” He gave Dani a sarcastic smile.
Dani thought a moment before asking, “What did you find out about him?”
With a small smile he answered, “Mathew Becket, fifty years old. Owns MJD Medical Supplies. His net worth is just under twenty million. He’s a doctor, but hasn’t practiced since his wife died. He’s been doing cancer research on the side, but mostly runs the company. Wife died seven years ago from cancer. One son, Daren, twenty years old. Matt has no criminal record, but Daren has the sealed juvenile record that you found. I haven’t had time to find out what that’s about yet either.”
“I’ll get someone on that when we’re done here, ” Dani sighed. “Thanks for running him, but just so you know I did start to do it, but got pulled away when Katie had a nightmare and I had to check on her.”
“That’s what partners are for. When one is distracted, the other picks up the slack.”
When he stopped for a red light he brought Becket’s picture up on his phone and showed it to Dani.
Dani sighed again. She never had to have someone pick up
the slack for her, She didn’t like that it was Jake doing it now.
Jake pulled into a spot on the side of Becket’s building. He turned off the car and held Dani’s arm to stop her from getting out. “How far out is Jeremy?”
She checked her watch. “I’d say about ten minutes. Why?”
“We need to hear his conversation with Becket. I’m pretty sure he want to hear ours.” He shrugged. “I say we go in first. Maybe get two or three questions in. Then Jeremy can come in. It will throw him off. The added plus is that we get to hear his side of it and see Becket’s reaction.”
Dani looked at him a moment before getting out of the car. Slowly she headed toward the front of the building, but stopped just before turning the corner. She brought her phone to her ear.
“Did you hear that plan, Jeremy?”
“Yes, I think it will work. I’m five minutes out. Head on in; I’ll be right behind you.”
“Don’t disconnect until you’re at the reception desk.”
“Not a chance. I don’t want to miss a second of this.”
Dani turned to Jake. “Okay, we’re going with your plan. You take lead.”
She headed for the door.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, Zach was always better at lead. I was always better at seeing what wasn’t said. But I will blurt out a question if I feel you’re not getting to it fast enough.”
Jake opened the door. They bypassed the guard station with a flash of their badges, heading directly to the elevator. MJD’s offices are located on the sixteenth floor. When they stepped off the elevator, a reception desk was less than ten steps in front of them. It was placed in the center of the room, with couches and chairs surrounding it. From the layout Dani got the impression that MJD was not only on the sixteenth floor, but the whole floor was dedicated to them.
The receptionist held up a finger to hold them off while she finished the call she was on. She hung up a moment later and flashed Jake a huge smile. “Can I help you?”
Jake held out his badge for her to see. “Detective Santos…” He motioned to Dani. “… And Lieutenant Castello. We would like to talk with Mathew Becket.”
“Mr. Becket is in a meeting. Is he in trouble?”
“We just need to talk with him. Please tell him we’re here.”
“He doesn’t like to be interrupted when he’s in a meeting.”
“We don’t like having to wait when we’re trying to solve a murder.” Jake’s tone had her sliding her chair back. “Now please tell him we are here or we will go find him ourselves.”
After a moments hesitation she picked up the phone. Only she didn’t have to make the call. Matt Becket was coming down the hall with three others toward the elevators. Dani and Jake took a step away from the desk, but kept their eyes on him. It’s a good thing Jeremy kept the line open. At least he’ll be able to hear about the delay getting in to see Becket.
A good five minutes later, he finally turned from the elevators. “Do I have time to grab lunch before my next meeting?” He glanced at Dani and Jake before looking back to the receptionist for his answer.
“You don’t have any more meetings today. Did you forget you’re flying to Chicago at three this afternoon?”
“Of course not, but I thought we had a rescheduled phone conference with Mercy General.”
“Sorry, sir. They canceled. It seems Daren didn’t show up again. They told me to tell you if Daren continues to be in charge of the account they are going to have to look elsewhere.”
“Damn it. Where is he?” Again he glanced at Jake and Dani. “Never mind. I’ll take care of it.”
He turned to head back to his office.
“Sir, these people would like to talk with you.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “They’re with the police.”
Dani caught the quick intake of breath and the raising of his eyebrows from Becket, but he recovered quickly and extended his hand.
“Police, huh? What can I do for you?”
Jake shook his hand as he introduced them. “We need to ask you a few questions about your son. Is there somewhere private we can talk?”
“My son—is he okay? Did something happen to him?”
“He’s fine as far as we know. Can we find someplace to talk?”
“Ah, sure. This way.” He motioned down the hall.
Dani smiled to herself. This was going to be fun. Matt Becket may think he was in control, but nothing could be farther from the truth. He’s scared. She could tell because sweat was already beading on his forehead.
As they entered his office, Becket went behind his desk, motioning to the chairs in front before taking his seat. “What can I do for you?”
Jake took a seat, but Dani walked over to look out the window.
“Mr. Becket, we’re looking for your son. We think he may have information on a case we are working. Do you know where we can find him?”
“What kind of case?”
“Murder.”
He leaned back and smiled. “Murder. Daren wouldn’t know anything about a murder.”
“Do you know where he is, sir?”
Becket shook his head. “As you heard out in reception he was supposed to be at Mercy General. It seems he didn’t show.”
“Is that normal for him?”
As Jeremy walked off the elevator he ended the call with Dani. He walked up to the reception desk, flashing his badge. “I’d like to speak with Mr. Becket.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
Jeremy tapped his badge with his finger. “This is my appointment.”
She looked at the badge and stood up. “Mr. Becket is in a meeting. She leaned closer and whispered. “Actually, he’s talking to two detectives.”
Jeremy acted surprised and asked, “Police detectives?”
She nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Then I’ll definitely need to interrupt his meeting. Please let him know I’m out here.”
She sighed as she picked up the phone. Becket excused himself to answer the phone. “Yes, Evie.”
“Mr. Becket, I’m sorry to disturb you, but there is another detective here to see you.”
Becket looked from Jake to Dani and back at the phone. “Tell him I’ll be with him in a minute.” He hung up before turning back to Jake. “What’s going on here? Don’t you people talk to each other?”
“What do you mean?”
“There is another detective out there that wants to talk to me.”
“I assure you, sir, I have no idea why he is here.”
Jeremy opened the office door without knocking. Evie was on his heels. “I’m sorry, sir. He wouldn’t wait.”
Becket stood up. “It’s okay, Evie. I’ll take care of this.”
She scanned the room before slowly backing out, closing the door behind her.
“Who are you?” Becket asked Jeremy.
“Detective Vanella. I’d like to ask you a few questions.” He looked over at Jake. “I understand you’re also detectives?”
“Detective Santos and Lieutenant Castello from the fifth precinct.”
“If all the introductions are done, do you think you can tell me what’s going on?” Becket checked his watch.
Jake stepped back, motioning to Jeremy. “You go first.”
Jeremy stuck his hands in his pockets. “No. You were here first. You go ahead.”
Jake smiled. “No. I insist. You seem to be in a hurry. You go first.”
“Are you people serious? I don’t have time for this. Now one of you tell me what’s going on or get the hell out of here. I’m a busy man. I have work to do before I go out of town…” He looked at his watch again. “… In three hours.”
Jeremy glanced at Dani. When she nodded he asked, “Mr. Becket, do you know Jennifer Granta?”
“This is about Jennifer? He looked at Jake. “I thought you were looking for my son.”
“We are, but it seems Detective Vanella has other concerns.”
“Fine.”
He turned back to Jeremy. “Yes, I know Jennifer. What did she do?”
“How do you know her?”
“We went on a few dates. What did she do?”
“A few dates?”
“We were going out for a month or two. It was good, but not great. We broke up. Whatever she did has nothing to do with me.”
“What makes you think she did anything?”
He laughed without humor. “She pulled a damn gun on me. It made me think she was a little nuts. People like that usually do something they shouldn’t.”
Dani asked her first question even though she knew it would be Jeremy’s next question. She just wanted Becket to remember she was in the room. “Why did she pull a gun on you, sir?”
“What do I know? I told you she was crazy.”
Jeremy continued with the questions. “A woman pulls a gun on you and you have no idea why?”
Becket looked around at each of them before dropping into his chair. “I slapped her. She pulled a gun on me because I slapped her.”
“You hit a woman?” Jeremy looked a Jake. “My father taught me to never hit a woman. How about yours?”
“I grew up without a father, but my mother taught me to respect and protect woman.”
They looked back at Becket. “Yeah, it’s not something I’m proud of. My parents taught me the same thing.”
“So why did you do it?” Dani asked.
He picked up a pen and tapped it on his desk. “She said her daughter, Katie, told her that Daren tried to rape her. I told her she was nuts. Daren would never do a thing like that. She started to yell. Saying that Katie would never accuse someone if it weren’t true. We argued. I hit her. She fell back against her desk. Next thing I know she turns back to me with a gun in her hand. She told me to leave and keep Daren away from Katie. I backed out of the house and haven’t seen her since.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He jumped up. “Of course I’m sure. No woman is worth that aggravation. What the hell is this all about?”
Jeremy answered. “Jennifer Granta was killed yesterday morning.”
Fatally Linked Page 16