by DiAnn Mills
“Oh, sure.” Cole’s sympathetic tone was comical. “Anything special about their last meeting?”
He offered a thoughtful stare. “They must have had a doozy of an argument because she stomped out. The guy stayed here and finished his meal.”
“Thank you,” Cole said. “Were the two men and the woman ever here together?”
“No.”
Cole nodded at Tori. “Agent Templeton, anything else?”
“Not right now.” She flashed the server her thanks. No reason to burn bridges if they had more questions.
She gave him her card and left the restaurant.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Cole reached for his phone. She knew he was contacting Anita. “Ms. Krantz, this is Marshal Jeffers. Would you kindly return this call as soon as possible?”
“She might be shopping on a Saturday,” Tori said. “Should we have her picked up?”
TORI AND COLE waited in an interview room while HPD drove Anita Krantz to the FBI office. She’d been picked up leaving a nail salon close to her apartment.
Various scenarios with Professor Howard nibbled at her brain. They had a surveillance team keeping an eye on him at the Omni. They’d also had Anita Krantz followed since she was first named as a person of interest. Although she kept to herself, the series of crimes could have been planned with accomplices.
“Where are you on this?” Cole said.
“Anita’s refusal to have the paternity test,” Tori said.
“As in, the baby belongs to the professor?”
“Exactly,” Tori said. “She could have been angry enough with Nathan about something to pull off the bombing and murders. Where she obtained the funds and what she hoped to gain is another mystery.”
“I’m curious about the argument she had with the professor at Chili’s prior to Nathan’s death. Was it the pregnancy tossing a wrench into their plans? My mind is speeding with what-ifs that might head to a dead-end road.”
“I’m on the same path. Unplanned babies have a habit of interrupting lives. If she was with the professor and Nathan, who does her baby belong to? Maybe she doesn’t know.”
Their phones alerted them to a message. “Professor Howard’s background came at the right time.” He read the report. “I noted a red flag earlier with his personal financials, so I requested more info. A couple of recent large withdrawals raised suspicion.”
“How much?”
“Fifty grand ten days ago, and sixty-five more three days afterward.”
Tori swung to him. “Quite a hunk on a professor’s pay.”
“His wife inherited family money. But her name isn’t on this account.”
“We’ll ask him when we attend his keynote tonight.”
A text alerted them—Anita had been brought in.
At 4:30 p.m., Cole held the door for Tori to enter the room where a nervous Anita Krantz sat at a table. She greeted them with professionalism and wore composure as fitting as her navy-blue slacks and stylish jewelry.
But her lips quivered.
“Why am I here?” she said. “I haven’t done anything to warrant such humiliating treatment.”
Cole and Tori sat across from her. “We have evidence otherwise,” he said. “Why don’t we begin with what we know, and you can fill in the blanks.” He drew in a breath to manage his impatience.
Terror creased her features. “I doubt I can contribute anything more than what you already have.”
“We could begin with your affair with Professor James Howard. Or would you like for me to clamp the cuffs on your wrists for the murders of Nathan Moore, Preston Ustach, and Jose Aznar? But wait, there’s more. We have bombings, attempted murder, and concealing evidence in a federal case.”
She buried her face in her hands, but her dramatics soured him. How many times had he and Tori faced her when all the while she knew how to end the carnage? He cleared his throat. “Are you ready to sign a confession?”
Anita lifted her makeup-smudged face. “I had nothing to do with those crimes, but I know who’s responsible.”
Cole seldom resorted to swearing, but the words still tramped across his brain. “Your choice—arrest or a name.”
“He’ll kill me like he did the others.” Anita wrung her hands. “I’ll do anything to protect my baby.”
“Choose.”
“In telling you this, I’m signing my death certificate.”
“We’ll do all we can to keep you safe,” he said.
She moistened her lips. “My baby belongs to Nathan. I refused the paternity test because his killer would have turned on me. Five months ago, Professor James Howard met with Nathan at the office. All traces of what transpired are missing from the security footage and other documentation because Nathan had them deleted.” She took a breath. “Like he did with Preston Ustach’s second visit. Shortly after the two started talking, Nathan requested my presence. Later I learned he was afraid of Professor Howard, and I was supposedly a safety cushion. The things James revealed about Nathan shocked me—how he’d lied to win Sally from Erik Weiman. How he’d stolen plans from Erik regarding the fracking method that made him millions. Refused to help with Erik’s medical needs. I couldn’t believe the accusations, but Nathan didn’t deny them. Professor Howard demanded five million dollars for Erik. Nathan called him stupid. James said he deserved to die for what he’d done. Again I heard another vile accusation. James said when Nathan stole Erik’s plans for fracking, he also destroyed the paperwork naming the two as partners.”
Anita took a deep breath. “The truth hit me very hard. The man I loved couldn’t possibly be such a monster. Once James left, Nathan begged me to see his side, said Erik gave him the plans and the accusations were lies.” She massaged her temples. “The rest is inexcusable. James called me at work and asked to have coffee. I was angry with Nathan and agreed. We met a few more times afterward and became . . . intimate. One night he revealed a plan to destroy Nathan’s business, to blackmail him out of several million dollars. He wanted to help Erik and ensure he received the money due him, and he wanted my assistance. He said, ‘Anita, he’s used you all these years. You deserve better, and I’ll make sure you receive 10 percent of what we get.’”
“What were you supposed to do?” Cole said.
“Look through his records for incriminating information.”
“And?”
“Nathan kept impeccable files. I never found a thing to use against him. Then in working with him every day, he made his way back into my heart.” She touched her stomach. “I ended the relationship with James and asked him to stop his plans, or I’d go to the police. He became furious, violent. He told me to watch what happened. I warned Nathan about him. Then I learned about the pregnancy. The bombing occurred. Nathan’s murder, and all the other crimes. James threatened to kill me if I went to the authorities. When the media released news of my pregnancy, he contacted me and wanted to know if the baby was his. Out of fear, I said yes.”
Up to this point, Tori hadn’t said a word. “You claim Nathan destroyed the record of Professor Howard’s meeting, but did you keep a copy?”
“For insurance,” she said. “The moment I witnessed the atmosphere in Nathan’s office, I recorded their conversation separately on my phone to protect Nathan. I also recorded the threats made the last time I talked to James. When Nathan was killed, I placed a thumb drive with the audio in a safe-deposit box in case the investigation stumbled onto James’s part. If he were arrested, then I was safe.”
Now he understood why the woman had kept the truth secret. Fear held her back.
Suddenly Cole remembered the dying words of the gang member who tried to kill him: “Pra” for professor.
“I’ll sign your paperwork if it means stopping James. For some reason, he’s obsessed with Erik.”
He looked at Tori. “Looks like we have another date with the professor.”
TORI BRAKED in front of the Omni Hotel at the same time FBI agents and US Marshals arriv
ed. Professor Howard wouldn’t have an opportunity to deliver his keynote.
Cole had been texting since Anita Krantz had been taken into custody. “What are you doing?” she said.
“Working on closing this case,” he said without glancing up. “Verifying information on Professor James Howard and César Vega.”
“From whom?”
“US Marshals.” He opened the car door. “Got a hunch. I’ll explain later.”
They hurried inside and were directed to the huge conference room where dinner was under way. She and Cole entered from a side door near the speaker’s podium. Law enforcement opened the main doors.
The movement caught the professor’s attention, and he bolted through the rear service entry opposite her and Cole. She chased him down the hall where servers carried trays with soiled dishes to the kitchen. The professor pushed through a pair of swinging doors into the kitchen with Tori and Cole close behind.
“Stop! FBI.” She drew her weapon.
The professor wove through the kitchen staff. They scattered as she raced after him, gaining ground amid crashing trays, broken glass, and metal clanging against a concrete floor.
Cole passed her in pursuit. The professor stumbled beside a stove. He grabbed a large pot by the handles and tossed boiling water at Cole. He dodged the scalding brew.
The professor picked up a knife and whirled around. He grabbed a man attempting to clear out of the fight and held the knife to the man’s throat.
“Put your gun down, or he’s dead.” A trickle of blood dripped from the frightened man’s neck.
Tori eyed Howard. “This place is crawling with law enforcement ready to take you down.”
“Not while I have a hostage.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Cole inch toward the professor.
“You won’t make it out alive,” she said.
“I’ll take my chances.”
“Why all the deaths and destruction?” she spoke softly. “Do you think Erik wants this?”
The professor swung toward Cole. “Stop now, or I’m cutting his throat. You know I will.”
Cole held up his hands and stepped back. “Sure. Tell us more about Erik. Why the interest all these years?”
“I didn’t have a son. He filled the gap.”
“I think it’s more,” Cole said. “Erik’s your son, isn’t he? You loved him the best you could, and when MS attacked his body, you vowed to do whatever it took to save him. But your wife had no idea. If she learned the truth, the money would end.”
“What are you saying?”
“You and Albert’s wife were lovers. All these years, he thought she’d left him, but you killed her.”
“Where’s your source?”
“I took a look at the police records when Albert reported his wife missing. He gave them everything to locate her. Seemed odd she simply disappeared.”
The calls and texts occupying Cole earlier now made sense.
The muscles in the professor’s face tightened. “Smart man, aren’t you?”
“Authorities never found her body,” Cole said. “You betrayed Albert. You befriended him so you could be near your son. Then you set him up while paying the Hermanos de Pistoleros to do your dirty work. Am I right, Professor?”
“You’re crazy. You must have been listening to drunken Albert.”
“Don’t think so. What about threatening Anita Krantz?”
The man’s eyes seemed to burn. “I’d do anything to save my son.”
“Really? What about that Rolex? Looks to me like you’d do anything as long as it was with someone else’s money.”
Tori seized a moment of hesitation from the professor and slammed into his lower right side, knocking him off-balance. He dropped the knife and it slid across the floor.
Cole rushed into place. Pushing aside the hostage, he sent the professor sprawling.
“Cuff him,” she said. “Do the honors. You figured it out.”
Once the man was restrained, Cole jerked him to his feet.
“Nathan deserved to die. He stole everything from Erik. I wanted him and his precious oil company destroyed.”
Tori struggled to unload her fury—the personal toll on friendships and the deaths and destruction. “What about Preston Ustach and Jose Aznar, the bombings, and attacking federal officers?” Tori said. “What’s your excuse for that?”
The professor’s face twisted. “If Nathan had taken care of Erik, none of this would have happened. It’s his fault. The Hermanos de Pistoleros created trouble at the oil rig.”
“But you paid them, right?” Tori said, attempting to control her fury.
“Prove it.”
Cole snorted. “We will. César Vega has been picked up by the US Marshals. I’m sure he’ll name you in exchange for a lesser charge.”
AFTER ELEVEN THAT NIGHT, Cole sat in Tori’s car and stared at the Moore home, lit up with their friends inside and protected by bodyguards. The satisfaction of ending a crime marathon slowed the adrenaline that had kept him going.
“It’s finally over,” he said. “Professor Howard’s confession demonstrated a man whose selfishness knew no boundaries.”
“Yet he planned Nathan’s murder because of Nathan’s self-centered personality.” She touched her head to the steering wheel, then faced him. “Poor Albert. I was afraid he’d have a heart attack when he learned the truth about Erik’s father and about his deceased wife.”
“At least Professor Howard told us where her body is buried.” Cole recalled the shrieking grief of the old man and the corresponding call for an ambulance. “Albert will face charges for attempting to kill Nathan while dealing with how the professor manipulated him.”
“All those years, Albert thought his friendship with Professor Howard was real. It’s as though the professor took out his bitterness of not being able to raise his son on Albert and Nathan.”
Tori’s words sailed into his heart. Bitterness . . .
“What are you thinking?” Tori said. “You went silent on me.”
“Big-time realization. Remember the guy who shot me and left me for dead?” When she nodded, he continued. “I forgave him, but I didn’t get rid of the bitterness. I allowed my pride to take over, fear, even thinking I’d be avenged when he was caught.”
“And?”
Cole reached for her hand. “Time to get past it.”
“Then do it.”
With Tori’s hand clasped firmly in his, he bowed his head and got himself right with God. A few moments later, he pointed at the Moore home. “If any of them are watching, they’re wondering what’s going on. They need answers to Nathan’s murder. My guess is they know Professor Howard has been arrested but not the whole story.”
“You texted them we were coming, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, I like that. Can I hear it again?”
He tugged on her hand, and she leaned toward him just close enough for a light kiss. “There’s more for the future.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He opened his car door, feeling the impact of his shoulder wound. Taking her hand, he walked with her up the sidewalk.
Sally answered the door before he rang the bell. “Does Professor Howard’s arrest mean the crisis is over?”
“Yes,” Tori said. “We’d like to tell you about tonight.”
“What about the boys?”
“I think it best you hear the story first. Later you can decide how much Lance and Jack should know.”
“Good.” Sally gestured them inside to the kitchen, the familiar meeting spot. Once seated, Tori asked Cole to begin.
“Professor Howard had a history of violent behavior. It began when he had an affair with Albert Weiman’s wife. Erik was the result. When she told the professor she was finished with him, and she’d not tell Albert the truth about their son, he killed her and staged it to look like she’d left her family. The professor entered Albert’s and Erik’s lives as a friend, acting
as a mentor and benefactor for Erik. Over the years, he slipped money into a private account to help his son as needed. The professor’s wife is wealthy, but if she ever learned about her husband’s affair, he’d be penniless. The professor put Albert up to approaching Nathan for money and encouraged planning the murder when Nathan refused.”
“Then murder wasn’t foreign to Professor Howard.” Sally pressed her hands together. “Did he cause Nathan’s heart attack?”
Cole nodded. “He knew when Walt Hanna was scheduled to hack into the pacemaker and monitored it. When Hanna didn’t follow through, the professor had the skills to take over.”
Sally stared at him. “He masterminded it all?”
Tori took her friend’s hand, a trait Cole had come to recognize as her way of showing compassion. “Sally, Professor Howard orchestrated every detail and used his wife’s money to fund it. He also enlisted Anita Krantz to help him, but nothing came of those efforts except her fear of him.” Her gentle tone wafted around them. “He sent threatening notes to Nathan and hired the Hermanos de Pistoleros to create trouble any way they wanted. Before we arrived here, César Vega confessed to the gang’s part. They bombed the oil rig, targeted Preston Ustach in a shooting, eliminated Jose Aznar because he refused to do any more dirty work, and attacked Cole and me, along with killing the guard at the security shack.”
“I respected the man, and this is what he did? Tori, he attempted to murder all of us. He’s a coward, afraid of claiming his own son.” Sally stiffened. “What will become of him?”
“That’s for a jury to decide, but I’d say life in prison.”
Cole captured Sally’s attention. “The important thing to remember is you have answers, and those responsible for the tragedies will never hurt anyone again.”
Sally’s eyes watered. “I can’t believe it’s finally over. Thank you. Thank you so very much for not giving up, for sacrificing your time, for pursuing the killer even when you two were injured. I can never repay you, but I love you both. Because of you, my sons no longer have to walk in fear. We have our lives back.”
Tori glanced at Cole as their friend dabbed her eyes. He offered her a grim smile. Yes, Nathan had left behind a string of questionable choices and actions, but Cole felt confident that his friend’s family would stand strong and carry on the man’s legacy of hard work. Cole had his life back too—one that seemed brighter for Tori’s presence in it.