Impressions

by Barbara Winkes

“That’s yet to be determined, right?”

  Everyone turned around at the sound of her voice. The woman with the brown hair and the soft voice was wearing an FBI windbreaker.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen…I’m Special Agent Nina Torres. We will need everything you found on these men. We appreciate your cooperation…and as for your case, we’ll be glad to help any way we can. Detective…”

  “Carpenter,” Jordan said, hoping she hid her surprise well enough. “You talked to Lieutenant Carroll already?”

  “Right before I came here,” Torres confirmed. “He set me up with the necessary resources. We can talk in my office later.”

  “It looks like they held someone here. The money could be a ransom.”

  “It’s possible, but I’m not certain of that yet. Like you said before, they could have been involved in risky business. I’m aware you made great progress when you recently put away Bud Ryder, and Ryan Lemont, but there’s always people trying to carve out a niche for themselves.”

  “We are keeping an eye on that.”

  “Good. Nice to meet you, Detectives. I need to have a word with your ME now. Please, find me later at the station.”

  “I guess we have no choice,” Derek mumbled once she was out of earshot. “They are all the same, aren’t they?”

  Jordan didn’t think he expected an answer, so she didn’t give one. In fact, she thought Nina Torres was very different from her ex, a psychiatrist and oftentimes FBI liaison for the department. Torres seemed to be a bit more…low key, trying to form connections.

  She thought that a low key relationship with the FBI would probably be to their mutual benefit. Bethany had happily moved on after her promotion, only coming back to town once to testify.

  “I think we’re going to be okay,” she said. “Let’s go see our new friend Mulveney on the way back.” Not much went on in this neighborhood that people wouldn’t talk about at Rigley’s.

  * * * *

  On the way downstairs, a woman passed them by, and it took Jordan a split-second to remember where she knew her from. She turned around quickly.

  “Ms. Geller, hello.”

  Kim Geller had once led them to the man they were going to see. Coincidence? It seemed a bit much.

  “Detective. I still have your card, but there wasn’t any reason to call…until now, I guess, but one of my neighbors already did it.”

  “You live here?”

  “Yes. I thought you already knew.”

  The last time she’d seen the hairdresser, they were visiting her at work.

  “Did you know the men in 17B?”

  Kim shrugged. “Honestly, I didn’t have any interest in getting to know those two better. They didn’t seem to want to make friends either, never talked to anyone.”

  “Did you ever see them with someone else, a woman?”

  “Not sure any woman would go in there freely…no. Sorry I can’t help you.”

  “No problem. Take care, and call me if you think of anything.”

  “Sure thing,” Kim promised.

  “What are you thinking?” Derek asked when they were in the stairwell—the only elevator in this building didn’t inspire trust, and after having to make minute adjustments to her wedding dress, Jordan had sworn to make some changes. Life with Ellie had spoiled her—not that she could blame Ellie for it, but curling up next to her in the morning was so much more tempting than a run or the gym.

  Of course, that wasn’t the kind of thoughts Derek had asked for.

  “Could be coincidence. In any case, this is Chucky’s turf, so he should be of some help here.”

  “Let’s hope so.”

  Chucky Mulveney led them into Rigley’s through the back. “I’d like it better if you didn’t come to see me in plain daylight,” he complained. “It’s bad for my reputation.”

  “There I thought you’d value your freedom more than your reputation.”

  Mulveney had been busted for illegal gambling and possession before, but he had cut a deal and agreed to be their eyes and ears in the quarter for a lesser sentence. Running Rigley’s now, he was back on his feet in more than one way. Despite his whining Jordan thought that he was quite enjoying this role.

  “All right, what do you want?”

  “We just came from the apartment building across the street. Two guys shot in the head, looks like a pro job.”

  “Ryan Lemont would be the guy with the connections to pull that off, but I hear you busted him a few weeks ago. Besides, I don’t think he’d like it around here. Guy’s a bit of a snob, no?”

  “That’s all you have?” Derek asked, sounding impatient.

  “What did you think I could tell you?”

  “Hm…Someone in your situation might watch his neighbors a little more closely,” Jordan suggested.

  “Right, and if you watch your neighbors too closely, you might get killed. You probably know more about what’s going on in that building than I do, but it’s small stuff. Back in the days of Ryder, something like this might have happened, but you remember he came from out of town as well. There are a few big events coming up, so I imagine lots of folks who are not from around here, are doing business.”

  “We’ll look into that.”

  “And I’m sure you’ll be back,” Mulveney concluded. “I’ll see if I can talk to a few people, but don’t expect too much.”

  “Do we ever?”

  The sarcasm was lost on him, so Jordan decided not to push the issue. “Thanks. See you around.”

  “Sure. Not too often, would be great.”

  * * * *

  It came to no surprise that Ted Hart was a false ID. Running the prints of both men, they came up with the names of Bill Oswald and Frank Dinkins. Both of them had served time, the charges varied, but assault was a returning pattern. Interestingly enough, there was no entry in the past five years—they had either kept their heads down, or managed not to get caught. However, the men had served their sentences in prisons two states apart, at different times. It was still anyone’s guess as to how—and why—they had rented the apartment four weeks ago.

  Before catching up with Torres, Jordan took a moment to stop by Ellie’s desk. Ellie looked intensely focused on the file in front of her.

  “Hey, Mrs. Carpenter.”

  Ellie swiveled her chair around, smile lighting up her face.

  “Hello there, Mrs. Harding.”

  At her own desk, Maria was rolling her eyes. “You are so adorable, it’s quite painful.”

  “Sorry?” Jordan turned back to Ellie. “How’s it going?”

  “Well, things started out okay, but now I’m waiting for the ME, and my suspect’s lawyer, while my partner is AWOL as usual these days. But when he’s around, he sweeps in and takes the credit. And he’s going way too fast again.”

  Jordan took a seat across from her. “You should talk to the lieutenant. This is not okay. He was supposed to give you advice when needed.”

  Truth be told, Ellie was probably doing a better job by herself. If she could tough it out until Waters’ retirement in a few weeks, she would likely be partnered with Doss, and it would be smooth sailing from there. But they still had some time to go, and if Waters was sabotaging her, Carroll needed to know.

  “I’m sure the lieutenant has an idea of what’s going on, and he’s not happy about it either. Okay. Here comes Ms. Gilbert’s attorney.” She got to her feet to greet him.

  “Hey, Jimmy,” Jordan said, surprised at the sight. “I didn’t know you were back haunting the town.”

  Public defender James McKenzie was sharp and passionate, and not too popular with the prosecutors. Jordan remembered him from when she was still in uniform, and her early days as a detective.

  “And you never left, I see. Why don’t we catch up later? I’m here to see Detective Harding.”

  “Go easy. She’s my wife.” Ellie shot her a quizzical look, but McKenzie laughed. “Is that so? You’re full of surprises, Carpenter. Nice to see you again. Detectiv
e?”

  “Yes. Please follow me,” Ellie said, obviously still trying to make sense of the scene.

  * * * *

  Jordan was still musing about the unexpected encounter when she joined Nina Torres in the briefing room.

  Nina had already set up a board, placing a question mark over the photograph of the closet. Jordan’s stomach churned as she remembered the smell.

  “It looks like these guys could have been involved in all sorts of criminal activity,” she remarked. “But it might not be local at all. Maybe they were hiding out, and whoever they were hiding from, found them anyway.”

  “It’s possible.” Torres didn’t sound convinced.

  “One of our sources thinks that hit might have come from out of town.”

  “What do you think?”

  “It’s a possibility. We sent many folks associated with Ryder and Lemont to prison over the years. Those who were on the fringe…can’t imagine them hiring a hit man, let alone to kill someone who just moved into town.”

  “Pre-emptive strike? How reliable is your source?”

  Jordan almost winced. The association with Mulveney was a new one, and at this point, still a bit shaky. She assumed he’d do the bare minimum that would keep him out of jail.

  “He’s…motivated. I’m also interested in the contents of that closet. Did they come to town to kidnap someone?”

  “Again, perhaps they weren’t on the run from anyone, but trying to establish themselves. Whatever they did, they were extremely careful. Once they served their time, they simply vanished. Next and last sign of life, Ted Hart’s credit card.”

  “I’m still trying to figure out what’s the FBI’s interest in this.” Jordan was uncomfortably reminded of the time explosives dealers had tried to make a deal in town. Fortunately, the bomber had worked alone, and they could contain his ambitions before they led to a catastrophe. “With the sports event coming up, were you thinking…terrorism? Do you have any concrete hints? In that case, don’t you think we should know?”

  The kidnapping case could be a distraction. Ellie’s abductor had moved on to bigger plans when she got away from him. She didn’t want to think about this right now, especially with Nina studying her curiously.

  “No, that’s not it,” Nina said. “You were wondering what connects these men, when apparently, they never met before they moved into this apartment? Both were hanging with an especially ugly crowd. Sex crimes has a file on both of them. Violent movies on the dark net, involving underage girls.”

  In a heartbeat, the possibilities had become so much worse.

  “I wish there was some sort of silver lining, and whoever they locked into that closet, got away, but it’s not likely, is it? The people who killed Oswald and Dinkins probably took them. I hate this day already.”

  “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Perhaps we can find out who they are. Go from there.”

  “How is this related…?” Jordan gave herself the answer before Nina could. “You’re thinking about human trafficking. “That is why you were on the scene right away. You were already on those guys.”

  “Dr. Roberts told me not to underestimate you. Not that I intended to. It’s true, we were suspecting both of them, but unfortunately they got themselves killed before we could get to them. They are mid-level at best. We still need to find the people they were answering to, and as a special challenge, who killed them, so hopefully, we can contain what will be going on behind the scenes of the game.”

  “There’s no question in any of that, so you’re sure something will be going on either way. That’s depressing.”

  “We’ll be prepared,” Nina said.

  * * * *

  “Detective Harding, it’s a pleasure to meet you. And please, don’t mind the shenanigans. I was happy to see a familiar face. Someone in my profession isn’t too well liked around here, as you can imagine.”

  “It’s fine,” Ellie told him. “What can I do for you?”

  “As you know, I represent Brandi Gilbert, and I was wondering about the circumstances of her arrest. Some things don’t add up in here.”

  Don’t I know it…She couldn’t say it out loud, but silently, Ellie agreed with McKenzie.

  “The bodyguard, Mr. Owens, said that he walked in on her standing over Robertson with the gun in her hand. Ms. Gilbert admitted to shooting him. I’m afraid we had no choice.”

  “And she supposedly brought the gun with her?”

  “It wasn’t Mr. Robertson’s. It’s unregistered.”

  “See, that’s strange. There is no way Ms. Gilbert could have brought the gun with her. She simply had no opportunity. Robertson wasn’t worth anything to her pimp if he was dead. So, killing him for the money, with that mystery gun, it makes your case quite thin, even if she said she did it.”

  “My colleague established motive…Robertson had a lot of money with him.”

  “And she would have done what with it? Someone was standing by outside waiting for her. You’d think they’d let her keep it?”

  “I think…” Ellie paused, knowing she could either stick to Waters’ line, or walk down a potentially dangerous path. But Waters had rushed proceedings, just to get back at her, or so it seemed. She didn’t understand his motives, but whatever was behind his actions, they could potentially tarnish her career as well, and the whole department. “Even if she pulled the trigger, I don’t see her as a cold-blooded killer. Something happened in that apartment that we don’t yet know about.”

  “Hallelujah. I knew Carpenter wouldn’t marry a fool,” he said. “You were the first investigator to talk to her. What was your impression?”

  “She seemed afraid—of everyone there, Mr. Owens, the police. Traumatized. I was wondering if a psychiatrist should see her.”

  “Bravo. We have an understanding here. Look, she told me that Mr. Robertson always treated her decently, which, I think we both know, doesn’t say much in this context. She’s disturbed and afraid. Perhaps we can both agree here that Ms. Gilbert probably hasn’t told us the whole truth yet, because public defenders and the police haven’t done much to earn her trust in the past. How about we try to make a change here?”

  “I’m with you on that, though we can’t ignore the fact that a person is dead.”

  “I don’t intend to, but I’m sure you agree that context matters.”

  “I do,” Ellie confirmed. “I’d definitely like to find out more about the people who kept sending her to Robertson’s. I’ll see her before the hearing tomorrow.”

  “And I’ll get the psychiatrist involved. Thank you, Detective Harding. This has been most enlightening.”

  Ellie thought the same, even if it was probably only a matter of time that she’d be in hot water with her partner. She straightened her shoulders. So be it. In the past, Lieutenant Carroll had always seen her point—this would be no exception.

  Chances were, Waters wouldn’t even find out until the next day.

  Chapter Three

  It looked like she’d be lucky. Waters didn’t talk much for the rest of the day, but he didn’t mention her meeting with McKenzie. Ellie couldn’t wait to find Jordan and go home.

  That would have to wait, she realized when she returned to her desk and saw Officer Potts standing next to it with a woman who seemed to be in her late thirties.

  “This is Ms. Morgan. She’d like to talk to you.”

  “Thanks, Sam. Hi. I’m Detective Harding.” After being in awe for some time, the words now came over her lips easily. “How can I help you?”

  “I’m Natalie Morgan. If I could have a moment of your time?”

  “Sure. Please, sit.”

  “Thank you.” The woman seemed a bit nervous, but nothing that indicated an immediate emergency. “The reason I come to you is…my mother died recently.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” Did she suspect foul play?

  “Thank you. I know what you must be thinking but…that’s not the reason I’m here. This is hard…It turns out M
om kept some pretty big secrets from me. From everyone she cared about, actually.”

  Ellie was intrigued, but still wondering about Morgan’s reasons for seeking out the police. For seeking out Ellie, specifically. Had she, or had she simply asked to talk to an investigator?

  “You know that this is the Homicide unit.”

  “Yes, I do. Okay. There’s no way around this, but I am so glad we finally meet.” Natalie took a picture out of her purse and handed it to Ellie. “She always told me she didn’t know who my father was. The way she explained it to me, I made my peace. I was okay with it, but it seems that people feel a need to clear things up towards the end. So she told me the truth.”

  Ellie could feel her jaw drop when she looked at the picture. She’d never seen the auburn-haired woman, Natalie’s mother, before, but she knew the man who had an arm around her waist, both of them beaming. The scenery looked like they were on a beach somewhere. That man was Patrick Harding. Her father.

  “This is…impossible.” She hoped that if she said it out loud, it had to be true. There was no way in hell he had cheated on her mother…was there?

  “I understand this is a shock,” Natalie said softly. “I wasn’t sure either if I wanted to hear the story, but please, let me explain. It’s not as bad as you think. They were together a short time, had fun, lost touch for a while…and the next time they talked, Patrick told her he was happy and in love, about to get married.”

  “Wow.”

  “Mom had really loved him as a friend, and she didn’t want him to change plans out of obligation. I don’t blame her for anything. Growing up…it was an adventure. I wouldn’t want to miss that for anything. I won’t lie, I hoped I’d be able to meet my father, but then I learned about the accident…” She wiped a hand over her eyes. “You have lost so much, too. I know I’m a stranger to you, but I guess I was hoping I could get to know you. Mom and I, we made a lot of friends all over the world, but my grandparents are deceased as well, and you’re the only family I have left.”

  Something about that statement hit Ellie hard, and she hadn’t even recovered from the whiplash learning about the other relationship her father had had. It wasn’t like she’d imagined neither of her parents had dated anyone else before they got married. She just hadn’t thought about it at all.