by Robin Mahle
“What the hell are you going to do about this, Phelps? Huh? You think I’m going to let you leave me flapping in the wind?”
Phelps’ eyes turned dark and his expression hardened. “Are you threatening me?”
Copeland seemed to shrink back. “No. I’m just… I’m just trying to find a solution to this. Do you even have any idea who the hell you’re after? Who the hell is trying to destroy my life?”
Phelps retrieved a cigarette from his pocket and placed it between his lips. With the lighter’s flame flickering at its end, he continued, “Here’s what you’re going to do.” He inhaled until it caught fire and continued to talk. “You’re going to come in tomorrow and make a statement.”
“I already did that.”
“Listen carefully. You’re going to make another statement. This time, you need to reveal how you knew those women. Look, we have no evidence to suggest you were involved in any way with their deaths. You have alibis. And we can prove you were at the hotel when Atherton was killed. That’s the good part.”
“And the bad part?”
“I doubt the media or the public will care about that. But you won’t be arrested.”
“For God’s sake. This is going to ruin me.”
“Your concern for the victims is touching.”
Kate tucked the sheets in between the couch cushions. “There you go. I hope this is okay for you.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you, Agent Reid.”
“You’re welcome, Karen, and please call me Kate. I understand what you’re going through more than you know.” She placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You’re safe here.”
In that moment, keys sounded in the lock of the front door, capturing their attention.
Nick entered the apartment. “Hello. I didn’t know we were expecting company.” He continued inside and greeted Kate with a kiss on the cheek. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Karen Hildebrand.”
“Nice to meet you, Karen. Nick Scarborough.”
“I told her she could stay here until we can make other arrangements. It was too late to secure accommodations.”
“Okay.”
The confusion on his face imposed the need for further explanation and Kate would have to call for a sidebar. “Will you excuse us for just a moment?” She gestured toward their bedroom and Nick followed.
“What’s going on?” He folded his arms across his chest.
“She’s in danger. It’s a long story, but we believe she could be a target of the same person who killed the other women.”
“We?”
“The team. I had an unexpected meeting with Mrs. Copeland. It turns out that the congressman sent Karen an email stating she could be in danger.”
“Are you serious? He sent that via email? Didn’t think to warn her in person, or maybe the cops?”
“Now you see what I’m dealing with? But yeah. His personal email, by all accounts.”
“Copeland must assume that whoever’s after these women is after them because he had affairs with each one.”
“Seems so. Although Meredith Bowen, the latest victim, doesn’t appear to have had any physical relationship with him. He harassed her, according to her acquaintances. I’m aware this isn’t protocol…”
“You and the team did what you thought was best to keep that woman safe. I wouldn’t second-guess your decision. I didn’t when I was there and I won’t do it now. If you think she’s in danger, she can stay as long as it takes.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to tell Phelps she’s here. He’ll skewer me.”
“Based on what you’ve told me, that seems probable. What’s your plan then?”
“Set up surveillance on her house. I want to know who comes to visit.”
“That’s what I would do. You need help getting that set up?”
“No. Dwight’s already on it.”
“Good. And what about Phelps and Copeland?”
“Now that I’ve been able to establish a clear connection between all of the victims and Mr. Copeland, I’m going to ask for an arrest warrant.”
“You’re going to arrest a sitting congressional representative? On what charge? You said you were certain he wasn’t the killer. Kate, you might want to rethink your strategy. I just said I wouldn’t second-guess you and here I am. But the reason I say that is you get him spooked like that. Arrest him. The press will hound you and this will be all over the news.”
“And I might scare away the real killer?”
“You’re confident it isn’t Copeland, right?”
“Right.”
“Then it’s entirely possible whoever it is will high-tail it the hell out of Dodge. There’ll be too much heat and any more women out there who’ve gotten tangled up with Copeland will be exposed. That might be what you want. I don’t know. The problem is, you still don’t have a motive. Whose agenda do these murders serve?”
“Then what? I don’t know if there are more people out there like Karen. If there are, and someone else knows it, I can’t protect them. I still have no DNA evidence on anyone other than Copeland and that doesn’t prove anything. I can’t find the owner of the cell phone who made all those random calls to the victims. It was likely a burner. I’m running out of options, Nick.”
“What does Dwight say?”
“He agrees we should look into Copeland’s inner circle. According to Mrs. Copeland, his chief of staff, Phil Vega, is the man in the know. He’s given a statement to Phelps. He’s been cooperating. And, he made a visit to the wife today and checked out what was on Copeland’s computer.”
“Did he find anything?”
“That’s how we found Karen.”
“You run a background check on this Phil Vega?”
“Alicia’s working on that as we speak. She’s supposed to let me know tonight what she comes up with. It’s just—this is all stuff that should’ve been done already. If one more person dies because Phelps was protecting the congressman…”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing. Sounds like you already found your way forward. You don’t need my advice, except I will say this. Arresting Copeland on the grounds that he had relations with those women isn’t going to fly. Being a philanderer isn’t illegal in this country. Well, it might be some states, but you catch my drift.”
“I do. I’m just eager to get the truth from him about his affairs and any others he’s hiding and I have a feeling he won’t willingly offer it. I’m sure he knows more than he’s letting on. Or maybe Vega does. After I hear back from Alicia, she and I will make a trip to see him. Depending on what we find, I’ll go from there.”
“You got it under control, Kate. Just don’t screw up where a congressman is concerned. I’d be hard-pressed to say your career would survive it. By the way, what’s Quinn’s take?”
“He’s opened my eyes to things I hadn’t considered.”
That’s kind of the point, right?”
“It is. I’m trying to remain cautiously optimistic, as they say, about the position. I hope he’ll make a decision soon.”
“Me too. I could use you at my side again. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a great team, but with you there, we would be unstoppable.”
Kate reached for her cell phone, which rested on the nightstand. With squinted eyes, she tried to focus on the caller ID until she realized it was Alicia. “Hey,” she said in a raspy tone tempered with concern. “You what?” Kate shot up in bed. “Where are you? Okay. I’m on my way.”
Kate jumped to her feet and pulled on her clothes.
“Everything okay?” Nick asked.
“Sorry to wake you. It was Alicia. She’s surveilling Phil Vega. I have to go meet her.”
“Why?”
“Something she found. Listen, can you make sure Karen stays here? Don’t let her leave.”
“Okay, but I have to go to work too.” He checked the time. “In three hours. Shit. It’s two in the morning, Kate.”
“I know. Just, p
lease, just don’t let her leave. I’ll call you later. Go back to sleep.” She leaned over the bed to kiss him.
The streets were quiet as it approached 2:30. Kate’s impending arrival brought with it growing anticipation. The reason behind Vasquez’s decision to stand watch had to be significant.
She spotted her partner’s car ahead and killed the headlights, rolling to a stop. Before stepping out, she called her. “I’m behind you.”
“Good. Hop in.”
Kate exited her car and quietly entered through the passenger door of Vasquez’s. “Okay. I’m here. Tell me what you found.”
“I did some digging and made a few calls. Checked into Vega’s history, like we talked about.”
“And?”
“Before Vega went to work for Copeland, he worked for another politician. The man Copeland initially defeated when he was elected as a councilman. I realize that’s not exactly earth-shattering news. But what is, I think, is the fact that the man he defeated is still in contact with Vega. And just so happens to now be a congressman himself.”
“Recent contact?”
“Like last week.”
“Okay. How do you know this? Did you get his phone records?”
“I got Vega’s, yes. Requested it relative to the current investigation. No big deal, right?”
“Right.”
“But this guy, this former political opponent of Copeland’s is reaching out to Vega again for a reason. And I think that reason is he wants Vega to get dirt on his boss.”
“So Vega tells his old boss about Copeland’s string of infidelities. Gives him the dirt to what? Blackmail him?”
“Given what’s happened, it doesn’t appear blackmail was enough for this man. At this point, I’m leaning toward the notion that he wanted them dead.”
“To frame Copeland.” Kate nodded. “But he’s got solid alibis. I don’t know, Alicia. I mean, any kind of scenario like this is going to ruin Copeland’s career no matter what, so why kill the women? And that doesn’t explain why you’re here, watching Vega’s house.”
“When I got the phone records, I tried to piece this together. And yeah, Copeland’s got alibis, but what if Vega doesn’t? He’s been cooperative, very, from what I gather. Look, I know this is a shot in the dark, but I came here for a couple of reasons. I wanted to know if he was going to go to Karen Hildebrand’s house, first and foremost. Or to another potential victim’s. I can’t fathom a reason behind killing these women, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re gone. Kate, I think Phil Vega is in contact with the killer—maybe even directing him on his former boss’ behalf.”
“That must be why he wanted to know what was on Copeland’s laptop. Looking for more potential victims. Like the email warning Karen.” Kate considered the idea. “This fits with my initial theory. What about Mrs. Copeland? Could she be in danger?”
“I think he’s going after anyone who Copeland himself would want silenced, if he was so inclined. This goes way beyond blackmail. Whoever’s behind this wants to see Copeland get the chair. That’s why I’m here. I need to keep a tail on him. We have to know more about Vega. Something doesn’t smell right and this case is starting to flounder.”
“Then I’ll stay with you.”
“What about Karen?”
“She’s at my place. She’ll be fine there until we figure this out. Have you called Dwight?”
“No. I probably should.”
“He should know what you found. We need more, though. What about getting a warrant to search his house?”
“Possibly. But I don’t think what we have right now is enough to get one. That’s why I want to follow him for a while.”
“This is good work, Alicia. Here I’ve been chasing my tail trying to pin this on Copeland and Phelps, but what you’ve done… You could be right about this and I should’ve seen it sooner.”
“I might not be right, and you know, this hard-on you’ve got for Phelps, I’ll be the first one to tell you that I think it could’ve clouded your judgment. Don’t get me wrong. I have no doubt Copeland and Phelps are working together in some form or another, but the killer is who I’m after. And none of us thought it was the congressman.”
As the sun began to rise, Kate and Vasquez waited in her car, expecting something that hadn’t yet happened. And for the past few hours, Kate replayed what was said over and over in her mind. This whole time, Vasquez had been the one who maintained focus, not Kate. And if it hadn’t been for the unexpected run-in with Mrs. Copeland, Karen Hildebrand could well be dead and Kate would still have believed it was Grant Copeland’s fault. Maybe it would have been, but the killer was still unknown. And regardless of Quinn’s insight, Kate had followed her own path, which was leading nowhere. What right did she have to continue to pursue the position at BAU Headquarters? She was no profiler.
“What do you want to do now?” Kate asked.
“Shit, I don’t know. I’d like to get into his house.”
“Too risky with him inside. Now, Phelps might be able to do something, but I don’t think we’d get away with it.”
“Where’s your sense of excitement, of confronting danger?”
“Somewhere back in Florida, I think.” Kate recalled her brash and unpredictable behavior on the Blackwater investigation that eventually led to her first official kill.
“We can still keep a tail on him today. He’ll have to leave for work soon, I imagine.” Vasquez turned to Kate. “What do you think?”
In that moment, Kate’s cell phone buzzed with an incoming text. She viewed the message. “Shit.”
“What is it?”
“It’s Phelps. Says some reporter ran with the story. It’s front page of the Post.”
“That means it’s going to be everywhere in a matter of hours.”
“Yep. Which means we’re screwed.” She looked to Vasquez. “I guess it’s time to tell Phelps what you discovered and hope he wants to pursue it.”
“He’ll destroy this case. You know that as well as I do.”
“He’s not going to get the chance. In fact, I suspect he’ll be on his best behavior now. Oh, I bet he’ll start cooperating. Might be the best thing that could’ve happened.”
“Then let’s get down there and show him what we have on Vega.”
“What you have on Vega. You did the legwork. Not me.”
19
It was too late. The front lawn was crammed with reporters. The congressman backed away from the window and dropped the bedroom curtains. “It’s happening. Sue, what are we going to do now?”
“You’re going to work, just like any other normal day. If you deviate from your routine, they’ll pounce and we both know that.”
“I suppose you’re right. You’re always right.” He drew nearer to her while she sat on the bed. “I’m so sorry to put you through this. I can’t imagine what you must think of me. What the press has reported.”
“You think I believe anything they say? I’ve been around this town long enough to know better than that. This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with a murderer who killed your friends and colleagues.”
“Do you think someone could be after me?”
“After your seat, yes. Working to destroy your political career, absolutely. And I won’t stand idly by while that happens.” She handed him his tie. “Put this on and go to work.”
“What will you do?”
“Same as I always do.”
Grant tied his tie and smoothed back his hair. “Wish me luck while I venture out into the wolf pack.”
“Hold your head high, my love. You’ve done nothing wrong.” Sue kissed his cheek and walked him to the front door.
He pulled it open and the horde converged on his doorstep, snapping photos, screaming questions at him. He turned to Sue a final time. “I’ll call you later, honey.” The first step was the hardest, but Grant advanced toward his car, bobbing and weaving through the crowd.
“No comment,” he replied to o
ne reporter before stepping in his vehicle.
Once the engine revved, they began to step away and allowed him to leave his driveway. And then like wolves, they focused their efforts on Sue until she finally closed the door.
As he pulled onto the road, Grant called the only other person he trusted besides his wife. “It’s me.”
“How bad is it?” Vega replied.
“About a dozen or so at my doorstep.”
“Jesus. You’re coming in now?”
“Yes. Are you there yet?”
“No. I’m just about to leave, though. I’ll call to see how bad it is at the office. We might want to bring you in through the rear entrance today.”
“I don’t want to do that. I need to push through them so they know I’ve got nothing to hide.”
“But you do, don’t you? It’s going to come out, Grant. There’s nothing we can do to stop it now. The insinuations are already rampant. I’m afraid it’s over.”
“I refuse to believe that. I didn’t kill those women.”
“Doesn’t matter. What matters is the relationships you had with them.”
“Hey, look, I never screwed Meredith Bowen.”
“No, you harassed her. And that’s much worse.” His sigh came through loud and clear. “You’ll have to resign and the sooner the better. Should I prepare a statement?”
Sue’s words reverberated in his mind. “Hell no. I’m not giving in to them. We need to make it clear these deaths had nothing to do with me or my history with them. I can’t believe what you’re telling me right now. I thought you of all people would stick this out with me.”
“Let me work on a statement. We have to say something. I’ll see you in a little while and we’ll talk more. Goodbye.”
Phil peered through his kitchen window and spotted the cars across the street that had been there all night. They were already watching him, but he didn’t know what they knew or if they knew anything and were just there to scare him. The problem now was that they would follow him. But perhaps the way around that was to go into the office as usual, then get a ride out. Copeland’s office was going to be slammed with reporters and he stood a halfway decent chance of getting out of there unnoticed so long as he wasn’t in his own car.