Chapter 29
F rank, who are these incompetents? Mitch Haskell shook the tail you had on him, now Bowie has given his the slip. Where did you scrape up these imbeciles?”
The only reason Barker didn’t bellow the questions was because it seemed that everyone who worked in the CAP unit was currently trying to look busy mere feet beyond his office door. “Where did Bowie shake him?”
“He told me that Bowie and the Collins woman were in a municipal park, in a car—not his truck—making out.”
“Making out?”
“Like teenagers, he said. Anyhow, all of a sudden the car started up and shot outta there before my man could get his Big Gulp back into the cup holder.”
“So they just sped away?”
“Basically. He went after them, but never spotted them again. He’d gotten the license plate, though. I ran it. The car is registered to a Charlie Lamont. So either Bowie stole that car, or borrowed it, or… you know.”
“Actually, Frank, no I don’t know. There’s precious little I know because a troop of Cub Scouts could track better than your so-called tough guys.”
“Okay, so Bowie gave him the slip. He has to go back to his house sometime. I’ve got a man still posted out there.”
“Is he any sharper than these other two? Please, God.”
“One of my best. I put him there because when Bowie does show up, and an altercation ensues, this guy takes no prisoners. That goes for women, too. He’s merciless. Okay? You can relax on that score.”
Tom heard the familiar wet, smacking noise in his ear and thought of the ogre’s disgusting maw.
“But here’s the juicy part,” the ogre was saying. “Well, it’s the juicy part except for them making out in the car like teenagers. Guess where my man picked them up?”
“I don’t want to guess.”
“The doc-in-a-box where Carla Mellin works.”
Tom dropped the Bic pen he’d been fiddling with. “How did that come about?”
“Because I’m smart, that’s how. I sent him there to engage the charming Ms. Mellin in conversation, tell her he looked forward to seeing her on the TV show about her daughter, or some such bullshit, then to advise her that that should put an end to it once and for all, that she ought to put it behind her and not talk about the investigation, or Billy Oliver, or anything regarding it anymore. By the way, Isabel Sanchez took my advice to heart. They’ve cleared out.”
That was good news, but Sanchez was more biddable than the Mellin woman, who took bitchery to a new level. “How did the charming Ms. Mellin react?”
“He never got a chance to talk to her. He went into the clinic complaining of a phony intestinal issue. Another woman checked him in as a patient, but Mellin was working the desk, too. He was seated in the lobby, waiting for an opportunity to approach her when in walked Bowie with Beth Collins. He couldn’t believe it.”
“Bowie didn’t recognize him?”
“Naw. He’s not employed by the PD. He’s one of the time-and-a-half ‘overtime hours’ you pay me for.”
“So what happened?”
“He told me that Mellin looked none too happy to see them, but the three of them spent ten minutes—he timed it—in the back. Then Bowie and the woman left. He beat it outside and managed to follow them. They picked up fast food and drove to the park.”
“Did they meet anyone there?”
“No. That’s it. You know the rest.”
Tom settled back in his chair and swiveled it in a tight arc. “Why would Bowie go see Carla Mellin?”
“Gee, I can’t think,” the ogre said. “Could it be because the one thing the two of them have in common is the disappearance of her daughter and all that came after? Just a wild guess.”
“Don’t talk to me like that, Frank.”
“It was a joke.”
“Not funny.”
“Okay. Sorry.”
Tom seriously doubted that, but he let it go. He picked up the pen again and thumbed the clip, making it click. “The car Bowie was driving. What was the home address on the registration?”
“His pre-divorce house. Clever son of a bitch.”
It galled Tom every time the ogre said something even partially complimentary of Bowie. “You’ve been to his place,” he said. “You said it was far out.”
“The other side of nowhere. The boondocks.”
“Has he had time to get back there?”
“Not quite. Anyhow, he isn’t there. I checked in with my man on-site right before calling you.”
“Where are you now?”
“Where I told you I would be. Still parked down the block from the high school. Been here all day. I’m developing piles.”
“No sign of Bowie’s daughter?”
Some smacking, a labored sigh. “Boss, you trust me, right? So I’ve got to be honest with you. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“How’s that?”
“Has it escaped your notice that Bowie seems to beat us at every turn? It’s like… like for the last three years he’s been preparing for the day when all this between the two of you would come to a boil.”
It seemed like that to Tom also, but he would cut out his own tongue before admitting it. He said, “You’re sounding scared of him again, Frank.”
“I don’t want to step on a booby trap, is all.”
“What time does her school let out?”
“Boss—”
“Goddamn it! Stop whining and tell me what time her school gets out!”
“I swear I don’t know.”
“When it does, be there.”
“Sure. And do what?”
“Do I really have to spell it out, Frank?”
The ogre remained silent.
“ Frank! Do I really need to spell it out?”
“No.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting to hear from you when it’s done.” He disconnected.
The ogre held his phone in his meaty palm and closed his fingers around it, thinking what a good idea it had been to start recording, days ago, all his conversations with Lieutenant Tom Barker.
Once John was convinced that they’d left behind the man with the hail-damaged car and weren’t being followed by anyone else, he told Beth that she could relax. Since they’d raced out of the park, she’d been keeping an eye on the passenger-side mirror and frequently turning her head to look out the back window.
“We’re okay now,” he said.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Then why do you still have your pistol?” She looked down to where he held it in his right hand resting on this thigh.
“Because I could be wrong.”
“That’s becoming a familiar and unsettling refrain,” she said, but she settled more comfortably in her seat. “How did you know he was there? When did you spot him?”
“He was in the waiting room of the emergency care clinic.”
She looked across at him, her jaw slack. “You didn’t let on at all.”
“Tried not to.”
“Why didn’t he arrest you on sight?”
“Because he’s not a cop, and he doesn’t know that I know him. He’s one of the ogre’s retainers. I’ve tried to identify as many of them as I can. This guy mostly does surveillance.”
“Has he ever killed anyone?”
“I doubt it. The ogre wouldn’t use him for that. He knows he’s not that bright. Actually, if an assassin were assigned to me, I’d prefer a smarter, more competent and efficient one. It would be over before I knew it.”
She hugged her elbows. “Don’t talk like that.” Then, almost to herself, she added, “I can’t believe I’m actually having a conversation about the efficiency levels of hit men.”
“Beth.” He waited until she turned and looked at him. “I told you that first night when we got to the fishing camp that you were out of your element, that you weren’t used to a man like me.”
They looked at each other somberly. He wanted to reach across the console and press her arm or squeeze her knee, but the .45 in his hand was in direct contradiction to any reassurances he could offer.
Returning his eyes to the road, he said, “He wasn’t at the clinic for us. When we came in, he gave away his astonishment. It’s a guess, but I think he was probably sent there to intimidate Carla the way the ogre did Isabel Sanchez. To warn her of repercussions if she talked to us.
“She’s always been outspoken and critical about how badly Billy was treated, how Barker botched the investigation. You can bet he’s already heard that we had a private conversation with her. That’s gonna make him even more nervous.”
“And perhaps desperate?”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. The pistol was answer enough.
They reached the camp without further incident and returned the car, which John realized was now compromised, to the garage. Mutt was thrilled to see them, of course. John stayed outside with him for several minutes of play.
When he came back indoors, Beth was talking into a phone. “Richard, you know how crucial it is that Brady be made to understand. Please see what you can do. Goodbye.” Looking upset, she disconnected, then tossed the phone onto the table.
John said, “He’s not persuaded?”
“He’s not even answering. He’s ghosted me. I was leaving a voice mail.”
“Lily-livered SOB.”
“Yes, but I get it, John. Jobs in our industry are coveted. He’s afraid of losing his in the shake-up that’s bound to happen.”
He checked his watch. “School’s out, and Molly hasn’t called.” He had pestered her until she’d grudgingly promised, but after being followed today, he would continue to pester her.
He tapped in her number, and she answered immediately. He said, “You were supposed to call me.”
“It’s been three whole minutes since the bell, Dad. I was about to.”
“Where are you?”
“Outside waiting on the bus.”
“Lots of other people around?”
“Yes. I’m surrounded. But…”
“What?”
“Don’t freak out.”
“Because you said that, I’m already freaked out. What?”
“When I got off the bus this morning, I looked around like you told me to and noticed a car parked down the street. It’s still there.”
Seven hours later . He ran his hand over his head but tried to keep his voice calm. Tried to keep himself calm. “Can you tell if anyone’s inside?”
“No, the windshield is reflecting. It’s probably nothing.”
“Probably, but I want you to go back into the building, call an Uber using that credit card I gave you, and—”
“Daaaad.”
“Listen to me,” he said sternly. “This isn’t open to negotiation. I’d come and get you myself, but I’m an hour’s drive away, and I don’t want you staying there that long.
“Have the Uber pick you up at a door on the opposite side of the building, out of sight of the car, and don’t go outside until Uber gets there. Have the driver take you straight home, and keep looking out the back window, see if that car is tailing you. Okay?”
“Can I come to you instead?”
“Molly—”
“Please, Dad.”
“Sweetheart, I’ve told you how rocky things are now. That’s why I have you taking all these precautions. I want to keep you safe.”
“I won’t be safe at home. Mom and I might fight each other to the death .” Her voice cracked and she added brokenly, “Hold on just a minute.”
John looked over at Beth, who was wearing a frown of worry. “Something’s going on with her,” he said.
“Is there anything we can do?”
“I don’t know yet.” He held up a finger when Molly said, “All right, I came back inside the school. I was about to lose it in front of everybody.”
“What’s going on? What’s the to-the-death fight with Roslyn about? Because you didn’t sit at the dinner table last night?”
With misery in her tone, she said, “I didn’t want to tell you this morning.”
“Tell me what?”
“They’re getting married .” On the last word, she began to cry. “She’s marrying that stupid loser. They were going to break it to me last night. That’s why she went mental when I didn’t eat with them. Tonight we’re going out to dinner so I can get to know my new stepdad better.
“I’d rather die . I don’t want to know him better. I don’t want to know him at all. Mom said that tonight’s celebration dinner is a command appearance, and that I had better be pleasant, if I knew what was good for me.”
She sobbed. “Dad, please, please, please let me come to you. I’ll do anything. I promise. Just don’t make me go back home. I can’t stand it. I really can’t.”
There was a lot of adolescent drama behind that plea. Nevertheless, it wrenched his heart and made him gut-sick that his daughter was so unhappy. It also made him furious at Roslyn for being a dictator rather than using a more diplomatic approach to announce her upcoming nuptials.
He tamped down his anger at his ex and spoke softly and earnestly to his daughter. “Molly, ordinarily I would say yes and to hell with what Roslyn thought about your staying with me for a while. But my situation could turn dangerous. I don’t know that it will come to that, but there’s a chance it will, and I won’t put you at risk.
“Give me a few days to smooth things over, and then I’ll have a face-to-face with your mother and see if we can work out an arrangement that allows you to spend a couple of days a week with me. She may be more agreeable to it now that she’s getting married. It would give her more privacy with her groom.”
“Oh, gawd, don’t make me hurl.”
“Can you hold out for a few days while I try and clear up some matters?”
“Do these matters have to do with the program about the Mellin case and Beth Collins?”
He considered lying, then said, “Yes.”
He looked over at Beth, who was losing her valiant battle with the network. For all he knew, in a few days’ time, matters would be much worse than they were now, but he had to give his daughter some explanation for why he couldn’t shelter her right now.
“Remember I told you that Beth’s job is to make sure that everything is accurate and factual?”
“Some of that program isn’t?”
“Since coming down here, she’s discovered that a lot of it isn’t. Until she green-lights the episode, the network should postpone it. Instead, it’s been bumped up a week. She’s been unable to persuade the powers-that-be to hold off. All to say that by poking into the Mellin case again, Beth and I have ruffled feathers. Angry people are coming at us from all sides.”
“You’re worried about me, but what about you? Are you safe?”
“I’m staying at the cabin, and I can take care of myself.”
“What about Beth?”
“She… she’s made of stern stuff, but, yeah, I’m worried about her safety, too. So you can understand why you’re better off with your mom until this blows over. All right?”
After a long silence, she mumbled, “All right.”
“The best you can do for me is to go home. Go to dinner with them and be pleasant. That’ll get Roslyn off your back.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“Life’s not easy, sweetheart. Nothing about it is easy. Now, got the credit card?”
“Yes.”
“Summon the car. Be sure and take a picture of the driver’s ID and text it to me.”
“Daaad.”
“Just do it. And don’t forget to keep checking behind you. Also, text me as soon as you get home and are inside the house. Keep watchful. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Molly, the only reason I’m turning you down about coming to me is because I love you so much.”
“I know, Dad. I know. I love you, too.”