Chapter 55 Big Balls #2
His voice sails from the device in the center of the table. “I saw your text about the DNA hit. That, along with what we learned from Ginny’s supervisor at the casino boat, should tie a nice bow on her charges.”
“Tell us what you found out there,” Chase orders, always one to cut the bullshit.
I sink into my chair, remaining silent. Chase arches her brow at me, silently asking if I’m good to stay. I nod at her, then focus on my breathing and the recap Andrews is providing.
“Ginny’s supervisor shared her payroll records with us.
The shifts she missed work align with the home invasion dates.
Every last one of them. And a few others in the weeks prior that might point to other events or crimes we weren’t aware of, such as whatever they did to force Sophie into the scam. ”
I tap my fingertips on the table, ideas percolating.
“Warren, can you send me those earlier dates? Maybe Ginny was present at Kenzie’s first abduction.
That might explain how they know each other.
Maybe Ginny was the one caring for her when she was abducted, and Kenzie befriended her to save her own ass. ”
“If Kenzie was taken the first time,” Romero utters, shooting an apologetic look my way.
“I know, man.” I exhale forcibly. “Look. My sister is a bitter pill to swallow. But I don’t see her being part of this shit. At least not the entire time. She’s never been in trouble aside from trivial shit. I seriously doubt she’s capable of something this heinous.”
Then again, a week ago, I wouldn’t have thought she was capable of the evil required to open that chasm between Lila and me.
“Sending her time sheet to the group chat now,” Andrews announces.
“Got it,” Chase responds, leaning toward the speaker phone. “You three have been in Cocoa for half a day. You better have more than that.”
“Buckle up. We’ve been busy,” my mentor responds, pausing to clear his throat.
“We just pulled the plug on the upcoming sailings of the sunset gambling cruises. They’re pissed, but that’s what happens when your ship becomes the scene of a double homicide.
An ERT squad arrived about thirty minutes ago, and they’re processing the scene. ”
Carson beats Chase to the follow-up. “That sounds like more than a hunch. Talk to us about your proof.”
“Our newly deceased dealers, Emma and Sophie, both worked on last night’s evening cruise. Ginny Lawrence did too.”
“Someone’s been a busy gal,” Carson mutters.
Andrews continues. “Security pulled footage for us. The actual murders weren’t recorded, unfortunately. However, we saw enough to put together a plausible theory. I’d expect ERT will get us the forensics to prove it.”
“Hit me with it,” Chase orders, kicking back in her chair and twirling a pen between her fingers.
“Sophie was followed into an employee-only corridor by Ginny Lawrence and an unidentified male. Ginny swiped her badge to grant him access, then bolted to return to her post at the cashier’s cage.
About five minutes later, Emma entered. Neither woman was spotted on camera leaving that room, nor were they seen anywhere else in the casino from that point on.
The male exited through the corridor a few minutes later.
We believe he slit their throats and tossed them overboard from a small deck attached to the rear of the break room.
There isn’t any other way they could have left that part of the ship. ”
“Any evidence on the back deck?” Romero asks.
“Blood on the railing, which I’m confident will match the victims. Hopefully some of his if we’re really lucky. When the perp emerged from that corridor, he was no longer wearing the black sweatshirt over his T-shirt. It was probably bloody, so he chucked it into the water.”
“Send me the footage of the unsub for facial rec,” Agent Carson jumps in, chomping at the bit.
“You won’t get a hit. I already tried,” Hemsley responds, interjecting from Andrews’ phone line, which must be on speaker mode.
We all brace for the inevitable blowback from their ongoing rivalry, but Bianca’s suddenly distracted by something on her screen. Her forehead creases deepen, and she lowers her face to her screen, her eyes swiping side to side like she’s speed reading.
Without anything snarky from Carson, Hemsley continues his explanation.
“Between his dark sunglasses and a low-set hat, the perp kept himself well concealed. I also suspect Ginny helped him find the cameras so he could avoid them. With luck, we’ll eventually find a good shot buried in there somewhere.
It’ll take a while to comb through it all, though.
Let’s assume we won’t get an ID fast enough and find him another way. ”
Chase stands, arching her back to stretch. “Well, Ginny Lawrence knows who he is. Another reason we need to find her ASAP.”
“Hang on. Nobody in the casino found it odd that the unsub was wearing dark sunglasses at night? Indoors?” Fowler asks, then immediately answers himself. “Let me guess. He was hanging out at the poker tables.”
Andrews makes a ding sound, then says, “Bingo.”
Romero bulges his eyes at the speaker facetiously. “Well, was it poker or bingo?”
“Poker, ya smart ass,” Andrews retorts.
The SSA fights a rare smile, then immediately stiffens when Agent Carson catches her gaze. “What is it?”
“I just got an interesting email from someone named Tomer Stillman.”
“Who the hell is that?” I ask.
The speaker crackles as Andrews comes off mute to answer. “That’s my buddy Big Al’s son-in-law. Tomer’s the brains of Redleg Security. Former military intelligence.”
As if summoned by the mention of her employer, Kri knocks on the glass wall dividing our workspace from the other parts of the Violent Crimes unit.
Despite the frosted glass obscuring our view, it’s clearly her.
The powerful banging on the glass alone would have tipped me off.
Lila trails a step behind her. Together, they make a beeline for the door.
I launch to my feet and cross the room.
As soon as I open the door, Kri proudly announces, “We found the car. And possibly your sister.”