Chapter 44
FORTY-FOUR
Corey Shea confirmed the site and A. Killer’s profile remained active. He expected she’d stick around until she completed the job and was compensated, as it was the only means they had of communicating.
“And how much does a life go for these days?” Amanda asked, though not sure she wanted to know.
Corey looked away. “Thirty K.”
“Thirty…” Trent snapped his mouth shut.
“Since I told you about her and the site, I get a deal, right?”
He’d failed to understand her earlier despite saying he had, and she couldn’t care less how much he was given right now for his role. “Who paid you to do this?”
“No. I’m not saying any more until a lawyer is involved and a deal is on the table.”
Amanda gave him a tight smile. “That’s not how this works. You give us information and if it pans out, then we talk about a deal.”
Corey crossed his arms, and Amanda stepped into the hall.
She called Malone to inform him of their conversation with Finch, serving the warrant on Molly in accounting, and their relative success with the IT employee. “He’s refusing to tell us who paid him to do this until there’s a lawyer involved and a deal on the table,” she summarized.
“That’s not how this works.”
“That’s what I told him. But we have something in mind that might help us catch the Anaconda Killer.” She laid out their plan.
“Simple, but do you think it will work?”
“There’s no reason it shouldn’t. She’s not getting paid until she finishes the job. We’re going to set it up for tonight at eleven. We’ll have officers on scene for immediate backup should things turn sideways.”
“And you think that setting this up at Sharp’s house is the best plan?”
“I do. It’s believable. The killer must know that Sharp is a strong-willed career lawyer. It’s conceivable she’d return home.”
“All right, let’s do it, but is there any way I can talk you out of being involved, Amanda? This is a contract killer.”
“She’s nothing more than a serial killer who gets paid, and I’ve taken on serial killers before. Besides, she’s just flesh and blood and I’m going to help her remember that.”
“Remember you are too.”
“I never forget.” Not the entire truth. There were times she made risky choices.
“And what are we doing about Howard Gabay? Are you wanting to wait around for the account requisition forms before you question him?”
“No. We’ll be having Howard Gabay brought back before then. It might take accounting a while to get the paperwork together.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Amanda next called Special Agent Hester in the FBI’s Science and Technology Branch using the number that Nadia had given her.
“No wonder our system didn’t flag her as active,” Hester said. “The new name differs just enough that she’d remain invisible. I’m going to dig into this site and see what information I can get from it. Not that I’m holding my breath. The whole appeal of the dark web for its users is the anonymity.”
“Well, do what you can, but whatever you do, don’t shut down the site. It’s our strongest link to her.” Amanda shared their plan to trap the Anaconda Killer.
“That’s as good a strategy as any, and let’s hope it works. Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Amanda ended the call with the FBI agent and returned to Corey’s office.
Corey and Trent turned toward her when she entered the doorway.
“He’s ready if everything’s been cleared,” Trent said to her.
“It has been. Arrange it.”
Corey swiveled toward his keyboard. “Just tell me everything I need to know.”
Amanda did, and she and Trent leaned over Corey’s shoulder while he punched everything into the site. Seconds after he sent the message, A. Killer responded.
Consider it done. Have payment ready.
Amanda glanced at Trent. As they were relying on, her intention was to complete the job and collect her money. Yet as frustrating as it was to be a screen away, the consolation was that soon nothing would stand between her and this killer.