Chapter Eighteen
By the time Jude was finally allowed into the gated, luxury condo building in San Diego’s Marina District, his patience was wearing thin.
Around-the-clock security and a full-time front desk staff and concierge made it nearly impossible to retain the element of surprise, but they were eventually allowed to take the private elevator up to the penthouse suite to speak to the homeowner.
“What do you think the price tag was on this penthouse?” Cameron asked as the glass elevator slowly ascended to the top floor.
“A hell of a lot more than two million that’s for sure.”
“She’s been listed as the resident for the past ten years,” Ross added as they quickly recapped their intel.
The woman in question was Layla McGovern.
CEO of a prominent tech start-up. She was forty-five years old and married for the past eleven years to a stock market guru with his own line of get-rich-quick books.
Layla McGovern had deposited 2.5 million dollars into the same account that funded contract killing of Leonard Henson.
When they reached the penthouse, an older man wearing a sweater vest over black dress pants greeted them.
In his hands was a cup of tea, but otherwise he looked ready to set out for a day of work.
“Can I help you gentlemen?”
“We’d like to speak with Layla McGovern.”
“I’m her husband,” the man said with a frown.
“We’re from the Department of Homeland Security, and we have some questions regarding a recent transaction from her bank account.”
“Yes.” The man’s silver eyebrows furrowed. “The concierge told me where you were from. I think there must be some mistake.”
“If it is, we’ll get this taken care of quickly.” Ross smiled, visibly putting the man at ease. He stepped back letting them inside the parlor.
“Layla,” he called. “The gentlemen from the Department of Homeland Security are here to speak with you. If you’ll excuse me,” he said leveling his gaze at the men, “I’ll just call our lawyer.”
“Of course,” Jude said with a nod.
The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor was audible, moments before a blonde woman in a power suit entered the sitting area.
“Gentlemen, what’s this about?” The woman made a show of tossing her hair to clip on an earring. “I was just about to head out the door for work. Is this something that can wait?”
“I’m afraid it’s not.” Jude studied her expression.
Layla McGovern jerked her head back in surprise, like she wasn’t used to being told no.
“Well,” she breathed in a haughty tone. “All right then. I’ll let my assistant know to cancel some of my earlier appointments. I’m very busy and this is a disruption to my day.”
“We understand, Mrs. McGovern, but our business is pressing.”
She nodded, released a dramatic sigh, and shot off a quick text. “I can give you about thirty minutes.”
He could feel the mental eye rolls from his agents and dove right into questioning.
“Do you know a man by the name of Felix Caster?” He didn’t care so much about what she said, but how she said it.
Layla leaned back on the vintage love seat she’d occupied and draped her arms, braced along the back of the seat, like she didn’t have a care in the world. “No. That name’s not familiar to me.”
“Last night, half a million dollars was deposited into Felix Caster’s bank account. Half of the payment he received for the contracted killing of a man brought in for questioning.”
“Ridiculous. What does this have to do with me?”
“Caster also shot one of our agents who is now in critical condition,” Jude said leaning forward.
Her eyes darted to the side, and she licked her lips. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m afraid you’re wasting your time talking to me, when you could be out solving a crime.”
“Could you tell us why you also deposited 2.5 million dollars into the same account that paid Felix Caster?” He held her gaze, waiting for her answer.
More uncertainty flashed through her eyes, but it was quickly snuffed out, and she retained the bored appearance of a woman whose time and money were being compromised.
“Gentlemen, when you run a multi-billion-dollar empire, I’m afraid 2.5 million dollars is merely pocket change. My company funds thousands of projects, organizations, and other start-ups throughout the country. I could hardly keep track of where such a small amount would end up.”
“Do you have any children?” Ross asked.
“No.” She waved them off. “I hardly have time for myself, let alone children.”
“With all the money your company brings in, you’d certainly be able to hire a nanny or two,” Cameron added.
“Could and would are two different things, gentlemen. I hope you find what you’re looking for, but right now I need to get into the office. I’ll walk you out.” She stood and held out an arm, gesturing for them to walk toward the exit.
The men stood up and followed Mrs. McGovern down the hall. As they walked, Jude noticed Cameron glancing into a room off the foyer. He paused and leaned casually against the doorframe. “If you don’t have kids,” Cameron asked. “Why buy the expensive rocker?”
The woman turned slowly, a flash of panic briefly overtaking her face. “A friend’s baby shower.”
“Don’t most people wrap the box and let the parents-to-be deal with the setup?” Ross interjected.
“I’m not most people, and I would hardly give a gift that someone would have to assemble themselves. That’s in poor taste.”
At the same time, the woman’s husband came back into the room looking distraught. “Our lawyer is on their way, Layla. You don’t have to answer any more questions.”
“I don’t and I won’t, because I’m going to be late for a board meeting. Why don’t you gentlemen see yourselves out.”
Jude, Ross, and Cameron exchanged a look and quickly left the building.
Their ability to communicate without words had come from years of working together in the field.
The men exited the gated urban community and parked just outside the gates.
It didn’t take long for Layla to come tearing out of the same gates in a sleek Maserati.
“Follow her,” Jude said, and Ross started the engine, easing out into traffic. They were only on the road for ten minutes when it became apparent, she wasn’t headed to her office building.
“Get Agent Levine on the phone,” Jude told Cameron. “If she’s going where I think she is, we’re going to need agents in position.”
Cameron nodded and lifted his phone to his ear.
They sped through the city streets, putting just enough distance between themselves and the woman in the Maserati.
The last thing they wanted to do was raise her suspicions.
As they drove, the high-rises tapered off, and soon they began to see residential homes, each one spaced farther than the last.
“Where the fuck is this woman going?” Ross said, slowing considerably on a long stretch of road.
“Cameron calling out that rocker has made her act rashly,” Jude answered. “We can only hope she’s leading us right to those kids.”
They continued to drive until the only sights were tall oaks and open wilderness.
“I can’t imagine that someone would live all the way out here.
The only place I know of is the old cabin retreat,” Ross said scanning the road.
The moment the words came out of Ross’s lips, he knew that’s where Layla was headed.
“I’m getting local law enforcement on this.
I bet that’s exactly where they’re headed.
Blue Coast Cabins, at least that’s what it was called before it closed.
” After the COVID-19 pandemic, the place had shut down, but before it was abandoned the retreat had been a popular location for nature enthusiasts.
Jude dialed the local police chief and requested backup to the location.
“Agent Levine is sending reinforcements,” Cameron said from the back seat. “He told us to wait on his team before going in.”
“Let’s see how things look when we arrive.” Jude had no intention of waiting on anyone if children’s lives were at stake.
“I know better than to make promises I can’t keep,” Cameron said with a wry grin.
“And that’s exactly why you’re on my team,” Jude said glancing at the agent in the back seat.
Ross stopped their vehicle several times, allowing the Maserati to get ahead while maintaining the cover they needed to go undetected. They’d seen the car go down a rocky drive beneath a large log sign welcoming guests to the Blue Coast Cabins.
“Stop here,” Jude said. “We’ll leave the vehicle and circle around by foot.”
The men got out of the car and crept stealthily through the forest. The first cabins came into view, circling a large, clear water lake. There was ample space between each unit, and the retreat hadn’t been closed long enough to be in disrepair. In fact, it looked far better than he’d imagined.
“Stop,” Jude said. “Listen.” He heard the sound again. The sound of a baby crying amid the song of sparrows and finches. It was then Jude noticed that lights were on in some of the cabins.
“Boss. Look to your left,” Ross whispered, pointing through the trees to a few toys scattered around the property.
The sound of arguing joined the baby’s cries.
“The money is already in your account. I want my baby!” The shrill scream resonated through the woods and the three men moved closer until they were just on the edge of the clearing.
From this vantage point, they could see Layla standing with her foot wedged in the door of the first cabin.
“Now, miss, I’m not in charge. Just watching things here.” The male voice drifted through the crack in the door. One the man was clearly trying to close on the woman.