Chapter Twelve
CHAPTER TWELVE
“ W hat problem do we have?”
“Our medical examiner, Dr. Lindsey McNamara, sent a photo of the body to Juan’s mother, who confirmed it’s not of her son. Dr. McNamara has given us thirty minutes to tell Mrs. Rodriguez that her son is alive, or she’ll do it.”
“Son of a bitch.”
“Will you have Juan call her?”
After a long pause, she said, “We’ll take care of it.”
The line went dead.
“Goodbye to you, too.”
She texted Lindsey. NCIS is handling the notification of Mrs. Rodriguez.
Sam got up, went to the door and called her team back into the room.
“Is it true, Sam?” Gonzo asked when the team was seated around the table with the door closed. “Is Juan alive?”
She simply couldn’t perpetuate this fraud for another second. “Yes.”
“ Whoa ,” Freddie said on a long exhale. “What the hell?”
Sam explained what NCIS had asked of her before they’d revealed that Juan was alive. “When I returned to HQ, I went right to the chief, and we agreed to play it as if it was an actual investigation per their request. I’m sorry I lied to you. I never would’ve done that under ordinary circumstances. I hope you know that.”
“Lindsey is pissed,” Cameron said.
“With good reason. I provided the ID for the body in the morgue and confirmed it was Juan. His mother requested a photo, and that’s how she found out the young man in the morgue isn’t him.”
“This is seriously fucked up,” Gonzo said.
“Yes, it is. And I’m very sorry for the role I played in it. I was put in a difficult position.”
“Why did they tell you the truth?” Freddie asked.
“Juan insisted I be told, but the chief also suspected they wanted Nick to know what was going on but couldn’t involve him directly without causing him other problems. Or something like that.”
“So they expected you to tell him?” Neveah asked.
“I think so.”
“Did you?” Gonzo asked.
“I’m not going to answer that on the grounds that it could involve you all in situations you want nothing to do with. You can make your own assumptions about what I did or didn’t do.” After a pause, she added, “I want you to know that the trust we share is one of the most important things in my life, and it pained me deeply to violate that trust, even for national security reasons.”
None of them looked at her, which only added to her considerable anxiety. “I’m sorry, guys.”
They still didn’t look at her.
“We need to move on to the Myerson case. Who wants to give me an update on where we are?”
Freddie stood slowly and moved to the murder board. “Elaine Myerson, age forty-six, found in the bathroom adjoining the main bedroom of her home on Webster Street Northwest in the Crestwood neighborhood. She’s the chief communications officer for a company that lobbies Congress on behalf of the oil industry. Her husband, Frank Myerson, is a well-regarded and very successful real estate broker.”
That explained the fancy house, Sam thought, assuming Elaine’s job would pay a more regular salary than his.
“Carlucci and Dominguez canvassed the neighbors, who reported seeing nothing out of the ordinary yesterday. The husband’s alibi checked out. He was at a staff retreat in Bethesda, and his assistant confirmed he was with her from eight in the morning until they parted company after dinner at seven thirty.”
“What do we know about the daughters?” Sam asked.
“Zoe is seventeen, and Jada is fifteen,” Freddie said.
“Where were they yesterday?”
“Zoe was reportedly with her boyfriend all day, and Jada was on a day trip to Harpers Ferry and Antietam with a friend’s family.”
“I’d like to talk to them today. Do we have the address where they’re staying? Frank said something about a sister in Bethesda?”
“Yes,” Gonzo said. “We have the address.”
“Freddie and I will head out there to interview the daughters while the rest of you work on financials and social media. Gonzo and Matt, if you could go to Elaine’s office to interview her colleagues, that would help.”
“Will do,” Gonzo said. “Let’s go, Matt.”
Her sergeant and close friend got up and left the room without once making eye contact with her. Was she reading too much into that? She didn’t think so. To Freddie, she said, “Let’s get going to Bethesda.”
He, too, got up and left the room without so much as a glance in her direction.
Awesome.
“Cameron, would you please write up any notes we have on what was done on the Rodriguez investigation so I can forward it to NCIS?”
“Will do.”
“Thank you.”
Sam went to her office to grab her jacket and portable radio. Then she followed Freddie to the morgue entrance.
Lindsey came out of the morgue when she saw them there. “I’d like information about what to do with the body that was passed off as Juan’s.”
“I’ll send you the point of contact for NCIS.”
“Thank you.” When she turned and went back through the automatic glass doors that led to her domain, Sam wanted to chase after her, to do whatever it took to make this right. But she couldn’t do that now.
When she and Freddie were settled in the back of the SUV, she asked Vernon to raise the privacy screen.
She glanced at Freddie. “Say what’s on your mind.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Please tell me you know I’d never be involved in something like this voluntarily.”
“I do know that, but I wish you’d trusted us with the truth.”
“They were very adamant that no one know. I only told the chief so he could tell me how he wanted it handled. It was his decision to go along with their request. I was put in an impossible situation.”
“Yes, I realize that.”
“You’re pissed. Everyone is pissed.”
“I think we’re more shocked than pissed.”
“How do you think I felt when I walked into that room and saw Juan alive and well right after swearing to keep anything I learned there a secret for national security purposes?”
“I don’t know. The whole thing is bonkers.”
“Yes, it is, and I handled it the best way I could under the circumstances.”
“By giving Lindsey a false ID? ”
“Yes! That had to happen to make the rest of it work.”
“The rest of what?”
“The details behind the plot to overthrow Nick’s administration and get rid of the guy who blew the whistle on them.”
“It’s weird that they revealed Juan to you right after the body was found.”
“I agree, but they had to get me onboard quickly before I got a good look at the body and realized it wasn’t him. The chief thinks they wanted me to tell Nick.”
“Tell me the truth. Did you tell him?”
“I can’t tell you that. It would expose you if this comes out later.”
“ If it comes out? It’ll come out like a scandal the likes of which you’ve never seen before.”
“The scandal should be focused on the high-ranking military officials who tried to overthrow the president. Neither of us has done anything other than the jobs we were asked to do on behalf of the country—and the District of Columbia. That’s a hill I’ll die on.”
Her phone rang with a call from Darren Tabor, a reporter at the Washington Star . Normally, she dodged his calls. Right now, she was thankful for something to take her attention off the disapproval she felt coming from her partner and best friend.
“Hey, Darren.”
“Sam… People are saying that Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez isn’t dead. What do you know about that?”
“We’re referring all inquiries in that investigation to NCIS.”
“Why? Don’t you have jurisdiction? The body was found in DC.”
“I’m following orders, Darren, and this situation is way above my pay grade.”
“Do you know whether Juan Rodriguez is alive?”
“No comment.”
“Come on, Sam. Give me something, will ya? ”
“Gotta run.” She closed the phone as a new level of apprehension overcame her after hearing that Darren had caught wind that Juan was alive and what Freddie said about the potential for a massive scandal. From her pocket, she withdrew the BlackBerry and texted Nick. Call me when you can.
When he called ten minutes later, she said, “I just got the oddest call from Darren Tabor from the Star . He said he heard Juan might be alive.” It was the best way she could think of to tell him that Darren was sniffing around without disclosing to Freddie or anyone who might gain access to their phone records that he already knew. God, what a messed-up situation this was.
“What? Did he say anything else?”
“No, only that he’d caught wind of something being off about his murder.”
“Wow, if it’s true, that’d be the best news I ever got. I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Let me know.”
“Will do. How’s your day?”
“Strange.” She was unaccustomed to being at odds with her colleagues. “Yours?”
“About to go into lunch with the governor and mayor.”
“Have a good lunch. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Love you, babe.”
“You, too.”
“So you really didn’t tell him?” Freddie asked.
“I’d rather not talk about that.”
“Whatever.”
They didn’t exchange another word before arriving at the two-story colonial-style home of Frank Myerson’s sister, Diane, who had a mini freak-out at finding the first lady on her doorstep.
“Oh my God! Frank told me you were working on the case, but now you’re at my house and… holy shit .”
Annoyed, Sam showed her badge. On a normal day, she’d roll her eyes at Freddie, but today wasn’t normal. “Lieutenant Holland and Detective Cruz. We’d like to speak with Mr. Myerson and his daughters, please.”
“I, um, yes, of course. Come in.” She led them into a lovely home full of restored antiques and paintings depicting events in U.S. history. Sam recognized the Gettysburg Address and a long-ago inauguration. They were shown to a sitting room where a painting of George Washington crossing the Potomac spanned the length of a sofa. “I’ll get them.”
“This place is like a museum,” she said.
“Uh-huh.”
Few things in her life had hurt more than knowing Freddie, of all people, was truly angry with her. Or maybe it was more accurate to say she’d disappointed him with her lack of trust and candor.
Frank Myerson had aged five years since the last time Sam had seen him, or at least that’s how it seemed to her when he came into the room, wearing a T-shirt and sweats. His hair was a mess, and he hadn’t shaved. His daughters followed him, similarly attired and looking exhausted.
“These are my girls, Jada and Zoe.”
Both had light brown hair. Jada had green eyes, and Zoe’s were blue.
“I’m very sorry for the loss of your mother,” Sam said to the girls.
“Thank you,” Zoe said for both of them while Jada burrowed into her dad’s embrace.
“I hope you understand that there’re certain routine questions we have to ask you.”
“It’s fine,” Zoe said.
“Where were you yesterday during the day?”
“My boyfriend and I hung out at his house.”
“Where’s his house?”
“In Arlington.”
“Was anyone else there? ”
“No, just us. His parents and two sisters were at a horse show for the sisters.”
“His name?”
For the first time, Zoe glanced at her dad, seeming apprehensive. “Why does that matter?”
“Answer the question, Zoe,” Frank said.
“He has nothing to do with our family. Why do we have to drag him into this?”
“Because he was with you when your mother was murdered,” Sam said, “and can provide an alibi for where you were when she was killed. Any other questions?” She was usually gentler with the children of murder victims, but something about this girl irked her.
Zoe’s eyes had gone wide with shock. “N-no.”
“His name?”
“Zeke Bellamy.”
Sam handed over her notebook and pen. “Write down his name, address and phone number.”
“Are you going to talk to him?”
“Yes, we are.”
“Dad! Come on! Zeke has nothing to do with this. If I send cops to his house, he’ll never speak to me again.”
“Which is more important to you, Zoe?” Sam asked. “Finding out who killed your mother or keeping your boyfriend?”
That she hesitated, even for a second, was telling. “Of course I want to know who killed my mother, but why do we have to involve him?”
“I told you why.”
“Knock it off, Zoe,” Frank said, sounding as if he’d said those exact words a million times in the past.
“Mr. Myerson, are you acquainted with Mr. Bellamy?”
“I am.”
“Did you or your wife have any issues or concerns with him? ”
“We felt their relationship had gotten too serious too fast. We’d argued with Zoe about that.”
“Dad! That’s private.”
Sam glanced at the girl. “Nothing is private in a murder investigation.”
“What does my relationship have to do with my mother’s murder?”
Sam didn’t blink as she stared back at the girl. “I don’t know.”
“It has nothing to do with it! She barely knew Zeke.”
“That’s not true, Zoe,” Jada said.
“Shut up. What do you know about anything? You’ve never had a boyfriend, and you never will because you’re such a fucking weirdo.”
Whoa.
“Girls, that’s enough,” Frank said.
“Jada, where were you yesterday?” Sam asked.
Zoe sat with her arms crossed, visibly seething.
“I was with my friend and her family for the day. We visited Harpers Ferry in West Virginia and Antietam in Maryland for a school project.”
“Can you give me your friend’s name and number? Also, her parents’ names.”
Jada recited the information and used her phone to give Sam the girl’s phone number.
“Thank you,” Sam said. “That’s very helpful.”
“That’s our Jada,” Zoe said. “A real Girl Scout.”
“Shut up, Zoe, and quit being a bitch. Mom was murdered . We have to find out who did it.”
Sam wanted to give Jada a high five. At least one of the girls seemed to be in touch with reality. Zoe’s behavior had sparked a number of other questions that Sam might not have had otherwise.
“What was your relationship like with your mother, Jada?”
“We’re super close,” she said tearfully as Frank tightened the arm he had around her. “Or I guess I should say we were super close. I can’t believe she’s really gone.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Jada used a tissue Frank handed her to wipe away tears.
“What about you, Zoe? What was your relationship with your mother like?”
“We fought about everything.”
Sam’s phone rang with a call from Faith Miller that she declined.
“What does ‘everything’ include?”
“My clothes, my attitude, my boyfriend, my grades, my driving. You name it, she didn’t approve of how I did anything, and her only goal in life was to ruin mine.”
Sam glanced at Frank.
“We’ve had the typical challenges that parents of teenagers experience,” he said in a weary tone.
“None of my friends put up with the shit that I do,” Zoe snapped.
“Sounds like you were pretty angry with your mother,” Sam said.
Zoe shrugged. “She made my life a living hell.”
“Were you angry enough to hurt her?”
“ What? ” Frank sat up straighter. “What’re you insinuating?”
“I’m asking if your daughter was angry enough with her mother to want her out of the picture.”
“This interview is over.”
“We can continue it downtown if you’d prefer,” Sam said.
“I want a lawyer.”
“Detective Cruz, please call Patrol for transport to HQ. You can call your attorney after you’re processed.”
As Freddie got up and left the room, Frank said, “We’re being arrested ?”
“You’re being taken in for further questioning. ”
“Why do I have to go?” Jada cried. “I haven’t done anything!”
“We have more questions for all of you. Once you request an attorney, we’re not allowed to ask you anything else, so you’ll all need to come to the station.”
Jada turned on her sister. “This is all your fault, Zoe! As usual, you ruin everything!”
Frank intervened before their conflict could turn physical. From the way he reacted, Sam wondered if he’d had to get between them before.
“If you don’t want to be handcuffed for the ride,” Sam said, “you’ll keep your hands to yourselves.”
“I can’t believe the family members of a murder victim are being treated like criminals,” Frank said.
“No one is treating you like a criminal. If you’d like criminal treatment, we can certainly arrange for that.”
Frank gave her a hateful look and then told the girls to get their shoes on. “You can bet that I’ll be filing a formal complaint with your supervisors.”
“Please, feel free. They love to hear from the friends I make while I’m out here doing my job.”
“My wife was murdered , and you have the audacity to be flippant.”
“I would think you, more than anyone, would want to know who did this to your wife.”
“I do!”
“Then you’ll cooperate with our investigation, no matter where it leads.”
“What does that mean? ‘No matter where it leads’?”
“Just what I said.”
Freddie came back into the room. “Patrol is here for transport.”