Chapter 57
By the time the lights came up, Catalina was gone.
EMTs stabilized the perp, loaded him onto a gurney, and rolled him out.
I had taken a phone from his pocket, which I was sure was a burner. I’d used his biometrics to gain access and scrolled through the recent calls and texts. The last message read: [Plan B. Now!]
The message was sent moments before the attempted assassination.
I called Isabella and asked her to look into the history of the phone.
With a few taps of the keys, she was able to tell me that the message came from another burner phone located within the ballroom.
I’d need a court order to obtain records from the phone company, which would take time.
But it still didn’t give me enough probable cause to arrest Catalina.
The shooter’s whispered declaration was nothing more than hearsay. I needed corroborating evidence.
With a few more taps of the keys, I got it.
Isabella told me the shooter’s burner had appeared at Catalina’s residence in the recent past. A careless mistake.
Some people aren’t as disciplined. All it takes is one slip-up.
Forget to turn the burner off, and bingo.
You’ve just associated that device with a location.
I’d need to acquire all this information legitimately before taking action.
I told the sheriff, and we wrapped up at the scene.
Senator Bergen found us before we left. “Seems I owe you boys an apology.”
I shrugged.
“Nice shooting, son. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.”
He smiled, then moved on to speak to the press as the camera closed in.
I knew I’d be getting a call from Paris for a sit-down interview.
We headed back to the station, filled out paperwork, and filed an application for a warrant. Now it was a matter of hurry up and wait.