Chapter 53
It took some time to get to the bottom of everything that had transpired.
Thursday, Jane sat with ASAC Haversham, SSA Grimshaw, and Detective Ryan in her boss’s office, going over the details.
Jane had a few bruises but nothing major. Ray hadn’t been hurt at all, safely returning fire from behind his cruiser while officers surrounded the warehouse.
“Do we have any witnesses who actually saw August Kaminski?” Haversham asked.
Ray nodded. “I didn’t see him, and I can’t be sure he was who I talked to on the phone.
But a few of the perps still alive after the explosions and gunfire insist it was August Kaminski in that boat that blew up.
Rumor has it, Rook got his revenge. Apparently, Kaminski was raving about his number one man turning on him and giving the Feds information. So he had Victor Bednarek killed.”
Jane frowned. “August’s man shot Victor?” It made sense, she supposed.
Grimshaw asked, “You didn’t shoot him, did you?”
“No. He made me drop my gun. He threatened to kill Christian, so I had to toss it.”
“And had a knife fight. Go, Jane,” Ray murmured.
Haversham tried to hide a smile. He cleared his throat. “Right. To summarize, Victor, our home invasion murderer, is dead. August Kaminski, the mastermind behind the Collective and over a dozen other purported crimes, is dead. We just have Casimir Bednarek roaming the streets.”
“Two out of three isn’t bad.” Grimshaw shrugged. “I’m more than happy to put the home invasion case to rest.”
“Yeah, me too.” But Jane didn’t like that Rook remained free. Or that August Kaminski had supposedly died. It was way too easy.
She met Haversham’s gaze.
He shook his head. “Too easy. But it’s all we have for now. The Scotts will be pleased, the SAC too. We can wrap up a few items. But we’ll keep a lookout for Rook.”
Ray asked, “Any word on Alvin Richert? Nelson Rupert’s driver?”
Jane shrugged. “He checks out. We ran his prints last week when he was at the hospital. Ex-Navy SEAL, which explains his marksmanship. Nothing criminal.”
“Hmm.” Ray didn’t say any more. He didn’t have to. Jane felt the same way.
Something about Rupert’s driver stuck in her brain as not fitting, too.
“You’ve done exceptional work, Detective Ryan.” Haversham stood, so the rest of them stood as well.
Both he and Grimshaw took turns shaking Ray’s hand.
Grimshaw added, “Jane speaks highly of you. We’ll be sure to let your captain know how much you’ve assisted us.”
Ray grinned. “Oh, please do. He’ll be more than happy to know we can put the home invasions to bed.”
“A lot of other influential families will be happy to hear that as well.”
“The Collective. It continues?” he asked.
Grimshaw answered, “Nothing they’ve done is illegal. But with three of them no longer a part of the group, and their ultimate motivations still unknown, there’s nothing for us to do.”
“Until there is,” Jane said grimly.
Haversham nodded. “Great work, Jane. Thank you both for your efforts.” He turned to Grimshaw. “You too, Natalie. Keep it up.”
She nodded. “Thanks, sir.” Then she hustled Jane and Ray from the office. “Well, now that that’s done, what’s next for you, Detective Ryan? Want to come over to the dark side as a TFO?”
Several law enforcement officers worked as Task Force Officers, assigned to work with the FBI while also concentrating on local matters.
“Nah. It only sounds like fun.” He winked at Jane. “My buddy Bill Kane can keep all that to himself.”
Jane realized that was how he’d first thought to call her. Bill had mentioned he knew a great guy in the east precinct. “You know Bill? We worked the Red Ribbon Killer case together.”
“I know. Yet I called you when we needed help anyway.” He laughed and stuck out a hand. Jane took it. “I’ll call you when our next interesting case pops up.”
“Please do.”
Then he pulled her in for a quick hug and whispered, “You still owe me and Alex a marionberry pie.” He left with a wave.
She and Grimshaw watched him walk away.
Grimshaw shook her head. “Too bad. I liked him. He’d have made a great addition to the team.”
“Let’s consider him ours anyway. I like to reach out to our LEO friends from time to time.”
“Ha. You know, you remind me of myself. Always conniving while scheming to nail our suspects. Not bad, Cannon. Not bad. Now go write me some reports.”
Jane smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
Grimshaw turned and went back to her office.
Jane headed to her desk. But she knew the case wasn’t over.
Not yet.