“I don’t know nothin’. I swear.” Geoffrey held his hands up and then slumped back in his chair. His legs were spread apart but his arms were crossed and he wouldn’t look Nate in the face. He was certainly lying about something.
“You raped a little girl!” Nate wanted to place his hands around the man’s small throat and squeeze but that was not the regulation way of gathering information. And Nate didn’t want this man’s confession or words to be thrown out in court. So far he hadn’t asked for a lawyer.
“I told you man, I didn’t rape her. This guy told me she was eighteen.”
Nate had to laugh at the man’s stupidity. He was a terrible liar. “How could you possibly mistake a ten year old girl for an adult?”
“It was dark. I couldn’t see her real well and she, um, felt older. Told me she shaved.”
Yea right. “I don’t believe you for a second, Winterbrook. I think you paid someone $8,000 to sleep with a ten year old girl and now all you’re doing is lying about it. No judge or jury is going to believe your story for a second.”
“I want a lawyer.”
And just like that, Nate’s interview was over. If he asked another thing everything could get thrown out. It would have to be enough that Geoffrey admitted to having sex with a minor. It was a felony but wouldn’t get him as much time as murder which is what Nate wanted to nail him with.
Nate tapped the table and smiled at Geoffrey as though his asking for a lawyer wasn’t a big deal. Sure, sure, ask for a lawyer but I’m still gonna nail your backside. It was all there in Nate’s smile if Geoffrey knew how to look for it.
He stepped out of the interrogation room and the smile was gone. He opened the door adjacent to the interrogation room that allowed the other agents to view the interrogation by monitor and stepped inside. Eric and Annabeth were watching the monitors closely.
“He lawyered up,” Nate said as if they didn’t already know.
“We still got him on rape. The DNA evidence is solid,” Annabeth said. “I want you two to check out his place. I already have a subpoena, judge granted it in a heartbeat. See what you can find out. See if there’s any trace of the other girls there. Do it fast.”
Nate needed no more encouragement, he and Eric were out of the office and on their way. The sooner they searched the place the better. If Geoffrey had an accomplice or even a very loyal wife, vital information could be lost or deleted. Deleted files could still be recovered, of course but not if the computer landed at the bottom of a river. Forensics could work minor miracles, the major ones were left up to God.
Nate prayed for a major one on the way to the house.
“What do you think we’ll find?” Eric asked.
“I don’t buy his story completely. I know he’s hiding something I just can’t place what. I don’t believe he thought the girl was an adult. He knew she was a minor and he paid to sleep with her. The question is who he paid and why.”
“Why? He’s a pervert. Does he need a reason?” Eric only said what was on everyone’s mind.
“No, I mean, if he stole the girl then why would he have to pay to sleep with her? Unless he paid to have Jonathan Gardner killed. We don’t really know where the money is going.”
“$8,000 isn’t enough to pay someone to kill,” Eric commented. “Not for me at least. I’d need somewhere around $100,000.”
Nate smiled, “Good to know.”
“Seriously, it isn’t much.”
“For the right person it could be. For someone you already own, or who works for you or who partners with you, it would be plenty. Like a bonus,” Nate said.
“It’s possible but I think he just paid to rape a little girl. He strikes me as an idiot, not a mastermind.”
“I agree. You did your research on him?” Nate glanced over at Eric, his bald head reflecting the sun.
Eric smiled, his white teeth a sharp contrast to his dark face. “What you know is that he was arrested twice for money laundering. What you don’t know is that he was also suspected of laundering something else. Wanna guess what?”
“Why don’t you tell me,” Nate said.
“People.”
“He was suspected of laundering people?”
“Yes. From Russia mostly but also Thailand and China. Never got caught on that though.”
“The reason?”
“I think he knew the right people and had the money to make that count,” Eric said. Nate nodded as he digested the information. Geoffrey could be a very dangerous man but was he dangerous enough to have committed murder?
Nate slowed the car as he entered the parking garage attached to Geoffrey’s condominium building. From the address Nate knew Geoffrey lived on the top floor which could only mean the penthouse suite. A flash of his badge kept the guard at bay and Nate eased into the garage as the gate opened. After searching for a full twelve minutes Nate found an empty visitor’s spot and pulled into it.
Nate and Eric exited the vehicle and moved quickly to the elevators. The elevator required that they enter the lobby before they could actually enter the building. What Nate would have given for street parking. With a second flash of the badge at the lobby’s security guard Nate and Eric obtained Geoffrey’s key card and were once again on the elevator. This time they were on until the eighteenth floor give or take a floor to let someone on or off.
As the door opened Nate saw a hallway in front of him with traditional hotel carpet, flat and maroon except this carpet had a large swirling white crest with a large W. Behind the W was an ornate cherry door. Double door actually. Using the key card, Nate swiped his way into Geoffrey Winterbrook’s penthouse.
Expecting to find ornate furnishings and lush carpet, Nate was not disappointed to find cream marble floors in the entryway. The hallway led to a very open living room with ceilings that had to have been fourteen feet high. Skylights let light into the room but were unfortunately lost on the scuffed floor. One small couch sat in the middle of the living room and faced a large screen TV, the only thing that Nate could see where Geoffrey spent any money.
Sliding glass doors behind the living room opened to a balcony beyond. Blue sky greeted Nate as he stepped out on to the balcony. Looking down he could the sand and the waters lapping at the land. What Nate wouldn’t give for a view like this. This was what he loved about Florida. The heat, he hated but the beaches he couldn’t get enough of. With no furniture or any other items on the balcony of interest Nate stepped back inside.
To his right was the kitchen. To his left was a closed door that Nate assumed was the master bedroom. Nate went to the right. The kitchen was more of what Nate would expect with exquisite dark cherry cabinets that mirrored the front door. Granite countertops mirrored the cabinets. But the table that sat in the middle of expansive kitchen and on top of the hardwood floors was a small, round wooden table that appeared to be falling apart.
“It’s weird,” Nate said as Eric opened the door Nate had noticed earlier off of the living room. “It seems that everything that comes with the penthouse is ornate but everything that Geoffrey brought in is basic, almost trashy.”
“So either he wanted to hoard all his money and doesn’t care what his house looks like or he’s had to get rid of everything to keep his head above water,” Eric called back.
“I’m guessing the latter. He looked horrible when I arrested him though his clothes were certainly brand name. Could’ve been old though.”
“I have another theory,” Eric called from the room he was in.
Nate crossed the living room and entered the master bedroom as Nate had guessed correctly. The bedroom was almost as large and open as the living room. A fireplace connected the room to the bathroom beyond. While the carpet was plush under Nate’s feet the bed that took up a small part of the room was only a mattress on top of a box spring. On top of the bed was a cream quilt but on top of that is what interested Nate the most. An open suitcase lay on the bed overflowing with men’s clothes.
“He was heading out of here,” Eric said.
“But why was he at the country club?”
“He’s probably an alcoholic and needed a drink before he left.”
Nate smiled at the thought. “No, something spooked him. He was on his way out but something stopped him. But what?”
Nate backed out of the room and searched the living room for an answering machine or phone. Finding none he moved on to the kitchen. He finally found an answering machine on the counter next to a corded phone hanging on the wall. Who had a corded phone these days? Zero messages were on the machine and after pressing every button Nate could only get the outgoing message with Geoffrey’s voice. The phone did not have caller ID.
“Find anything?” Eric asked.
“Nothing. If he got a call he didn’t keep a record of it.”
“Makes sense. He got orders and he’s following them.”
“But why would my arresting him be helpful to anyone?”
“I don’t know. Keep looking.”
Nate nodded even though Eric couldn’t see his non-verbal sign. Nate went through the kitchen and to the stairs beyond leading to the second floor. At the top of the stairs was the same plush carpet as in the master bedroom. An open hallway led past the living room giving it a loft feeling. At the end of the hallway and above the master bedroom and dining room where two rooms, one to Nate’s left and one to his right. A bathroom connected the two.
Glancing to the left, Nate found nothing but an empty room. To the right, Nate found an office. A large mahogany desk sat in the middle of the room with a large leather chair behind it. A flat screened monitor sat on the desk. Nate was grateful to at least find something in the house though the monitor didn’t mean much without the computer to go with it.
Sitting in the chair, Nate was relieved to find the computer sitting underneath the desk and the keyboard on the desk in front of him waiting his command. Touching the mouse slightly the monitor sprang to life. A basic blue screen with icons greeted him.
Not being a computer guy, Nate had no idea where to go so he clicked on the icon that opened Internet Explorer. The “Yahoo” front page waited for him to make a search or click on a news link. Instead Nate looked up at the address bar and pulled down a list of websites that Geoffrey had recently been to.
Nate clicked on the first link that popped up. When the page opened he almost threw up. Although not fully displayed, small children covered the page in provocative positions. A girl no older then ten smiled at Nate. A banner strategically placed over her private parts urged him to click on her for some fun.
Nate closed quickly went to the second address on the drop down menu but came up with the same type of site. He found ten of the similar sites on a drop down menu that held fifteen. The other five included Geoffrey’s bank and what appeared to be his mortgage company. He also had an internet link to Geoffrey’s e-mail. Nate clicked on that but wasn’t surprised to find it password protected.
“Find anything?” Nate jumped at the sound of Eric’s question.
“Too much actually. Take a look at this.” Eric rounded the desk and Nate pointed out the websites he had found.
“Click on one of them,” Eric said.
“Are you nuts? It’s child pornography.”
“I know that but it’s possible that Geoffrey subscribed to these sites so that he would have full access. There may be something in there we can use.”
“Like what?” Nate asked wishing he could do what Eric requested without having to actually use his eyes.
“I don’t know, call it a hunch.”
“Fine…”
“Look, let me do it and I’ll let you know if I find anything.”
Clearly glad to oblige, Nate stood from the seat and held it out for Eric to take over. Eric sat down quickly and began tapping away at the computer. Nate did not look over his shoulder as he worked. And after seeing Eric grimace at least twelve times, Nate was glad he hadn’t.
“There. There, look at this.” Eric’s excitement made Nate curious but still he was reluctant to look back at the computer.
“What?”
“Do you see it?” Eric pointed to a small girl’s face. She couldn’t be more then twelve. Her face wasn’t clearly visible; instead she was looking away from the camera and at the girl lying next to her on the bed. Both of them were naked. How sick were these people?
“See what?” Nate asked.
“Look, this is our girl. I know it is.”
“Which one? I can hardly make out her face.”
“I know and if we were in a TV show I could enhance it for you but this is reality and that’s the best shot you’re going to get but I swear it’s her. Same blond hair and everything. This has got to be Jessica Lambert.”
Nate looked closer and though maybe if he squinted hard enough that Eric was right. And if Eric was right it meant that Jessica Lambert was still alive or at least was at the taking of this picture. The bad news was that this little girl was already being made to do horrible things and if they did find her alive it would be a long time before anything was right in her world.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Chapter 28
Nate shut the door behind him and was almost surprised to see Ashley standing in front of him. Her normally perfect demeanor was replaced by a normal looking girl with wet hair. She must have recently showered.
She flipped her cell phone closed and stared at him. He could sense he was worried about her just by a glance.
“Nate, what’s up? Are you okay?”
“Hey Ashley. I’m sorry, I don’t meant to disturb you. You can go back to your phone call. “I’m just stopping by to get a change of clothes and head out to work.” Nate walked past Ashley and down the hall to the house’s master bedroom. He opened the double doors at the end of the hall and stepped into his sanctuary. A large king-sized bed took up most of the wall opposite the door. A black headboard kept the bed from looking like it was floating in the middle of the room. A cream pillow still sat against the headboard where he had left it. The walls were a soft blue which Nate found to be a calming color for the room. Other then the bed Nate had not paid attention much to detail. Both sides of the bed had a nightstand with an alarm clock and a plasma screen TV covered the wall opposite the bed. What more did a guy need?
Nate crossed the room in three quick strides and swung open his closet door. He began to unbutton his top shirt when he heard Ashley clear her throat from behind him. He hadn’t noticed that she had followed him into the bedroom.
“What’s the hurry? I thought you were at church.” Ashley said.
Nate turned around to face her. “I was. But just as the opening hymn began I got a text from Dr. Folek.”
“What about?”
Nate looked at Ashley’s face. She wasn’t prying, she was truly concerned. “He autopsied Jessica early this morning. She was definitely pregnant. Four months along which obviously is before she was kidnapped. Dr. Folek found no sign of sexual trauma or any semen in her vaginal cannel. She was taken like the other girls but not killed like them. Jessica was strangled by a rope but not in a frenzied manner like the others. She was deposed of carefully. Like someone was trying to hide the body. The other girls were killed in a hurried and sloppy manner. One off of the highway and one in the house and then hidden but still messy. Not meticulous like this one. How is that possible?”
“Maybe you have more then one killer,” Ashley said.
Nate had almost forgotten she was there. He was just talking the information out loud trying to determine how they were connected. “That makes the most sense. That’s what I believe too but what I can’t understand is why.”
“Maybe they lost two girls so they’re going to kill all the rest as well.”
“But Jessica was dead before the other two. Dr. Folek estimates her time of death as almost three weeks ago which was just one week after she was taken. So, it means they’re not being killed in order which is what we would expect from a serial killer even one that works with a partner.”
“Nate, I think she was damaged goods,” Ashley’s look had turned from interest to sorrow. Her eyes looked more sunken. She sighed as she leaned against the wall. Nate waited for her to continue. “I think there’s a connection with these girls coming from broken homes and their being taken. Whatever your killer wants it has something to do with that. Maybe he thinks he’s helping by taking them out of a bad situation. But with Jessica it was too late. She was already pregnant and if I was a betting woman, which I’m not, I would bet you’ll find the stepfather to be the babies father. This made your killer angry and he killed Jessica.”
“What about Daisy and Emma?”
“I think you’re assumptions are right. They were killed in a hurry. Probably to avoid detection of some kind. Of what kind I don’t know. But I think that’s your job.” Ashley pointed at Nate’s nose, smiled and walked back to the kitchen. Nate followed and watched her pour a cup of coffee into the mug she was holding. Must’ve been her second cup.
“By the way, how’s Kyle doing?” Ashley asked.
“He’s doing much better today. There’s a possibility he may even come home in the next day or so.”
“Have you seen him?”
“Not this morning. I was going to take you over there later. But right now I have to change and be back at the station. We have a hit on DNA extracted from Daisy Brandt. I have to bring this guy in. He may have information we want.”
“I’m going with you.”
“No, Ashley, this isn’t a child. You may have information and help for us but it’s going to have to wait. You are not going with me to pick up a suspect.”
Ashley looked ready to argue but Nate held up his finger. He knew if he didn’t cut her off right away she would talk her way into going and he would let her. Then she would be in harm’s way again and Nate just couldn’t live with that. No, it was better she stuck with talking to Kyle and not to random suspects.
If there was one thing Nate knew about the FBI is there was always a choice. But once made that choice could not be undone. Eight years ago Nate had made the choice to join the FBI. He had chosen to chase killers, serial or otherwise and he had chosen to lock them up. In his eight years he had seen things no human should have to see. Mutilated children, rotting body parts, countless dead bodies and the suspects that made them that way. Pure evil. That’s what it was. Nate had seen the worst of humanity and lived to tell about it.
What he did know is that some people didn’t.
Ashley had chosen to help children. She had become a Forensic Psychologist but not to chase murderers or profile serial killers. She had gone into it to save children from abusive parents or those bent on using their children in custody cases. The term “forensic” for her was an after thought. She was a Psychologist and a darn good one at that. She would help Kyle in her own time and way.
But this, this she didn’t have to see or hear or know. Listing details and information was one thing. Actually seeing the reality was another one all together. Yes, she’d seen her fair share. Three dead bodies now and children’s bodies to boot. But she didn’t have to see the evil that made them that way. She didn’t need to look into the eyes of a man who raped a young girl. She didn’t need to lie awake every night wondering why things had to happen as they did.
That was his job. That was his oath. He had taken it knowing the consequences and he would live with that choice forever. Ashley had enough to keep her awake at night. She did not need to add this.
So without another word or backwards glance, Nate left the house. Feeling the gun at his belt to make sure it was there he got into the driver’s seat of his car. Of course he saw Ashley watching him leave through his front window but he didn’t look at her. Didn’t acknowledge that she had seen him. She already knew too much. The fear and pain that he was sure was in his eyes is something she didn’t need to see.
Nate rolled his window down as he backed out of the driveway. Officer Williams was at his door immediately. “Sir?”
“Don’t let her leave the house. She may try to follow me but she is not to leave. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Nate rolled his window up and pulled on to the street. Ashley may feel like a prisoner where she was but if Jimmy or anyone else associated with him had their way Ashley would be in a permanent jail and that would most likely not be air conditioned. Heck, there may not be any air at all. And Nate couldn’t live with that. Truth was, Nate couldn’t live without her.
Two hours later Nate picked up his suspect, Geoffrey Winterbrook. They had found Geoffrey in a country club bar. The man already looked drunk and it wasn’t even two in the afternoon. Geoffrey had been sitting alone, three empty shot glasses in front of him. He had been motioning to the bar tender for more.
Nate motioned for the bar tender to back away as Nate withdrew his gun and approached Geoffrey. “Geoffrey Winterbrook, you’re under arrest for the rape and murder of Daisy Brandt.”
Geoffrey looked at him now. His blue eyes were dull, his face was drawn. His brown hair was out of place and hanging in his face almost covering his eyes. It was a wonder Nate could see them at all. The back of Geoffrey’s hair was almost long enough for a ponytail but he let it hang there un-brushed. Geoffrey had a sweater hanging around his shoulders over his polo shirt. Nate couldn’t help but wonder how long ago that style had gone out of style but yet there it was right in front of him.
Geoffrey gave him half a smile, “Get in line, buddy.” He tapped his shot glass on the bar. “Come on, where’s service in this place! Another shot bartender!” He followed his declaration with curses.
“Geoffrey Winterbrook, put your hands on your head and face the bar,” Nate moved close enough to put the barrel of the gun to Geoffrey’s neck. Geoffrey just shrugged it off and stood. Nate moved quickly and pushed Geoffrey down onto the bar with his left hand, his right hand never leaving the gun’s trigger. “Spread your arms.”
For once Geoffrey complied and spread his arms on either side of him. Only when Nate was sure he had him securely and his arms were empty did he re-holster his gun and handcuff the man.
Eric, who had maintained his position by the exit and had watched the whole exchange spoke into his wrist, “We’ve got him.” Nate knew ten officers outside were relieved to have arrested the man without incident.
Not without incident yet, Nate thought as he scanned the parking lot through the bar’s small windows. “Cover him,” Nate said to Eric and instantly Eric was in front of Geoffrey as a human shield. While Nate didn’t doubt this man’s guilt in the rape of Daisy he wasn’t fully convinced that this man had anything to do with her murder. And they knew there were at least two men involved. It was yet to be proven that Jonathan Gardner had only one partner. Nate was taking no chances. He wanted this man to question and he wanted him alive.
By the grace of God alone, Nate knew, they arrived back at the station with Geoffrey Winterbook intact. Two officer escorted Geoffrey to an interrogation room and there Nate left him for an hour while reviewing his file. Geoffrey had been arrested twice for money laundering, had been convicted once but somehow he still sat on a boat load of money that no one could figure out where it came from. An $8,000 withdrawal for cash peaked Nate’s interest. Could this man have paid to have these girls killed? Probably not enough money for three girls but might be enough to have paid someone to kill Jonathan Gardner. Maybe Geoffrey was their man.
She flipped her cell phone closed and stared at him. He could sense he was worried about her just by a glance.
“Nate, what’s up? Are you okay?”
“Hey Ashley. I’m sorry, I don’t meant to disturb you. You can go back to your phone call. “I’m just stopping by to get a change of clothes and head out to work.” Nate walked past Ashley and down the hall to the house’s master bedroom. He opened the double doors at the end of the hall and stepped into his sanctuary. A large king-sized bed took up most of the wall opposite the door. A black headboard kept the bed from looking like it was floating in the middle of the room. A cream pillow still sat against the headboard where he had left it. The walls were a soft blue which Nate found to be a calming color for the room. Other then the bed Nate had not paid attention much to detail. Both sides of the bed had a nightstand with an alarm clock and a plasma screen TV covered the wall opposite the bed. What more did a guy need?
Nate crossed the room in three quick strides and swung open his closet door. He began to unbutton his top shirt when he heard Ashley clear her throat from behind him. He hadn’t noticed that she had followed him into the bedroom.
“What’s the hurry? I thought you were at church.” Ashley said.
Nate turned around to face her. “I was. But just as the opening hymn began I got a text from Dr. Folek.”
“What about?”
Nate looked at Ashley’s face. She wasn’t prying, she was truly concerned. “He autopsied Jessica early this morning. She was definitely pregnant. Four months along which obviously is before she was kidnapped. Dr. Folek found no sign of sexual trauma or any semen in her vaginal cannel. She was taken like the other girls but not killed like them. Jessica was strangled by a rope but not in a frenzied manner like the others. She was deposed of carefully. Like someone was trying to hide the body. The other girls were killed in a hurried and sloppy manner. One off of the highway and one in the house and then hidden but still messy. Not meticulous like this one. How is that possible?”
“Maybe you have more then one killer,” Ashley said.
Nate had almost forgotten she was there. He was just talking the information out loud trying to determine how they were connected. “That makes the most sense. That’s what I believe too but what I can’t understand is why.”
“Maybe they lost two girls so they’re going to kill all the rest as well.”
“But Jessica was dead before the other two. Dr. Folek estimates her time of death as almost three weeks ago which was just one week after she was taken. So, it means they’re not being killed in order which is what we would expect from a serial killer even one that works with a partner.”
“Nate, I think she was damaged goods,” Ashley’s look had turned from interest to sorrow. Her eyes looked more sunken. She sighed as she leaned against the wall. Nate waited for her to continue. “I think there’s a connection with these girls coming from broken homes and their being taken. Whatever your killer wants it has something to do with that. Maybe he thinks he’s helping by taking them out of a bad situation. But with Jessica it was too late. She was already pregnant and if I was a betting woman, which I’m not, I would bet you’ll find the stepfather to be the babies father. This made your killer angry and he killed Jessica.”
“What about Daisy and Emma?”
“I think you’re assumptions are right. They were killed in a hurry. Probably to avoid detection of some kind. Of what kind I don’t know. But I think that’s your job.” Ashley pointed at Nate’s nose, smiled and walked back to the kitchen. Nate followed and watched her pour a cup of coffee into the mug she was holding. Must’ve been her second cup.
“By the way, how’s Kyle doing?” Ashley asked.
“He’s doing much better today. There’s a possibility he may even come home in the next day or so.”
“Have you seen him?”
“Not this morning. I was going to take you over there later. But right now I have to change and be back at the station. We have a hit on DNA extracted from Daisy Brandt. I have to bring this guy in. He may have information we want.”
“I’m going with you.”
“No, Ashley, this isn’t a child. You may have information and help for us but it’s going to have to wait. You are not going with me to pick up a suspect.”
Ashley looked ready to argue but Nate held up his finger. He knew if he didn’t cut her off right away she would talk her way into going and he would let her. Then she would be in harm’s way again and Nate just couldn’t live with that. No, it was better she stuck with talking to Kyle and not to random suspects.
If there was one thing Nate knew about the FBI is there was always a choice. But once made that choice could not be undone. Eight years ago Nate had made the choice to join the FBI. He had chosen to chase killers, serial or otherwise and he had chosen to lock them up. In his eight years he had seen things no human should have to see. Mutilated children, rotting body parts, countless dead bodies and the suspects that made them that way. Pure evil. That’s what it was. Nate had seen the worst of humanity and lived to tell about it.
What he did know is that some people didn’t.
Ashley had chosen to help children. She had become a Forensic Psychologist but not to chase murderers or profile serial killers. She had gone into it to save children from abusive parents or those bent on using their children in custody cases. The term “forensic” for her was an after thought. She was a Psychologist and a darn good one at that. She would help Kyle in her own time and way.
But this, this she didn’t have to see or hear or know. Listing details and information was one thing. Actually seeing the reality was another one all together. Yes, she’d seen her fair share. Three dead bodies now and children’s bodies to boot. But she didn’t have to see the evil that made them that way. She didn’t need to look into the eyes of a man who raped a young girl. She didn’t need to lie awake every night wondering why things had to happen as they did.
That was his job. That was his oath. He had taken it knowing the consequences and he would live with that choice forever. Ashley had enough to keep her awake at night. She did not need to add this.
So without another word or backwards glance, Nate left the house. Feeling the gun at his belt to make sure it was there he got into the driver’s seat of his car. Of course he saw Ashley watching him leave through his front window but he didn’t look at her. Didn’t acknowledge that she had seen him. She already knew too much. The fear and pain that he was sure was in his eyes is something she didn’t need to see.
Nate rolled his window down as he backed out of the driveway. Officer Williams was at his door immediately. “Sir?”
“Don’t let her leave the house. She may try to follow me but she is not to leave. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Nate rolled his window up and pulled on to the street. Ashley may feel like a prisoner where she was but if Jimmy or anyone else associated with him had their way Ashley would be in a permanent jail and that would most likely not be air conditioned. Heck, there may not be any air at all. And Nate couldn’t live with that. Truth was, Nate couldn’t live without her.
Two hours later Nate picked up his suspect, Geoffrey Winterbrook. They had found Geoffrey in a country club bar. The man already looked drunk and it wasn’t even two in the afternoon. Geoffrey had been sitting alone, three empty shot glasses in front of him. He had been motioning to the bar tender for more.
Nate motioned for the bar tender to back away as Nate withdrew his gun and approached Geoffrey. “Geoffrey Winterbrook, you’re under arrest for the rape and murder of Daisy Brandt.”
Geoffrey looked at him now. His blue eyes were dull, his face was drawn. His brown hair was out of place and hanging in his face almost covering his eyes. It was a wonder Nate could see them at all. The back of Geoffrey’s hair was almost long enough for a ponytail but he let it hang there un-brushed. Geoffrey had a sweater hanging around his shoulders over his polo shirt. Nate couldn’t help but wonder how long ago that style had gone out of style but yet there it was right in front of him.
Geoffrey gave him half a smile, “Get in line, buddy.” He tapped his shot glass on the bar. “Come on, where’s service in this place! Another shot bartender!” He followed his declaration with curses.
“Geoffrey Winterbrook, put your hands on your head and face the bar,” Nate moved close enough to put the barrel of the gun to Geoffrey’s neck. Geoffrey just shrugged it off and stood. Nate moved quickly and pushed Geoffrey down onto the bar with his left hand, his right hand never leaving the gun’s trigger. “Spread your arms.”
For once Geoffrey complied and spread his arms on either side of him. Only when Nate was sure he had him securely and his arms were empty did he re-holster his gun and handcuff the man.
Eric, who had maintained his position by the exit and had watched the whole exchange spoke into his wrist, “We’ve got him.” Nate knew ten officers outside were relieved to have arrested the man without incident.
Not without incident yet, Nate thought as he scanned the parking lot through the bar’s small windows. “Cover him,” Nate said to Eric and instantly Eric was in front of Geoffrey as a human shield. While Nate didn’t doubt this man’s guilt in the rape of Daisy he wasn’t fully convinced that this man had anything to do with her murder. And they knew there were at least two men involved. It was yet to be proven that Jonathan Gardner had only one partner. Nate was taking no chances. He wanted this man to question and he wanted him alive.
By the grace of God alone, Nate knew, they arrived back at the station with Geoffrey Winterbook intact. Two officer escorted Geoffrey to an interrogation room and there Nate left him for an hour while reviewing his file. Geoffrey had been arrested twice for money laundering, had been convicted once but somehow he still sat on a boat load of money that no one could figure out where it came from. An $8,000 withdrawal for cash peaked Nate’s interest. Could this man have paid to have these girls killed? Probably not enough money for three girls but might be enough to have paid someone to kill Jonathan Gardner. Maybe Geoffrey was their man.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Chapter 27
Ashley sat up on the side of the bed. It had been a day exactly since she had found a little girl’s body. She knew because she had been watching the clock ever since. Watching the minutes tick by. She was now “stuck” at Nate’s house under constant surveillance. No going back to Michael’s. This was fine with Ashley. At Michael’s house she couldn’t get her head on straight or her feelings in order. At Nate’s her feelings weren’t any more under control but there were enough distractions to keep her from having to dwell on them.
Except for now.
Now the house was completely quiet. Nate was at church. The one day he took off was Sunday. He said the office could have him the rest of the week at any time but Sunday he needed. It was a day of worship, he said.
This Ashley couldn’t understand. To her Sunday was just another day. At one point she had gone to church. Back when she almost believed in God.
Donnie had believed in God. He had believed in a sovereign God who had a plan for his life. What kind of God planned to have a man gunned down in his driveway with his little boy?
Plodding across the bed room in her bare feet Ashley stopped at the mirror in the adjoining bathroom to look at herself. Her blondish, brownish hair was flat against her face. Her blue eyes looked dull and gray. If it was possible her face looked skinnier then it used to. While she hadn’t been on a scale in weeks Ashley guessed she had lost weight since arriving in Florida. Too bad it wasn’t bikini season.
Ashley looked down at her abdomen. She could see her ribs pressing against her shirt. When she was pregnant with Aidan she had been so sick the first trimester that she had actually lost weight. She had gained it all back plus twenty pounds in the second trimester. By the third she had felt like a whale even though Donnie would never admit to that. Fortunately, she had been young enough and fit enough that she had gotten her shape back quickly.
Ashley slipped out of her pajamas and stepped into the shower letting the water drip over her, washing away bed head hair. Unfortunately, it didn’t wash away her fear and pain. Yes, she was under deep guard and Nate had promised that no one would find her but still there was a nagging feeling. A feeling that Jimmy Livingston could still find her.
She could still remember the first time she had heard his voice. It had been just two months after the trial that the first call came.
“Ashley, do you know who this is?” The voice had been deep and unrecognizable.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Ashley shoved the tears away. She was sick to death of the tears. Sick to death of crying over Donnie and Aidan. It had been just two months and she knew in her heart that she wouldn’t get over them any time soon. Maybe never but still the tears were getting old. Her face was hurting. Her eyes had been hurting for a month. And her face was getting a permanent red tint.
It took heavy breathing for Ashley to realize that there had been no answer, “Who is this?” Ashley asked again.
“This is Jimmy. Remember me?” A soft laugh followed his words.
“Jimmy?” Ashley’s heart began to race. This couldn’t be possible. “But you’re in…”
“Jail? Yes, I am. But the thing is Ashley people owe me. People owe me favors and I’m cashing in. I may be in jail now but you will never, ever be rid of me.”
“You took my family, you… you…” The words wouldn’t come out. Mostly because the words were bad ones. Ones she wasn’t supposed to say even her deepest, darkest moments.
“Ah ah now, don’t be nasty. I’m just letting you know it isn’t over.”
And it wasn’t over. Twelve years had passed but it felt like no more then just a day. Every month she received one rose on the ninth. Every year on June 9th she received a dozen. Jimmy Livingston had not left her alone for even a month in twelve years. Moves hadn’t mattered. Even when she moved to Maryland to go back to school Jimmy had found her without missing a beat.
For six years her numbers had been unlisted. She had told as few people as possible where she lived and what she did but it hadn’t mattered.
He still found her.
After seven years she considered changing her name but decided it didn’t matter. Jimmy had a way of finding her. Instead of trying to run she just stayed put and began to live her life. Or at least pretend to. After finishing her Masters with honors, she threw herself into work.
Seventy hour work weeks turned into ninety turned into never being home. Not that there really was a home. Her apartment had been barely furnished for five years. A square bed took up her bedroom with a memory foam mattress. It was comfortable but it was very plain. Not exactly inviting.
Kind of like her life.
Ashley rinsed the conditioner out of her hair, turned off the water and stepped out to find her towel. Wrapping it around her she made it back to the bedroom and found the change of clothes that Nate had picked up for her. Or sent an officer for. She had not been able to go back to Michael’s house for her things.
After dressing in jeans and a striped button-up top over a cami she stepped out of her room for some coffee. The scent of a fresh pot burned her nose as she made her way to the kitchen.
Nate had a nice home. It was certainly well maintained. Much more homey and comfortable then her own place. The kitchen was full of white cabinets. The floor was black and white tile but not in a checkerboard pattern. Instead the white tile was dotted with a few small black tiles turned to look like diamonds instead of squares. Black appliances and black granite countertops echoed the black tiles.
Ashley liked it. It suited Nate. His world, after all, had always been black and white.
Ashley poured herself a cup of coffee, added cream and sugar and took a sip. Stale but palatable. She added more flavored cream. It wasn’t until she took her second sip and leaned against the counter that she noticed a uniformed officer laying down on the couch in the living room. She stepped closer to him and cleared her throat to alert him of her presence.
The officer sat up and stared at her. “Are you okay?” He asked.
“Yea, I’m fine. Just wanted you to know I was up.”
“I’m Jack Williams. Nate’s at church. He said he’d be back soon.” Jack stood up and looked down at Ashley. His blond hair was cut short. So short that if it had been any shorter it wouldn’t have been there. His brown eyes were dark with concern and sadness. It had only been a day since they had found Cole’s body. Ashley had no idea how close the men were but judging by the deep set eyes, the circles underneath him and the redness of his face they had to have known each other.
“Have you heard anything?”
“Nothing yet.” Jack made his way into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. He took a sip of it without adding anything. “Not too bad. I made it a few hours ago.” He smiled at himself as he lifted his cup.
That would account for the stale taste.
“Any word about Cole?”
“The coroner took his body with Jessica’s. The ME will do the autopsy today to retrieve any bullets or bullet fragments left behind. Maybe we can match it to a gun. Possibly find a suspect.”
“Did Nate find anything out yesterday?”
“Not a lot. Jessica was the step daughter. Nate said her step father didn’t much care about her whereabouts.” Jack shook his head. “How can a girl wash up like that and no one care about her? It doesn’t make sense.”
“Unfortunately that’s life. Happens all the time.”
“This I know but I wish it wasn’t. We’re missing two girls still. We have five women dead. And we have no idea who is responsible. Now we can add a dead officer to that. If we don’t find answers soon, I’m afraid of what else could go wrong.” Jack downed the rest of his coffee and set the mug in the sink. “Now that you’re up I’m going to sit out front and wait for Nate to come home.” He glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Should be soon now.”
“Thanks.”
After Jack closed the door behind him Ashley sat on the couch and flipped on the TV. Despite the few hundred channels that Nate seemed to have there wasn’t much on. At least two channels were covering the missing girls both locally and nationally but they didn’t have any new information to offer. One station was covering Lea Rappaport’s funeral but so far news of Jessica’s death hadn’t hit the airways. Ashley wondered how Nate managed to keep that out of the news.
Two hours of nothing was making Ashley tired. Her eyelids were slipping closed when her cell phone rang. The faint sound beckoned her from the bedroom and she made her way to find it. Grabbing it out of her purse she recognized her parent’s number. She groaned and flipped her cell phone open.
“Hello.”
“Ashley, oh my goodness, we haven’t heard from you in over a week.” It was her mother. Ashley imagined her mother patting her mound of black curls as she talked. She had a habit of constantly making sure they were perfect. And they always were. Ashley couldn’t recall a time when there had been a curl out of place.
“Hi Mom. I’ve been busy.”
“Where are you dear? Are you working?”
“Yes, mom I am. But I’m in Florida right now. With Nate.”
“Nathaniel Zimmerman? You’re with Nathaniel?” Her mother always called him that. She hated nick names.
“Yes, I’m with Nate.”
“But why?”
“We’re working on a case together. Have you heard of the missing girls here in Florida? I’m helping Nate with that case. He called me in to talk to a witness.” It was enough of the truth that her mother would believe her and hopefully not press for more but not every detail. No need for her mother to worry. Betty Voigt loved to worry.
“What about your patients in Maryland?”
“Trish is taking care of everything. I’ve talked to her a few times. Dr. Borin is covering for me while I’m here. He’s pretty good.”
“Not as good as you. I’ve seen him on the stand.”
Ashley smiled. Her parents could sometimes be difficult but they never, ever failed to support her. She loved and missed them a great deal but it was hard for them to travel from Colorado and Ashley didn’t get out to visit them as much as she would like. “Thanks mom.”
The sound of the front door opening and closing interrupted Ashley’s conversation. She kept the phone to her ear and walked back out to the living room. It was Nate. “Hey mom, I’m going to have to call you back. Nate’s here and I think something's wrong."
Except for now.
Now the house was completely quiet. Nate was at church. The one day he took off was Sunday. He said the office could have him the rest of the week at any time but Sunday he needed. It was a day of worship, he said.
This Ashley couldn’t understand. To her Sunday was just another day. At one point she had gone to church. Back when she almost believed in God.
Donnie had believed in God. He had believed in a sovereign God who had a plan for his life. What kind of God planned to have a man gunned down in his driveway with his little boy?
Plodding across the bed room in her bare feet Ashley stopped at the mirror in the adjoining bathroom to look at herself. Her blondish, brownish hair was flat against her face. Her blue eyes looked dull and gray. If it was possible her face looked skinnier then it used to. While she hadn’t been on a scale in weeks Ashley guessed she had lost weight since arriving in Florida. Too bad it wasn’t bikini season.
Ashley looked down at her abdomen. She could see her ribs pressing against her shirt. When she was pregnant with Aidan she had been so sick the first trimester that she had actually lost weight. She had gained it all back plus twenty pounds in the second trimester. By the third she had felt like a whale even though Donnie would never admit to that. Fortunately, she had been young enough and fit enough that she had gotten her shape back quickly.
Ashley slipped out of her pajamas and stepped into the shower letting the water drip over her, washing away bed head hair. Unfortunately, it didn’t wash away her fear and pain. Yes, she was under deep guard and Nate had promised that no one would find her but still there was a nagging feeling. A feeling that Jimmy Livingston could still find her.
She could still remember the first time she had heard his voice. It had been just two months after the trial that the first call came.
“Ashley, do you know who this is?” The voice had been deep and unrecognizable.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Ashley shoved the tears away. She was sick to death of the tears. Sick to death of crying over Donnie and Aidan. It had been just two months and she knew in her heart that she wouldn’t get over them any time soon. Maybe never but still the tears were getting old. Her face was hurting. Her eyes had been hurting for a month. And her face was getting a permanent red tint.
It took heavy breathing for Ashley to realize that there had been no answer, “Who is this?” Ashley asked again.
“This is Jimmy. Remember me?” A soft laugh followed his words.
“Jimmy?” Ashley’s heart began to race. This couldn’t be possible. “But you’re in…”
“Jail? Yes, I am. But the thing is Ashley people owe me. People owe me favors and I’m cashing in. I may be in jail now but you will never, ever be rid of me.”
“You took my family, you… you…” The words wouldn’t come out. Mostly because the words were bad ones. Ones she wasn’t supposed to say even her deepest, darkest moments.
“Ah ah now, don’t be nasty. I’m just letting you know it isn’t over.”
And it wasn’t over. Twelve years had passed but it felt like no more then just a day. Every month she received one rose on the ninth. Every year on June 9th she received a dozen. Jimmy Livingston had not left her alone for even a month in twelve years. Moves hadn’t mattered. Even when she moved to Maryland to go back to school Jimmy had found her without missing a beat.
For six years her numbers had been unlisted. She had told as few people as possible where she lived and what she did but it hadn’t mattered.
He still found her.
After seven years she considered changing her name but decided it didn’t matter. Jimmy had a way of finding her. Instead of trying to run she just stayed put and began to live her life. Or at least pretend to. After finishing her Masters with honors, she threw herself into work.
Seventy hour work weeks turned into ninety turned into never being home. Not that there really was a home. Her apartment had been barely furnished for five years. A square bed took up her bedroom with a memory foam mattress. It was comfortable but it was very plain. Not exactly inviting.
Kind of like her life.
Ashley rinsed the conditioner out of her hair, turned off the water and stepped out to find her towel. Wrapping it around her she made it back to the bedroom and found the change of clothes that Nate had picked up for her. Or sent an officer for. She had not been able to go back to Michael’s house for her things.
After dressing in jeans and a striped button-up top over a cami she stepped out of her room for some coffee. The scent of a fresh pot burned her nose as she made her way to the kitchen.
Nate had a nice home. It was certainly well maintained. Much more homey and comfortable then her own place. The kitchen was full of white cabinets. The floor was black and white tile but not in a checkerboard pattern. Instead the white tile was dotted with a few small black tiles turned to look like diamonds instead of squares. Black appliances and black granite countertops echoed the black tiles.
Ashley liked it. It suited Nate. His world, after all, had always been black and white.
Ashley poured herself a cup of coffee, added cream and sugar and took a sip. Stale but palatable. She added more flavored cream. It wasn’t until she took her second sip and leaned against the counter that she noticed a uniformed officer laying down on the couch in the living room. She stepped closer to him and cleared her throat to alert him of her presence.
The officer sat up and stared at her. “Are you okay?” He asked.
“Yea, I’m fine. Just wanted you to know I was up.”
“I’m Jack Williams. Nate’s at church. He said he’d be back soon.” Jack stood up and looked down at Ashley. His blond hair was cut short. So short that if it had been any shorter it wouldn’t have been there. His brown eyes were dark with concern and sadness. It had only been a day since they had found Cole’s body. Ashley had no idea how close the men were but judging by the deep set eyes, the circles underneath him and the redness of his face they had to have known each other.
“Have you heard anything?”
“Nothing yet.” Jack made his way into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. He took a sip of it without adding anything. “Not too bad. I made it a few hours ago.” He smiled at himself as he lifted his cup.
That would account for the stale taste.
“Any word about Cole?”
“The coroner took his body with Jessica’s. The ME will do the autopsy today to retrieve any bullets or bullet fragments left behind. Maybe we can match it to a gun. Possibly find a suspect.”
“Did Nate find anything out yesterday?”
“Not a lot. Jessica was the step daughter. Nate said her step father didn’t much care about her whereabouts.” Jack shook his head. “How can a girl wash up like that and no one care about her? It doesn’t make sense.”
“Unfortunately that’s life. Happens all the time.”
“This I know but I wish it wasn’t. We’re missing two girls still. We have five women dead. And we have no idea who is responsible. Now we can add a dead officer to that. If we don’t find answers soon, I’m afraid of what else could go wrong.” Jack downed the rest of his coffee and set the mug in the sink. “Now that you’re up I’m going to sit out front and wait for Nate to come home.” He glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Should be soon now.”
“Thanks.”
After Jack closed the door behind him Ashley sat on the couch and flipped on the TV. Despite the few hundred channels that Nate seemed to have there wasn’t much on. At least two channels were covering the missing girls both locally and nationally but they didn’t have any new information to offer. One station was covering Lea Rappaport’s funeral but so far news of Jessica’s death hadn’t hit the airways. Ashley wondered how Nate managed to keep that out of the news.
Two hours of nothing was making Ashley tired. Her eyelids were slipping closed when her cell phone rang. The faint sound beckoned her from the bedroom and she made her way to find it. Grabbing it out of her purse she recognized her parent’s number. She groaned and flipped her cell phone open.
“Hello.”
“Ashley, oh my goodness, we haven’t heard from you in over a week.” It was her mother. Ashley imagined her mother patting her mound of black curls as she talked. She had a habit of constantly making sure they were perfect. And they always were. Ashley couldn’t recall a time when there had been a curl out of place.
“Hi Mom. I’ve been busy.”
“Where are you dear? Are you working?”
“Yes, mom I am. But I’m in Florida right now. With Nate.”
“Nathaniel Zimmerman? You’re with Nathaniel?” Her mother always called him that. She hated nick names.
“Yes, I’m with Nate.”
“But why?”
“We’re working on a case together. Have you heard of the missing girls here in Florida? I’m helping Nate with that case. He called me in to talk to a witness.” It was enough of the truth that her mother would believe her and hopefully not press for more but not every detail. No need for her mother to worry. Betty Voigt loved to worry.
“What about your patients in Maryland?”
“Trish is taking care of everything. I’ve talked to her a few times. Dr. Borin is covering for me while I’m here. He’s pretty good.”
“Not as good as you. I’ve seen him on the stand.”
Ashley smiled. Her parents could sometimes be difficult but they never, ever failed to support her. She loved and missed them a great deal but it was hard for them to travel from Colorado and Ashley didn’t get out to visit them as much as she would like. “Thanks mom.”
The sound of the front door opening and closing interrupted Ashley’s conversation. She kept the phone to her ear and walked back out to the living room. It was Nate. “Hey mom, I’m going to have to call you back. Nate’s here and I think something's wrong."
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