Blood Money

Chapter Sixty-One

Jack’s front lawn was aglow with the flash and swirl of blue and amber beacons. An MDPD squad car was behind Jack’s car in the driveway. An assistant deputy sheriff opened the rear door, and Ellen Bennett climbed into the backseat without resistance, her head down and her hands cuffed behind her back.

Parked on the street in front of Jack’s house was an ambulance, though it wasn’t needed. This was a job for the medical examiner’s office, and the ME’s team was already on the scene. A white sheet covered Geoffrey Bennett’s body on the lawn, and the ME’s gurney was on the walkway, ready to receive the so-called victim.

Jack avoided using that word-victim-in his witness statement to the police. He was standing on his front porch with the first officer on the scene, recounting the worst night of his life. Or at least one of them.

“Just to be clear,” said the officer, “you’re not Mrs. Bennett’s attorney, are you?”

“No. Definitely not.”

Jack’s cell rang. It was from Sydney’s iPhone-the same number that had started his run from Bayfront Park to the Metromover, and that had transmitted that final text message: Check the bench. Jack stepped away from the officer and took the call, bracing himself to hear Merselus’ voice. It was Sydney.

“Jack, where are you?” she asked, her voice filled with urgency.

“At home. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, pretty much. I’m with the FBI.”

“Is Andie with you?”

“No. She went-”

Sydney stopped in midsentence, which alarmed Jack. “Sydney, answer me. She went where?”

“She went chasing after Merselus,” said Sydney.

Jack’s heart sank. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

“But I think I see her coming now,” said Sydney. “Yeah, that’s her. She’s-”

“See if she can come to the phone,” said Jack.

There was silence in Jack’s ear, but Jack could tell that the line was still active. A moment later he heard Andie’s voice.

“Jack?”

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Thank God. Anyone hurt?”

“One officer from Miami-Dade was shot, but I’m told he’ll make it. A poor old man who lived in the same apartment complex as Merselus was not so lucky.”

Jack took a moment to absorb the bad news. “What about Merselus?”

“One bullet to the heart. Dead.”

“Sniper?”

“Uh-uh,” said Andie, “no sniper.”

Jack could hear it in her voice, so he didn’t need to ask the follow-up. But after a deep breath that crackled over the line, she told him anyway.

“It was someone you love.”