Heartbreak Hotel

Chapter 42

Faxed, signed, returned. For all his peevishness, Marquette had approved a broad search.

Next step: how to get in there and do the job, safely.

The amended plan: the rest of the day and part of the evening, drive-bys of Phil Duke’s house would increase in frequency but be carried out at a greater distance: four cars cruising serially up the street perpendicular to Duke’s.

Too far and too distant to make out details but close enough to keep tabs on the core issue: Was Duke’s van in place.

If Duke or anyone else got into the vehicle and left, they’d be followed by the nearest cop while the three others continued visual surveillance.

Given no additional drama, entry to the house would take place at nine P.M., the team supplemented by two veteran patrol officers Milo had finally cadged from his captain. Both had SWAT experience but this would be more stealth than combat mission. Yes to vests and all-black clothing, no to helmets, heavy artillery, or a BearCat rumbling up the quiet street and panicking the neighbors or, worse, alerting the targets.

“This day and age,” said Milo, “it’d be on YouTube before we got to the door.”

He continued laying out the details.

Three armed and dangerous suspects were assumed to be in the house: the couple everyone was calling the kissing cousins since I’d thrown out the term and Henry Bakstrom, even though he hadn’t been spotted.

So far, no clarification of the relationship between Philip Demarest Duke and Deandra Demarest had surfaced beyond sharing a surname.

Milo finished and called for questions.

Moe Reed said, “With her making out with Duke like that, you really think Bakstrom’s still part of it? Especially in view of what happened to Waters.”

Milo said, “Maybe he isn’t, but romance alone doesn’t tell us a thing. Think about the three-way on Vicki Vasquez.”

“Hmm. Good point, L.T.”

“The major point — what I want you all to bear in mind — is that no matter how many people we find in there, assume every one of them to be murderous and unpredictable and be prepared for the worst.”

The rookies looked at each other, Monchen fidgeting, Ashley Burgoyne pleasantly animated.

Sean Binchy said, “With Ricki Sylvester still off the radar, there could be four suspects or another victim.”

Milo said, “That’s why we’re gonna do it like I just told you.”

No one argued.