Redemption

Chapter 27

“Don’t think Alex would approve of this,” said Mars.

He and Decker were standing in front of the breakfast bar in the lobby of the Residence Inn the next morning. It was laden with food constituting every cardiologist’s nightmare.

“I used to love this part of the day,” replied Decker, looking longingly at plates of bacon and plump sausages and scrambled eggs, and then over at stacks of pancakes, waffles, and jars of syrup.

“Well, it didn’t love you back.”

“Amos!”

They both looked over at the tiny, withered woman who was hurrying toward them carrying a plate of flaky biscuits. She was in her eighties, with sparkling white hair crammed under a hair net.

“Heard you were back in town.” She held up the plate. “You want to just take this plate to your table, like you used to? Made ’em myself.”

“Hello, June.” He looked at the biscuits for a long moment, until Mars poked him in the side.

Decker started and said, “I think I’ll pass, but thanks. I think I’ll just get some, um, orange juice and a bowl of the oatmeal.”

June eyed him suspiciously. “You’ve lost weight. I mean, you’re almost skinny. You sick?”

“No, I’m actually healthier than I’ve been in a long time.”

Her look said that she highly doubted this was true. “Well, if you change your mind, just give me the high sign.” She glanced at Mars. “Your friend could use some fattening up too.”

Mars cracked a smile. “Yes ma’am. I’ll get right on that, tomorrow.”

“Well, all right then.” She scampered off.

Mars eyed all the food at the buffet and shook his head. “Man, how did you end up not stroking at your table when you lived here?”

They had just finished their meal when Decker’s phone buzzed. It was Sally Brimmer.

“I copied all the files to a flash drive,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to email it to you because that could be traced, and I like my job.”

“I can meet you somewhere and you can give me the flash.”

“I get off work at six. You know McArthur Park on the east side of town?”

“Yeah.”

“I can meet you at the little pond there, say six-thirty?”

“I’ll be there. And I really appreciate this, Ms. Brimmer.”

“Just make it Sally. Co-conspirators should be able to use first names, Amos.”

The line went dead.

Mars eyed him. “Good news?”

“I think so, yeah.”

His phone buzzed again. He thought it might be Brimmer calling back, but it was another number. One that Decker recognized.

“Captain Miller?”

“Amos, first I want to say that I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For what happened to you. The arrest, and the bail hearing, where I heard from Beth that Natty and Childress made it crystal clear that they’re unmitigated assholes.”

“I already knew that. And none of this was your fault.”

“No, it was, because I let Childress get the upper hand. He outmaneuvered me. But I played another hand last night. I went straight to the commissioner. And then he went to his boss. The result is that right now you are allowed to observe on the case.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

“Pretty much like it sounds. Natty and Childress can’t stop you from being there. You can look at clues, you can even talk to witnesses, and run down potential leads. You can’t bring suspects in for questioning, though, but you will be privy to forensic testing and other results of the investigation.”

“And Natty will still be working it?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I wish to God that Mary hadn’t had to recuse herself.”

“You’re not alone on that. But I appreciate all that you did, Captain Miller. And at least I can be part of the case again.” He glanced at Mars. “I do have a new assistant working with me. I assume he can tag along.”

“You can try, Amos. Natty will probably blow a gasket, but I’ll leave it to you to figure out a way. Now, there’s one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“They found Susan Richards’s car.”

“Where?”

Miller gave him the details.

“But no trace of her?” said Decker.

“None. I’m sure Natty is already up there checking it out. Tread carefully. I wish I could offer more, but the bureaucracy keeps getting in the way.”

Again, the line went dead.

Decker quickly explained to Mars what had just happened.

“So they found her ride, but not her? What does that tell you?”

“Not much,” replied Decker.

“So we head there now?”

“Yes, we do.”

June was walking past and Decker grabbed a couple biscuits off the platter without the tiny woman even noticing. He flipped one to Mars before taking a bite out of his. “Don’t say I never gave you anything.”

Mars looked down at his biscuit before biting into it as well. “Yeah, like a heart attack.”

Decker pulled his rental to a stop right on the other side of the police tape flapping in a stiff breeze. Cop cars were everywhere, along with state trooper vehicles.

The car was about two hours outside of Burlington. It had been discovered behind an abandoned motel that had closed its doors about forty years before. It was on a local road that had been shunned by travelers once a nearby interstate opened.

Decker and Mars climbed out of the car and looked around. An officer immediately came up to them. Decker pulled out his creds and held them up.

“FBI?” said the officer. “What are you doing here?”

“Same thing you are. Trying to find Susan Richards.”

“Hey!”

Decker had expected this, and still his blood pressure started to rise.

Natty walked over to them. “I guess you talked to Miller.”

“Captain Miller. Your superior.”

Natty pointed a finger in Decker’s face. “You observe, that’s all. You step out of line, your ass is right back in the slammer again.”

The cop looked between them and said, “You put an FBI agent in jail?”

“He’s not a real FBI agent.”

“Really?” said Mars sharply. “This dude saved the life of the president of the United States. Has a direct line to the man in the White House. Had his picture taken with him, got a medal and a letter of commendation.” Mars crossed two of his fingers. “Dudes are like this.”

The officer looked up at Decker in awe.

Natty bristled and gazed up at Mars. “Who the hell are you?”

“He’s my assistant,” said Decker.

“I thought you worked with Jamison.”

“She’s on another mission.”

“Is he an FBI agent?”

“He operates under the auspices of my creds.”

“What exactly does that mean?” said Natty.

“It means I go to the commissioner if you try to block me from observing, Natty.”

“You are so full of shit.”

“Who found the car?” asked Decker.

Natty looked like he might not answer.

“Look, Natty, I was being straight with you before. If I can find out who did this, the collar is yours.”

“Like I need your help to do that.”

“Okay, then I observe without your help. But if I make the collar, the FBI gets all the credit. But I don’t see how Childress would want that. And he may be backing you right now, but that wasn’t always the case, Natty. He’ll throw you under the bus in a second if he thinks it’ll make him look good. Remember the Hargrove case?”

At the mention of this name, Natty noticeably stiffened, and though his look was still sullen, he flipped open his notebook.

“Guy Dumpster diving found the car at around four o’clock this morning. Called in the locals. They pulled up our BOLO and notified us.”

“Can we take a look at the vehicle?”

“The trace team’s already been over it.”

“Just observing.”

Natty licked his lips, made a grunting sound, turned, and walked off. Decker and Mars followed.

Mars whispered, “Don’t see why you thought this guy was an A-hole, Decker. He’s a real pussycat.”

“Minus the cat,” replied Decker.

“So this Childress guy is even worse?”

“He’s worse because, unlike Natty, he can slickly pretend to be what he’s not, to the right people. And that’s what makes him so dangerous.”