Page 12

Chapter Twelve

L angford hung back by the wall. Kenna approached the interview table and pulled the chair out and sat down. They’d run it by their lieutenant, but she didn’t have a lot of leash here. She wasn’t a cop, and they hadn’t opted to bring her on as a consultant. If the district attorney found out Kenna had interfered, things wouldn’t go well.

“You’re more than welcome to have your lawyer come in and be here for this.” They were recording, so Kenna figured she’d make this as official as she could. “It’s up to you. This is all voluntary.”

Ms. Miniskirt Tube Top from the motel had been given a cup of coffee and a sweater that was far too big for her. She turned out to be Sally Morris from Aurora. Nineteen and she’d already done two years in county lockup. She sniffed, holding the coffee cup with one hand on the table in front of her. “What do I care?”

“Perhaps you should, as that would be the decent thing. But we’re not here to debate where your life went wrong. Or how you wound up in this situation. You’re an individual. You want to change your life? Do it. It’s your choice.”

Sally sniffed again. “You people always say that.”

“Once you start to actually believe it, then things will start to change.”

“That’s why we’re in here? So you can pretend to be my therapist or whatever?”

Kenna shook her head. “I try to help anyone I come across. In whatever way I can help them. But from you, I’d like something in return.”

“Figures.”

“I need the truth. What happened to those people?”

“How should I know?”

Kenna leaned forward slightly. “Were you in the motel the night they were taken?” She studied the woman for a few seconds. “Maybe you’re glad it wasn’t you.”

“They wouldn’t take us. They like us.” Given her expression, that didn’t seem like a good thing.

Kenna held herself still. “You’ve met them?”

“Partied with them.” Sally brushed her thumb back and forth on the outside of the paper cup. “Until it got weird, and I told Eric I didn’t like it. We packed up and left. Gave it a few weeks before we came back to the motel.”

Kenna spoke gently. “Who are they?”

“You think we gave each other our real names?”

“But you can ID them.”

“They wore masks.” Sally bit her lip. “Hers slipped off at one point, so I saw her face.”

“Is that typical, hanging out like that when you don’t get to see someone’s face? Would you be able to describe her to a forensic artist?”

Sally shrugged one shoulder.

“You met them at the motel?”

Sally nodded.

“Did you ever go anywhere else with them? Or meet them anywhere else?”

“They wanted us to come to their house, but we said no.”

“What about the car they drove? Can you tell me about that?”

“It was silver.”

Kenna could press her but figured there weren’t many more details about that to be had. “The police here need your help, Sally. They want to find these people before they hurt anyone else, and you have more information than anyone. That makes you an asset to the police. They might not be able to do this without you.”

“How? I don’t know who they are.”

Kenna shrugged. “Sometimes, we know more than we think. Or we don’t want to admit to ourselves what we remember.”

“Thought you were gonna ask me about that British woman.”

Roxanne. “I’d like to know about her, but the police need to find a pair of killers, and that’s more important than me settling a score.”

Sally stared at her.

“How did you find the couple? How’d you hook up with them?”

She didn’t move, just kept staring.

Kenna waited because this broken young woman, who was most likely facing more prison time, needed to decide whether Kenna could be trusted. And whether the information could be used to buy herself currency with the district attorney.

But was that the reason for her hesitation?

Maybe it was something else. Sure enough, the question was answered when Sally stood up.

Langford shifted but didn’t leave the corner.

Sally turned around and lifted the sweater, tugging down the hip of her skirt to reveal a tattoo on one side at the small of her back. Close to a long jagged scar that ran vertically down several inches.

Langford muttered a curse word and came over to stand at the corner of the table. “Is that what I think it is?”

“A QR code.” Kenna stared at it, thoughts racing through her mind.

Langford pulled out her phone, opening her camera with her thumb.

“Hang on.” Kenna put her hand in the way, behind the viewfinder on Langford’s phone.

The door opened. “Find out where it goes.” Davis strode in, determination on his face.

Kenna shook her head. “Get a picture of it, but don’t click the link. We have no idea who these people are or what they’re into. If you use a department phone to get the information, you could be opening your network up to a hack. You need a secure connection that doesn’t touch your server.”

They needed Maizie.

But considering what this was likely to be, she didn’t want a former victim anywhere near the website. Probably a dark web forum or membership portal.

Langford snapped her camera. “I got a good picture of it. Thank you, Sally.”

The younger woman turned.

“Davis is going to take you to the forensic artist so we can get an image of this woman. I’ll have my lieutenant call the DA’s office and explain how helpful you’re being,” Langford said. “And will continue to be, hopefully.”

Sally shrugged. “Whatever.”

Davis led the woman out.

Kenna turned to Langford. “You aren’t going to ask her about it, where it goes? What she knows about its meaning, or who put it on her?”

“We have a meeting.” Langford shook her phone. “The fire department commissioner is expecting us.”

They’d had to make the approach using official channels. “And the missing chief?”

“Let’s go find out from his colleagues why no one has reported him missing.” Langford stepped into the hall, and Kenna walked with her to the main entrance.

“I’ll follow you.”

“Actually, I’ll ride with you. I can find my way back here later.”

Kenna said, “That pickup truck.”

“New car? Your other is totaled, right?”

“You tell me.”

“I guess I’ll pass the officer your number so he can give you the tow company info. See where they dumped it.”

“This one belongs to a friend.” Kenna pulled out of the parking lot. “Tell me about this fire chief, the one who is our victim.”

“Chief Hadley. First name Carlton. Married for nine years. No kids. He’s forty-two; she’s thirty-one. And no one reported him missing? That’s crazy.”

Kenna said, “This is more interesting than his family and colleagues having no clue and being totally in the dark. There’s got to be a reason they don’t think anything of it. Which means there might be something to find out from them.”

“Huh.”

Kenna found a spot to park outside the fire department building, not far from the main police headquarters in downtown Denver. A gleaming building with glass windows all the way up to the top floor. From down here, it looked like the building touched the sky.

Langford walked beside her up the rise of concrete steps.

“I don’t miss cities when I’m not in one.” Kenna figured it was as good as talking about the weather.

“You know, I looked you up.”

“Guess you’re not so surprised I like to roam around, then?”

Langford smiled a little. “I guess not.”

“Have you lived here your whole life?”

“Born and raised. I’d go other places but the altitude, I’m used to it.” She shrugged. Seemed like she knew it wasn’t such a good excuse. “Plus, what else do I need? I’ve got city amenities and mountains to look at. All four seasons, sometimes in one day.”

Kenna grinned. “A beach. I prefer them in winter, though. When it’s windy and you have to wear a sweater.”

Langford frowned, tugging open the front door to the building. “You’re an odd one.”

Kenna’s phone buzzed in her pocket, so she pulled it out. Ramon had texted that Maizie was good, checked out, and ready to be discharged. “I need to get to the hospital after we’re done so I can pick up my friends.”

“Probably won’t take long since this is the last place we’re actually going to find Chief Hadley.” Langford got them signed in, and they went up to the top floor where the commissioner’s office was located.

Derek Shannon was at least seventy but looked like he kept fit. Not just because he had a treadmill in his office.

Langford explained who they both were but nothing about the case.

“Have a seat, please, ladies.” He waved them to the two chairs in front of his desk, making the gold ring on the pinkie finger of his left hand reflect the light. He smoothed down his tie and sat in his chair. “You’re asking after Chief Hadley? I’ve made some calls. It’s been at least a week since he came into the office, and that doesn’t necessarily indicate foul play.”

The door opened.

Commissioner Shannon waved in that direction. “This is Chief Martin. She works with Chief Hadley. She will, hopefully, be able to shed some light on the situation.”

Chief Martin’s uniform was crisp and buttoned up. Her hair pulled back, and her makeup sedate. “Sir, you asked to see me.”

The commissioner said, “Enlighten us about Chief Hadley.”

“Sir?” She swallowed.

“Explain to these investigators how a man can fail to show up for work for several days and never be reported missing.” Commissioner Shannon laced his fingers together on his desk.

“Oh. Well. You see…it’s just not all that…unusual.”

Kenna glanced at Langford.

The detective said, “He goes missing regularly?”

“I mean,” Chief Martin said. “Maybe a couple of times a year. He blows off steam. We all…well, his stress levels rise, and if it’s not a busy time and we can take on his duties, it’s better for everyone if he takes some time off.”

“Paid leave, Chief?” the commissioner asked. “He books out vacation days?”

Chief Martin shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together. “Um, not exactly, sir.”

“I see.”

Langford asked, “Has anyone ever called his wife because they were worried about him? Or has she ever called in?”

“I don’t know why anyone would be worried. He always comes back a few days later or maybe in a week.” Chief Martin shrugged, getting defensive now. Likely as a result of being the one in the hot seat. “It’s not a big deal. I don’t know how it is in the police department, but in the fire department, we cover for each other.”

“So, you aren’t worried about him?” Langford asked. “He could be dead, for all you know.”

Chief Martin frowned. “But he’s back.”

Kenna said, “What?”

Langford stood. “He’s here?”

Martin nodded. “Chief Hadley is in his office downstairs. I thought this was about him getting a slap on the wrist. He came in first thing and closed himself in his office. He didn’t talk to anyone. I figured he was catching up.”

Kenna shot out of her chair, a hundred thoughts going through her head. If he was back, did that mean her sister was also? And why did no one know they’d escaped? This made no sense.

Commissioner Shannon picked up the phone. “Get me Chief Hadley. Now. ” He slammed the phone down. “This is unbelievable. Chiefs going off on benders for days, covering for each other. Heads are going to roll.”

“You said you wanted to talk about him.” Chief Martin winced but then lifted her chin. “You didn’t say you were looking for him. I just thought he was in trouble or something.”

The commissioner’s office door opened again, and the assistant who’d been out there when they came in stuck her head in, a worried look on her face. “Sir, when I called down to the chief’s assistant, she said right after she told him you wanted to see him, he ran to the stairs.” She shook her head.

“He’s making a run for it.” Kenna moved to the door, and thankfully, the assistant got out of the way. She jogged to the elevator and hit the down button with Langford right behind her.

“You really think he’s making a run for it all the way down to the parking lot?”

Kenna said, “You think he’s down five floors by now?” The elevator doors slid open. She chose a floor below ten, just in case. “He’ll slow down at some point, too tired to run.”

Langford said, “So we’re meeting him on the stairs?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Thanks for filling me in on it.”

Kenna grinned and stepped out of the elevator, heading to the stairwell door. Inside, it was several degrees cooler. She listened. “He’s stumbling down.” She went up, keeping her footsteps light. Langford went in front of her.

The detective slowed a couple of floors later.

Kenna listened for the footfalls but heard nothing. Then a dull thud, or a tumble. She kept her voice low and said, “Sounds like he collapsed.”

Langford nodded. They continued up until they found him, sprawled on a landing. “I’ll call an ambulance.”

Kenna winced. “Make sure it’s legit.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” She crouched beside the chief, who was lying on his side. She pressed two fingers to his neck. “He’s pale, but he’s still alive.”

“Look at that.” Langford lifted the hem of his shirt. Something was visible on his skin underneath. A bandage. She pulled the shirt back more. “He was injured, and someone gave him medical attention. Looks like he ripped a couple of stitches.”

Kenna shifted to sit on the stair above them while Langford called in the ambulance. Thankfully, given this was the fire department, help wasn’t far. There might even be plenty of firefighters with EMT training in the building.

Langford peeled back the bandage. “Whoever did this isn’t a pro. Looks like battlefield triage.”

Kenna kept her speculation locked inside. It might have been her sister who doctored this man, but she wouldn’t admit she knew anything just now. Maybe later. “How did they escape?”

“Good question,” Langford said. “Now he’s here just pretending things are fine, back at work like normal. Where’s the woman?”

“I’m getting the feeling we don’t know much about what’s going on.”

But Kenna was going to get out there and find answers.