Page 82 of Facing the Enemy

She hesitated. “Maybe.”

“Are you his family?”

Soft sobs met Gage’s ears. “My brother. I have nothing left in this country.”

“I’m sorry for your loss. Those who took the baby, were they part of a gang?”

“No, sir. Gang do killings and set fire to restaurant but not take the baby. The bad people who have Hai’s baby not Vietnamese.”

“Who killed Hai and Suzi?”

“Tuan Duong and Vinh Bui.”

“How do you know this?”

“They come by my house after fire. Drunk. Say they did it, and my husband and I next if we tell anyone.”

“You’re telling me now.”

“For you to keep them in jail. But I can’t testify.”

I understood, although I didn’t agree. “Thank you for coming forward. You’re a brave woman. The FBI, police, and others will find the killers and learn what happened to Hai’s baby. How can I let you know when the baby is found? Are you the only living family?”

“I am. But no use. Maybe you find me through Ph?t Quang Vietnamese Buddhist Pagoda.” The phone clicked.

I shook my head. “I’ll investigate the pagoda and put a trace on the phone number once I’m back at the office. Makes me wonder if the Vietnamese community has experienced other child abductions.”

“I’m wondering too,” Risa said. “It’s barely eight o’clock in the morning, and we have two huge pieces to analyze. We should eliminate breakfast and drive to the office.”

“When did you last eat?”

She moaned. “Yesterday morning.”

“My point. Remember, I’m the handler.” I tried to make her smile, but she stared out at the street ahead.

“Gage, sometimes the right people are placed in our lives at the right moment for the right purpose. This will help the case against Duong and Bui.”

“Doubtful, but it’s a lead.”

43

Risa and I sat at a secluded corner booth at First Watch where we could talk privately. After we ordered, she opened her laptop while I relied on my legal pad notes. “Don’t you think the maternity home would take photos since they advocate a family environment?”

“Not sure,” I said. “Privacy issues might stop them. Think about angry baby daddies.” I inwardly grimaced.

“You’re right. Not safe. I’d like to establish a summary overview,” Risa said. “Viewing the progression of the investigation up to what we learned this morning. It’s old-school, but since you’re the legal pad guy, I think it’s the best way for us to operate. I’ve worked on a partial list but with only a few names.”

I grinned. “We’re both old-school types. Nothing’s changed.” I pointed to her laptop. “Go for it. First let me give you this number. See if it can be traced.”

She typed the email to the techs while I admired the way the light above our table highlighted her brown hair.

“Sent,” she said. “I’ll start the chronological list. Trenton’s death occurred on July 29, which per a note after his funeral, stated the victim should have been me.”

Had I heard right? “Is that what the note said?”

She met my gaze.

“Risa, before we go a step further, tell me the rest of the story.”