Page 18 of Ghost of You (Haunted Souls #24)
“Call the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Jude. Find out if Frankie had a duplicate license issued.” Fitz turned to Ronan.
“Trace the IP address of that money transfer and then call Oliver and ask him if he knows anything about Frankie’s license being stolen.
Make him think we’re looking at the embezzler as the killer so he drops his guard.
” His phone pinged as he spoke. “It’s Troy.
” Fitz tapped his screen, stared at it for a few seconds and laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Ronan asked.
“See for yourself.” Fitz turned the phone around so both Jude and Ronan could see it. “That’s the first of five pictures Troy sent from the day the account was opened in Frankie’s name.
“Oh, fuck!” Jude snorted. The images were of a man and a woman. The woman looked a lot like Frankie, but she was wearing a baseball cap, which obscured part of her face. Her features were similar to Frankie’s but that woman wasn’t her. The man was easily identifiable. “Ambrose Watson.”
“That son of a bitch,” Ronan said. He grabbed his phone. “I’m calling Oliver.” Seconds later, his voice filled the room.
“Detective O’Mara, this is a surprise. Are you calling to ask me to give a statement on the way my former father-in-law attacked me at my wife’s funeral?” Oliver sounded spiteful. Jude was surprised he hadn’t already filed a report himself, he seemed the petty type.
“Unfortunately not, I’m cold case. You’d have to file a complaint at the police department.”
Oliver sighed. “I figured as much. Why are you calling?”
“I have a question for you.”
“I can’t answer any questions without my attorney present.” Oliver’s smarmy smile was evident in his voice. The asshole was enjoying this, no doubt about it.
“Understood, you call him and I’ll work other leads regarding Ambrose Watson,” Ronan paused.
His eyes sparkled with glee. “Make your call fast because we had a tip earlier in the day letting us know that Watson looks like he’s about to run.
He’s got one million reasons to get out of town before it’s too late. ”
“Wait, you want to talk to me about Watson ?” Oliver sounded as if he couldn’t believe his ears.
“I sure do. We just got off the phone with the First Salem Bank who sent us still photos from the day Frankie opened the alleged embezzlement account. The woman in the picture is not Frankie. We don’t know who she is yet, but even more interestingly, the man with her in the photo isn’t you.”
“It’s Watson?” Oliver asked, sounding shocked.
“I can’t talk about this with you since Pryce isn’t there, but call us back when he is. Have a great day, Oliver.”
“Wait!” Oliver shouted, as Ronan’s finger hovered over the end call button. “I waive my right to have my attorney present. Can you speak with me now?”
“I can,” Ronan said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
“Who was the man in the picture?” Oliver asked, breathlessly.
“It’s Ambrose Watson,” Ronan answered. “Since the account was opened in Frankie’s name, Watson must have had access to Frankie’s license and social security number. Do you have any idea how he could have gotten that information?”
Jude crossed his fingers and hoped Oliver would remember something that could help.
“Are you asking if I was the one who gave Watson my wife’s information?” Oliver snapped.
“No, not at all,” Ronan said, in what sounded like a soothing voice.
“Oh, wait!” Oliver said. “Frankie lost her driver’s license.”
“She did?” Ronan asked.
“Yeah, it was several months before she went missing. I had to take her to the registry to get a duplicate license issued. Do you think that’s how Watson was able to open an account in Frankie’s name?”
“I do,” Ronan agreed. “Is there any chance Frankie kept her Social Security Card in her wallet?”
“No,” Oliver said. “We kept those in our safe with our passports. Why?”
“You need the number along with a photo ID to open an account. We need to figure out how Watson could have had access to that.”
“Employee records,” Oliver said easily. “All of that information would have been in the system. He would have needed someone with the proper HR clearance to get into the file, but I wouldn’t put it past him to have friends that could help him out.”
“I agree. Thanks for your help, Oliver.”
“Are you gonna be able to stop him from leaving town?” Oliver asked, sounding relieved.
“We’re gonna do our best. If he stole the money, it’s not a stretch to think Watson killed Frankie too, so that she wouldn’t be able to point the finger at him.” Ronan rolled his eyes. “We’ll be in touch.” He ended the call wearing a triumphant look.
“I’ve got a contact at the RMV.” Jude fired off a quick text. Seconds later a reply came back. “Son of a bitch.”
“What?” Ronan asked, sounding excited.
“Frankie applied for a duplicate license the day after the bank account was opened.” Jude tapped his phone and the printer whirled to life. “But, that’s not all.”
“Did you look up the IP Address?” Fitz asked, as he grabbed the printout.
“I sure did.” Jude snorted. You’ll never guess where it originated from.”
“City Hall?” Ronan asked.
“Nope, try again,” Jude was loving every moment of this. There was nothing better than stupid criminals.
“Watson’s house,” Fitzgibbon said, sounding incredulous.
“We’ve got a bingo!” Jude laughed.
“Let’s go get this fucker!” Ronan got to his feet.
“Everyone, hold on. I’ll apply for the warrant to search Watson’s home and work computers,” Fitz walked back into his office.
“I’ll text Cope and tell him we’ll pick him up in a bit.” Jude grinned as his thumbs flew over the keyboard.
Jude didn’t think Watson killed Frankie.
He’d set it up so that it looked like she stole the money.
There would have been no reason to kill her.
If someone noticed the money had been stolen, all Watson would have to do was pack a bag and get on a plane to a country with a non-extradition treaty.
They were going to solve the embezzlement case and were quickly closing in on Frankie’s killer.
It was only a matter of time.