Page 3 of Silent Bones (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #7)
The images showed jewelry from stores in Albany, with timestamps indicating recent visits. In several photos, a woman matching the description of Pellegrino's girlfriend could be seen examining gold chains and bracelets.
"The jewelry wasn’t just for storage and sale on Amazon," Noah said, studying the travel records.
"That would have raised too many red flags and questions from Amazon.
They've worn it during flights to avoid customs detection, then sold it for cash once they reached their destination.
Clean money, no paper trail. Looks like we'll need to coordinate with our Canadian colleagues," Noah added, making a mental note to contact the RCMP.
McKenzie was examining shipping labels near the loading dock. "Sutherland, come look at this. These addresses, they're all over the bloody map. California, Florida, Texas. This wasn't just a regional operation."
Noah joined him, studying the labels. The scope was staggering. What had begun as a simple shoplifting investigation had uncovered a sophisticated criminal enterprise that spanned multiple states and crossed international borders.
"How many involved?" Noah asked.
"Based on the surveillance footage and arrest records, at least fifteen," McKenzie replied. "But I'd wager there were more. Pellegrino had to have help with the logistics."
As they continued processing the scene, Noah felt his phone vibrate. A text from his daughter Mia: "Dad, do you know where my makeup bag is? I think Ethan moved it but he denies it. By the way, don't forget we're leaving early tomorrow for camping! Ethan's been packing since breakfast."
The reminder brought a smile to his face. After six months of long hours and weekend surveillance, he was finally going to get some quality time with his kids. A week of camping in the Adirondacks, away from crime scenes and criminals, was exactly what he needed.
"Right then," McKenzie said, sealing the last evidence bag. "I'd say this case is officially in the bag. Pellegrino's looking at federal charges, the women will likely plead out, and CVS gets most of their merchandise back. Not bad work." McKenzie stared at him. “You good?”
Noah looked around the warehouse one final time, taking in the magnitude of what they'd uncovered. "Yeah. Sometimes I wonder if we're just playing whack-a-mole. Shut down one operation, another one pops up somewhere else."
"Aye, but that's the job, isn't it?" McKenzie replied philosophically. "We can't stop all of them, but we can make it harder for the next ones."
“I guess.”
“You’re not thinking about Luther Ashford, are you?”
“I try not to.”
As they walked toward the exit, Noah's phone buzzed again. This time it was his neighbor, Ed Baxter.
“Everything okay, Ed?”
“Couldn’t be better. Just wanted to check if you wanted me to bring that moonshine of mine tonight.”
“Maybe leave that for another time,” Noah said, grinning. He’d invited him for a BBQ that evening, a get-together before heading out for camping the day after.
“Suit yourself. By the way, I was wondering if you wanted to join me in September down in Whitehall?”
“What’s there?”
He let out a loud howl on the phone.
“Geesh, Ed. You trying to make me deaf?”
Ed laughed.
“What the hell was that? My Bigfoot call. I’m practicing for Whitehall. They have a contest down there each year. Thinking I might see what the young ones make of it."
Noah chuckled. “Speak to you later.” Ed had been preparing for their camping trip for weeks, convinced that the Adirondacks were prime Sasquatch territory. His enthusiasm was infectious, even if his theories were questionable.
"You sound chipper," McKenzie said.
"Is there a reason not to? I get the chance to get away from all this for a while," Noah said, gesturing at the evidence-filled warehouse. "A week in the woods with my kids, and Ed, some fishing, maybe a campfire or two. No criminals, no surveillance, no retail crime rings."
"Sounds bloody perfect," McKenzie agreed. "You've earned it, Sutherland."
Noah pulled away from the storage facility and rolled his shoulders. Six months of chasing fake receipts and phantom vendors, and it all came down to a storage unit full of boxes. He'd have paperwork for weeks, but at least he could finally stop seeing CVS logos in his sleep.
His phone rang as they reached the highway. Lieutenant Savannah Legacy's name appeared on the screen.
"Savannah. The love of my life.”
“Hardly.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Just wanted to say well done.”
“Well, I appreciate that.”
“And…” she trailed off.
“What is it?”
She sighed. “Ah, nothing. So, what’s the plan for your time off?”
“Oh, you know. A little bit of this, a little bit of that.”
She chuckled. "Well, you deserve a break. Whatever you are doing, enjoy your trip. You've earned it. We’ll catch up when you return.’”
“Savannah?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you sure, you’re okay?”
“Positive.”
As Noah ended the call, something in his chest loosened—a tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying.
Tomorrow meant campfires, Mia's terrible camping jokes, and Ethan's conspiracy theories about local wildlife.
The cases could wait. For the first time in months, he was just a dad packing s'mores and bug spray.