Page 22 of Wild Idol (Tyson Wild Thriller #82)

I forwarded the CBP officers’ contact information to Isabella and asked her to run background on the two individuals.

“I’ll check bank records, phone calls, social media messages, and keep an eye out for anything suspicious,” Isabella said.

“If these are the same bank robbers, they broke from their normal disguises. But it’s understandable in this situation.”

“If you ask me, it’s stupid to maintain the same MO. It connects all the crimes. If they were smart, they’d change it up every time.”

“Fortunately, not everybody’s smart,” I replied.

Some people were just too proud. Their egos too big.

They liked the notoriety and the recognition.

I figured the bank robbers liked the attention.

They had painted themselves as modern-day Robin Hoods, although it was all bullshit.

Despite what they had said, they didn’t give much back to the community.

After the first bank robbery, they had handed out roughly $50,000 to residents in Jamaica Village.

In subsequent heists, I don’t think they distributed near that amount.

But it would be a good idea to keep an eye on Jamaica Village in case there was a sudden influx of diamonds into the community.

JD and I headed back to the Avventura and called it a night.

We set out early the next morning to find Darius Zimmerman. Deezy’s career had launched when his song Bona Fide Hustler went viral. It had kids all over the socials mimicking Deezy’s quirky dance moves to the beat.

His recent success had allowed him to move into the Nautilus. It was a luxury high rise with all the amenities.

JD pulled to the valet. We hopped out, and Jack told the kid to keep the car close by. I flashed my badge at the glass double doors, and the concierge buzzed us in.

The cute brunette greeted us with a smile. “Good morning, gentlemen. What can I do for you?”

“Here to see Darius Zimmerman,” I said.

She told me the unit number. “Would you like me to ring his unit?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

We continued across the opulent lobby to the elevators and vaulted up to the 6th floor. We ambled down the hall to unit #609, and I rang the video doorbell a few times.

This was quite an early call for Darius.

After enough persistence, his voice crackled through the speaker. “What the fuck do you want? ”

I flashed my badge to the lens. “We’re hoping you can help us with a case.”

“You got a warrant?”

“We just need to ask you a few questions.”

“Get fucked!”

The line crackled with static as he disconnected.

“He’s a friendly guy,” JD muttered.

I rang the bell again.

“What part of get fucked did you not understand?”

“Look, I get it. It’s early in the morning.

You don’t want to talk to cops. I don’t blame you.

Honestly, it’s the smart thing to do. But it’s also making me suspicious.

And when I get suspicious, I start digging deeper.

If you’re willing to answer a few simple questions, we’ll get out of your hair. No big deal.”

I tried to make it sound as benign as possible.

Darius hesitated for a moment. “What’s this about?”

“It’s easier if we just talk about it face-to-face.”

“If you got something to say to me, say it now.”

I figured if I started asking about Haley Reid right away, he’d clam up. “Were you at the Pearl Room two nights ago for a record release party?”

“That ain’t none of your business.”

“There are plenty of pictures of you at the event. I don’t know why you’re being evasive. ”

“I’m not being evasive. I go to a lot of events. I don’t want to misspeak. Cops love to twist your words around.”

“Nobody’s twisting any words around, just trying to get to the facts.”

“If you knew I was there, why’d you ask?”

“I just wanted to see what you’d say.”

“Typical.”

“Do you know a girl named Haley Reid?”

“No.”

“You sure about that?”

“Positive.”

“That’s interesting, because I have a picture of you with her at the Pearl Room doing lines of cocaine.”

He hesitated for a moment. “How can you tell it’s cocaine from a picture?”

Maybe Deezy wasn’t as dumb as he looked.

“I suppose you two were just snorting baking powder for fun?”

“Man, I don’t need to listen to this.”

“I’m sure you’re aware that Haley Reid is dead.

She was found in a dumpster behind Beats.

I’m gonna give you an opportunity to tell me your side of the story.

If you don’t talk now, I’m gonna come back with a warrant.

If you gave her the drugs that caused an overdose, you’re gonna go away for a long time.

If I were you, I’d start talking. She didn’t get in the dumpster all by herself.

She had help. Now, I’m guessing that you were at the club with your crew.

How long do you think they’re gonna cover for you?

I mean, when the heat turns up, people talk.

The way I see it, you could be looking at first degree murder.

That’s life, buddy. At minimum, manslaughter. That’s 15.

There was a long moment of silence. Finally, Darius said, “I ain’t saying shit to you without an attorney.”

The speaker crackled as he disconnected.

I shared another look with JD.

“That’s our guy,” he said.

I was pretty convinced, too. “Let’s turn up the heat,” I said with a mischievous grin.