Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“We’re headed down,” Mitch offered up quickly.
“I’ll ride down with,” he said, holding the door open. Kreed entered first, Mitch followed, and Brown was working at a much slower pace.
“I’m Kreed Sinacola.” He held out his hand to the director who reluctantly offered his. He didn’t introduce himself.
“Since the team has doubled, we’re expecting quicker results,” Director Young said.
“Sir—” Brown started, but the director cut him off.
“I need daily reports from this point forward. It’s been well over a week and you’ve got nothing. Now we’re having to double your team. No one’s pleased,” the director’s tone was sharp and clear. Mitch stayed quiet, because no one wanted to hear what he had to say after three days of pussyfooting around the legal department with the Secret Service interviews.
The elevator opened on the first floor parking garage. The director never said another word or looked back in their direction.
“Well, isn’t he just a breath of fresh air,” Kreed mumbled, as they walked off at a slower pace.
“You have no idea,” Brown replied.
“I vote Connors to be the one to give the daily updates,” Mitch recommended, finally stepping off the elevator as the doors started to close.
“I second it,” Brown said.
“It unanimous then. Serves him right for being late,” Kreed added, heading for Mitch’s rental.
~~~
Eight o’clock in the morning and the coffee shop bustled with business. Long lines streamed from each order station and every so often names were called with coffee handed over the end of the counter. The place worked like a well-oiled machine, and no one had to wait too long for an order.
Their whole game plan for the visit came to three men there just having coffee. It was a brilliant plan, didn’t take long to formulate, and might have holes. They’d have to wait and see. Mitch and Kreed followed along behind Brown, but Kreed’s attention stayed focused elsewhere.
Mitch led Kreed down the hall where Elliot Greyson was last seen. They entered the men’s bathroom, running everyone off inside. Kreed pulled out his tools to sweep the room to see if any taps had been left behind. They both did a thorough search for hidden exit routes. Even the ceiling was concrete. Just like the original reports, there was nothing amiss with the room. Elliot couldn’t have exited this room without going through the door.
“Gentlemen, we need to move it along.” A voice came from the hall outside the locked bathroom door. Mitch recognized the voice, and he used his hand codes to try to let Kreed know who was at the door.
“Deputy Marshal Knox,” the owner said. Damn, he remembered Mitch’s name. For a one-time chance meeting that seemed odd to him, but some people were just like that. He hadn’t pegged that guy as one of them.
“Mr. DeGeorge, I want you to meet my partner, Kreed Sinacola.” Mitch turned to Kreed as he opened the door. Kreed stood right there in the doorway, blocking customers who waited to use the facilities while Mitch made the introductions.
“Has anything else happened?” Mr. DeGeorge asked, concerned.
“No, sir, Deputy Marshal Sinacola’s new to the case. He mentioned he wanted to have a look at the scene, so I brought him over.” Mitch took another glance around the restroom.
“I do have a few questions. Are you busy?” Kreed asked as he stepped into the hallway.
“It’s rush hour for us,” Mr. DeGeorge said, somewhat defensively.
“It won’t take long,” Kreed announced and straightened to his full height, towering over the guy.
“All right, I guess I’m willing to spare a few minutes to help. I hope you’re getting closer to identifying the scum who did this. Business is suffering with all this police presence all the time,” Mr. DeGeorge replied. He was a small man with a graying beard and had always seemed nice enough until right this minute. He motioned for them to follow him, and he lead them down the same hall, but in the opposite direction and a little deeper in to the building, until they were almost at the back door. Mr. DeGeorge turned right and ushered them toward the small office.
“Is this the only back door to the building?” Kreed questioned the owner as he looked over the door.
“Yes, it leads to the Dumpster and alley,” DeGeorge said.
“Can I take a look?” Kreed asked
“Of course, but your men scoured the area…”
“Humor me,” Kreed replied, not stepping inside the office, but staying close to the door. Mr. DeGeorge skirted around Mitch toward the back door. He entered a security code.
“Who has this code?” Kreed inquired. Mitch listened to see if an answer might change, but so far everything was on the up and up.
“Every employee here. The Dumpster’s out back.” DeGeorge opened the back door, and Kreed walked out first, spotting the security camera by the door.
“Who controls the security camera?” Kreed asked, keeping an eye on the owner.
“We do. It’s set up in the computer you guys confiscated. Any word when we can get it back?” Mitch and Kreed ignored the owner’s question. Kreed climbed the side of the Dumpster and pushed on the protective security gate. Mitch watched him closely. The only way Elliot could have gotten over the top of the fence would have been with help. The spiral barbwire had no DNA. And the only other way out was down the alley, which would have passed by the assigned Secret Service agent out front.
“The Dumpster contents?” Kreed looked over at Mitch and asked.
“It’s still in FBI custody,” Mitch answered.
Kreed jumped down and turned to Mr. DeGeorge. “This is the only way out?”
“Correct. And the agent sitting on the road never saw anyone else,” Mr. DeGeorge offered.
“No disturbance, nothing abnormal that night?” Kreed kept probing. He was relentless, which was exactly why Mitch wanted his friend on this case.
“No one noticed anything until we locked up and the Secret Service agents were banging on the doors.” The man looked down at the ground and wiped his hands on his apron.
“Someone’s lying,” Kreed said to Mitch.
“Now wait a minute,” Mr. DeGeorge spoke up.