Текст книги "Заговор мечей"

Автор книги: Джейн Doy Press

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“You guess? You guess? I didn’t see anybody else there threatening to shoot me.”

Alex stood up. “And I didn’t see anyone else there stopping an axe three inches from your face.”

Teren’s eyebrow rose. She hadn’t expected Alex to defend her actions.

“It was four inches,” David grumbled.

Alex rolled her eyes, and turned back toward Teren. As she did, Cliff appeared behind the tall woman.

Cliff nudged Teren further into the room, motioning for her to take a seat. He followed her in, walking up to the table, and turning to face them all. He leaned back and cleared his throat.

“I have a few announcements to make. I trust you’ve all met Teren by now. I’d like to thank her for being willing to help us out with this. Her position is unofficial, but she may have some connections that will help. I’m going to ask her to work with Alex and David, since she already knows them.”

Alex nodded. Teren gave a ghost of a smile. David covered his eyes.

“Now, as of Monday it will be official. Rick Price, from Philadelphia, will be a part of our team. He’ll be partnered with Ken Thomas, and since we’ve still got a suspect in Philly, that’s where they’ll be staying. They’ve been part of the surveillance team on Brogan, and they think they’ve got him spooked. We were discussing having David and Alex go back up there to try to shake him up a little more, but I’m afraid that’s not going to be possible.”

Alex frowned. Cliff took a deep breath and continued.

“I just got word that Ann Seffren was shot this morning in Denver.”

There was a collective shock that passed through the room. Teren could almost feel the energy as it passed among the gathered agents.

“Teren, since you may not know, Ann Seffren is a gay rights and pro-choice activist whose name was on the list of potential victims.” Teren nodded. Cliff sighed again. “I have to say, I thought the killings were over. But, obviously, they’ve just switched killers. That’s the bad news. The good news, is that Seffren is still alive. Also, they caught this guy. He was shot by a police officer, but he’s still alive as well. They’ve posted guards to try and make sure he stays that way.”

“I know her name was on the list, Cliff, but are you sure this is related? Couldn’t it be a random shooting?” Mark asked.

“I don’t know, Mark, but it sounds very familiar to me. The guy was on the roof of a nearby building, and used a high powered rifle. He tried to escape down the back stairs, only to be caught by a couple of cops doing a drug bust in the alley. Like I said, it sounds familiar.” He shrugged. “As to whether or not it’s connected, I’m going to send Alex and David out to Denver to ask questions. David, please tell your wife I’m sorry, I know its the weekend, and I’ll give you as much vacation as you want as soon as I can. But I need the two of you on this. Your plane leaves at seven.”

David was shaking his head. “She’s gonna kill me.”

Cliff turned to Teren. “I wish I could send you out there as well, Teren, but since your position has to be unofficial …”

“I understand. Still, I’d kind of like to go. If you can make the reservation, I’ll pay for the ticket.”

“Done.” Cliff nodded. “Alright. Ben, Mark, I guess you’re going to be my coordinators. The other three teams should be getting back here tonight or tomorrow. I understand there’s news from LA, and it’s not good.”

“Like I always say, ain’t nothin’ good come outta Hell-ay.”

“You may be right, Ben. From what I hear, they found the shooter, or rather his body. Seems to be an epidemic, don’t you think?”

“Well, maybe Alex and I will get lucky, and this guy in Colorado will be alive when we get there.”

Cliff sighed. “Maybe. That would be nice for a change.” He looked at his watch. “Okay, it’s three-fifteen. Alex, David, you’ll need to get moving if you want to make your flight. You’re set up with e-tickets. I’ll give you the flight information before you go. Teren, I’ll call and see if I can get you on the plane.” He looked at all of them. “I guess that’s it. You all know what to do. Let’s get going.”

It was a mostly silent crowd that filed out of the control center. Alex headed to her office to call Sarah. Somebody would have to take care of Appleby.

*******************************************************

Alex and David met by the elevators.

“Did you call Miri?”

“Yeah. She’s not happy, but at least she’s not talking divorce.”

“What did she say?”

“She called Cliff several foul names, and said I was to spend the next few nights on the couch.”

“David, you’ll be in Colorado for the next few nights.”

“I know. Good thing, too, since that couch is really lumpy.”

Alex was glad her partner hadn’t lost his sense of humor.

“Do you want a ride home, Alex?”

“No, I’ll take the Metro. It’ll take you longer if you have to drop me off, then go home, and pick me up again.”

The heard a polite cough behind them, and turned to see Teren.

“Hey, did Cliff get you a seat on the plane?”

“Yes. I was just going to ask if you wanted a ride, Alex.”

“Like I told David, it doesn’t make sense for someone to drive me home, then have to go home, and come back and pick me up.”

The elevator arrived, and the three of them stepped inside.

“Well, since I already have a bag packed, I wouldn’t have to go home. I could just take you home, and then we’d go straight to the airport.”

David looked suspiciously at Teren. “Why are you already packed, Teren? Did you know about this earlier?”

“Hardly.” Teren shrugged. “I got used to leaving town on a moments notice, so I learned to have a bag packed and in the trunk of my car. There were several times I was awakened from a sound sleep at midnight, on a plane by one, and in Europe by eight in the morning our time.” She shook her head. “When you live like that, you learn to be prepared.”

David nodded, and the suspicion faded away. “Sounds like a reasonable explanation to me.”

Alex looked at her partner and then at Teren. “Am I going to have to spend this trip keeping you from shooting each other?”

“No. David asked me to punch him, remember?” Teren smiled.

“Right. Okay, am I going to have to keep you from punching each other’s lights out?”

David wanted to joke with Alex about it, but he could see she was serious. He decided it would be better to try and deal with things here and now, rather than in Denver, or at 30,000 feet.

“Look, Teren, when I’m nervous I say stupid things. I guess your reputation preceeds you, and I have to admit, you make me nervous. He shrugged. “But, you haven’t really given me a reason to think bad of you, so I’m willing to give this a chance.” He stuck out his hand. “How about you?”

Teren looked at him. “Haven’t given you a reason? I put a gun in your face.”

“Yeah, but I really did say things I shouldn’t have. It took a friend reminding me of things in my own past that made me realize what a jerk I’d been.” He glanced at Alex, who had her hands in her pockets and was looking at the floor.

Teren caught the glance, and felt a flush of gratitude for the blond woman. She looked at David’s hand, and took it. They gave each other a smile, and stepped out of the elevator as the doors opened.

“So, Alex, how about that ride? I could take you home, and then to the airport. I’ll leave my car in long term parking, and Dave’s wife can take theirs home.” She looked at David. ” Does that sound alright with you?”

“Great. Usually I leave my car there, but it always worries Miri.”

“Okay, then. Alex, my car’s parked in a lot down the street. Give me a few minutes, then meet me out in front of the building, just like last night.”

Alex nodded. “I’ll be there in a few.”

They watched as Teren walked away, then Alex leaned over. “That was pretty brave of you, David.”

Her partner shrugged. “I thought if she was gonna kill me, I’d rather die here than on an airplane.”

“You gotta admit, she’s got class.”

“Yeah.” And you, my friend, have a crush. But there was no way he was going to say that out loud.

Chapter Fourteen

Teren liked silence, Alex noted. At least this time it was a comfortable quiet as they drove to Alex’s place.

But Alex had too many questions in her mind to let it remain silent.

“So, your talk with Cliff went well?”

“Yes. I like him.”

“I have to say I’m a little surprised that you’re joining us.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because he told us you’d have to play by the rules, and I don’t see you as a rulebook type person.”

Teren smiled. “I can be when I have to be. But, we agreed that since my involvement is strictly unofficial and off the record,” she shrugged, “not quite all the rules will apply to me.”

“Really. Which ones are those?”

“I’ll let you know when we run across them.”

She glanced at Alex with a grin. Alex smiled back. “It’s nice to have you on the team, Teren.”

“Thanks.”

Alex let the silence envelope them again, keeping a close eye on the woman at the wheel. She noted the way Teren scrutinized the traffic, constantly aware of the cars around her. While her speed moved them past many of the other vehicles, her ability allowed her to maneuver safely through crowded streets. Alex, who had always hated it when David sped through the same area, felt no fear with Teren at the controls.

Teren, for her part, found herself completely aware of the woman besider her. She could feel Alex’s eyes on her, but for the first time it didn’t bother her. What she found annoying, however, was the silence. Teren frowned. Since when was she uncomfortable with silence?”

“Cliff told me you wouldn’t tell him the whole story of Perry’s death. Thank you for that.”

“No problem. I had to tell him and David, at least where I got the name, but the rest of the team won’t even hear that much.”

“He also said he threatened to write you up for letting me take the watch.”

“Well, he kind of did. I’m to consider myself on report.”

“Which means?”

Alex leaned back, relaxing into the leather seat. “It means I’m on a kind of probation. As long as he feels I’m not screwing up, he won’t do anything. But if I violate anymore rules, he’ll write me up for everything.”

Teren frowned. “I guess I got you in trouble, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but that’s okay. It’s not like I’ve never gotten in trouble before.” Besides, it was worth it, she thought.

“For what good it will do, I’m sorry. I didn’t think there’d be a reason to tell anyone about the watch.”

Alex turned back to Teren. “That reminds me. I have a question.”

“I hate questions.”

“Sorry.”

“I especially hate it when people ask me if they can ask me a question.”

“Okay, I’ll remember that. Now, mind if I ask you something?”

Teren rolled her eyes. She pulled up at a red light and looked at Alex. “I walked into that, didn’t I.” Alex nodded, with a wide grin. Teren shook her head. “Okay, ask away.”

“If I hadn’t asked to see the watch, and you found the key later, would you have brought it to our attention?”

Teren watched the light turn green, and she stepped on the accelerator. “Yes. Probably not right away,though.”

“Why not?”

“I would have tried to find the box first. Then after I checked to see what was in it, I would have either turned it over to you, or at least let you know about it.”

Alex turned to the window, and sighed. “You can’t think like that, anymore, Teren. You’ve got to let us know if you find something.”

Teren shook her head. “No, I don’t. I have to let you know.”

Alex turned back, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I explained it to Cliff, and he agreed with me. There are certain things that I might become aware of through less than legal means, or through people it’s better you never meet. If that occurs, I’m not telling the team anything. I will let you, personally, know the information, and you can decide what, and how, to tell the others. That way, everyone’s protected.”

Alex gazed at her companion. “What you’re saying is, number one, I’m your pipeline to the group. Not me and David, just me.”

“Correct.”

“And number two, it could become dangerous for you.”

It was Teren’s turn to sigh. “No, Alex. It could become dangerous for me, and you.” She glanced at her passenger. “I guess I should have tried to explain this to you before, but I wanted the information on that account.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Let’s just say this: the accounts in Switzerland, the ones you traced from that Cayman Islands bank, are owned by some very deadly people. I knew that. If they had found you snooping in their direction, and they had any idea that you might cause trouble for them, they wouldn’t have thought twice about having you killed.”

Alex stared at her and swallowed. “And you didn’t want to tell me this because?”

“Because I needed your help.” Teren looked over to see a pair of wide green eyes. She hated the feeling of regret that filled her, but she couldn’t do anything about it.

“And that was it. You needed help, so it didn’t matter if I, or anyone else, was in danger. Anything to get the information, huh?” For the first time, Alex wasn’t sure about Teren.

“I’m sorry, Alex.”

The words were very quiet, and Teren kept her eyes forward as she pulled to the curb in front of Alex’s place. She refused to look at her companion. Alex, however, couldn’t look away from Teren’s face.

“If you’d rather I didn’t go with you, I’ll accept that.”

As Alex watched, Terens’s face took on a haunted look. The natural shadows under her eyes seemed to lengthen, stretching down her face. The frown she wore curled her mouth down, and lifted her chin. A vein near her temple seemed to throb, and the muscles in her neck bulged as she clenched her jaw.

What was that I told Cliff, Alex thought. Contradictions wrapped in dynamite.

“I want you to come with us, Teren,” Alex said quietly. “But I also want your word you’ll be honest with me. Completely. Not only with any information, but also any danger.” She leaned forward and touched the arm of the shadowed figure. “I can’t defend myself if I don’t know, Teren.”

Teren looked down at Alex’s hand where it rested on her forearm. Then she looked up and met Alex’s eyes. “I’ll do my best, Alex.”

Alex hesitated, then nodded. That would have to be enough for now.

She reached for the door handle and stopped. “You want to come up? It’ll be better than sitting in the cold.”

“I can keep the heat on; it won’t be that cold.”

“No. Come on, I promise my cat doesn’t bite.”

Teren smiled, and nodded. She shut off the engine, and climbed out of the car.

“What’s the cat’s name?”

“Appleby.”

“And you’re sure he won’t bite?”

“Positive,” Alex said as they entered the house. They climbed the stairs, and she stopped halfway. Looking back at her companion, she said, “But you do have to watch for falling cats.”

“Huh?”

Alex grinned. “You’ll see.”

She unlocked the door, listening closely for the tinkling of a tiny bell. Then she cautiously turned the handle.

Appleby was waiting on top of the bookcase. Alex was ready, however, and caught the leaping feline in her arms, letting him then scramble up to settle for a moment on her shoulders. He looked at Teren and meowed at her.

“Teren, meet Appleby.”

She turned to see the other woman grinning.

“Falling cats. Gotcha.”

*******************************************************

It didn’t take long for Alex to pack a bag and be ready to go. She gave Appleby a good hug, then left a note for Sarah and Maggie, who had agreed to cat sit once again.

They were on their way to the airport when her cellular buzzed.

“Reis.”

“It’s Cliff. Got the word back from the lab on that stuff from the box.”

“Anything important?”

“Two things. Number one, you were right. The dagger is from the 1930’s, and probably made in Germany. Number two, there were fingerprints on it. Guess whose.”

“Mather’s.”

“Well, yeah. But besides that.”

Alex felt her pulse increase. “White’s?”

“Yep.”

“Shit. We got him, Cliff.”

“Not quite. We can prove he knew the guy, that’s all. But there’s a little more.”

“What’s that?”

“Lab said they had a ninety percent match on White’s prints, but they also had a fifty percent match on somebody else’s. Kyle Brogan’s, to be exact.”

“Oh, yeah. I think we should send that little piece of info down to Ken and Rick.”

“Done. Faxed them a picture of the knife and a copy of the lab results. They’re going to talk to him tomorrow morning.”

“Are they arresting him?”

“No, but they’re not going to do the cozy chat at home this time, either.”

“I hope they break him.”

“Me, too. You on the way to the airport?”

“Yeah, Teren and I are almost there. David is supposed to meet us at the terminal.”

“You guys keep in close contact, alright? I want constant updates. Make me feel like I’m right there, Reis.”

“Got it, sir. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Good. Safe flight, Alex.”

“Thanks, Cliff.”

She folded the phone, sliding it back into the clip on her hip.

“They pulled Derek White’s fingerprints off the dagger.”

Teren nodded. “Nice. Doesn’t do much for you, though. You already knew they were connected.”

“Yeah, but that was circumstantial. This is physical proof. At the very least we’ll be able to pull him in for questioning.”

The former assassin gave Alex a sinister look, curling her eyebrows into knots. “Let me question him alone for ten minutes. He’ll tell you whatever you need him to.”

For a minute, that sounded like a really good idea to Alex. Then her conscience seemed to smack her, and she shook her head.

“Can’t do it. It’s against all the rules, and it’s just downright cruel.”

“Cruel for who?”

“Me. I wouldn’t be allowed to help you.”

*******************************************************

Alex was surprised to find that Miri and Arlea had accompanied David to the airport. It was a pleasant surprise though, and she reached out to capture her playmate while David introduced Teren to his wife. She was so caught up in the child’s laughter that she never saw the bemused look Teren was giving her, or the carefully watching eyes of the child’s mother.

She didn’t notice Miri approaching until she had already sat down beside them. Alex had the toddler riding on her knee, and Arlea continued to giggle, though Alex didn’t know if it was because of the bouncing, or because of the silly faces she was making.

Finally she noticed Miri, and she looked at her friend.

“So, I hear you’re teaching her to use the phone already.”

“Nope. She learned that trick all by herself.” Alex turned back to the gigling girl on her lap. “Didn’t you, Arlea? You grabbed the phone and talked all by yourself, didn’t you?” She mixed her words with little tickles, enjoying the laughs it illicited.

“Where’d Dave and Teren disappear to?”

“David went to get some gum, and Teren wanted to pick up a magazine for the flight. They should be back soon.”

“Good. We’ve still got an hour till boarding, right?”

“A little over.”

“How about we all get some dinner together? David and I can put it on our expense account.”

“Alex, is that the woman that threatened to kill David last night?”

Alex stopped tickling Arlea for a moment. She looked at her playmate’s mother.

“Well, yeah.”

“And now you’re all taking this flight together?”

“Yes.”

Miri was quiet for a moment, then looked Alex in the eye.

“You promised me you’d protect him, Alex. I’m holding you to that.”

“Look, Miri, David was being an insensitive ass last night, and Teren was on edge. It’s alright now. They even apologized and shook hands. There’s nothing to worry about.” Alex had to finish her statement around the tiny fingers trying to invade her mouth.

“When you’re married to an FBI agent you worry about everything, Alex.”

Alex was surprised to see the look of grief that drifted across her friend’s face. Miri had always worried about David, even more since Arlea’s birth. But the sadness and fear, almost dread, that showed in Miri’s eyes was something Alex had never seen. She shifted the squirming child onto the next seat, then reached out to hug her worried friend.

“Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine.”

Miri nodded against Alex’s shoulder, but Alex heard her sniffle as well. The two clung to each other for a moment, then was forced to release their hold as Arlea grabbed a handful of Alex’s short hair, and pulled.

“Yeow! Arlea …”

Miri laughed, and tried to help Alex get free of her attacker.

David and Teren chose that moment to reappear.

“David, does your daughter often attack your partner?”

“Absolutely. I encourage it.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because if she’s attacking Alex, she’s not attacking me.”

“Good point.”

Alex held Arlea for a few more minutes so that David and Miri could say a somewhat private goodbye. In reality, they just wanted to kiss each other for several minutes, but that was impossible with a one year old demanding attention. So Alex took charge of her playmate again, eyeing the couple with a tolerant smile.

“Come on, you. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

“Alex,” David called. “Before you introduce them, make sure Teren’s gun is empty, huh?”

“Oh, go play kissy-face, David. Me are Arlea will be just fine.”

She took the few steps up to the dark woman who was leaning against the wall by window.

“Teren, this is Arlea. Arlea this is Teren.”

Teren nodded at the little girl. “Nice to meet you.”

Alex held her playmate out, and Arlea reached for Teren’s neck. Teren reacted without thinking, and suddenly the child was in her arms.

“Um, Alex, I’m not really good with kids.”

“Well, you’re just going to have to hold her for a moment, cause I need to tie my shoe.”

Alex didn’t really have to tie her shoe, but she leaned down for a moment to fuss with it, giving Teren the opportunity to examine the tot in her arms.

Arlea had a cinnamon complexion, similar to her mother’s, and the fine straight hair that fell in the same pattern as her father’s. Her nose was still very tiny, but straight, and Teren could tell she’d have a long nose, but not a big one. She also had high cheekbones, much like both her parents, and she definitely was blessed with her father’s inquisitive nature.

Though, Teren thought that was more of a curse at the moment. Arlea had her one tiny fist wrapped around the dark silk of Teren’s hair, and she was trying to stuff that handful into her mouth, while the other hand reached up to play with Teren’s face.

“Um, Alex, could you come back up here, please?”

Alex stood, stifling a laugh at the situation Teren was in. She considered letting her playmate continue her exertions, but relented when she was the look of panic in Teren’s face. With a quiet chuckle, Alex reached out and took Arlea from the taller woman. Teren gently pried her hair loose, then leaned out of arm’s reach. Arlea yelled in outrage.

“Okay, Teren, what did you do to my daughter?” David almost laughed at the shocked look of panic on Teren’s face.

“Nothing, I swear.”

Alex did laugh. “Nah, Arlea just decided Teren was something new to play with and she didn’t want to give up her toy. Did you, sweetheart?” She kissed her playmate, then handed her over to Miri’s waiting arms. Arlea began fussing again, but not as loudly.

“So, David, are we ready to go?”

“Just about. They called our flight.”

“Yep, I heard. Teren, are you ready?”

“In a minute.” Teren was busy wiping at her hair and jacket, where Arlea had left her calling card. “Does anybody have a towel?”

Alex and David grinned as Miri reached into the diaper bag for the baby wipes.

Chapter Fifteen

They were met at Denver International Airport by Andrew Tanner of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. With him was Captain Matthew Weaver, of the Denver Police Department. The two men were clearly surprised to see two women on the FBI team.

Tanner nodded at Alex, handing back her identification. He looked at Teren’s, then gazed up at her.

“Says here you’re CIA.”

“That’s correct. Currently I’m on loan to the Bureau.” Teren stared at him. “Is that a problem, Mr. Tanner.”

“That’s Agent Tanner, ma’am, and no. If these folks think you can help, I have no problem with that.”

Captain Weaver didn’t seem to agree with him, but he said nothing. He shook David’s hand firmly, and offered a lighter handshake to Alex. He was going to do the same to Teren, but the former spy gripped his hand firmly, displaying her strength. Weaver raised an eyebrow but returned the pressure.

“We got you folks rooms at the Hilton Airport. It’s close to DIA but pretty far from the crime scene and all. Hope that’s alright.”

“Thank you, Captain, I’m sure that will be fine.”

“Do you folks need to go to baggage claim?”

“No, we didn’t check anything. Unless something else happens we’re to be on a plane back to Washington late tomorrow night.”

“Alright then, we’ve got a van waiting for us out front. If you’ll follow me?”

Alex took the lead with the two Colorado men on either side of her.Teren and David followed. “Agent Tanner, I believe you have a file for me?”

“It’s in the car, ma’am.”

Alex smiled at Tanner. “Please, call me Alex. Ma’am makes me feel older than David is.” She pointed her thumb over her shoulder at him. David gave a mock glare to his partner.

Everyone chuckled and Tanner gave her a grin. “Okay, Alex. I’m Andrew.”

“Good. Now, what can you tell us? Is Seffren still alive?”

“Yes, and it looks like she’s going to make it just fine. Unfortunately, one of her friends was killed in the attack.”

“You mean the shooter missed Seffren and hit someone else?” Alex frowned. “Doesn’t sound like the kind of thing a professional would do.” She glanced back at Teren.

Teren knew what Alex was asking, and she shrugged. “Everyone misses sometime, Alex.”

The frown stayed, but Alex nodded her head. “And the shooter? He’s in custody at the hospital?”

Agent Tanner looked over at Captain Weaver, who cleared his throat before speaking.

“Uh, well, Agent Reis, it seems somebody messed up. Somehow, the guy got ahold of a cyanide capsule. By the time anyone got to him, it was too late.”

“The guy killed himself?”

“That’s right, Agent Reis.”

Alex didn’t speak again until they reached the car. The she turned and gazed at Weaver. “Captain, did you search him while he was in the hospital?”

“Yes, of course we did.”

“And yet he managed to somehow keep you from finding a cyanide capsule.”

“No, Agent Reis. He was thoroughly searched. Before and after his surgery. And no, we could’t have missed it.” Weaver glared back at Alex.

“Then, Captain Weaver, someone slipped it to him. I want a record of any and all personnel, from your staff or the hospital’s, that went in and out of his room.”

“Are you saying one of my men gave it to him?”

“I don’t know, Captain, did anyone other than your men go into his room?”

“Yes.”

“Then no, I’m not accusing your men. But someone gave him that capsule, Captain, and I want to know who.”

Weaver blinked at her, still staring after her when Alex climbed into the backseat of the van. He walked around to the driver’s door, muttering.

Teren looked at David. “Is she always that aggressive?”

David nodded. Teren smiled.

“Cool.” She climbed into the very back seat, leaving David the spot beside his fuming partner.

*******************************************************

Alex let her body sink into the chair by the table in her room. She took a long swallow from the glass of wine that she’d ordered with dinner, and let her head drop against the back of the armchair. It wasn’t, she thought, that she hated flying. It was the jetlag she could do without. By Colorado time, it was just before eleven at night. In DC it was nearly one in the morning. Alex tried not to think about it.

She looked around her room, both happy and disappointed that Teren had chosen not to stay in her room. Alex had told her that she was welcome to share, but the tall figure had simply given her a smile and replied, “That’s not a good idea, Alex. I’m a light sleeper, and if you even rolled over in your sleep, I’d be drawing my gun.”

Alex had decided Teren was right. It would be better for each of them to have their own room.

Finished with her dinner, Alex pushed the tray off to the side, and reached for the file Andrew Tanner had given her.

The first page was a report on the shooting, detailing the events. As Cliff had told them, the shooter had been on a nearby roof, and had fired four shots into the small group among which Ann Seffren had been standing. Then he had retreated into the building, fleeing down a back stairway. His car was outside waiting, though there was no driver. He had come out of the back door, only to run into the middle of a drug bust. The police, seeing the rifle in his hands, had fired, thinking they were under attack.

A couple of things puzzled Alex. One, never before had anyone else been hit by the bullets of the assassin. And two, this guy was acting completely alone. There had been no getaway vehicle, and no one to warn him that he was about to walk into the arms of the cops.

While she agreed with Teren that even a professional might miss once in a while, this didn’t sound like a simple stray bullet hitting someone rather than the intended victim. Out of the four shots, only one had hit Seffren, and that had been in the shoulder. Another bullet hit the woman standing to Seffren’s right, killing her instantly. A third bullet lodged in the leg of a bystander, and the fourth had hit the ground close to where the women had been standing. In Alex’s mind, this was far from a professional hit.

When she turned the page, she found she was right. The shooter had been a man by the name of Keith Halloran. He lived in Colorado Springs, and worked at a digital communications company on the north side of the city. He was new to the city, however, having moved there several months ago from Philadelphia, when he was transferred to the Micon Digital, which had been newly acquired by Atlantic Properties. Before his transfer, he had worked at East Penn Telecom, where his supervisor had been one Kyle Brogan.

“Gee, Kyle, you sure get around a lot.” She noted the connections on her pad, reminding herself to send a fax to Ken. This would be another item to add to their list of questions when he and Rick confronted Brogan.

The gun, she noted, was of the same type used in Baltimore, a Colt Carbine, semi-automatic. She looked closely at the serial number, realizing she’d seen it before. Pulling her laptop closer to her, she called up the files on the case, and opened the one containing all the information on the Baltimore killing. The serial number of the rifle in Colorado was different from the number on the Baltimore rifle by only two numbers. When she checked it against the list of stolen rifles, she was pleased to find it was indeed listed as having been stolen by Darryl Wilford.