Page 150 of State of Suspense

“Sounds good.”

As they walked into the pit, Captain Malone was coming in from the other side.

“We’ve got a person of interest in the shootings of Tom Forrester and Avery Hill,” Sam said.

“Fill me in.”

Sam gestured for him to lead the way into the conference room.

Freddie went to the computer and called up the info they had on Harlan Peckham and projected his image and rap sheet onto the screen at the front of the room.

“Harlan Peckham, age thirty-eight, is the son of Willy and his first wife, Justice Peckham. Willy and his second wife, Amber, are the ones who broke into Avery’s home. Avery was undercover with Willy’s family years ago and put together the case against them for massive Medicaid fraud, among other crimes, including gun trafficking. He was sentenced to fifteen years in prison. The first wife died of cancer in prison. Willy did twelve years, married Amber in prison about a year ago and was released the day before the invasion at Shelby and Avery’s home. Other members of their gang did six to eight years in prison and were on the loose at the time of the shootings. According to Avery, Willy and Justice’s son Harlan matches the physical description of Tom’s shooter. He managed to get off on a technicality and never did time.”

Just as Sam was about to suggest they call in the marshals to assist in locating Harlan, Jesse Best appeared. At six and a half feet tall, he took up most of the doorway.

“Brought you something you’ve been looking for.”

Sam got up and went to the door.

Jesse stepped back to let her out.

“Gonzo,” she called.

He stood and smiled when he saw Jesse. “You found them?”

“Yep. They’re being processed as we speak.”

“Where were they?”

“Hiding out, if you want to call it that, at the mother’s family cabin in northern Wisconsin. The daughter told us where to look, but not before we had to remind her she could be charged for aiding fugitives.”

“Great work, Jesse,” Sam said.

“I’ll take care of welcoming Rosemary and Randy to DC,” Gonzo said as he headed out of the pit toward the main lobby area.

Sam turned back to Jesse. “I was just about to call you. We could use your help with another matter.”

“What’s up?”

“Step into our office.” She followed him into the conference room, where Harlan Peckham’s face was still on the screen.

“That’s Harlan Peckham,” Sam said, “son of Willy and the late Justice Peckham, who headed up a Medicaid scam and gun operation in Kentucky.”

“I remember that case,” Jesse said. “The son went missing for a time after the parents were arrested, and we tracked him into the hills of Kentucky. Took us about two weeks to smoke him out. He’s got survival training. After all that, he got off because of a dirty FBI agent. If he goes under, he’ll be hard to find. What’d he do?”

“We like him for the shootings of Tom Forrester and Avery Hill.”

Jesse released a low whistle. “That’s a heck of an escalation from Medicaid fraud, gun dealing and petty crime.”

“Our theory is that the Peckhams blame them for wrecking their cushy scam and sending them to prison. They’re looking for retribution.”

“Not sure I’m buying that they’d go to the trouble of revenge when they could get back to doing what they do best, which is running scams.”

“Did you hear about Willy and his new young wife showing up at Avery’s home and taking his pregnant wife and son hostage?”

Shock registered on his face. “I’ve been in the field for weeks and hadn’t heard about that. Wow. I guess that proves me wrong. Just when you think people can’t get any stupider than Willy Peckham already is, he goes and tops himself. Hill’s wife and son are all right?”

“They were badly shaken but not hurt.”

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