Page 37 of Elliot

“The Guardian building in New York. We have two dead men with rifles we suspect can fire the same caliber of bullets found at the scene.” He took a picture of the men and sent it to the generic CCS folder. “I just sent a picture.”

“Dude, hold your phone still. I’m looking out your camera,” Con said. “Pan to the right, now left. Damn. Okay. I need all the crime scene photos, too. What level is this?”

“Third.”

“Hold on. I need to do some diagnostics.”

“He’s checking the cameras,” Elliot explained to Ross.

“Cameras are in a loop. There should be a camera in the corner of the garage to your left. Go over to it and let me see it.” Con’s mouth sounded full again.

Elliot walked over and lifted the camera. “Yep. Hold on, I’m going to see if I can catch a glimpse of who did this and when and then compare it to entry records to see if we can narrow the suspect pool.”

Elliot walked back over to Ross and explained what Con was doing.

“Dude, I want whoever is in your ear working for me.” Ross shook his head. “My life would be a lot easier. Now, come on. We have an interview that has a clock on it.”

“Con, we’re going inside to do an interview. Do you have anything on the forensics of the bomb?”

“Ah, hold on,” the man mumbled around his food.

“Hungry?”

“Dude, it’s dinner time, and my mother-in-law makes the best food in the world.” Elliot could swear he heard Con licking his fingers. “Okay. Forensics. Yep, looks like they slipped it in about an hour ago. So, there’s no trigger; the explosives are actually modeling clay. The box had nothing … Oh, here we go. Afingerprint and bingo. Chandler Kates. Right index finger. It’s a partial, but it’s a match. He’s your bomb threatener or whatever you call him. Go forth and do whatever it is you law enforcement types do. I’ll work on the camera loop and let you know when I find something. Probably after dessert.”

Elliot shook his head and sighed before looking at Ross. “Chandler’s fingerprint was found in the fake bomb. Modeling clay and no triggering device.”

Ross smiled. “I really want that guy or gal in your ear. Just saying. Let’s go get a confession and find out where the hell these shooters came from.”

Elliot followed him to the elevator. At least they solved part of the puzzle. He couldn’t help feeling like Kates was a round peg they were trying to shove into a square hole. His gut wasn’t convinced the man could mastermind an attack like they’d witnessed. The fake bomb, yeah, that was the guy’s level. Everything else … he wasn’t buying it.

CHAPTER 13

Maya accepted the agent’s hand and got out of the armored limo in front of the apartment. They escorted her inside. Dan stood up and cocked his head. “Where’s Elliot?” He came out from behind the desk. “Are you okay, Ms. Callahan?”

“I am. Thank you, Dan. Elliot had to go downtown, so these gentlemen are escorting me up.” She was thankful the older man seemed so protective. The younger one put his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair, completely at ease.

“Mind if I see some credentials first.” Dan subtly opened his jacket, showing his handgun.

“I’d be upset if you didn’t,” the first man said. He reached into his jacket and flipped open his credentials for Dan. The man looked at them and then nodded. He was given a second set of credentials.

“Thanks.” Dan relaxed.

“No problem.” They all turned toward the elevator when Dan said, “Hey, sorry to hear about Louise.”

Maya stopped, and dread clenched her stomach. “What?”

“Louise, sorry to hear she died.”

Her brain short-circuited. She couldn’t comprehend what had just been said. “She died?”

Dan frowned. “Yeah, the woman who came here today, the one who replaced Louise, she had a letter from you. The staff said they called your number and validated the new employee. The day shift left a note in the book that Louise had passed, and you were working with a temp agency until you found a replacement.” Dan looked from her to the elevator. “Aww …shit.” Dan scrambled and handed the Guardians his pass key.

“Stay with her.” The Guardians headed to the elevator, and their guns were in their hands.

Maya pulled her phone from her purse and hit the hotkey for Louise. “Pick up. Please pick up.”

“Hello.”

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