Page 30 of Rex

I wait until I hear the locks engage on her door, then walk to where I’d left my bike. I swear in a low voice when I see that my back tire is flat. That just sucks ass since I certainly can’t call for a tow with my bike in Aria’s driveway. I think about my options, then call Reeves. Taking a seat on my bike, I wait.

“Your tire wasn’t flat. It was slashed. Who’d you piss off lately?” Reeves asks as he enters my office, wiping his hands off on a grease rag.

“Slashed? Really?” I ask in shock.

“Yup. Tire is worthless, so you’re going to need a new one. I can run to the shop and get one. If you cover the monitors for a little longer, I’ll get it put on for you.”

“Yeah, go ahead. Thanks, Reeves.”

“No problem. What story do you want me to give when Trigger and Petey ask what happened?” Reeves asks. “Trigger’s too nosy not to ask.”

“That it was probably some kids, I guess.”

“Alright. Be back in a while,” Reeves says as he leaves.

Turning back to the monitors, I watch them closely while my mind thinks about the slashed tire. The tire doesn’t bother me as much as it happening at Aria’s. I hope it was just some stupid kids doing stupid things and not anything more serious. I briefly think about her security system and what it might show about my bike but push the thought aside. Suddenly, my brain catches up to what my eyes are seeing, and I sit up straighter.

A guy with a somewhat familiar face steps behind the bar at the far end from the bartender. They exchange a look, and the bartender turns back to making the drink he was working on, but he doesn’t look happy. His movements are stiff, and a frown remains on his face. I ignore the bartender and zoom in on the other guy.

He sets a tray on the top of the bar, sets a few glasses on it but doesn’t start mixing drinks. He’s intently watching someone across the room and appears to be waiting for someone or something. After a few minutes, a waitress approaches the bar, and he waves her over to him. He listens to her, then takes one glass at a time off the tray and sets it below the bar. Speaking briefly to the waitress, she turns and walks off.

The angle of the camera doesn’t show the glasses, but I watch closely as he grabs various bottles of alcohol from the shelf behind him and appears to be making the drinks. When his hand disappears into his pocket briefly, I already know why. This isthe same guy I saw at the club when we were there and the same guy I have mugshots of from my research for Chubs. He’s a few years older, and his appearance is slightly different from the mugshots, but it’s the same guy.

After the waitress picks up the tray and walks off, I watch him watch her closely. When a small smile appears on his face, I know whoever his target is just ingested whatever he placed in her drink. Frustration hits hard, and anger rolls through me because this isn’t a current video. It was from a couple of nights ago, and whoever got drugged is most likely already a victim. Pausing the video, I call Reeves. After he arrives and confirms that’s the same guy he saw at Club Ace, I call Gunner.

“Here’s the photos of both men. Study them well because Rex said the mugshots are a few years old, and their appearances have changed somewhat. At least we know this one’s has,” Gunner says while holding up a still shot from the video of the guy me and Reeves both recognize.

I pass the photos I printed off around the table and watch as each guy takes them. Chubs speaks up, explaining all that he’s heard on the street before Gunner hands out assignments to each of us. Several of us will be clubbing tonight, and it won’t be for the fun of it. I’ll also only be ordering unopened beer.

“Has anyone spotted the other guy?” Axel asks, holding up the photo of Gary Lechner.

“No, but we know he’s in Denver and most likely with his partner in crime, Dave Mishan,” I answer.

“Do you have an address for them?” Pooh asks.

“The last known one I could find so far is a rundown, pay-by-the-week motel called Jimmy’s Motor Inn. Address is written on the back of the photos,” I reply. “Another thing to note is that they work for a female by the name of Savi Foster. Chances of us seeing her are slim. She keeps her distance from the hands-on dirty work. She’s more of a facilitator. She’s slippery, and law enforcement hasn’t had much luck with getting charges to stick on her. I’ll text you all a photo of her if I can find a more current one.”

“A female? Seriously? What the fuck!” Petey barks in disgust.

“If we come across her, do we bring her here? Or just keep eyes on her?” Vex questions.

“Keep eyes on her, but stay out of sight. We need to know who she’s working with and where the victims are,” Gunner answers.

“Do we know who was targeted at Club Ace the other night?” Trigger asks.

“I gave Rex a few names that came through the department this week as missing persons. We narrowed it down to it most likely being a college freshman named Joy Besser. She had gone out, maybe to meet up with someone, and her roommate reported that she never came home that night. Her car was found in a parking lot about a block from Club Ace,” James states.

“Damn, she’s young,” mutters Horse.

“With only a few other businesses near Club Ace, there was no outside video for me to find. Chubs did a drive-by to confirm and didn’t spot cameras in front or the back. Probably why it’s being used. The owner of Ace is as sketchy as they come. I’ll continue digging into him, but I don’t believe the bartender is involved, orat least not willingly. He may be a good place to start, and see if he’ll talk. It’s a risk, though, because he could tip them off too,” I explain.

“I suggest we don’t approach him yet but keep him under watch,” Cash advises.

“I agree. Everyone know their assignments or have any other questions? Okay, let’s get busy, then,” Gunner says before smacking the gavel down.

Walking into the main room, I step away from everyone and call Aria.

“Hi, Rex. I left work a little early today, so I’m ready when you get here,” Aria says with a small, almost embarrassed laugh.

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