Page 51 of One Final Target

Mike and Smiley were speaking in low tones, but she’d tuned them out. She’d just finished her cup of coffee and prepared to pour a second when the chief appeared in the doorway. Janet Masters had been chief for a year and a half. She was the first woman to lead the LBPD. Jodie had always liked and respected her. Before Jodie quit, Masters had pleaded with her not to. She didn’t understand how hard it was for Jodie to stay—no one really did.

“Jodie, Mike. The coroner arrived with me. He’s already in the house and from what he just told me in a text, the bodies are not completely thawed or badly decomposed. He’ll have to take theentire freezer back to the morgue before examining them.” She sighed as if she had something disturbing to say.

Smiley picked up on it. “Was there more?” he asked.

“There was a backpack in the freezer,” Masters said. “The coroner was able to remove it without disturbing the bodies. It contained two wallets. One had an ID belonging to Norman Hayes—”

“Hayes?” Jodie stared.

“Not certain he’s in there, can’t see the bottom body.”

“It could be planted?” Sam asked.

“Anything is possible at this point.” Masters held Jodie’s gaze. “The second ID is a passport belonging to Archie Radio. It’s not positive of course, Jodie, but the top body resembles Archie.”

Jodie felt her heart drop. She’d thought Jukebox was likely dead, but as long as there had been a question mark, she could still hope. Hope disappeared like a puff of smoke.

“I’m sorry, Jodie.”

“Does he know how they died?” Sam asked.

“Preliminary, the body on top has a GSW to the head. Any detailed information will have to wait until the coroner has the bodies in the morgue.”

“We’re working the shooting of our deputy as well. Have you come across anything to tie Collins to that?” Smiley asked. “Weapons, ammo, anything?”

“Not so far. But I did get a call from Detective Fenton, your shop. He’s going to meet with Sergeant Barstow’s team. He came across a report of stolen C-4 from a National Guard facility. The material recovered from the house might be that loss.”

“You’re kidding.” Smiley shook his head. “This kid is shaping up to be a supervillain.”

“If he took it,” Mike said. “He might have bought it from the thief. In any event, it’s a good lead.”

“It’s one mystery solved,” Sam said. “I wondered where he got such high-quality explosive.”

Masters looked at Jodie. “Are you okay? I’m sure what you saw inside the house was unsettling.”

“It was, but I’m fine.” Jodie said it with feeling to try to make herself believe it. “It’s all important to the investigation. And if it’s okay with you, I’d like to go back in the house and take another look before it’s all torn down.” As creeped out as she was by the room full of pictures, she wanted a second look at them. Maybe there was a clue somewhere on the walls, something to blow things wide-open.

“Certainly. Sergeant Barstow and his team are helping the coroner remove the freezer. There are technicians in the house photographing everything. So the house is busy. But I’m sure you’ll be unobtrusive.”

“I will.”

Jodie made to leave, but Masters stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “And, Jodie—” her face was cop hard and set—“I expect any and all of your extracurricular investigation to stop here and now, clear?”

She felt her face flush. “Yes, sir.”

“Mind if I go with her?” Sam asked.

Jodie was glad he’d spoken up. She would be happy to have him with her in that room.

Sam got an affirmative nod, and he and Jodie went back into the house. Sergeant Barstow was speaking to the coroner when they stepped in.

“My men entered,” Barstow said. “We had to clear the room,make certain there weren’t any more explosives. We tried to ascertain how many bodies were in the freezer. We saw the timer attached to the unit. Unsure how long it had been on, but the timer shut it off four days ago.”

Sam touched Jodie lightly on the arm and she turned to face him. “He set it to shut it off on Saturday, when he went up to the mountains to shoot you.”

She held the gaze of those clear green eyes. “But how did he know?”

Sam shrugged. “We’ll find out.”

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