Page 63 of Knight's Desire

Brick stood in front of the big screen, watching as if the answer he was looking for would flash in bright bold lettering. His skin tingled with anticipation as he waited for the images to load. He hardly noticed Tristin standing beside him until his boss placed a hand on his shoulder. The video started to play a moment before David Leonard’s photo flashed to the left of the camera footage. The cap the man in the video wore obscured his face enough to mask his identity, but Brick was certain the guy and David Leonard were one and the same.

“Using landmarks and comparisons to determine height and weight, the man picked up on the security camera does have the same physical characteristics as David Leonard, but there’s not enough to run facial recognition software on the image,” Owen said.

“It’s him.” Brick balled his fists as he fixated on Leonard’s headshot.

“We don’t have any evidence connecting him to this other that the fact he’s in real estate. It’s not enough,” Jay pointed out.

“Let me dig deeper into his alibi,” Zane volunteered. “If there are holes in it, I’ll find it.”

Brick nodded before looking at the computer analysts in one sweeping glance. “Let’s look into this guy’s background. There could be a connection we’re missing.”

Travis took over then. “David Leonard, age 46, born in Connecticut, moved to Grayson Cove with his parents when he was 16. Has an MBA. Worked in Charleston for a while. Took over the realty from his dad when he was 30. He’s been married twice. His first wife filed for a separation, but I don’t see a record of a divorce.”

“She died,” Sydney added, and Brick’s head spun trying to keep up with the computer analysts as they worked. “She was in a car accident. The police report said she was run off the road in a hit-and-run. Mallory Leonard died on impact. He remarried about two years later to Sheila Stillman from Chicago. He doesn’t have any children. His parents live in Martha’s Vineyard, and his in-laws are still in Chicago.”

Jay smoothed his beard with his hands as he processed the intel. “The other realtors said the reason he passed Hope’s account over to Bexley was because he had a personal issue to take care of. Do we have a way to find out what that could be? In my mind, personal usually means family or finances.”

Her cell phone rang, and Sydney hastily picked up to decline the call only to pause.

“It’s Kat,” she said, looking up at Tristin.

“She’s going stir crazy at home on bed rest. She probably wants to check the status of the case. Tell her I said she’s supposed to be resting for a reason.”

“Right.” Sydney answered the call, but other than hello, she said nothing else. She just listened. “Yeah, okay. Hold on.”

Sydney glanced at Tristin. “She wants to be on speaker.”

Tristin crossed the room to be closer to the phone as Sydney tapped the button that put the call on speaker. “Katarina, if you’re doing anything other than taking care of yourself and those beautiful babies, you will have to answer to me.”

“Take it easy, Tryst. This is important. Brick, are you there?”

“I’m here, Kat. What’s wrong?”

“You’re right to be suspicious of that realtor, David Leonard.”

“How did you…” Tristin’s voice trailed off as he stared at Sydney’s phone in disbelief.

“I had to log into my computer for Travis to use, and that gave me access to track what he does from my system here. I promise I’m in bed, and I only meant to use my access to keep up with the case. But something got me to thinking, and I want to help. Hope is important to Brick, so she’s important to me.”

“What did you find, Kat?” Brick interrupted, ignoring the glare he received from Tristin.

“I was checking to see if Leonard had a record. While I was searching, a report came across my feed. A missing person’s report was filed on Sheila Leonard, wife of David Leonard. It was filed by her parents. According to them, she left David and came home to stay with them until she could file for divorce. She left their home one morning to meet with her divorce attorney, but she never arrived for the appointment. Her disappearance coincides with David’s supposed trip to Chicago for the conference.”

“Thanks for the lead, but you need to stop working the case, Kat, and go back to resting,” Tristin admonished.

There was a long pause, and Brick figured Kat was sulking at being benched. When she finally responded, she sounded breathless, as if she’d been running instead of talking on the phone.

“I have more. Just give me a minute.”

“Kat, are you alright?” Tristin was instantly on alert.

“I’m fine. I’m just…well, I’m in labor, but it’s nothing to worry about. I’ve already talked to the OB, and she said my contractions are still too far apart to be of concern. They may even be Braxton Hicks contractions, which are just my body’s way to prepare for giving birth to the babies. Tryst, there’s nothing to worry about now. I swear. Now let me work this case to keep my mind off the labor.”

“What the hell? Kat, I’m on my way, and we’re going straight to the hospital. Wait! No, call an ambulance, and I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

“I’ll put in a call to the 9-1-1 call center and request an ambulance to your house,” Sydney interrupted.

“No! I am fine. I have talked with the doctor, and she said I’m doing everything I’m supposed. Now listen to me!”

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