Page 101 of Mann Hunt
Declan wrote an email address on a scrap of paper and Charlie quickly disappeared to the outer office to send the files.
On the other end of the phone, Sam said, “But Fraser was the one who discovered Mann’s car up-river from where the body was found.”
Declan replied, “He and McKeckran were working the case together. I’ll bet I know why McKeckran closed the case down. Luke did this. I know it.”
“All right. I’ll put out an APB on both Luke and the Neves kid. We’ll find them.”
“Thanks. Let me know what you find out. In the meantime, I’m going to try to find Luke.”
“Declan… Don’t do anything stupid. Let us handle this.”
“We wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place if the police had done their job.” Declan slammed the phone down.
Charlie returned to Declan’s office. “The two files are on their way,” Charlie said. “Where could he have taken Justin?”
Declan paced the room. “Not back to his own place. That would be crazy. Even for him.”
“What about friends, relatives or business associates?” Charlie asked.
Declan halted and turned to Charlie. “I think I might know where he is.”
“Good. Let’s go,” Charlie said as he made his way to the door.
“No. You’re staying here.”
Charlie turned. “You’re not the only one responsible for what happened.”
“It could get really hairy, and I don’t want to have to be rescuing two of you.”
“Ever think for once that you might need rescuing?” Charlie yelled. “Who’s gonna be there to watch your back?”
Declan recognised a losing battle when he saw one. “Okay, but you’ll do exactly as I say.” He went to his office safe and pulled out something he suspected might come in handy. “Come on. We’ll swing by your place and pick up the Beast. We might need two vehicles.”
Declan drove the van back to Carrie’s apartment. When they arrived, Charlie got out of the van. “Just follow me in your car, okay?” Declan said.
“Got it.” Charlie looked anxious.
“We’ll find him,” Declan assured him. He hoped he was right.
Chapter Thirty-One
It took fourteen minutes to reach the building in the Mission District. Declan turned onto a side street and stopped the van. Charlie pulled in behind him. Declan jumped out of his vehicle and walked up to the driver’s door of the Red Beast.
“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure.”
Declan got back into his van and did a circuit of the block, driving past the building he suspected Luke would be in. He spotted Luke’s car parked in the alleyway.
After Declan had driven back and parked near the Red Beast, Charlie got out of the vehicle.
“Follow me,” Declan said.
He walked Charlie a full block before he halted at an intersection. “See that construction site?” he said, pointing down the block.
“Yeah.”
“There’s an alleyway between it and the old building to its left.”
