Page 21 of When You're Broken
Detective Clint lifted his eyebrows.“So you’re suggesting we identify everyone who had contact with Wendell in prison.That’s a lot of people—officers, staff, other inmates, visitors.Then see if they have local ties?”
Amelia gave a quick nod.“Yes.If his pattern holds, he might attempt to punish multiple individuals.Or punish their relatives.In the Shankland case, it was the sister, not the guard directly.So we should watch for family members too.He seems to be wanting to hurt people with loss.”
Rob sighed from near the screen.“There might be hundreds of potential targets.We’d need significant manpower to track down all those relatives, see where they live, cross-reference if they’re in this region.”He ran a hand through his hair.“We can do it, but it’ll be like searching for a needle in a haystack unless we find some narrower parameter.”
Finn mused out loud."Is there anyone else who he might have a vendetta against…" He stood up and approached the whiteboard.He saw some newspaper clippings attached next to the crime scenes, and then… Suddenly, a memory jumped into his mind."Wait a minute… What about that book I have stashed in my glove compartment?The one about Wendell Reed, written by that reporter.Didn't you say it had some choice things to say about Wendell's mother?"
Amelia’s expression brightened with sudden recollection.“Kelvin Street,” she said.When McNeill’s gaze flicked to her, she elaborated, “He was an ex-cop and for a short stint became a reporter, wrote a scathing biography of Wendell a couple of years back based on an earlier expose he’d put out.It dug up questionable details about Wendell’s family—stuff about his mother—”
Rob nodded.“Wait, I remember reading something like that… About Wendell’s mother being a prostitute, bringing her clients home?Was that from the exposé?”
Amelia nodded.“Yes!Wendell always insisted it was false.I haven’t read it, but it’s likely Kelvin Street hammered the mother angle in his book, basically painting Wendell’s entire childhood in humiliating detail.If Wendell’s taking revenge on everyone who humiliated him, Street would be a prime candidate.And he’s an ex-cop, which would give Wendell even more satisfaction.”
Clint scratched at his notepad.“So is Kelvin Street local?”
McNeill gave Amelia a pointed look, as if suspecting a tangent, but he said nothing, letting her continue.She turned to a side computer, fingers poised on the keyboard.“Let’s see.I’ll do a quick check for his address or any contact info.At the very least, we can question him or warn him.”
She typed for a moment.The others hovered, waiting.Then she pursed her lips.“I found a phone number for him.”She grabbed her mobile, dialed it, and put it on speaker.After a few rings, it went straight to voicemail.Amelia ended the call with a sigh.“No luck.Might be switched off.”
Finn’s brow furrowed.“We can’t rely on that.If Wendell’s potentially zeroing in on Kelvin Street, we need a better lead.Typically, a journalist or author has an agent or manager.”
She nodded, already searching again.“Right.Found a listing for his representation: Delilah Philips, an agency number.”She pressed the speaker function again as it rang.The group listened, hush gripping the conference room.
A female voice answered: “Delilah Philips speaking, how can I help?”
Amelia cleared her throat.“Hello, Ms.Philips, this is Inspector Winters with the Hertfordshire constabulary.I’m trying to contact Kelvin Street—his safety might be at risk.”
There was a pause, then a startled intake of breath."Kelvin?Oh dear, I—I haven't heard from him in about two days.His phone is switched off.Usually, he calls me if he's traveling or..."
Amelia felt that the lady was holding something back.Amelia exchanged a glance with Finn.“Ms.Philips, he is in great danger.It’s a matter of life and death.Do you know where he is?”
Delilah’s voice quivered slightly.“I… I assumed he was on another drinking bender.He goes heavy on the booze after finishing a manuscript—kind of a self-destructive reward, if you will.But you say he’s in danger?”
Amelia pressed on gently.“Yes.We have reason to believe someone he wrote about may have a grudge against him and mean him harm.We need to warn him.Do you know where he might likely be?”
Delilah was silent for a moment, presumably gathering her thoughts."Kelvin lives at 15 Alison Road, in Wandsworth Village.That's his official address.But if he's on a bender, there's a better chance you'll find him at Harlin's Bar in Putney.He's a regular there.If you do find him, can you please… well, keep me updated?"Her voice faltered."He's not always good at saving himself from trouble."
Amelia nodded, though Delilah couldn’t see it.“Thank you, Ms.Philips.If you hear from Kelvin at all, call our HQ immediately.This is urgent.”
She ended the call.The tension in the room thickened, everyone aware of the time sensitivity.If Wendell was indeed targeting Kelvin Street, each passing hour placed him in deeper danger.
Finn turned to McNeill.“We can check Alison Road or the bar.We need to move quickly.Which do you suggest we cover first?”
Amelia chimed in, “I was thinking we head to Alison Road.If Kelvin’s a no-show, Clint or someone else can handle the bar.Unless we want to do the opposite.”
McNeill’s jaw tightened, a faint sneer creeping onto his face as though he wanted to reassert control.He spoke in a clipped tone.“You and Finn will go to the bar.Inspector Clint and I will handle the address.That’s final.”
A flicker of annoyance crossed Amelia’s face; Finn noticed her mouth press into a thin line.We recommended the exact opposite, so of course McNeill has to flip it.But Finn watched as she exhaled, evidently deciding not to pick a fight.
Finn simply nodded, though he felt a prickle of frustration.“Understood.We’ll head there right away.”
Rob offered them a faint, supportive nod from behind McNeill’s line of sight.“Keep me up to date.I’ll chase forensics’ up for the report on Stanley’s phone.”
McNeill snapped his gaze around the group.“Yes.Let’s get this done.Everyone, we reconvene if we find anything.Priority is figuring out if Kelvin Street’s in harm’s way.And beyond that, we keep searching for leads on Brendan Wilson’s location.Understood?”
A collective round of murmured agreement passed, and McNeill promptly dismissed them.Rob said, “Good luck,” addressing the words primarily to Finn and Amelia.
Finn and Amelia walked out of the conference room, and yet Finn felt overcome with something inside; a fear that he couldn’t quite place.It was like a premonition of something terrible on the horizon, and it was getting closer.
