Page 66 of Blackstone's Heart
"For the last year, she has been stalked. A few months ago he started making contact with D.A. Jameson. That's where I and my guys come in. Three weeks ago, he escalated in a big way. He walked right into her agent, Jerry Summerland’s office and hand delivered a pipe bomb. Ms. Jameson was present at the time. Then a week later this asshole walked into St. David’s dressed as a doctor and carved out Mr. Summerland's heart and then mailed it to her.
"Now he's broken into her home and burned it. That is where we stand people. Agents Harker and Fortner have been handling Krista's case. Since Blackout has been brought in they have been sharing what they have so far. This latest move is telling me that he's gearing up for his endgame. His endgame is Krista." Ethan explained.
"Our techs have analyzed the packaging that Mr. Summerland's heart was delivered in. According to them, the postage mark was done by hand. That tells us that he has the equipment to make the stamp appear from anywhere. We guess that he either put that package in her box himself, or paid one of the employees do it. Personally, I believe he did it himself. He would want the satisfaction of knowing that he personally put it there. We've got a field agents questioning everyone who worked that day as well as the surrounding businesses." Jimmy said.
Perry cleared his throat. "Since I haven't been introduced yet, I'm Captain Perry with Austin Fire Department. I am investigating the arson of your home Ms. Jameson." He shot Krista a look that made her think he wanted her to be impressed or something.
"And what do you know so far Captain? Have you found the point of origin for the fire yet?" Krista asked as she leaned back in her chair.
"It's looking as if the fire was started in the living room near the far right wall. What exactly was kept there?" Perry questioned, his tone still haughty.
Krista glared at the fire captain and sat up in her chair. "I kept a bookcase there. It was made from a hundred-year-old oak tree that had been on my grandparent’s property. I had some of it turned into a custom build bookcase. Was there accelerant used?"
"You seem to know a lot about fires." Perry countered, lifting a brow.
Before anyone could speak, Krista was on her feet and moving to Perry. She stood over him, her index finger pointing right in his face. "Perry, if there's something you want to say, say it."
"Well alright then. How do we know you didn't do this or have it arranged?" Perry asked.
Krista snarled as she grabbed the man by the lapels of his shirt and drug him to his feet. Perry was a little man because Krista towered over him. He started sputtering, but Krista ignored him. "You listen to me you, sanctimonious asshole. First off, I was in New York at Jerry's FUNERAL when my house was broken into and turned it into a fire pit. Second, if I wanted attention or insurance on my home, I wouldn't torch my house. Third, if you're going to accuse anyone of arson, you better have the evidence to back it up."
Krista shoved him back into his chair and moved to stand beside her father who was now standing next to Ethan and looking very proud of her. Nick patted her shoulder before addressing the fire Captain. "Captain Perry, I will be speaking with the Fire Commissioner about your behavior. I will have you removed from this investigation."
"You can't do that." Perry stammered.
Nick said nothing. He simply pulled out his cell phone and walked out of the room. Ethan moved to Krista. When she looked up at him, pride was shining in his eyes. She caught it a second before he pulled her to him and kissed her. This shocked her. He had never been one for public displays, but then she was finding that this new Ethan was full of surprises.
"You'll do woman. You'll do." He smirked.
"Good, ‘cause you'll do too, jarhead." She winked.
"Well," Cain chuckled. "The big question now is, what the hell we're going to do to protect Krista."
"Agent Harker's right Ethan. I'm guessing Blackout has a plan." Wilson added with a slight grin as he tipped his head in pride at Krista.
It was Gage who spoke next. "Krista's book release is in two weeks. On the flight back, she convinced her mother to leave town. Now, Counselor Jameson has court so he can't leave. If this guy doesn't make his move before the book release, we believe he'll do it either at the event or right after."
"Sounds plausible..." Jimmy began, but was interrupted when Nick and another older man walked in.
Captain Perry surged to his feet. "Commissioner Wilkes..."
"Not another word Perry." Commissioner Wilkes snapped. "You are relieved of this case. Leave all your findings here. All other reports will be channeled straight to me. I am taking over this case."
"But…but sir…"
"I said you are relieved Perry. Get out. Now!" Wilkes ordered, his voice hard as steel.
Krista watched in satisfaction as Perry stood and moved from the table. As he passed her and Ethan he fired a glare at her. All she did was smile sweetly and give a little wiggle of her fingers in bye. After he slammed the door closed behind him, she faced Jimmy again.
"Okay, Jimmy you were saying." She said.
"I was saying that, Blackout's theory sounds plausible. We know this guy knows how to shoot, can carve up a body and has knowledge of arson. What kind of attack are you anticipating here?" Jimmy replied looking at Ethan.
Ethan sighed. "We don't know. Blackout will be handling the security at the book release. Wilson, you told me before we left that Austin PD was throwing in some guys correct?"
"Yes, in fact the Chief has doubled the number. You can expect about fifteen officers. We got the projected number of attendees from Krista's publisher, Stacey. She says they are expecting about one hundred and fifty people at the Capital City event center, possibly a little more." Wilson nodded.
"Tony, I want both Bravo and Charlie teams with us that day." Ethan ordered. Tony nodded. "Once we go over the layout of the venue I will get together with you, Wilson, Harker, and Fortner. It should take us about three days to have a plan for the event security."
