Page 60 of Fighting for Mallory

“Always a pleasure, Chief.” As Judd ended the call, Clayton was already on a direct line to his boss. “We need a chopper in the air in five.”

Ten minutes later a helicopter landed in the motel’s parking lot. The quickness of the response impressed Luca and his friends. Judd kissed Faith, addressed Luca, “I’ll keep you posted,” and sprinted toward the helicopter.

Clayton clasped Luca’s shoulder. “Let’s study the map and see if we can pinpoint a location for the Cave of Osiris based on the site of the cavern with the phosphorescent blue water. It must be close by.”

Luca met Clayton’s sympathetic gaze. “Thanks, man.”

* * *

The helicopter landed in the designated area for it with five minutes to spare. Chief Watkins met Judd as he exited the bird. He judged Watkins to be in his early sixties, with a pudge around his middle that often occurred in men his age. His thin gray hair was styled in such a way as to hide bald spots. Chief Watkins greeted him without warmth but shook his hand with cordiality. Judd followed him to his department-issued Ford Expedition.

Chief Watkins started the engine and backed out of his reserved parking space. “I spoke to campus security at the university. Dr. Samir’s afternoon class ended at three-thirty. She should be in her office until five.”

“Call again. Find out if she’s there. We don’t want to waste our time.”

Chief Watkins pursed his lips. He didn’t like being given an order, but Judd wasn’t inclined to cater to the man’s ego. Watkins hadn’t shown an ounce of courtesy or respect.

He made the call. “Sorry, Chief, it looks like Dr. Samir is gone for the day.”

“That’s what I thought,” Judd declared. “We need to go to her home. Now.”

Chief Watkins radioed dispatch. “I need an address for Dr. Patricia Samir.”

“Sending now, Chief.”

When the address popped up on the GPS screen, Chief Watkins spun the wheel into a hard U-turn and flipped on the light bar. He maneuvered skillfully through late afternoon traffic, occasionally switching on the siren to avoid stopping at lights. Within ten minutes, Watkins turned into an upper-middle class gated community. The gate operated on a sensor and swung open as they slowly approached it. They followed a winding thoroughfare lined with cookie cutter one and two-story homes, well-maintained and landscaped yards, and crepe myrtles every few feet. Judd thought he’d like to be a homeowner again someday, but he wasn’t fond of these planned neighborhoods. He preferred a place along the coast with plenty of space and room to breathe.

Chief Watkins turned onto a side street, followed it for three blocks, then made a left-hand turn and switched off the light bar. “Fourth house on the right.” He pulled into the driveway and shifted into Park.

They climbed out of the Expedition. Judd noted the empty driveway and shuttered windows and remarked, “No one is home.”

“Dr. Samir might be parked in the garage.”

Judd disagreed but refrained from voicing his opinion.

Chief Watkins rang the doorbell and waited. When no one answered the door, he rang the bell again. “Dr. Samir? It’s Chief of Police Daryll Watkins. Please open the door.”

Still no answer.

“She’s not home.” Chief Watkins stated the obvious, and Judd mentally rolled his eyes.

“That’s because she’s getting ready for the harvest moon ritual in two days.”

“You actually believe that malarky?” Watkins called campus security again. “I need a phone number for Dr. Samir.” It came through in a text message. He pressed the number, and several rings later it went to voicemail. “This doesn’t mean anything. Dr. Samir could be at the grocery store, or perhaps her phone died.”

Judd didn’t want to waste any more precious time trying to convince Chief Watkins of the truth. “Perhaps. Will you at least monitor the house, and if she shows up, bring her into the station and call me?”

“If I can spare the manpower.”

“Of course.” Back in the Expedition, Judd called Luca. “No luck. Contact Tex. Maybe he can get a bead on Dr. Samir.”

They rode in silence back to the Memphis PD where the helicopter pilot waited for Judd. Above the whirr of the blades, Chief Watkins shouted, “Good luck, Mr. Morgan!”

Judd smiled and waved, though he ached to throw a punch at Watkins.

* * *

By the time Judd returned to the motel, Faith and the rest of the team were sprawled around the command room where several boxes of pizza lay open, along with plenty of water, soda, and beer.

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