Dead Wrong (12 page)

“George Anderson.” He stuck out his chubby hand. “I’m a caseworker here. I worked with Nathan.”

“Detective Mitch Elliot and my associate Katherine Justice.” They exchanged handshakes.

George took a few steps closer. “I’ve heard you’ve been here a few times asking questions about Nathan’s cases.”

Interesting that he didn’t sound sure about this given Weichert’s recent questioning of the staff. Maybe he’d just returned to the office.

“Didn’t Weichert just talk to you about this?” Mitch asked.

“Weichert? No. I’ve been swamped with clients at my desk and haven’t seen him all morning.”

So he had been in the office. Weichert had lied about asking around. Mitch shot a quick look at Kat to make sure she’d caught the significance of this. “Was there something you wanted to tell us about Bodig?”

Anderson glanced nervously over his shoulder. “It’s just that...well...I don’t think his accident was an accident.”

“Why would you think that?” Kat jumped in.

He looked at the office door again then took a step closer. “Just before Nathan’s accident the father of one of Nathan’s clients went ballistic on him. The boy was killed in juvie and the dad blamed Nathan. He sent threatening emails and even stopped him one night on our way out of work. I thought the guy might punch Nathan, but he settled for poking him in the chest a few times and yelling at him.”

“Do you know this father’s name?” Mitch asked.

“Ray, but I’m sorry, I don’t remember the client’s name.”

“Did Weichert know about this?” Kat’s voice held the enthusiasm Mitch felt in his gut.

Anderson nodded enthusiastically. “Since I was there when the dad went on his rant, Nathan asked me to sit in when he told Weichert.” His enthusiasm vanished. “Not that it did any good. The guy blows everything like this off. He says no one’s ever been hurt. Now Nathan’s dead.”

“His death
was
ruled accidental.” Mitch didn’t want to mislead Anderson in the event that their investigation proved that Bodig’s death wasn’t intentional.

“I hope so. But I keep thinking it should at least be checked out. You know?”

“I’ll be happy to look into it for you,” Mitch offered. “Can you get the client’s contact information for me?”

One more glance at the door and fear darkened his eyes. “I could lose my job if I do.”

“No one needs to know where the information came from,” Kat said, ending with a reassuring smile.

“You’re certain?”

“Yes.” She kept smiling, and Anderson seemed to relax a bit.

“I guess I can get it when Weichert goes to lunch. He always leaves at one o’clock on the nose.”

Mitch gave Anderson a business card. “My cell’s on the back. Call me the minute you have the records.”

“Thank you for being such a good friend to Nathan,” Kat added while offering her hand.

“If I had been a good friend, he’d still be alive.” Anderson’s worried expression returned and he walked away, his shoulders drooping.

“Poor guy,” Kat said as she pushed open the door.

“It’s not his fault.”

“I know.” She stopped outside the door and peered up at him. “But then your sister’s problem isn’t your fault, either, and you still feel responsible for it.”

He looked at her then. Her eyes were filled with concern. For him? Maybe. Probably. It warmed his heart and sent it into that funny little spin again, but when he glanced away and caught sight of Derrick sitting guard, Mitch shook off the warm fuzzy feeling and replaced it with hypervigilance.

He might enjoy having her look at him this way, but when she stepped into the open where anyone could attack, his focus needed to be firmly on keeping her alive.

TWELVE

M
itch and Kat arrived at the restaurant where they’d arranged to meet Tommy. He’d called after they’d left Weichert’s office, claiming he’d discovered something they’d absolutely want to see. The hostess showed them to a booth, and out of habit, Kat slid in facing the door. Mitch lingered at the edge of the table glancing back and forth to the door before slipping in across from her, a scowl on his face. She should’ve thought before taking this spot. Cops didn’t like to sit with their backs to the door. She didn’t, either, but with a family of five who’d worked in law enforcement, she’d had to compromise on that point more times than she could count.

The hostess took their drink orders and Mitch kept glancing over his shoulder and fidgeting with his silverware.

“You want to trade?” she asked, when the hostess left.

He looked at her. “What?”

“Trade sides. So you can face the door.”

He smiled, small but real. “That obvious, huh?”

She smiled back at him and patted the bench next to her. “Or you could sit here. I promise not to bite.”

He didn’t hesitate, but got up and joined her. She felt the heat from his body and instantly regretted inviting him to sit so close. After that intense moment outside Weichert’s office when he’d caught her off guard, she didn’t want him to think she was doing this because she was interested in him. That would just be leading him on.

“Please promise me you won’t try to squeeze Tommy in here, too.” He grinned, the crooked little grin that sent her pulse racing.

She laughed and felt all of the day’s tension abate. Whatever this was between them, it was good. Really good. Comfortable. And tempting her to want more.

Mitch’s cell vibrated on the table, and he seemed reluctant to change his focus to the phone, but he did so, picking it up without identifying the caller.

“Elliot,” he said, then listened intently and his smile faded. “What did she do?”

Kat saw him work the muscles in his jaw. Not good news that was for sure.

“Whose credit cards?” His voice shot up, and his gaze swung to Kat, his disappointed look landing on her face and convicting her. She should’ve thought ahead and known if Angie was arrested for the card use that his fellow officers would give him a heads-up.

“No, I won’t bail her out. She can spend the night.” He slammed his phone onto the table, his eyes never leaving Kat’s. “Why didn’t you tell me about your credit cards?” he asked, his voice disturbingly cool.

He was mad. Really mad. She should be concerned about the way he slammed his phone down, but the chill in his voice was far more difficult to deal with.

“I’m sorry, Mitch,” she said, though she knew an apology couldn’t begin to make up for not telling him. She searched for something to say that would help him understand. “Just think of this like when you called Cole yesterday without telling me.”

“That was totally different, Kat. Your life was at stake. I won’t die from finding out my sister has pulled another one of her stunts.” He watched her with those intense dark eyes, and she didn’t look away, but tried to let him see her sincerity.

Taking a risk and putting her hand over his, she said, “You’ve been through enough. I just didn’t want you to be hurt again.”

He let out a breath, and his anger faded with it. “I’m sorry I got mad. It’s Angie I’m upset with, not you.”

“I still should have told you about it.”

He lifted his hand still resting under hers and threaded his fingers through hers. “And I should’ve told you before I called your brother so we’re even.”

They were back on solid footing—as solid as it could be with the emotions that zinged between them all the time—and she should leave it alone. But she thought he was making a mistake with Angie and she wouldn’t ignore it. “Are you sure you want to leave Angie in jail for the night?”

His jaw firmed again. “Once she comes down from whatever drug she’s on today, she’ll be far more susceptible to the idea of going to rehab where I plan to take her tomorrow.”

“I’m no expert on this,” she went on, “but if Angie really doesn’t want to go to rehab, won’t she just check out once you leave?”

“She could, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.” That steely shutter she’d seen earlier closed over his eyes and he pulled his hand free, signaling the end of their discussion.

His reluctance to talk reminded her of when she’d arrived at the Justice house and how she’d shut everyone out for months. She didn’t resent them for trying to get involved in her life, she’d just never been able to trust anyone with what mattered to her. Maybe Mitch was doing the same thing with Angie. He couldn’t trust anyone else to help him and had to go it alone.

The waitress brought their drinks, and when Kat saw Tommy walk in, she was glad for the company. Plus the sense of urgency on his face said he had a good lead.

“Please tell me you’ve finally gotten those warrants,” Mitch said sullenly before Tommy could sit.

Tommy perched on the edge of the seat across from them. “Not yet. The roads have gotten everything jammed up at the courthouse. But we should have them soon.”

“Maybe we’ll finally get some answers then,” Mitch said, his tone still grim.

“We already have.” Tommy pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and laid it on the table. “I finished going through Bodig’s personal files and found this email from his home account. It’s generated by a smart phone app. If your phone goes missing and someone plugs it into a USB port on a computer you haven’t designated it will send an email alert.”

“We use an app like that on our phones at the agency.” Kat looked at the email. “Wait. This is dated the day that guy answered Nathan’s phone. He must have plugged it into a computer.”

“And what good does that do us?” Mitch asked sounding skeptical.

“That, my technophobe partner, is the best part. The email provides the GPS coordinates where the phone was located when it was plugged in.”

“So we know where the phone is.” Kat couldn’t help but be excited about this lead.

“Or was,” Tommy said. “The coordinates are for an apartment and you know how fast residents turn over in apartments.”

“But at least it’s a lead,” Kat said, not letting Tommy’s comment dampen her excitement. “We need to get over there.”

“So much for having lunch for once.” Mitch stood and tossed a tip on the table. “I’ll pay for the drinks and meet you at the car.”

Tommy tugged Kat to her feet. “C’mon, Justice. It’s time for you to see two of Portland’s finest detectives in action.”

Kat rolled her eyes, something she realized she did often around her former partner.

“What’s with him?” Tommy nodded at Mitch as he held the door open for her. “You do something to make him cranky again?”

Kat filled Tommy in on Angie’s problems on their walk to Mitch’s car.

“Really.” Tommy eyed her up. “I didn’t even know he had a sister.”

The thought that Mitch had shared something so personal with her and not with his partner made her heart warm. So did the sight of him as he came out of the restaurant. He had a way of carrying himself with such confidence and it got to her every time.

He gave her a lingering look before opening her car door, and she had to drag her mind off him to where it should be. On the man who was trying to kill her and could be waiting to ambush them when they arrived at his apartment.

* * *

The buildings were as run-down as Mitch expected to find in the seedy part of town. He knocked on the manager’s door and paint chips fluttered to the ground. He made eye contact with Tommy and silently signaled for him to keep an eye on Kat. He couldn’t help but think it was a big mistake bringing her into this neighborhood. Cole would likely have his hide when Derrick told him about it.

The door opened to reveal a stout man wearing a stained T-shirt and baggy jeans. When he saw them, he crossed his arms as if he was itching for a fight. Mitch automatically slid his hand to his weapon.

“Yeah?” the guy asked then scowled.

Mitch showed his badge. “Are you the manager?”

“Super.” He fixed wary and distrusting eyes on Mitch.

Mitch’s alarm bells clanged so he centered his body in the doorway, blocking escape in case the guy decided to run. “We’re looking for information about the resident in apartment 122.”

“Alice Leon?” His eyebrows went up in surprise. “What about her?”

“How long has she lived there?” Mitch asked.

He looked up as if thinking. “I dunno. Two, maybe three weeks.”

The email from the phone app was dated four weeks ago so she couldn’t be the person they were looking for. “And the tenant before her?”

“Ray Granby.”

Ray Granby.
Mitch glanced at Tommy. His partner’s mouth quirked in response as Mitch expected it would. A Ray Granby was wanted for a hit and run of a prosecutor. Detectives in their office were working the case right now.

The super flexed his biceps making the tattoo of a scorpion dance. “That who you’re looking for?”

“Could be,” Mitch answered. “How long did he live here?”

“Little over two years. Was an okay tenant. Regular payer, anyway. Until his kid died.”

Kat’s eyes came alive. “He had a son?”

“A teenager. Big troublemaker. Into drugs.” He paused and ran the back of his hand under his nose. Mitch had to wonder if the runny nose meant he had some problems with cocaine use himself.

“You know the kid’s name?” Kat jumped in, her voice excited.

“Paul.” He held up his hand. “And before you ask me what happened to the kid all I know is he got busted and sent up to juvie where someone killed him. Granby really freaked out and went off the deep end. Drinking. Carousing. Finally skipping out owing a month’s rent.”

“So I take it he didn’t leave a forwarding address,” Mitch said.

The super laughed. “Even if he didn’t stiff me for the rent, we ain’t exactly the kind of place where people do that.”

“So that’s a no then.” Tommy sounded as irritated about the guy’s attitude as Mitch was getting.

“Anything else?” the super asked, his brow creasing. “My show’s on, and I’d like to get back to it.”

“That’s all.” The door slammed almost before Mitch finished his words. “Nice guy, huh?”

Kat lifted her eyes to meet his. “Father Ray, son Paul. Looks like we hit the jackpot.”

“About that,” Tommy said. “Our department is working on a hit-and-run of a prosecutor and a Ray Granby is the prime suspect. Not sure how long they’ve been working the case but it seems like a couple of months.” He looked at Mitch. “That about right?”

“Give or take a week,” Mitch answered, as he turned back to Kat.

“About the same time Nathan died.” Kat’s eyes lit up. “A caseworker and prosecutor both killed in car accidents around the same. They could’ve been the ones who got Paul sent to juvie.”

Mitch’s thought exactly.

“Once we finish up here, I’ll call in and see if they can confirm we’re dealing with the same guy,” Tommy offered.

“I want to talk to Granby’s former neighbors before we head out.” Mitch tipped his head toward a crumbling sidewalk meandering to the right. “The apartment is that way.”

They trekked down the walkway and stopped outside the neighboring apartment. Mitch could hear a baby crying and children screaming on the other side of the door so he pounded loudly.

“What do you want?” a woman’s voice came through the cheap wood.

Mitch held up his ID so she could view it through her peephole. “Police. We have a few questions.”

The door groaned open and a haggard woman jiggling a fussy baby on her hip gaped at them. Another child, a boy who looked about three, came out and clutched his mother’s leg. He wasn’t the cleanest, but lacked other signs of neglect.

“Hi there.” Kat smiled at the boy, but his little face crumpled in fear and he slipped behind his mother’s leg.

“I’m Detective Mitch Elliot.” Mitch smiled warmly to ease her concern. “And your name is?”

“Mary,” she said and paused as if thinking about what to say. “Mary Brown.”

Her evasive look said this wasn’t her real name, but he’d play along unless she said something that required him to dig deeper. “Did you know Ray Granby, Mary?”

“You mean the creep who lived next door? Yeah, I knew him.”

“Do you know where he lives now?”

“Nah. But good riddance.” She moved the baby to the other hip and the child plopped her thumb in her mouth. “After two years of living next to him, we’re finally getting some sleep.”

“So he was noisy?”

“Noisy, hah! He kept us up all hours of the night. If he wasn’t partying he was yelling at his kid and kicking him around.”

“You mean hitting him?” Kat’s voice rose in disbelief.

Mary shifted the baby again. “Yeah, I guess. I mean I never saw him do it, but the kid always looked pretty rough.”

“And you didn’t intervene?” Kat sounded resigned to the fact that there were people who acted this way, but the fire in her eyes said she didn’t like it. Not one bit!

“You mean get in between them?” Mary rolled her eyes. “No way I’d cross Ray. He would’ve gone after me or my kids next.”

Kat fisted her hands and glared at Mary. “You are aware that abusing a child is against the law and you’re required to report it.”

She shrugged as if it wasn’t important. “Like I said. I only heard it. Never saw them go at it so there was nothing to report.”

“How dare you.” Kat took a step toward Mary then stopped as if she knew she could do nothing about it.

Mitch stepped in front of her, and after giving Tommy a look that said take over, he led Kat down the walkway to cool off.

She shook off his hand, but didn’t make a move to go back to the woman. “You can’t let her get away with that.”

“There’s not much we can do now, Kat.” He waited for her to make eye contact. “Granby’s son is dead.”

She shoved her hands in her pockets and as she kept glaring at Mary, her breathing grew more agitated. “She should go to jail for ignoring that abuse.”

“
If
there was abuse.”

“You know there was. And for at least two years if what that woman says is true.” Kat shook her head sorrowfully. “This kid might be alive today if someone around here just cared enough to do something.”