White Thunder (20 page)
Authors: Aimee Thurlo
“His attitude could be his downfall, then. Simmons keeps underestimating
us. But he’s coming back now, right?”
us. But he’s coming back now, right?”
“Yeah, but he’s certainly taking his time getting here. There
was no need to run off to Flagstaff except to give himself an alibi while Melvin and Krause do his dirty work. If Simmons was really interested in finding Thomas, he’d be here. My guess is when he finally arrives, he’ll probably do his best to make sure his agent stays lost.”
was no need to run off to Flagstaff except to give himself an alibi while Melvin and Krause do his dirty work. If Simmons was really interested in finding Thomas, he’d be here. My guess is when he finally arrives, he’ll probably do his best to make sure his agent stays lost.”
“It’s a good theory,
Ella, and the timing fits, but without real physical evidence that’s all it is—a theory. We’ve got nothing to point specifically to anyone except Rainwater and Krause, and even so, we have to establish the social security scam with solid physical evidence.”
Ella, and the timing fits, but without real physical evidence that’s all it is—a theory. We’ve got nothing to point specifically to anyone except Rainwater and Krause, and even so, we have to establish the social security scam with solid physical evidence.”
“So let’s get busy. I’m going to the apartment Melvin told me about and see who really lives there. Maybe I’ll take a look around, too. If
Melvin’s lying again, it won’t take long to prove it. But I could use your help.”
Melvin’s lying again, it won’t take long to prove it. But I could use your help.”
“Of course. But we’ll need a sneak-and-peek warrant. Didn’t Simmons say he had a magistrate advised that we might be needing a quick search warrant?”
“Yeah, but Simmons told me I had to go through him, and I don’t want to tip him off. Once we give him more details he’ll know how close we are. How about I call your
grandfather instead? We didn’t give him the specifics on our earlier request, so we can say this was it. And if I can get Sheriff Taylor’s cooperation, it’ll take care of jurisdictional problems. Also call Tache and talk him through whatever steps he needs to take to get us the name and background of the person renting the corner apartment,” Ella said. “It’ll help fill more lines on that warrant.”
grandfather instead? We didn’t give him the specifics on our earlier request, so we can say this was it. And if I can get Sheriff Taylor’s cooperation, it’ll take care of jurisdictional problems. Also call Tache and talk him through whatever steps he needs to take to get us the name and background of the person renting the corner apartment,” Ella said. “It’ll help fill more lines on that warrant.”
“Good idea.”
“I’ll ask Sheriff Taylor to get one of his deputies to do the paperwork and drop it by. We don’t have to bring it with us. All we’ll need is confirmation,” Justine said.
While they were en route to Farmington, they made the calls on their cell phones. By the time Ella hung up, the deputy was on the way to the judge’s office.
“Things have changed a lot for us recently in law enforcement,”
Justine said slowly, her eyes on traffic. “Before the Patriot
Act we couldn’t have made a covert entry like this. We would have been forced to wait for more evidence and probable cause.”
Justine said slowly, her eyes on traffic. “Before the Patriot
Act we couldn’t have made a covert entry like this. We would have been forced to wait for more evidence and probable cause.”
“I wouldn’t have waited, not in a situation like this,” Ella said quietly. “If a life’s at stake, particularly if it’s someone in law enforcement, I’m willing to do whatever has to be done. When you were missing
I took some shortcuts—had the whole police force questioning my judgement, in fact.” After a brief pause she continued. “Since my accident, it’s even more so. I don’t even hesitate because I know how fragile human life is.”
I took some shortcuts—had the whole police force questioning my judgement, in fact.” After a brief pause she continued. “Since my accident, it’s even more so. I don’t even hesitate because I know how fragile human life is.”
“After what you went through, I expected you to become more detached and less involved in police work. I mean, if you honestly don’t think death is the end, then why worry
about things here? You know you’re just passing through.”
about things here? You know you’re just passing through.”
Ella considered her answer carefully, trying to find a way to make Justine understand. “We live here and
now
and this is the place where we can make a real difference—to do something that’ll make everyone else’s life better. As detectives, we play our part by restoring harmony. At the moment we’re the counterbalance to those who are trying
to rob Agent Thomas of his life. Even though we may not win, by fighting we stand against evil with the good we manage to do. That’s what it’s all about.”
now
and this is the place where we can make a real difference—to do something that’ll make everyone else’s life better. As detectives, we play our part by restoring harmony. At the moment we’re the counterbalance to those who are trying
to rob Agent Thomas of his life. Even though we may not win, by fighting we stand against evil with the good we manage to do. That’s what it’s all about.”
T
hey parked in front of a small one-story complex containing eight apartments. The unit Melvin had told them about was nearly thirty yards away and occupied one corner of the building. Although it had two more windows than most of the others, all the curtains were drawn.
hey parked in front of a small one-story complex containing eight apartments. The unit Melvin had told them about was nearly thirty yards away and occupied one corner of the building. Although it had two more windows than most of the others, all the curtains were drawn.
“Someone might be inside,” Justine said. “It’s impossible to see or hear anything from here.”
“Right, so here’s
the plan. Since it’s possible that someone who’ll recognize me is in there, I’m going to go next door and talk to the neighbor first and see what I can learn.” Ella gestured toward a woman getting out of a car parked in front of the adjacent apartment. “From her age and all the papers and books she’s juggling, she’s either a college student or a teacher.”
the plan. Since it’s possible that someone who’ll recognize me is in there, I’m going to go next door and talk to the neighbor first and see what I can learn.” Ella gestured toward a woman getting out of a car parked in front of the adjacent apartment. “From her age and all the papers and books she’s juggling, she’s either a college student or a teacher.”
“Okay, I’ll keep an eye on the target
apartment.”
apartment.”
“If anyone comes out or arrives while I’m checking the neighbor, let me know right away.”
“You’ve got it.”
Ella walked up to the door the young Anglo woman had just entered, and knocked. A tired-looking brunette in her midtwentiies answered. Her brown hair fell to her shoulders and she wore little or no makeup. Her only jewelry was a pair of small pearl earrings, and her modest-length
skirt and loose-fitting sweater were consistent with a school or small business setting.
skirt and loose-fitting sweater were consistent with a school or small business setting.
Ella flipped her badge quickly, and identified herself as a police detective, leaving out the fact that she was a tribal officer. “I need to ask you a few questions about your neighbor,” Ella said, cocking her head to the left. “May I come in?”
The woman opened the door wider, motioning for Ella to enter.
The apartment wasn’t particularly messy, just dusty and cluttered, as though it belonged to someone who was seldom home except to change clothes. “Is Betsy in some kind of trouble?” the woman asked.
The apartment wasn’t particularly messy, just dusty and cluttered, as though it belonged to someone who was seldom home except to change clothes. “Is Betsy in some kind of trouble?” the woman asked.
“That’s what I’m trying to determine. But before we go on, I’d like to ask that you keep my visit confidential,” Ella said.
“Sure,” she said, gesturing for Ella to take a seat. “How can I help you?”
The books the woman had brought in were at one end of the couch, so Ella sat on the other side. Glancing down, she could see they were college-level textbooks. One had a “used” sticker on the front cover.
The books the woman had brought in were at one end of the couch, so Ella sat on the other side. Glancing down, she could see they were college-level textbooks. One had a “used” sticker on the front cover.
“Why don’t you start by telling me your name and how long you’ve lived here?”
“My name is Margo, Margo Lowry Stewart. I’ve been here for a little less than six months. I’m a student at the
community college.”
community college.”
“Was Betsy already living here when you moved in?” Ella would ask for Betsy’s last name later, if she got the chance. For now she’d get further if the woman assumed that she already knew more about Betsy.
“She and I hardly talk. To be perfectly honest, she’s juggling boyfriends who come over at all hours, and I’m uncomfortable with that.”
“How many men are we talking about?”
Ella pressed.
Ella pressed.
“Two—that I know about. One is supersecretive. He comes over late, always after dark, and leaves early. I’ve heard his voice a few times. It’s deep and it mostly sounds like a rumble since he’s at least considerate enough to speak softly.”
“Is he Hispanic, Anglo, Native American? …”
“I’m not sure. I only saw him once, at night, and he was walking away at the time. Very confident
step, but in a hurry.”
step, but in a hurry.”
“What kind of car or truck does he drive?”
“Can’t say for sure. I was just coming back from the laundry room and had a basket load of clothes, so I didn’t stay around long enough to look. But there weren’t any pickups in the parking lot, so it must have been a car. Nobody walks around here.”
“What about the other man?”
“He only comes over when Mr. Secretive’s not around.
He spends most of the time, if not all of it, drinking with her and doing whatever else. I met Betsy at the Dumpster in the morning after one of his visits, and she threw out a whole bag full of bottles and three six-pack cardboard thingies. It’s sad because she doesn’t need any encouragement to drink. She puts away at least a six-pack a day on her own. Betsy’s always half-drunk by the time
it gets dark, judging from the times I’ve met her in the laundry room. She’s either really unhappy or stressed out major league.”
He spends most of the time, if not all of it, drinking with her and doing whatever else. I met Betsy at the Dumpster in the morning after one of his visits, and she threw out a whole bag full of bottles and three six-pack cardboard thingies. It’s sad because she doesn’t need any encouragement to drink. She puts away at least a six-pack a day on her own. Betsy’s always half-drunk by the time
it gets dark, judging from the times I’ve met her in the laundry room. She’s either really unhappy or stressed out major league.”
“What can you tell me about the second man? Size, description, race, age, stuff like that.”
“Well, I saw him getting into his SUV once, so I know he has dark hair, and is maybe a little shorter than you but weighs more. He struck me as quite a bit younger than the
first guy, but I’m not sure why. Maybe it was his walk—more of a lazy killing-time, dragging-your-feet step you see a lot in young people. I was getting into my car at the time, and I didn’t want to make eye contact. The last thing I need is to attract a guy who spends all his free time drinking, you know?”
first guy, but I’m not sure why. Maybe it was his walk—more of a lazy killing-time, dragging-your-feet step you see a lot in young people. I was getting into my car at the time, and I didn’t want to make eye contact. The last thing I need is to attract a guy who spends all his free time drinking, you know?”
“I hear you. What kind of SUV did he have?” Ella asked.
Margo considered it for a long
time. “It was a dark color, black or blue, but other than that I just don’t recall.”
time. “It was a dark color, black or blue, but other than that I just don’t recall.”
“Okay. Thanks for your help, and please remember to keep my visit confidential for now.”
“I will, but I should tell you, I’d been thinking of moving out and this just cinches it. This place is already getting noisy, and there are drunks all around. Now with the police asking questions about my neighbors—that’s
just too much. What if I overhear the wrong conversation? I’ll end up as a chalk outline out on the sidewalk.”
just too much. What if I overhear the wrong conversation? I’ll end up as a chalk outline out on the sidewalk.”
“So you
do
overhear some of their conversations?” Ella said picking up on it quickly.
do
overhear some of their conversations?” Ella said picking up on it quickly.
“Pieces sometimes. But then I usually turn up my music. I listen to classical music so I can study without being distracted.”
“Have you ever heard either of the men being mentioned by name?”
Margo
thought for a while, her face furrowed in concentration. “No, sorry. I can’t say I have. In fact, the only conversation I ever really overheard completely was one time when I was in my kitchen fixing breakfast. Betsy was with the second guy—the beer guy—and I heard him say something that really bugged me—that there was nothing like the living dead.” Margo shuddered. “But then I realized that he
was probably just a George Romero fan.”
thought for a while, her face furrowed in concentration. “No, sorry. I can’t say I have. In fact, the only conversation I ever really overheard completely was one time when I was in my kitchen fixing breakfast. Betsy was with the second guy—the beer guy—and I heard him say something that really bugged me—that there was nothing like the living dead.” Margo shuddered. “But then I realized that he
was probably just a George Romero fan.”
Ella gave her a puzzled look.
“Don’t you watch old movies? He directed some real funny classic horror flicks, like
Night of the Living Dead, and Dawn of the Dead.
One’s been remade recently.”
Night of the Living Dead, and Dawn of the Dead.
One’s been remade recently.”
Ella gave her a blank look.
“You can rent them. They’re really a lot of fun, though I’m not sure if they were meant to be that way or not.” Margo checked her watch.
“Is there anything else? I need to grab a bite to eat, then it’s back to school. I’ve still got another class today.”
“Is there anything else? I need to grab a bite to eat, then it’s back to school. I’ve still got another class today.”
“That’s all I have for you right now. Thanks for your help,” Ella said. Just as Margo opened the door, her cell phone started vibrating.
Ella brought the phone to her ear, and looked outside casually to make sure nobody was near Betsy’s apartment. If at all possible she still
wanted to avoid being seen.
wanted to avoid being seen.
“Betsy Weaver is the renter’s name and she works at the county coroner’s office,” Justine said. “She’s a data-entry operator and she’s at work right now. Oh, and I checked and the details have been added to the warrant already.”
“Good, let me know when it’s ready.” Ella nodded to Margo, then headed to her unit as Margo closed the door.
“The warrant has been approved.
We’ll pick it up at the station later,” Justine said as Ella reached the vehicle.
We’ll pick it up at the station later,” Justine said as Ella reached the vehicle.
“Good.”
Ella slipped into the passenger’s seat, grabbed some latex gloves from a box attached to her sun visor, and stuffed them into her jacket pocket as she filled Justine in on what she’d learned from Margo.
“So
Betsy’s
the one who has been changing the names,” Justine concluded.
Betsy’s
the one who has been changing the names,” Justine concluded.
“I’d bet money on it. Now
I’m going to check her apartment. Based on what Margo told me, I don’t think Agent Thomas is in there. She would have probably heard something if they’d been keeping someone prisoner and there are no basements in this building. But I still want to look inside the place for anything that might give us a lead. Margo said she’s leaving soon, and, when she does, I’m going to see if I can find a way in.”
I’m going to check her apartment. Based on what Margo told me, I don’t think Agent Thomas is in there. She would have probably heard something if they’d been keeping someone prisoner and there are no basements in this building. But I still want to look inside the place for anything that might give us a lead. Margo said she’s leaving soon, and, when she does, I’m going to see if I can find a way in.”
“It’s four now, and Betsy will probably get off work at five. Allow fifteen minutes’ travel time from the county offices … . If you get caught inside, Betsy will know what’s going on, and we’ll be screwed.”
“I know,” Ella said calmly.
“You’ll pick the lock?”
“No, I don’t think so. I’ll check the windows first and look under that big flower pot that’s just to the left of her door. People hide
keys in case of emergencies, and if she’s a heavy drinker, she would want a backup in case she misplaced hers. Or maybe she’s very hospitable and leaves one in case a boyfriend drops by.”
keys in case of emergencies, and if she’s a heavy drinker, she would want a backup in case she misplaced hers. Or maybe she’s very hospitable and leaves one in case a boyfriend drops by.”
Margo left less than five minutes later, books and keys in her hands. As soon as the young woman drove away, Ella strolled around the side of the building, checking quickly for an open window. Finding none,
she went back to the door and searched beneath the planter. There was no key hidden there or within an inch depth in the soil.
she went back to the door and searched beneath the planter. There was no key hidden there or within an inch depth in the soil.
Ella brought out her small pocketknife, which had a lock-pick-type blade, as she continued glancing around for a spare key and making sure she wasn’t being watched. Then she spotted a small rock by itself in the dirt just off the concrete walkway about
five feet from
the door. Ella lifted the rock and saw a piece of flat aluminum foil beneath. When she picked up the foil, she immediately felt the outline of a key nestled inside it.
five feet from
the door. Ella lifted the rock and saw a piece of flat aluminum foil beneath. When she picked up the foil, she immediately felt the outline of a key nestled inside it.
Ella unwrapped it, and was inside the apartment less than fifteen seconds later. The place was small, about the same size as Margo’s, and it was easy to search. The complex was relatively new, and offered few cracks, joints, and
cubbyholes to hide things. Ella first looked around for photos but only found one. It featured an elderly couple on either side of a slightly overweight, pretty, dark-haired, blue-eyed woman in her early thirties. Betsy and her parents, Ella concluded, studying the image of the youngest person for a moment before moving on.
cubbyholes to hide things. Ella first looked around for photos but only found one. It featured an elderly couple on either side of a slightly overweight, pretty, dark-haired, blue-eyed woman in her early thirties. Betsy and her parents, Ella concluded, studying the image of the youngest person for a moment before moving on.
Next she went through the desk in the living room. There were no locks
on the inexpensive piece of furniture. Among the usual stack of bills that had piled up she found a cell phone bill that listed at least two dozen calls made to the same number. She jotted it down, intending to cross-reference it later.
on the inexpensive piece of furniture. Among the usual stack of bills that had piled up she found a cell phone bill that listed at least two dozen calls made to the same number. She jotted it down, intending to cross-reference it later.
Seeing some bank statements, Ella took a look at the opened envelopes. A fast glance revealed that Betsy had three separate accounts, all in different banks.
There was a modest savings account, and regular checking with direct deposits every two weeks that Ella figured came from Betsy’s job for the county. The third account showed larger monthly deposits totally out of line with the modest earnings of a data-entry clerk.
There was a modest savings account, and regular checking with direct deposits every two weeks that Ella figured came from Betsy’s job for the county. The third account showed larger monthly deposits totally out of line with the modest earnings of a data-entry clerk.
Ella placed the two nondescript statements back in their envelopes, but instead of placing the third with the other two, she slipped
it beneath the large TV armoire. Maybe later, once she’d gathered hard evidence from the leads she’d picked up here today, she’d be able to return with a standard search warrant listing specifics. Even if Betsy managed to destroy the rest of the evidence, this one statement would hopefully remain hidden, and go unnoticed.
it beneath the large TV armoire. Maybe later, once she’d gathered hard evidence from the leads she’d picked up here today, she’d be able to return with a standard search warrant listing specifics. Even if Betsy managed to destroy the rest of the evidence, this one statement would hopefully remain hidden, and go unnoticed.
Ella went to the bathroom and looked inside the cabinet. There were two
sticks of deodorant, one new and unopened, the other nearly depleted. Following a burst of inspiration, she took
the old canister of deodorant she found there and placed it into a plastic evidence pouch and then in her pocket. Maybe she could lift prints from it. Then she opened the new one, wiped it on her arm to make it look as if it had been used, then placed it where the old one had been.
sticks of deodorant, one new and unopened, the other nearly depleted. Following a burst of inspiration, she took
the old canister of deodorant she found there and placed it into a plastic evidence pouch and then in her pocket. Maybe she could lift prints from it. Then she opened the new one, wiped it on her arm to make it look as if it had been used, then placed it where the old one had been.
Her guess was that Betsy’s primary boyfriend, the one Margo had called secretive, was Simmons. He was well trained when it came to finding—or leaving—evidence, so he’d know how to avoid the latter. The other, based on the description of the dark SUV, might turn out to be Krause, though the described walk didn’t fit the funeral director, unless it was deliberately done to mislead anyone who might
be watching. After all, Rainwater had followed him here. Krause and the agent had probably chosen to meet at Betsy’s so they could let her know which death certificates would need to be altered.
be watching. After all, Rainwater had followed him here. Krause and the agent had probably chosen to meet at Betsy’s so they could let her know which death certificates would need to be altered.
Each man had his own relationship with Betsy and Ella suspected that they were both using Betsy, to one degree or another, as an informant in an effort to keep an eye on each other. Betsy, of course,
was quite possibly using both of the men, too, playing them for all she could get.
was quite possibly using both of the men, too, playing them for all she could get.
Ella made one last stop, peering into the hall closet. Inside, along with a few jackets and a coat, was a straw cowboy hat and a smaller red cap. The most interesting discovery, however, was a round mirror about eighteen inches in diameter. The near-fatal accident with Herman Cloud came to mind instantly. But if
Betsy had been the one with the cap and mirror, who’d been at the wheel, Krause or Melvin? Unfortunately, this evidence would have to remain behind for now or Betsy would know someone had been in her apartment.
Betsy had been the one with the cap and mirror, who’d been at the wheel, Krause or Melvin? Unfortunately, this evidence would have to remain behind for now or Betsy would know someone had been in her apartment.
Ella opened the door slightly, peered outside, then moving fast, locked the door behind her. She then wrapped the key in the foil again and placed it under the rock.
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