Jake Palmer 02.The Drone Enigma by Ron McManus

Author:Ron McManus [Ron McManus]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781938467868
Publisher: Bay Beach Books
Published: 2021-11-08T00:00:00+00:00

36

PALMER LOOKED AT his watch. London was five hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time. His girlfriend, Fiona, might be out on a summer Sunday afternoon; or knowing her, she might be working at home. He had not spoken to her in the past two to three weeks. Out of sight, out of mind. He thought about what Lara Hamilton had said about his avoidance of commitment. Is she right? Am I making excuses for not calling? He scrolled through the address book on his cell phone and found her number, including the international dialing digits. He tapped the screen on his phone, initiating the call.

“Jake,” she exclaimed. “Where are you? Are you here?” Fiona seemed excited to hear from him and not bothered that he interrupted whatever she was doing.

“I wish I were. I miss seeing you. I’m in the States.”

“I miss you too,” she said with an air of disappointment.

“Fiona, I need your help.”

She hesitated before responding. “Oh.” Her single word transmitted her disappointment across the Atlantic as clearly as if she were sitting beside him, looking into his eyes. “What do you need?”

“I’m working a case at Lynnhaven Technology Group in Virginia. An old friend of mine was murdered.”

“Murdered?! How awful. I’m sorry to hear that.” Fiona’s tone changed. She was interested and empathetic.

“One of the company employees may have been involved in his death. He was born to an unwed mother in the U.K. His mother still lives there. Her name is Deborah Elizabeth Fuller. I would like for you to contact her. Her son, Owen Fuller, is a project leader for a classified Navy project. Fuller was in the U.K. a couple of weeks ago. Tell her LTG is following up on his security clearance, and it’s very important. Mothers are always happy to talk about their sons. Just start her talking and see what she says. You auditors are good at that.”

“You auditors?”

“OK, you’re good at it. According to the company’s personnel records, Owen Fuller was born in London on June 26, 1973.”

“Do you have his father’s name?”

“He listed it as unknown on the job application. That would be a good starting point. Tell her LTG needs his father’s name on file.”

“Maybe she doesn’t know who his father is. It happens. A woman has multiple partners and falls pregnant, not knowing who is the father.”

“That’s something you can confirm with his mother.”

“Where does Deborah Fuller live?”

“All I have is Beckenham, Kent, and a telephone number. How far is that from your home?”

“Beckenham is only twenty miles or so from Sevenoaks Weald. What does his father’s name have to do with the murder of your friend?”

“I don’t know. Maybe nothing. It’s one of the leads I’m working on. I really appreciate this.”

“When are you coming to the U.K., Jake?”

“I want to see you. I just can’t get away. Can you come to the States?”

Palmer listened, awaiting her response.

“I haven’t had any time off in months. I need a break. Let me check my schedule and see what I can do.

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