Iris Johansen & Roy 2001 by Beyond belief

Author:Beyond belief [belief, Beyond]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Eight-twenty A.M. It was obvious to Joe that many of the sixteen detectives, uniformed officers, and forensics experts in Chief Davis’s conference room hadn’t slept. Tempers were frayed, and it was still too early for anyone to have a firm handle on what had happened to Jesse Randall the night before. Davis wanted answers, and when his personnel couldn’t provide them, a lot of defensive posturing and finger pointing ensued.

No one had any idea who the kidnappers might be. Religious zealots on a mission to capture the Devil Child? Terrorists seeking the ultimate psychic weapon? Operatives from a mysterious government agency? Each explanation sounded more preposterous than the last.

The helicopter’s license number was fake, and all serial numbers had been removed. A mechanic’s inspection sticker had been found in the engine compartment, however, and a pair of officers were following up on it.

For Joe, it was merely the continuation of a bad day that had started when he woke early to tell Nikki about Jesse’s abduction. She’d taken it hard.

There were no FBI agents present at Davis’s task force meeting, although the chief had been promised cooperation from the agency. The feds had already provided the police crime lab with blood samples from the church knockout gas victims.

The discussion soon turned to Joe and his investigation. “He’s a kid,” Davis said. “If he’s a fake, why haven’t you been able to catch him?”

“I wasn’t able to study him in a controlled environment. He hasn’t been nearly as demonstrative with me as he was for Nelson and his team.”

“There were a couple of attacks on your life, Bailey. No explanation for that either?”

“Not yet,” Joe admitted. “I’m working on it. I sent samples of the bookcase base and the wooden floor to the lab. I think they may tell us something.”

“Maybe it’s time to get someone else on the case. A fresh perspective.”

Joe leaned forward. “That would be a mistake.”

Davis turned to Howe. “What do you think about it?”

Joe closed his eyes. Here it comes.

“He’s right,” Howe said. “It would be a mistake to reassign him.”

Joe shot him a sideways glance, waiting for the kicker.

Davis looked surprised. “Only a few days ago you asked your lieutenant to remove him from the investigation.”

“I’ve reevaluated my position.”

Davis nodded. “Fine. The two of you continue your investigation into Robert Nelson’s murder. Keep the lines of communication open with Lieutenant Powell, who will be heading up the investigation into Jesse Randall’s abduction.”

*

The meeting broke up at a quarter to eleven. Joe caught up with Howe in the elevator.

“Thanks,” Joe said.

“For what?”

“The show of confidence.”

“It was born of desperation. / sure as hell can’t figure out how Nelson was whacked. How was Cartersville?”

In all the commotion with Jesse’s kidnapping, Joe hadn’t told Howe about his conversation with the emergency room doctor. He quickly filled him in.

“Pig’s blood?” Howe said as they stepped out of the elevator and into the narrow hallway that led to the homicide squad room.

“That’s what the man said.”

“Had the girl just gotten off from a hard day at the slaughterhouse?”

“No, and her father lied about it.

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