The Lazarus Key by Rachel Aukes

Author:Rachel Aukes [Aukes, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-SEVEN

Wendell residence, Boston, Massachusetts / Sunday, June 13; 2:06 PM

I knocked on the steel door to Dr. Philip Wendell’s condominium. Murphy stood to the side, out of the view of the peephole to not intimidate the doctor as people tended to find women less intimidating than men, especially black men who stood over six feet tall.

I could hear locks being unlocked and waited. I knew it was Philip Wendell on the other side of the door because he lived alone and had lived alone for quite some time. Murphy and I had already verified that Wendell’s car, a tan Mercedes S-class, was parked in the space he rented in the building’s underground parking ramp.

Wendell opened the door, seeming surprised at seeing someone he didn’t recognize. He lived in a high-end condominium building with restricted access, so he could safely assume we weren’t Jehovah's Witnesses on a mission to save his soul. It made sense that he was used to seeing neighbors, building managers, or cleaning staff rather than strangers. “Yes?”

“Hello, Dr. Wendell. I’m Special Agent Brodie with Wilderness and Animal Special Protection.”

As soon as I mentioned the WASP, Wendell blanched and went to slam the door in my face. I’d been expecting that and braced my boot in between the door and frame. Murphy moved even faster and shoved the door open, nearly sending the old doctor toppling to the floor.

Murphy stepped inside and flashed his badge. “Thanks for the warm welcome, Doctor. I’m Special Agent Barnes and you’ve met Special Agent Brodie. Now, you’re a respected ichthyologist. Why would you be so scared of a couple of federal wildlife officers? I’d think you’d like our kind of folks since we should be playing on the same team. We are playing on the same team, aren’t we, Doctor?”

“You can’t enter my home without a warrant,” Wendell sputtered.

“Ah, but this is one of those rare circumstances where we can. We’re federal wildlife officers conducting an active investigation,” I said as I entered and showed him my badge. “We can also conduct a search and seizure. What do you think we’d find on your laptop over there?” I motioned to the computer sitting on the coffee table.

Wendell went to stand between me and the computer. “I’m calling my attorney.”

“You have the right to do that,” Murphy said. “But then this house call will no longer be private, between just the three of us. Your name will be listed as a person of interest in an active federal investigation. It’ll involve attorneys, more authorities, and even your employer, Marc Angel.”

“Or,” I began, “We can just have an easy, unofficial chat, and your record remains spotless. No one needs to know that we were even here. How’s that sound?”

Wendell looked from Murphy to me like he was frantically figuring out what to do next. He reminded me of a spooked deer. He gulped. “I don’t know why you’re here. I haven’t done anything.”

Murphy gave a low, slow chuckle. “I think we all know that’s a load of horse poo.

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