Got the Look (45 page)

The FBI had plucked Mia from the river first. They found Jack clinging to the fallen tree about two hundred yards farther upriver. Jack immediately told them about Richie, but he sensed that Andie had known it was him for some time. As usual, she'd kept it to herself. Divers were still searching for the body, and they were confident about finding it, eventually. They weren't nearly so sure about recovering the capsule that held Jack's fifty thousand dollars in ransom money, and they were even less optimistic about the backpack and Theo's two hundred thousand dollars. Jack could live without his own money, but Theo's was another matter.

The screen door squeaked open and then slammed shut on its spring. The footsteps crossing the porch had a certain deliberateness about them, as if bad news was on the way. Jack looked up to see Andie Henning standing in the dim glow of the yellow porch light.

Everything okay? said Jack.

Yeah, fine, she said. The media are already starting to gather at the park entrance, so I'll have to deal with that soon enough. She angled toward the empty chair facing the swing. Mind if I sit down for a sec?

Please, said Jack.

She sat on the edge, as if not looking to make herself too comfortable. Mia, I know this might be something you'd rather not talk about, but I'd like to take a statement from you about the kidnapping.

Jack said, Do we really have to do this tonight?

It's okay, said Mia. Let's get it over with.

Good, said Andie. But um.

But what? said Jack.

Andie seemed to be having trouble forming her words. First, I need to tell you that you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of -

Wait a second, said Jack. You're giving her Miranda? What for?

Again she paused, but this time her voice was a little firmer. Murder.

It wasn't murder, said Jack. This guy Richie got what he deserved.

I agree. And maybe Gerard Montalvo did, too. But a woman has a right to kill the man who raped her only in self-defense. Not out of vengeance.

Mia started to speak, but Jack stopped her. He gave Andie a serious look. All right, cut the games. Level with me, Henning. What's this all about?

Andie struggled, then said, Jack, I can't -

Can't tell me. I know, I know. It's like the mantra for this case. For once, surprise me, would you? Just to keep the conversation lively.

It's not that simple.

Nothing's ever simple with you. From day one, every time I asked you for information, all I ever got was the same old excuse that you're not authorized to discuss the investigation with me.

That's not true.

Even after you finally promised to try and get me a higher level of clearance, I never heard another word about it.

I'm sorry, but in case you haven't noticed, you can't spell bureaucracy without the bureau.

I'm sure you have your share of administrative hassles. Bottom line is that the flow of information in this case has been pretty much a one-way street, and I'm tired of it. So if you think you can just walk out here onto the porch before the sun is even up and, out of the blue, start reading Miranda to my client -

Your client? said Mia.

Jack paused. As usual, Andie was making him crazy. Just for once, Henning. Throw me a bone.

Andie studied his expression, but she didn't argue. She drew a breath and said, I want you both to know that it doesn't make me happy to have to do this. Believe me, no one is more sympathetic to victims than I am. I suppose the only thing worse than being raped is to be courageous enough to come forward and press charges, only to have no one believe you.

She looked at Mia and said, Failing that polygraph examination was the beginning of your frustration, I'm sure. Polygraphs aren't one-hundred-percent reliable. Jack and I both have seen liars pass and honest people fail. If you ask me, the prosecutors put far more faith in the polygraph than they should have. But that didn't give Mia the right to take matters into her own hands.

That's your theory, said Jack. I don't hear any evidence.

Andie hesitated, as if debating whether to say more. Why don't you ask Mia what the Atlanta DA decided to do with the case after she failed her polygraph.

Jack glanced at Mia. He wasn't about to ask her anything in front of an FBI agent, but from the look on her face, he could almost guess the answer.

Andie said, They decided to plea-bargain. Adjudication withheld. Montalvo wasn't going to jail. He wasn't even going to have a conviction on his record. From a legal standpoint, it was as if the rape had never happened.

That's not much of a motive for murder if you can't prove that Mia knew what kind of sweetheart deal was being offered.

She was the only person who knew. The DA spoke to Mia first. Montalvo disappeared before the DA could even call his lawyer to make the offer. And now we know what happened to him.

It was Richie who led me to Montalvo's body, said Jack.

With information provided by Mia. That's what Richie told you, Jack. He was able to lead you to Montalvo's body because Mia told him where the body was buried. The grave was freshly dug because he had to dig it up to make sure she was telling him the truth.

That's hearsay.

Spoken like a true defense lawyer, Jack.

Mia made a noise. This is not -

Not now, Jack said.

Jack's right, said Andie. Now is not the time. I'm out of my jurisdiction here. You'll have plenty of time to present your side of the story to the district attorney in Atlanta. I speak with all sincerity when I say that I hope the DA will try to do justice here and not go for the headlines.

It might have sounded snide in another setting, but Jack could sense from her tone, from the look on Andie's face, that she was not speaking with coplike bravado. She was telling them all this for their genuine benefit, to do with as Jack and Mia saw fit.

I can take your statement now, Andie told Mia. Or like I said, you have the right to remain silent.

I think Jack and I should talk, Mia said.

Good choice. Andie rose and started toward the door.

Jack got down from the swing and followed after her, leaving Mia behind. Andie, he said as she reached the door.

She turned to face him.

How long do you think we've got before the DA comes knocking?

Two days. Three, maybe.

Do you have a murder weapon?

They found a thirty-eight-caliber slug with Montalvo's remains. You may want to ask your client about the handgun she bought and registered in her own name three days before Montalvo was shot.

I'm sure it was for protection.

Maybe.

Her lawyer, Henry Talbridge, will tell you how Montalvo was harassing and threatening her throughout the preliminary hearing.

She shared a solemn expression that told him without words that there truly was nothing more she could say, then changed the subject - slightly. By the way, what you did in that river was pretty amazing, Swyteck.

I don't know. Maybe it'll hit me later.

Not if you're lucky.

He could see the weariness in her eyes, the weight of so many cases that seemed to keep on hitting her long after they were over. Yeah, I think I take your meaning.

She reached for the door, but Jack stopped her. Thanks, he said. You know, for the heads-up.

Don't say I never gave you anything.

Jack nodded, a silent thank-you, knowing that this one was huge. They exchanged a little smile as Andie opened the screen door and disappeared inside. Jack slowly went back to Mia on the swing.

Chapter
73

Andie treated her team leaders to an early breakfast at the Great Outdoors Trading Company and Cafe in High Springs, a bit of Florida history that has been in the same brick building on Main Street since 1895. Fortunately for Andie's wallet, the menu featured no fewer than twenty-four items priced from $4.95. Andie kept telling herself that she wasn't that hungry, but she kept pace even with the scuba divers in polishing off the famous Swedish oatmeal pancakes with real maple syrup. The guys appreciated her gesture, and even Agent Crenshaw managed to pat her on the back and say, Nice job.

A midmorning flight took her from Jacksonville to Miami, where she and Paul Martinez prepared for an afternoon press conference. Typical of a special agent in charge, Martinez was big on the team concept. In front of the cameras he would undoubtedly stress the coordinated efforts and joint contributions of every agent involved in the hunt for the Wrong Number Kidnapper. Andie had no problem with that approach, but she enjoyed having a few minutes alone with him before the press conference, where Martinez spared no adjectives in conveying his praise for the job Andie, in particular, had done. Then it was time to prepare him for the more difficult questions the media might throw at him.

I want to keep this relatively simple, said Martinez. I understand our position that this Richie character was out to get Mia Salazar because she killed his friend Gerard Montalvo.

Right, said Andie.

I'll defer to the DA's office to say as much or as little as they see fit about Montalvo's murder. But I'm sure I'll be asked why Richie kidnapped and murdered Ashley Thornton.

I guess we'll never know for sure, now that he and Mrs. Thornton are both dead.

True, and I suppose my answer could simply be that I don't care to speculate on the matter. But between you and me what's the connection?

No connection. That's what made her a good target.

How so?

Had Richie kidnapped no one but Mia Salazar, we would have figured out much sooner that someone was avenging the death of Gerard Montalvo. Kidnapping that auto mechanic's wife up in Georgia and then Mrs. Thornton in Ocala put a whole different spin on things. He had everyone from the divers in the Devil's Ear to the profilers up in Quantico thinking that we were looking for the Wrong Number Kidnapper.

Your theory would be a lot easier to swallow if he hadn't killed Mrs. Thornton.

We're dealing with an ex-con, total scumbag by all accounts. He made a million dollars on that kidnapping. People have killed for a lot less.

Granted. But he still didn't have to kill her if his only goal was to make us think we were dealing with a serial kidnapper.

Maybe he had every intention to let her live, but she saw his face and was able to identify him. Then he had to kill her.

Martinez considered it. Like you said. Speculation. Good fodder for the talking heads on CNN.

That's right, she said with a thin smile. If we answered every question, all those retired FBI agents would have nothing to do but play golf.

They finished the prep session by one o'clock, a full hour before the scheduled news conference. The sleeping bunk downstairs was tempting, even with its lumpy mattress, but Andie's mind was too engaged for a nap. She went to her office and closed the door, taking a few minutes to herself before facing the media.

She was perfectly still, seated behind her desk. Andie had enough unfinished paperwork to keep her busy for a week, but it was the last thing on earth she felt like tackling. There was plenty to do, but nothing terribly urgent - nothing to keep her mind occupied, nothing to prevent her from thinking about why she was even here in Miami, why she had left Seattle, why she would never go back.

These times alone, with her demons, were truly her most dangerous moments.

Chapter
74

Jack, Mia, and Theo were back in Miami by noontime. They blew right through Palm Beach County on the turnpike, as Mia wasn't ready to deal with her husband. Her sister, however, was still in town from Atlanta. Jack knew it would be an emotional reunion, so he gave them some private time in Cassandra's hotel room while he waited alone in the coffee shop. He was on his second cup of coffee when Cassandra finally came down, alone.

She's out cold, she said as she slipped into the booth. Her dark brown hair was pulled back with a broad white headband, which sent Jack into a double take. Many times he'd seen Mia the same way, usually with her long, dark hair wet from a shower or swimming. It was not a look that flattered every woman's face, but these two sisters pulled it off beautifully.

I figured she'd hit the wall soon, said Jack. I bet she sleeps for two days.

At least.

The waitress approached with a pot of coffee and an empty mug for Cassandra. She poured and served, then hurried to the next booth. Jack watched the white stream of sugar flow from the dispenser and dissolve into Cassandra's coffee as he spoke. So, I guess you two had a lot of catching up to do.

That's an understatement. She told me what Agent Henning did to her, how they're probably coming after her for the murder of Gerard Montalvo. Bastards.

Sounds like you two covered a lot of ground in a hurry.

There's so much we wanted to tell each other.

Like the truth?

A puzzled look came over her face. What do you mean by that?