Holdin' On for a Hero (62 page)

“And yet hair samples turn up late in the game indicating she was in the room.”

“Yes, sir. So, it would appear.”

“You don’t sound sure, Ryan.”

“I’m not, sir. To begin with, our technicians swept the room thoroughly the first time. I find it hard to believe that they missed anything. Second, we all know that once the scene was released any number of people could have gained access to the room.”

“Genetics don’t lie,” Prichard pointed out. “And according to the lab, there’s a one in three thousand chance that the hair could have come from anyone other than Dr. Laserian.”

“Yes, sir. I know.”

“Yet you still don’t believe she’s involved.”

“No, sir. I don’t. To begin with, according to the time of death, it is highly unlikely that Dr. Laserian could be involved with the actual murder. If we take into account the time the 911 call came in from the hotel reporting her abduction and the time she was observed being thrown from the van, it’s clear that she was not in the hotel during the time interval we’re looking at. Along with that we have the records from her cell phone that show calls made to her home number, a private number listed to Mr. Konnor Chase, a martial arts school owned and operated by the same Mr. Chase, a call to directory assistance and a call to the hotel. Factoring all that in, it seems clear that she could not have been involved in the murder of Nolan Weston.”

“I agree,” Prichard said.

“Sir?” Ryan was under the impression that Prichard was looking at Senna as a suspect.

“I made a few calls this morning,” Prichard informed him. “According to the FBI, they have no agent by the name of William Southgate, and they didn’t assign any agents to the homicides we’re investigating.”

Ryan frowned. “But I thought… Sir, I did see Southgate’s identification and it appeared genuine.”

“That doesn’t alter the fact that according to the Bureau, Southgate doesn’t exist.” Prichard leaned back in his chair and blew out his breath. “Something stinks to high heaven in this one, Ryan, and I mean to get to the bottom of it.”

“What do you want me to do, sir?”

“First of all, did Southgate give you a number to contact him?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good, then I want you to do just that. Call and set up a meeting with him on the pretense of divulging new information.”

“A sting, sir?”

“Let’s just call it clarifying things,” Prichard said. “I want the location under surveillance and wired for sound and video. I’m putting you in charge of this. Let me know when you have it set up.”

“What if he doesn’t go for it?”

“I think he will if we make the bait tempting enough.” Prichard smiled for the first time.

“Sir?” Ryan didn’t understand.

“Think about it, Ryan. Southgate was interested in one thing when he contacted us. Senna Laserian. According to your reports, when he arrived at her residence she was not there. Since that time he has not actively participated in the investigation. His sole interest is Dr. Laserian. So, we’re going to give him what he wants. I want you to arrange to have the doctor present.”

“Why not just tell him she’ll be there?”

“I don’t want to take a chance on him figuring out it’s a set-up. If he’s smart, he’ll be watching and if he doesn’t see her, it’ll tip him off. Have her there and make sure you’ve got sufficient backup to ensure her safety.”

“Yes, sir.”

“That will be all,” Prichard dismissed him. “Keep me informed every step of the way.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ryan left the office to find Paige waiting in the hall.

“What’s up?” she asked as he started down the hall.

“I’ll fill you in later,” he stalled, walking briskly. Even though Paige was his partner, he wasn’t sure she was suited for this particular assignment. She had a personal grudge against Senna, and he could not take the chance on having people involved who would not be diligent.

“Where are you going?” She hurried alongside him.

“I’ve got something to take care of. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Hold on!” She reached out to grab his arm, but he stuck his arm into the elevator that was about to close. “Ryan!”

“Later,” he said as he got into the elevator.

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief when the door closed, then turned his attention to the matter at hand. Where to set up the meeting and how he was going to convince Senna to be there.

Myers Park, Charlotte NC

Senna called to check her messages from the car. A small frown turned into a scowl as she listened. As soon as she finished she turned to Konnor. “I need to stop by the gatehouse.”

He gave her a “what’s up?” look and she mouthed the word “please”. Without a word, they passed the rest of the drive. When he parked the car in front of the gatehouse, Senna jumped out and walked over to a lawn swing sitting beneath an old oak.

“The police say that they found evidence that proves I was in Nolan’s room the night he was murdered,” she said as she sat down, wrapping her jacket tighter around herself.

Konnor sat down beside her without a word. “They also asked me about something called the Laserian data. I don’t have a clue what that’s supposed to be or why they asked, but from the questions I assumed it has something to do with the project Nolan was working on.”

“They think you’re involved in the project?”

“I don’t know. But what’s really strange is they showed me a copy of something they say was found at the scene. It was a series of symbols that…” a shiver made her cross her arms tightly, “that were in Sumerian and…”

“And?” he asked when she didn’t continue.

“And I…” She closed her eyes to visualize the symbols. “I lied about knowing what they were.”

“You want to tell me why?”

“I don’t know exactly. I mean, it’s not as if it made any sense.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Just what I said.” She looked at him with anxious eyes. “One said something about not letting a gate be sacrificed and the other had to do with something that was being returned to its point of origin. The only thing that was the same on both was the name of a Sumerian God, Enlil.”

“What’s significant about this Enlil?”

“To ancient Sumerians, a great deal. To what’s going on here, I have no idea.”

“And that’s all you know?”

“That’s it.” She pictured the symbols again, and again a chill crept over her flesh. “I think. I don’t know. I’m not sure. All I know for certain is that something about them was frightening.”

“So you’ve seen something like that before?”

“Again, I’m not sure. But another interesting tidbit is that apparently the police went to the university to speak with the head of the archaeology department and see if he could make sense of the writing, and he gave them my name.”

“Do the police consider you a suspect?”

“I didn’t think so when I left, but now I’m not sure. Min left a message for me. Paige Landers contacted her, apparently just after I left the police department. She wants to talk to Min.”

“About what?”

“I don’t know, but I want to speak to Min before Paige does.”

“Maybe I should go with you.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” She smiled. “But I’d appreciate if we didn’t get into the part about the hypnosis and drugs. I’m just going to tell her what relates to the murders.”

“Good idea.” He stood and offered her his hand. “Shall we?”

She let him pull her to her feet and together they crossed the lawn to the main house. Mrs. Muller, the housekeeper answered the back door. “Miss Senna, come in.”

“Hi, Mrs. Muller.” She smiled. “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, Konnor Chase.”

“How do you do, sir.”

“Fine and yourself?”

“Very well, sir.” She turned to Senna. “How may I help you?”

“Is Min busy?”

“Ms. Laserian is in the conservatory. Shall I tell her you’re here?”

“No, that’s okay. Thanks anyway.”

Minora was sitting at the old-fashioned desk in the conservatory, writing.

“Min?”

“Oh, my dear, I’m so glad…” Minora’s voice trailed off when she saw Konnor. “Forgive me.”

“Min, this is Konnor Chase. Konnor, this is my aunt, Minora Laserian.”

Konnor walked over and extended his hand. Minora placed hers in it and he gave her a gentle squeeze. “It’s an honor to meet you, Ms. Laserian. I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about you.”

“Why, thank you, Mr. Chase,” Minora smiled winningly. “I only wish I could return the compliment. Unfortunately, my niece has not mentioned you. I must say, I cannot imagine why.”

Konnor released her hand and looked at Senna at the exact same moment Minora looked at her. She smiled at both of them. “I guess I haven’t gotten around to it.”

Minora maneuvered her wheelchair around from behind the desk. “Honestly, Senna, how could you neglect to mention such a handsome man?”

“It is a wonder, isn’t it?” Senna joked then turned serious. “Min, I really need to talk to you. Something’s happened and…” She broke off as Minora turned a questioning look to Konnor.

“It’s okay,” Senna said quickly. “Konnor knows what I’m here to talk to you about.”

“Why don’t we all sit.” Minora moved over to the seating area in front of the massive window that overlooked the rose garden. “I’ll have refreshments prepared.”

“No, that’s not necessary.” Senna took a seat on the sofa and Konnor sat beside her. “Min, the police called me in to question me about Nolan Weston’s murder. I swear to you that I didn’t have anything to do with—”

“Please,” Minora raised one graceful hand. “Never for a moment would the idea enter my mind that you would be involved. However, I fail to understand why that would precipitate a call from Detective Landers asking to speak with me. I had only a passing acquaintance with Dr. Weston and was not even aware he was in the city.”

“Well…” Senna took Konnor’s hand without thinking about what she was doing. “Apparently there’s more to it than they told me.”

“What do you mean?”

“They asked me about something called the Laserian data.”

Minora’s hand tightened on the arm of her wheelchair and her expression changed for a split second. Senna dropped down on one knee in front of Minora’s chair. “Does that mean something to you, Min?”

Minora shook her head and looked to one side, raising her hand to touch the large opal stone suspended from a delicate gold chain around her neck. Senna could not remember seeing Min without the opal. She knew it was a gift from her parents to Minora, and from experience she knew that whenever Minora was distressed, she caressed the stone almost as if it was some kind of charm.

“Min?”

Minora seemed to collect herself and looked at Senna. “Forgive me, dear.”

“Does that mean something to you?”

After a long pause, Minora nodded. “Please, wait here.” She turned the motorized wheelchair to leave the room.

Senna sat down beside Konnor again. “What’s that about?” he asked as he watched Minora leave.

“I have no idea. I’ve never seen her react that way before. She must know something.”

Mrs. Muller entered the room a few minutes later with a tray laden with a tea service and various confections. “Ms. Laserian will return shortly,” she said as she put the tray on a nearby table. “Shall I pour?”

“No, thank you,” Senna replied. “I can take care of it.”

“Very well.” Mrs. Muller nodded and left.

“Tea?” Senna asked Konnor.

“No, thanks.”

“Wonder where she went?” Senna asked.

“She’s your aunt.”

A shrug was all the reply she gave. She had no idea why Minora had suddenly left the room. After ten minutes passed, she was getting impatient. “I’m going to find her,” she said and stood.

Just then Minora appeared at the door. She moved over in front of the sofa and stopped. A small box was on her lap. She opened it and a tinkling sound started as soon as the hinge lifted. Inside was a haphazard assortment of jewelry that appeared to have been just tossed into the box.

Minora sifted through the items for a bit and when she raised her hand, she held a gold ring. Senna’s vision seemed to diminish, as if nothing existed but the ring. Minora reached out to Senna and Senna extended her hand.

A sensation like an electric current ran through her as soon as Minora put the ring in her hand. Mounted on the gold filigree band was a large back opal. Sunlight from the window struck its surface, making it appear as if red fire burned within the heart of the dark stone.

“I received this in a packet from your parents two weeks before the…incident,” Minora said. “They asked that I keep this safe for you.”

“It matches my necklace.” Senna felt for the pendant at her throat. “Dad gave me this when I was fourteen.”

For a few moments she stared at the ring. It seemed to generate some kind of energy. She was sure she could feel it. With trembling fingers, she slid it onto the ring finger of her right hand. It fit perfectly.