The Killers Amongst Us: Chimera Dawn Chronicles (24 page)

TURNING
at the bend, Shaw was confronted with traffic
cones spread across the road to the sanctuary. He pulled over and parked.
Looking over at the entrance, he could see activity. It wasn’t what he
expected. There were figures in white overalls, and they were wearing white
helmets with visors. A sign next to the cones, nailed to a wooden post, and set
in a concrete base, read, ‘QUARANTINE’ and under that, ‘Appointments only.’ His
cell phone rang and he answered.

“Hi, it’s Cat, I saw you arrive.”

“What’s happening?”

“Wildlife and Fisheries have told us to set up emergency
quarantine protocol. Don’t touch the intercom at the gate. I’ll let you in.
Just follow my instruction when I meet you at the gate.

“Is this connected to what’s happening in Breakers Pass?”

“Yes, although we’re outside the boundary. It’s just a
precaution.

“What about Gyp?”

“We’ve made provision for him. It’s best that we check him
over.”

“Listen, I don’t want be the one who brings any infection to
the sanctuary. I can forget the visit for another day. I can leave some items
at the gate I needed the professor to run DNA tests on. I have a dead cat that
I suspect has died from the bug that’s going around Breakers Pass. I was
thinking you could run tests and do an autopsy. But maybe it’s better I send it
over the W and F veterinary lab for them to test.”

“No, don’t worry. Our equipment is more advanced than theirs
is. You did right to bring the cat. We can get the results to the W and F vet.
Just wait at the gate.”

He collected the water samples and Montague from his trunk,
then walked over to the first gate with Gyp following him. A figure in white
overalls approached carrying a cardboard box and set it down. Through the
second entrance, he saw a truck pull over and park.

“You’ll need to put on the protective clothing from the box,”
said Cat. Another figure approached with a pet carrier. “Sorry, but once we
have Gyp stowed, we need you to come inside and strip so we can hose you down,
and then you can put on the protective gear. Step back from the gate.”

Shaw stepped back as the lock buzzed at the gate, leaving
Gyp sitting at the entrance with his tail wagging. Cat opened the gate.

“Come on, in the box,” said Cat.

Gyp simply stood and sauntered through the entrance and into
the box. It wasn’t exactly any old container, more like a mini-iron-lung device
with an air filter. Cat fastened the clips to the entrance, leaving it
hermetically sealed. Cat and the other suited figure picked up the container
with Gyp and carried it to the pickup, setting it on the back.

“Come on, don’t be shy. Step inside and strip.” said Cat, as
she returned, carrying a plastic container. “First pass the cat here and the
samples.”

She placed Montague into the container and sealed the lid.
Shaw fished in his pocket and took out his DNA swab, lock of hair and Amy’s
baby tooth.

“These are for DNA sampling. The lock of hair is my wife’s
sample, the swab is mine, and the baby tooth belongs to my daughter. I’m hoping
you can do it, because my daughter’s been kidnapped.”

“Kidnapped? Oh no. I’m so sorry. We were wondering why you
needed the tests. Now I understand. I’m sure we can do it. What’s in the
containers?”

“Water samples from where I found the cat and the owner,
dead.”

“Okay, I’ll need to get some plastic bags to put them in
while you take a shower. Use the biological soap.”

Shaw followed Cat’s eye line and gulped. They’d obviously
heard improvisation was called for out there in the wilds. It wasn’t high-tech,
and there wasn’t a vanity screen, just an empty kiddies’ paddling pool, with a
hosepipe fastened to a pole. Shaw stripped, with his back facing Cat. He looked
over his shoulder, relieved she was talking with the others. He showered, then
put on the protective clothing.

I’ll see to the samples,” said Cat. “You can take a ride on
the back of the pickup with Gyp. Kitten will be waiting for you.”

They arrived at the entrance to the compound. Two of the
escort removed Gyp in his container and hurried inside. The driver picked up
the containers holding Montague and the samples, and followed them.

“I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter,” said Kitten, and
placed her hand on Shaw’s shoulder. “I’m sure the professor will want to do all
she can to help. We’ll all want to help.”

“Thanks.”

They set off through the gate and over to the elevator. His
mind hovered over seeing the guy from Homeland Security, and wondering what
business he could have had there. The coincidence thing bugged him.
Coincidences, he thought, simply have alibis that get in the way of truth. They
stir instincts that run in shivers down the spine. He shivered. First, there
was Homeland Securities connection to the missing girls six years ago, and now,
him turning up near town just as Amy had gone missing. Amy had turned eighteen,
the same age as the girls who went missing. And then there was Amy’s connection
to Ted Carter and his connection to one of the girls.

“We’re here,” said Kitten, as the elevator came to a halt
and the door opened.

He knew he’d have to be polite. He was asking a big favor.
He’d have to stay long enough to show his gratitude, but not too long that he’d
be late for the FBI. Kitten walked with him down the corridor and into Cleo’s
lounge area.

“Take a seat. She’s just finishing up in surgery. I’ll go
and see to Gyp’s blood tests.”

He sat in an armchair and glanced around the room at the
Egyptian artifacts on the walls. He wondered if maybe she could shed some light
on the Pharaohs in Summers’ NSA report. There again, he wondered, as it was
from his personal computer, maybe it was a part-time interest of Summers and
he’d mixed up the file with the reports on the missing girls.

He waited maybe twenty-five minutes, when Cleo entered in a
protective suit with a facemask and visor. He could still see it was her from
her eyes.

“Sorry to hear about your daughter. Of course we’ll be
pleased to run the tests, but tell me why you need them so quickly?”

“Thanks. The thing is; it’ll take up to two weeks for our
people to come up with results. Finding a match could be vital before then. The
missing persons’ unit, they need the sample for the national data base... for
if... Sorry.” The answer stuck in his throat. He couldn’t get to saying,
for
if they found her body
, although the words rolled around in his mind.

“I understand. It must be painful. We’ll do our best. I’m so
sorry we’re meeting like this. I was hoping for some quality time together.”

Shaw had a good idea what she meant about quality time from
her hitting on him the first time he visited. She was right. Now wasn’t the
time.

“Look I’m sorry, but I really shouldn’t be here. I have a
meeting with FBI agents soon. I have to get back. Any idea how long the tests
will take?”

“Well, as I understand it, you have a baby tooth. If all
goes well we could have the result tomorrow. As for the autopsy on the cat and
the water sample tests, I have people working on those now. We should have the
results later tonight, or first thing in the morning.”

“Sounds good. Maybe you can phone me and send the results in
an e-mail. It’ll save me having to go through showering and the changing
ordeal. I feel like we’re meeting in the international space station dressed
like this.”

Cleo laughed. “Yes it is restricting. I’m sure there be
other times when all this is over. I’d have offered you a coffee, but we’re
having to ration our water with all the showering.”

“Why’s that?”

“We’re not connected to the mains supply and out tank’s
running low. We have it shipped here with the rest of our supplies from LA. The
supply company phoned to say they’re a driver down and it’ll take a few days.”

Shaw stood.
LA. Supplies, Grimes.

“Is that GS that’s let you down?”

“Yes. First time. They’re usually reliable.”

Shaw realized just how far Grimes’ business tentacles
reached.

“Before I go, there is something you could tell me. I saw a familiar
face leaving the sanctuary just as I arrived. Damned if I can’t put a face to
the name, but I know he works for Homeland Security.”

“That would be Alice Fuller. He’s our only visitor today
except for you.”

“Alice! Yeah I remember now. What business would he have
here?”

Shaw grinned. He could understand why he didn’t advertise
his name with a first name like Alice. He didn’t like it that she hesitated,
and he wished that he could have seen the expression on her face as she walked
around her
chaise longue
and sat. She could be stalling to come up with
an excuse.

“Routine; He was checking all our overseas students’
identification and immigration papers are in order and that they’re doing what
they are supposed to be doing... studying.”

Her answer was solid. He’d not thought of that.

“What about Gyp, will he be ready yet?”

“You would be better leaving him here until the quarantine
is over.”

“You sure?”

“It’s not a problem. He’ll be safer here. Besides, it’ll
give you an excuse to visit again. You do want to visit again?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Good, I’ll hold you to that and see you out.”

A replica stone artifact on the wall, depicting a Pharaoh
caught his attention.

“Wait, there is one other thing. What can you tell me about
a Pharaoh called
Akhenaten?”

Cleo stumbled and he took hold of her.

“Why do you ask?”

“Just something I was reading that’s all. I
thought who better to ask than you.”

“Well, it’s a long story. Maybe we can
discuss it another time. I’m tired after surgery. I can tell you that he was considered
evil by most of the population. He only reigned for seventeen years and then
disappeared from history. I’m just pleased you have an interest in ancient
Egypt. It’ll give us something in common to talk about when you visit again.
That’s Akhenaten with his wife and daughters over there on the wall.”

Shaw recognized the image from the one he’d
seen in Ted’s file. The door to the lounge opened and Gyp trotted in as though
he were in a dog show. Kitten followed.

“His blood tests are fine,” said Kitten, “so you don’t have
to worry.”

By the smell and look of him, they’d given
him a shower and a blow-dry. He jumped on the armchair that he had vacated, sat
upright, then wagged his tail.

“Get down off of there,” said Shaw.

“Leave him, he’s fine,” said Cleo.

He knew that he was safe hands by the way they had pampered
him. Chimi, Cleo’s Egyptian cat, jumped beside Gyp and purred. Shaw’s eyes were
drawn to a collar they had put around Gyp’s neck as he patted his head. It was
leather, with what he imagined were imitation diamonds. They were studded in an
intricate pattern of an eye, repeated around the collar. But it was the dog tag
that caught his attention more than anything. He’d seen the symbol before. It
was fashioned in the shape of a cross but with the top as a circle.

A vision passed through his mind of the pendant between
Cleo’s breasts on his last visit, then the symbol on the prepper’s card and a
photograph in the dog-’s file. They were all the same symbol.
Coincidence?
He thought not. He could tell by the shiver that ran through his spine.

SHAW
drove along the main street, chewing over in his
mind what progress Logan may have made in finding Amy. His cell phone rang. He
picked up his phone from the passenger seat and answered.

“Shaw.”

“It’s Ed, where the hell are you? Your office is closed.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Good. I’ll be waiting.”

The call closed at Grimes’ end. He’d sounded agitated. Shaw
wondered if saying he was getting close with Maria’s case had had the desired
effect to rattle Grimes. He turned into his street. Ed Grimes sat on the edge
of the veranda, puffing hard at a cigarette. As he pulled up outside his
office, Grimes stood and stubbed out his cigarette with his snakeskin boot. He
noticed a pile of other stubs. Shaw reckoned he’d smoked seven or eight while
he’d been waiting.

“What is it you want?” Shaw asked, as he closed his car door
and strode to the office.

“I need a word.” His voice was raspy.

Maybe he’d smoked one too many. Grimes cleared his throat
and honked phlegm on the floorboards. Shaw unlocked the door and flicked the
light switches on.

“We can talk in my office.”

He stepped down the corridor and into his office. Shaw took
off his hat and dropped it on the clothes peg. Shaw yawned. He was too tired
for any crap from Grimes. Shaw sunk his backside in his seat at his desk and
beckoned Grimes to sit.

“No thanks. What I have to say won’t take long. I’ve called
an emergency council meeting over the quarantine protocol. I need you to
attend. I’m filing a motion to have you removed from office.”

Shaw sucked air through his teeth, leaned forward and rested
his elbows on the desk.

“That’s a surprise. Why would that be?”

He had a good idea why. But he doubted he’d hear the truth.
Shaw studied him. Grimes was all slime ball in Shaw’s mind, with no redeeming
features.

“Why? It’s because you’ve been holed up in your office most
of the day, when half the town’s down with the sickness. That’s beside you
making the town a laughing stock with the burger van stunt. Then there’s your
negligence in not calling in the county deputies to have the vet’s surgery
guarded.”

“So you’ve decided not to wait for the medical? Good thing I
cancelled it then. Maybe you can add that to your list.” Shaw smirked, leaned
back, and pushed his back into his chair. “How long before the meeting?”

“An hour, why?”

“Because that gives me time for you to answer some questions
before the FBI arrives.”

“FBI, what do they want?”

Grimes took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his brow
and then patted his neck

“Sorry, can’t say. Maybe you can ask them why they’re visiting.”

A puzzled expression spread across Grimes’ face. Maybe he’d
not heard about Amy going missing.

“What type of questions?”

“About the death of Maria.”

Grimes sighed.

“I’ve got nothing to say to ya. We’ll leave that for the new
sheriff.”

Shaw looked at his watch. He was enjoying seeing Grimes
squirm at mention of the FBI.

“There’ll be no new sheriff for fifty-five minutes, assuming
you get the vote. That’s time enough.”

“Like I said, I’ve nothing to say.”

Grimes set off walking to the door.

“Well now, that’s a real pity, ’cause I’ll have plenty to
say at the meeting about why you want me out of here. Maybe you should ask your
wife to attend the meeting. I’m sure she’ll want to know what I have to say.”

Grimes did an about turn. His cheeks flushed.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means you can either answer my questions, or take your
chance in the meeting that word won’t get back to her.”

Grimes walked over to the desk and grabbed hold of the chair
back. His knuckles whitened and his complexion rose to Defcon 1.

“No, don’t sit there. We’ll talk in the interview room. I’ll
need to tape the interview so I don’t misinterpret your answers.”

Shaw smiled as Grimes face contorted and he gritted his
teeth.

“Fuck you. You can’t do this unless you’re charging me with
something.”

“Your call.”

“It’s freakin’ blackmail.”

“Is it now?”

Grimes was right, it was blackmail. He knew he couldn’t read
him his rights and charge him with murder. If he did charge him, Grimes
wouldn’t say anything, and he had the money to get an attorney to spring him.
All that would do would be to delay the meeting. He knew that he didn’t have
evidence, or probable cause. But Grimes had pitched the low ball trying to get
him fired. In his mind, all he was doing was knocking the ball back. Least he
could do was to have him shit a brick.

“You know damned well it’s blackmail. Look, I swear I had
nothing to do with her death.”

Shaw stood and shrugged his shoulders. He placed his hands
palm down on the desk and spread his fingers to take his weight as he leaned
forward.

“Well now, is it blackmail? That would depend if what I know
would be of interest and value to your wife. Then thinking about it, half of
what you’re worth could disappear overnight in a flash. Think about it, but
don’t take too long. I’m offering you a way out.”

He could see by Grimes’ expression that he was grinding out
the options, but if he doubted there was enough to pin on him, he would have
walked out.

“Damn it, let’s get this over with.”

“Follow me.”

Shaw drilled holes in the back of Grimes’ head as he
escorted him to the interview room. It was another distraction he didn’t want,
or need. Interviewing him wouldn’t get Amy back. But he realized that if he
lost his job that he would lose access to the police computer and his contacts.
He’d just be a Jack Nobody with a daughter who had gone missing. He knew that
wasn’t an option. Shaw pulled out a chair and signaled for Grimes to sit. The
motor whirred as he wound back the tape and then he pressed record. Shaw sat
and looked across the table at Grimes. He stared back, tight-lipped.

“This is Sheriff Brett Shaw of Breakers Pass. The time is seven
forty-five p.m. July fourteenth, two thousand and fourteen. I’m here with
Edward Grimes for the purposes of asking questions surrounding the death of
Maria Hernandez. Mr. Grimes has not been charged with any offence. He is here
to help with our enquiries. Mr. Grimes, I need you to understand that you are
here of your own volition and you don’t need to say anything. However, anything
recorded in this interview may be used in a court of law, including any enquiry
ordered by a coroner. Do you understand?”

Grimes shuffled on his chair.

“Yeah, yeah. Get on with it.”

“Okay, I’ll start by asking you how long you have known
Maria, and under what circumstances?”

“Six months. She rented the vet's surgery from me.”

“Do you have spare keys for the surgery?”

“I’m the landlord, what do you expect? They’re kept in my
safe.”

“Have you ever had any of your pets visit the surgery for
treatment?”

“Yeah, Vinnie. I told you before. Visited last week,
Wednesday I think. Look you already know all this.”

Grimes looked at his watch. Shaw leaned forward.

“Did you have occasion to visit her other than
professionally?”

“What does that mean?” Grimes said, and twisted his
watchband around on his wrist.

“It’s not a trick question. Have you?”

Beads of sweat appeared on Grimes’ forehead. He swiped his
arm across his brow.

“Can I smoke in here?”

“No sorry. Well, have you?”

“Err, yeah, guess so. I’ve seen her a time or two to discuss
the lease, and to sort out problems with the plumbing.”

“What about phone calls?”

Shaw picked up the empty buff file on his desk. He tilted
the file out of the eyeshot of Grimes, opening and closing it, and then smiled.
Grimes’ eyes narrowed and he set his vision on the folder.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve phoned her a few times. And she’s phoned
me a few times.”

“What five times, ten times or more?”

Grimes drummed his fingers on the table and shifted his
backside in the chair.

“Can’t say. I’d need to check my bill. As mayor, I make and
receive tons of calls.”

“What about Thursday night. The day before she was found
dead?”

Grimes rolled his eyes to the ceiling, clasped his fingers
together, and then looked down at the floor.

“Listen.” Grimes said, and lifted his head “My mind’s on all
this quarantine business, I can’t recall. For Christ’ sake, I’ve lost a lot of
good friends today with the sickness.”

“I’ll give you a clue.” He lifted the file again, opening
and closing it and then sat back. “According to her phone records, you spoke to
her at ten thirty in the evening. What was the call about?”

Grimes closed his eyes, and tapped his forehead with his
index finger. He opened his eyes and looked directly at Shaw.

“Oh that. Yeah, she phoned to say that she’d come across an
injured dog in the road. She said there was a dead stag next to it. She thought
maybe the dog was injured by the stag’s antler. She was taking the dog back to
her surgery.”

Shaw chewed on his lip. Considering Frank’s estimate of the
size of the dog from the tracks, and Maria’s petite frame, she would have
needed help. The trap was set to add pressure, with Grimes’ answer that she’d
phoned him, when he knew that he’d phoned her. But it wasn’t the time, or the
purpose of the questioning. He had a different direction planned to conclude
the interview.

“You talked a long time on that call. Why would she phone
you if she was busy with the dog?”

“Hell, I don’t know and we can’t ask her.”

A lopsided grin settled on Grimes’ lips, baring his teeth to
one side. But a tick of his eyelid showed he was nervous.

“No we can’t ask her. What were you doing that night?”

“At home all night.”

“And your wife can vouch for you?”

“No, she was staying with family, I was alone.”

“Yeah, why was that?”

“Personal.” Grimes looked at his watch, then averted his
gaze. He turned to look at Shaw. “Look, have we done?”

“Almost done. Anyway, it’s not a problem, I can ask your
wife to confirm the rumors you had marital problems.”

Shaw winked at Grimes and grinned. Grimes set a sour facial
expression, pouting his lips.

“Mavis and me are sorting things out. There’s no need for
you to confirm anything with her.”

“Good, pleased to hear that. Then I guess it’s all down to
the forensics on the items I collected before the fire and whatever they’ve
found on her body. Oh, and not forgetting the witness statements of someone
visiting her regularly late at night. Thanks for your help.”

“Witness? Forensics? That’s it. I’m done with this meeting.
It ends now. Wait... what I mean is I have an important council meeting.”

Shaw leaned forward. “The time is seven-fifty p.m. and the
interview has terminated.” His finger hovered over the stop button and he
pressed it to the sound of a click.

Grimes pushed his chair back and stood.

“You ain’t got nothing.”

“Oh, I know I have. I let you off lightly. I know you had a
thing going with Maria. I have a statement to prove it. So what about this
motion to have me fired?”

The color of Grimes’ cheeks had changed from engorged to
ashen, as if he were about to throw up.

“What about you tear up that statement?”

Shaw looked him straight in the eyes, holding his best poker
face. “That’s my insurance.”

“You mean blackmail. Damn you. I’ll cancel the motion.”

They both stood and headed out of the room. Shaw’s mind wandered.
He knew he wasn’t done with Grimes yet. Grimes had plenty of time to tell him
about the dog before, considering her apparent cause of death. Grimes was at
the surgery that night, there was no doubt in his mind. Proving it was
something else. But there’d be plenty of time to push him further after they
had found Amy. He could have pushed him harder. Much harder. He reckoned that
Grimes would sleep as little as he would that night, but for different reasons.
The interview had served its purpose. For now, his seat on the saddle of
sheriff’s office was safe. He followed in Grimes’ wake as he strode down the
corridor and headed for the exit. Grimes slammed both the office door and the
outer door as he left.

He sauntered over to the coffee table. Shaw wondered how
long it would take Grimes to realize that he’d phoned Maria and not the other
way around. He poured out a cup of coffee and walked over to his desk. There
was a sealed envelope with his name on the front. He opened it, to find his
apartment key and a note from Jim.

‘Call sign -Taskforce. Use setting 2326 on the radio. The
Fox is in the hole.’

A vehicle pulled up outside. Through the window, he could
see it was a black, four by four with tinted windows.
FBI?