Andi found his cell at the third try in his right back pocket. Before he could start typing, George’s phone started to ring. Luke’s name flashed on the screen in the middle console of the Escalade. George pressed one of the thousand buttons on the steering wheel.
“Hello, Luke. You’re on speaker. Andi and Geena are here.”
“Hi, guys.” Luke sounded haunted. “Just a warning, the press has gotten wind of the serial killer case. Norris is on the warpath, as you can imagine. The leak seems to have come from House Cusabo. Perhaps you can go there, since you’re already on the road? Talk to the director?”
In other words, Luke was offering them an excuse to stay away from the precinct for the time being.
“When is the press conference?” The resignation in George’s tone was what Andi felt. They wouldn’t be able to escape this forever.
“In an hour. The mayor will be there. You don’t have to make an appearance because that would hinder your investigation, or so I convinced the chief. Go to House Cusabo and take your time.”
“Thank you, Luke.”
There was no answer, the unspokenit’s the least you could dohanging in the air, palpable only for Andi and George.
“One of these days you guys have to tell me what Luke did to piss you off so royally,” Geena said conversationally. “Not now, obviously.” She held up her hands when both Andi and George turned toward her. “Geez, it was just a joke.”
“An accurate if inappropriate one,” George answered. “Let’s stop and get some sandwiches on the way, okay?”
They reached House Cusabo shortly before lunch. Several vans from different TV stations were parked along the curb in front of the closed gate. Because Geena had called ahead, they were let through the moment the security camera caught their plate number and ushered into Dr. Blackton’s office after they had parked close to the main entrance. The director was not a happy man. He had the phone unplugged on his desk, and Andi was sure he had silenced his cell as well.
“Please, sit.” Blackton gestured nervously at the three chairs in front of his desk. Sighing, he sank back into his own chair, dragging his right hand over his face. “What a mess.”
“We were told you already know who the leak was?” George asked gently. There was no reason to agitate the poor man even further.
Blackton snorted. “Yes. My own secretary, can you imagine? I mean, I knew Regina wasn’t happy that I replaced her beloved former boss, but it wasn’t like I had anything to do with it. The woman died, for fuck’s sake. Pardon my language,” he added, throwing Geena an apologetic look.
She grinned. “No problem, Dr. Blackton. I’ve heard far worse, and I know how good it feels to let loose in situations like these.”
He nodded at her. “Regina didn’t even try to hide it. I’m not sure if she honestly thought I wouldn’t find out because I’m such a useless waste of space—her words, not mine, obviously—or if she just didn’t care. She sent an anonymous email to all the news channels in the area and even to some international ones, as well as to my bosses. Needless to say, they want the situation contained as quickly as possible. Until then, I thank the gods every day for the huge property House Cusabo was built on. It keeps those vultures away from the patients. Small mercies and all that.”
“I assure you, we’re doing everything in our power to find the person responsible for the killings. Can you perhaps send us the email Regina wrote? For our report.” George smiled reassuringly.
Blackton nodded. “I’m going to send it right away. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Andi watched as Geena and George shared a look, both shaking their heads almost imperceptibly. He leaned forward. “Actually, yes. Could you tell us who is responsible for the bees? You’ve got quite a few hives.”
“Ah, the bees. One of our best ideas, even if I say so myself. I have to give my predecessor credit for installing them. They are wonderful therapists. Dr. Aoki and Thomas LeClerk both have certificates for beekeeping, paid by House Cusabo. The main beekeeper is our janitor, Bruce Sprenger. He looks after the hives here and also has his own at home. He’s the expert. There are a few other members of staff who help take care of them, though I’d have to look up their names.”
“Thank you. That would be great.” Andi leaned back, ignoring Geena’s inquisitive glance. “Is Mr. Sprenger here by any chance?”
“I’m afraid not, Detective Hayes. Bruce has been on sick leave for five days. He caught some nasty bug.”
“Oh, I hope he’s better soon.”Truth, but the blob doubts it, the scent of it heavy, cloying, distrust was such a terrible thing, worry was worse, both of it thick in the air, stifling, Andi wanted to get out, away, too cold to fly, no prey, a few more days, soon, the room was warm, cozy, not too bad, if only the blob would leave, always so noisy, disturbing everything, a nuisance, he needed him, though what for, he had forgotten, it couldn’t be important, blob stuff never was, never.
Andi felt George’s hand on his elbow, gently guiding him out of the office. The place where Regina Miles had last time greeted them with so much disdain was now empty; only the computer remained like the last guardian still standing. He heard Dr. Blackton telling them goodbye, still caught in his worry. Something bright and quick came from Geena, curiosity, always fun, so easy to interpret. They left House Cusabo. Andi let George deal with dodging the news vans, too busy texting Evangeline.
Have you found pollen or honey?
He knew he was being cryptic and rude. The question mark followed by a thumbs-up from Evangeline told him it was okay, though. He then deleted the text, not wanting to be forced to come up with an explanation as to why he had thought this was something the coroner should be investigating. If Evangeline found anything, Andi was more than happy for her to have the recognition.
“Are we going back now?” Geena leaned forward between the seats in the front, her tone telling clearly how much she didn’t want to get back to the precinct just yet. Andi’s sentiment exactly. He glanced at George.
“Actually, I thought we should take another look at the bunker. Geena, you haven’t been out there yet, and we were busy when we found the corpses. It’s time to get a feel for the surroundings, don’t you think? And we’re already on the road.”
Both Geena and Andi nodded frantically. Anything was better than being at the precinct at the moment.
15. The Mysteries of Transportation
