“Sure did.Brenda found a picture of the SUV in that color and put out a post on social media to see if anyone recognizes it, and patrol has been notified to keep an eye out.I just got back from Spokane, and KC and I are trying to pull together video feed from traffic or security cameras, expanding the search radius.”
“Call Battaglia Security,” I suggest.“Most of the private or business security cameras were installed by him.He may be able to tell you which doors to knock on.”
“Good idea.”
“Make any progress with the FBI in Spokane?”
“Yep.Talked to SAC Jason Mancuso who said he was familiar with Ken Choi, and was aware of his recent parole release.He seemed very interested to hear what happened to Bess, offered to look into Ken’s whereabouts, and dig around a little to see if there are rumblings on the street about any possible beef.”
“That’s helpful.”
It’s tough getting any kind of timely response from the Seattle PD.They tend to be busy with crime on their own turf, and checking into something for the sheriff’s department of a small county clear across the state just isn’t high on the list of priorities.With the FBI’s involvement, information we need, aside from what the feds have themselves, I’m sure will be more forthcoming.
We’re a small, understaffed department and are not really equipped to deal with a lot of major crimes.We rarely ever had to, but in recent years, those numbers have gone up, and our capacity to deal with them is stretched.
“I should run,” I state.“Gotta get some dinner home to my boy.But call me if you need me.”
“All right, later.Oh wait… Guess who I bumped into at the FBI office?”He barely even pauses before adding the answer, “Tessa Androtti.Remember?The State Patrol’s CID agent in charge of that case here last year?”
Blond, ballsy, and built like a brick shithouse, yeah, I remember her.Smart, albeit a bit abrasive, but she was hard to miss.
“What about her?”
“She was there interviewing for a job.Sounds like she left the CID.”
My ears perk up.
We’ve added a few new deputies in the past year, but someone with her background and experience would be a real asset to the department.Much like Althof himself was.
I just don’t know if we’d have enough in the budget.
“Is that so?”
“Sure is.She’d make a hell of an asset,” Rick echoes my thoughts.
She sure as hell would.
Bess
I was just finishingup the dinner Doug and Arno insisted I share with them in the dining room, when Savvy showed up.
Being the incredible hosts they are, Doug immediately pulled up a fourth chair, and Arno came back from the kitchen with dessert for four instead of three.
Conversation at the table is casual, but I can tell from the looks Savvy aims my way, she isn’t very happy with me.I’m pretty sure the guys notice as well, so as soon as we finish the beautiful Charlotte Russe cake Arno made, I thank them and excuse myself.Heading upstairs to my room, as expected, Savvy is close on my heels.
She doesn’t waste any time and launches her opening salvo the moment she shuts the door behind her.
“You told Hugo, but you failed to tell me, your best friend”—she pokes at her own chest before continuing—“your brother was released.”
It sounds more an accusation than a question, but I answer anyway, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
“I did, only because he overheard part of a telephone call.”
She dismissively waves her hand, pacing around the room.
“Yeah, I know.He mentioned that.But what I don’t understand is why on earth you would keep that from me?”
“It’s complicated,” I start, but already that doesn’t satisfy Savvy, who can get like a dog with a bone.
