“All right, let’s do it, but is there any way I can talk you out of being involved, Amanda? This is a contract killer.”
“She’s nothing more than a serial killer who gets paid, and I’ve taken on serial killers before. Besides, she’s just flesh and blood and I’m going to help her remember that.”
“Remember you are too.”
“I never forget.” Not the entire truth. There were times she made risky choices.
“And what are we doing about Howard Gabay? Are you wanting to wait around for the account requisition forms before you question him?”
“No. We’ll be having Howard Gabay brought back before then. It might take accounting a while to get the paperwork together.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Amanda next called Special Agent Hester in the FBI’s Science and Technology Branch using the number that Nadia had given her.
“No wonder our system didn’t flag her as active,” Hester said. “The new name differs just enough that she’d remain invisible. I’m going to dig into this site and see what information I can get from it. Not that I’m holding my breath. The whole appeal of the dark web for its users is the anonymity.”
“Well, do what you can, but whatever you do, don’t shut down the site. It’s our strongest link to her.” Amanda shared their plan to trap the Anaconda Killer.
“That’s as good a strategy as any, and let’s hope it works. Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Amanda ended the call with the FBI agent and returned to Corey’s office.
Corey and Trent turned toward her when she entered the doorway.
“He’s ready if everything’s been cleared,” Trent said to her.
“It has been. Arrange it.”
Corey swiveled toward his keyboard. “Just tell me everything I need to know.”
Amanda did, and she and Trent leaned over Corey’s shoulder while he punched everything into the site. Seconds after he sent the message, A. Killer responded.
Consider it done. Have payment ready.
Amanda glanced at Trent. As they were relying on, her intention was to complete the job and collect her money. Yet as frustrating as it was to be a screen away, the consolation was that soon nothing would stand between her and this killer.
FORTY-FIVE
Amanda and Trent left the DC law firm without the account requisition forms. The accounting department was still working on pulling them out, but Molly promised she’d scan them and email them to Trent.
Howard Gabay had a stunned look on his face when they had entered his office and informed him they needed to speak with him at Central in Woodbridge. But he hadn’t resisted. Same too for Corey Shea, but he put in a request for a lawyer while Howard hadn’t.
It was nearing midafternoon when both men were set up in interview rooms.
Corey was in one with his lawyer and being watched over by a PWCPD officer. They had him bring his laptop in case the A. Killer reached out to him, and he needed to respond.
Howard Gabay was next door, seated by himself, and Amanda, Trent, and Malone were watching him through the one-way mirror. He kept wiping his forehead with a handkerchief he pulled from the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
The MPD officer who drove the men here told her and Trent that neither of them had said a word to each other. Itcould be they didn’t want to risk slipping out with something, or she and Trent had this all wrong and Howard was innocent.
“He’s nervous about something,” Malone said. “But the guy never even requested a lawyer. One would think if he was guilty of embezzlement and contracting a hired gun, he would have.”
“Yes, and one would think calling a lawyer would be automatic for an attorney called in for questioning by police,” Trent said. “Isn’t the saying, a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client?”
“All of which makes me even more curious what we might learn from him. Shall we?” Amanda waved for Trent to join her next door.
Howard Gabay was tucking his handkerchief away when they opened the door. He said nothing, but his shoulders sagged, and he took a deep breath.
