Peter wanted to feel relief, but he didn’t. June had forwarded KT’s photo of the threat letter. He kept thinking about it. “Okay, that’s Reed’s phone. What about the rest of his life?”
“We have a team at his apartment right now. Forensics will do a deep dive into all his electronics, including his computer and whatever else we find, just to make sure. But I have to tell you, most of the guys who do this kind of stuff, they’re not right in the head. That’s looking like the case with this guy Reed.”
KT said, “I want access. I want to know everything you know about him. For my own peace of mind, and my daughter’s.”
“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. This is an active investigation. In the unlikely possibility that there are others involved, I can’t have you muddying the waters. It might affect our ability to prosecute.”
KT stood up. She was clearly fighting her own adrenaline crash, her eyes sunken and her skin pale. She was still scared, Peter could see it. But he watched with admiration as she took a deep breath and gathered herself.
“Captain Durant, I appreciate your position. I have no interest in disrupting your investigation. But somebody just tried to murder both me and my daughter. You know I’m a journalist. I have a national platform. Obviously, I’m going to write about this. The relevant question for you and your bosses is this: How would the Seattle Police Department like to be portrayed? As concerned professionals who did everything they could to help the victim of an attempted murder? Or as bumbling idiots who had credible information about a possible schoolshooter but couldn’t be bothered to dispatch a single cruiser until long after the first shots were fired?”
Durant’s face darkened. “We had a six-car pileup on Highway 99, with multiple injuries. We came as soon as we could. In addition, the department is responsible for security for the technology conference that starts in three days. And, as I’m sure you are aware, there is a nationwide shortage of new police recruits, and the SPD is significantly understaffed across all precincts.”
KT put on a cheerful smile. “That’s one side of the story, Captain. I can spin it a lot of ways, depending on what happens next. I want full access. Why don’t you talk to your bosses and I’ll call you first thing tomorrow. By then you should know a lot more about Mr. Reed.”
Durant’s tone hardened. “Ma’am? All due respect? You really don’t want to fuck with me.”
KT’s smile only got larger. “Captain, you should really read my work. I’ve spent three decades fucking with bigger fish than you, and I’m still here. I also have the mayor’s personal cell number. If I have to call him, it’s going to go a lot worse for you. So do the smart thing. Get with the program or get out of my way.”
Now Peter understood why KT was such a successful journalist. Beneath the middle-aged mom was a titanium core that would not bend.
Peter raised his hand. “While you’re at it, is there any chance I can get my gun back?”
“It’s with forensics,” Durant said. “We just want to compare test firings against the rounds we dig up here.”
“I told you, I never pulled the trigger.”
“And I’m sure you’re telling the truth, but I have to follow procedure. When it passes ballistics, I’ll get it back to you.”
“I don’t have another weapon. What if Reed wasn’t working alone?”
Durant gave him a dark look. “I’ll see if I can expedite.”
“Thanks,” Peter said. “One last thing. Can you get someone to give us a lift to a hotel? KT doesn’t want to go home tonight, and my truck took a round to the radiator.”
Durant sighed. “I’d send you with a patrolman but God only knows what she’d get out of him.” He pointed at an unmarked black Suburban gleaming in the rain. “That’s my ride. I’ll take you.”
8
They stopped at Peter’s crippled truck to pick up his duffel, KT’s work backpack, and Ellie’s school bag, which she’d dropped on the grass. He left the keys above the sun visor. He’d already called a tow service.
Trailed by two police cruisers, they drove to KT’s place to grab a change of clothes and toiletries, Durant and his driver in the front, Peter and Katelyn and Eleanor stuffed into the back. Without Peter needing to ask, the uniforms checked the house before KT and Ellie went inside. It made him like Durant more. Overnight bags packed, they drove three miles to the Marco Polo Motel on Aurora Avenue with the patrol cars still in their wake.
Also known as Highway 99, Aurora was a long commercial strip running from north to south like the city’s spine. The speed limit was forty here, but traffic flew along at sixty. The motel was two stories with the room doors all opening onto the central parking lot. The second floor had a long raised exterior walkway and four sets of stairs.The motel’s neighbors were a questionable medical office on one side and an improbably large tanning studio on the other. Across the divided road was a discount furniture store and a tire retailer.
KT gave Peter a look. “Of all the hotels in the area, this is the place you picked?”
At least the parking lot was well-lit. He would have preferred something with actual security, but it was the only place he could find that took cash without swiping a credit card. It also had the bonus of adjoining rooms. Despite Durant’s reassurance, Peter was still feeling paranoid.
“Not a lot of vacancies on short notice,” he said. “It’s only for one night. If you don’t feel comfortable going home tomorrow, we’ll find a better place.”
As Peter opened his door, Durant said, “Detective Kitzinger has assigned a patrol officer to keep watch as long as he can. I can’t guarantee how long he’ll stay. Like I said, we’re understaffed already.”
Peter understood. Seattle was a big city with big city problems. “Much appreciated,” he said. “And thanks again for the lift.”
“Happy to help. Ms. Thorsen, I’m guessing we’ll connect sometime tomorrow. If the bosses okay it, I’ll brief you on what we’ve learned about Geoffrey Reed.”
KT leaned forward and patted him on the shoulder. “Thank you, Captain. I’ve got your number.”
