“A tip from a guy playing poker at a junkyard.”
“Dump-it-Here?”
“Yes. We matched Ragsdale’s prints to the evidence you gave me. Claims he won the gun, tracker, and scalpel in a poker game. He’s still sitting in jail because he can’t post bail.”
“Good place for him,” Chase grumbled. “Franco didn’t show up to protest the restraining order you served on him, so it’s good for six months now.”
“That’s correct. I served him in the living room of his house.” Derek looked at Jade to say, “I guess you’ve seen the painting he has of you over the fireplace.”
With a grimace, Jade replied, “Yes. It was copied from a photo of me in a swimsuit.” So Chase wouldn’t be in the dark, she said to him, “It’s the photo he flew into a fit of rage over.”
“Got it,” Chase said, understanding the painting was of her supposedly nude.
“The painting is slashed across the forehead, which Franco alleged happened a long time ago when it fell off the wall,” Derek reported.
“He’s lying.” Jade shook her head. “It wasn’t damaged when I was there.”
“I figured that was a lie,” Derek said, shaking his head. “Franco is wound really tight. My guess is he used his scalpel on the painting during afit of rageafter your escape. By the way, Franco looks up and to the left when he’s lying.”
“Good to know,” Chase said with a glance at Jade.
“Yes.” Jade nodded. “I’ve seen him do that.”
“Franco’s dangerous but not dumb,” Derek said. “The fact he didn’t call the cops when you nailed his gate to the ground, Chase, tells me he knows he’s walking a thin line. On the other hand, he wasn’t smart enough to file a police report claiming his gun and scalpel, if not the tracker, were stolen. It won’t take much for him to snap. So both of you keep that in mind.”
“Was there any sign of Jade’s trunk or family photo?” Chase asked.
“No, but I asked him about it,” Derek said. “He denied knowing anything about a trunk or photo just as he looked up and to the left. Said if he ran across them, he’d see to it they were returned to you,” Derek said. “I reminded him of the restraining order and that he was not to deliver them personally. And I ordered him not to leave town.”
Chase was making note of everything regarding Franco and his actions. “What about the National Crime Information Center, Derek?”
“Got hits on both Franco and Mateo.” Derek frowned. “Franco was arrested as a person of interest in three alleged kidnappings in New Jersey. Mateo allegedly raped all three women.”
“I remember reading about that online.” Chase sensed rather than saw Jade shiver. Making eye contact with her, he knew she was recalling the false memories of rape Mateo had planted through hypnosis. Obviously, Mateo knew firsthand how to program that exact type of fear and pain. Back to Derek, he said, “But what I read only mentioned two women.”
“There were three counts officially, and who knows how many others went unreported.”
“It didn’t say why the charges were dropped,” Chase said, placing an arm around Jade.
“It went to a grand jury, but unfortunately, they decided there wasn’t enough probable cause to issue indictments of kidnapping and rape against two such fine, upstanding physicians,” Derek had rubbed his forehead and said those last few words with sarcasm. “Not to mention the accusers unexpectedly recanted their stories.”
“Bought off,” Chase grumbled.
“Exactly,” Derek agreed.
“If this goes to court, I will testify against them,” Jade said.
“Good. A lot of witnesses aren’t brave enough to come forward.” Derek nodded and continued, “As you know, CSPD has the Mateo Spatafore case. But my office is tailing Franco Spatafore. I have someone posted outside that compound as we speak. We park in plain sight. They own six lots, and four of them are undeveloped. So they both know we’re watching. Since Lusso Lane is owned by the city, there’s nothing Franco can do about it but sweat.”
“Which is part of your plan to unnerve him further,” Chase said.
“Right. He’ll make a mistake. He has a gun permit, and we know he had that .22. So let’s assume he has other guns as well.”
“We have an arsenal at the ranch,” Chase said.
“No doubt. That’s it for now,” Derek said and scooted his chair back.
“Thank you,” Chase said and stood as Derek did.
