“When I was a deputy, they were mostly into prostitution and drugs,” Dev said.
The others turned to Brooklyn. Of course they did. They wanted to know if he was connected to Kane. “Never heard of him. What about you, Nick?”
“No relation to Kane that I know of.”
“They’re involved in the digital world for their pornography,” Colin said. “But are they into electronic theft and hacking too?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” Nick said. “But I only know what I’ve run into in investigations and don’t know all of the details of their businesses.”
Blake scowled. “Matteo’s older brother, Luka, is the head of the family and is suspected of several murders, but no agency has ever proved it.”
“I’ll dig into him,” Nick said.
“Sierra mentioned that organized crime is involved in wildlife trafficking these days,” Colin said. “Could be their connection to Tarver.”
“When I ask Sheriff Day about wildlife trafficking, I’ll mention them too,” Dev offered.
Colin looked at his brother. “Good plan. Unless anyone has the stomach to go back to lunch, we can head to the condo and regroup. You can make the call there.”
“I could eat. Then I can always eat, but I’m good.” Dev chuckled and faced Kelsey. “I’d appreciate an official report to give to Sheriff Day.”
“Of course.” Kelsey smiled. “I’ll issue one after I’m able to confirm the finger belongs to this victim. I should be able to do that before the DNA comes in so you’ll have an official answer to that as soon as possible too.”
“Thank you for that.” Colin gave a tight smile.
“And for all you do.” Brooklyn squeezed Kelsey’s arm. “I’m amazed and in awe of your skills and willingness to do such a difficult job. We’re all better off for your dedication. Yours and everyone’s here.”
“Amen to that,” Reid said. “If only we could clone you all and put you in every law enforcement agency in the country, far more crimes would be solved and so many perpetrators wouldn’t go unpunished.”
“I don’t think the country is ready for that many Kelseys.” Kelsey clutched her chest and laughed.
The others laughed with her, and Brooklyn appreciated how she’d lightened the mood so they could leave without such a heavy feeling deep inside.
“I’ll head back to my lab to run a background check on Matteo Albertelli.” Nick charged out of the room and the others followed.
At the stairwell, Nick waved at them and disappeared behind the door.
Blake strode to the elevator in his usual hurried steps and took them up to the skybridge. Brooklyn slowed to enjoy thewarmth of the sun beaming in as she crossed the glass-enclosed space. She peered at the surrounding rural property laden with evergreens and grass green and thick from spring rains. The calming effect of the lush rolling hills belied the terrible things that were discovered in this facility.
Colin fell into step with her. “Nice view.”
“I appreciate it even more today,” she said. “The feeling is in such opposition to The Tomb.”
“Kelsey’s a saint to do the job she does and then to work in a windowless basement all day on top of it. I don’t know how she does it.”
She glanced at him. “You like to be outside.”
“I do. All the guys on the team do, so our jobs are perfect for us.”
She kept her focus pinned to him. “Do you ever miss being an agent?”
“Not really. Not with the things I saw and would still be seeing if I’d remained.”
“Bad?”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “The kinds of things that rob your sleep and never let you go. Make you wonder if it’s even wise to bring children into this broken world.”
So maybe his mother was wrong, and he didn’t want a wife and family. “I had no idea it was that bad.”
