This, Vaughn took. It was an older model iPhone. There was still some battery juice, and when he pressed the side button, the screen lit up.
New Jersey Devils logo as the background.
Unfortunately, unlike the laptop, the man’s phone was password protected. It was only four digits, and Vaughn tried a few basic combinations. When none of these worked, he gave up and slipped the phone into an evidence bag, and then put it in the pocket of his sport coat.
“Found the registration,” Delaney said, removing a leather folder from the glove box. “Just like I said—”
“Way to crack the code, genius.”
Darnell had returned. The time away from Delaney had done nothing to quell his anger, but the officer managed to bite his tongue.
“What about these other two cars?” A black Hyundai sedan and an old Ford Taurus. “You run their plates?”
“Didn’t get a chance,” Delaney said as he exited Aaron’s car.
“What do you mean you didn’t get a chance? You were standing with your dick in your hand when we got here!”
“Darnell!” Not a warning now, but a sharp retort from Vaughn.
Darnell scowled and shook his head dramatically. Rolled his eyes.
“Owner said he recognized Aaron. Said he came in with two other guys, grabbed a couple of slices, then walked off. Left their cars.” Darnell pointed at the Hyundai and the Ford. “Thosecars. Showed them photos of the other victims, but he couldn’t be sure if it was any of them.”
“I’ll pop these cars open, as well. See if we can ID more victims.”
“While you’re at it, search other places around here. Talk to the owners. If any cars have been there since last night, pop ‘em.”
Delaney looked at Vaughn.
C’mon,the look said.Give me a break. I’m running on fumes here.
Vaughn might admonish his partner, try his best to keep him under wraps, but he wouldn’t directly go against his superior’s orders.
“Let us know if you find anything.” Then, to Darnell, “Found Aaron’s cell phone. Let’s get it back to the precinct.”
The PPD didn’t have an official tech department—it wasn’t big enough, neither in size nor in budget. What detectives and cops alike who worked in Princeton called the tech department was actually just two young cops, Bowes and Caine, who, despite constantly denying it, had to have been hackers in past lives. If Bowes and Caine couldn’t get into something, then it was rare that anyone could.
In the past, when Bowes and Caine were unable to gain access to an electronic device, Vaughn had sent evidence to the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit.
They too had been unsuccessful.
It was Bowes who Vaughn found in the hacker duo’s shared office today. He was a lot like Dr.McGill at the Princeton CBE, only twenty years younger and forty pounds heavier.
Same hair and glasses, same energy drink addiction.
Thoughts of Dr.McGill reminded Vaughn to follow up with the other employees who had access to the tanks. He was convinced that the person who had taken the hydrogen sulfide had used Aaron Treadman’s card. It could have been Aaron himself—unlikely, considering the possibility of being recognized—or he had either sold his card, or it had been stolen.
And whoever possessed the card had to be their unsub.
“Have something for you,” Vaughn said, producing Aaron’s cell phone still in the evidence bag.
Bowes took it, turned it over, inspected the back.
“iPhone 13 Pro. Midnight. 512Gb.”
“Need to see if you can get in. Has a four digit password.”
Bowes set the phone down.
