Extreme Liquidation: Caitlin Diggs Series #2 Page 4

  “Because they can. They wanted to make the ultimate soldier and I willingly broke the law to aid them. And when they did and saw how the drug backfired on them, they cut off all ties with me. The bastards didn’t even apologize for using my own son as their guinea pig. So maybe you can forgive me for what I’ve done.”

  “I’m sure whatever you did, can be forgiven.”

  “No. It can’t. The plan has been sent in motion. At least one man has paid the price. But they’ve got to understand I did it to end the war. It was my only option. To put my life’s work to good, I had to give it to men who could do despicable things. But in the end, the greater good will be served.”

  Brenda crinkled her eyebrows. “What do you mean a man has paid a price?”

  He waved a hand at her. “I can’t tell you. I’d be making you an accomplice.”

  “This is a joke, isn’t it? I bet you tell all the girls this story to get their loving. Are you some kind of science fiction writer or something?”

  “I wish that were the case.”

  “You don’t have to tell me stories or act heroic to get my loving. And you don’t need any drugs to coerce me either.” She paused to adjust her sunglasses. “Couldn’t you make some kind of love drug so I would be irresistible to you? I hate that you’ve lost your family. But you’re in the present now, with me. We’ve got to live in the now.”

  He spoke as if he never heard her.

  “You know the really great part about my pharmaceutical? It can guise itself as something else. It then inconspicuously travels through the bloodstream as a virus until it reaches its intended target. It many ways it contains all the complexities of a human being—the masked identities, the unspoken desire to change everything to our liking, the way we often bring about the worst in ourselves to achieve illusions of happiness.” He turned to face her. “But don’t worry, my dear. I won’t judge you for behaving like a human. I guess we simply can’t fight our nature.”

  Chapter 5

  Shared existence. The new concept managed to frighten and comfort her simultaneously. The hum of a refrigerator or the tick of a clock used to be her only companions. Now, the din of a radio coupled with Tara’s exuberant chatting on a cellphone became fast reminders. Caitlin Diggs hadn’t really prepared for her sister’s arrival at all.

  The new noises seemed to challenge each other. When one stopped, another started. It reminded her of rooming with a girl named Sarah during her days at the FBI Academy. Sarah listened to opera at high volume and often sang along at the same ear-splitting decibels. Sarah’s free performances resulted in nearly fifteen years of solitude for Caitlin. She fought Geoffrey several times when he suggested they live together, fearing some latent annoyance might surface. Geoffrey also liked to sing—more often than not, off key.

  Now, Diggs secretly wished she had gone along with his idea, warming to the idea of being disturbed, if it meant she would have family at her side. She began to reason that noisy intrusions confirmed one was part of a family. As Tara’s music continued to blare, Diggs chose not to reprimand her sister for the unexpected wake up call. Instead of hearing the noise as a violation, she chose to embrace Tara’s music, warming to the fact that her sister was still alive to make such a racquet.

  The Arrowhead Killer had nearly taken Tara away from her. Caitlin had spent many nights going over the full impact the case had had upon her. It had done a lot more than trigger visions in her sleep. It had allowed her to finally put Geoffrey’s memory to rest, reaffirmed her ability to employ unconventional methods to solve a case, and introduced her to a new partner who would demand justification for those methods when they threatened to break protocol. But most disturbing, Lukas Schenker—the Arrowhead Killer—had threatened Tara’s life.

  Caitlin could still picture her showdown with Schenker in Rhode Island last fall. Kidnapping Tara, Schenker had hoped to draw Caitlin to his lair. The plan worked flawlessly. Even a killer knows the power of the human bond. He probably even used his psychic connections to learn the words to Caitlin’s favorite R&B tune: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

  Fueled by emotion, Diggs foolishly raced to Tara’s rescue without a game plan. Lukas Schenker could sense the desperation in Diggs; she would have traded her life if it meant saving Tara. She almost did, if not for Agent Rivers’s intervention. Nevertheless, Diggs had been fully prepared to sacrifice herself to save her sister.

  Diggs gave little thought to her welfare, too consumed by what almost happened to Tara. Schenker could have easily killed Tara, but fortunately chose not to. More horrifying, Tara unwittingly had been put into this position by listening to the advice of their mother, Clara Diggs. Clara had sent Tara as a messenger to discourage Caitlin from resuming her job at the FBI. Mother Diggs never meant to end up putting both her daughters’ lives at risk, but she had. Consequently, Diggs’s subsequent visit to her parents’ home in San Francisco during the holidays did nothing to alter their stand. They could no longer support Caitlin’s choice to remain in law enforcement, period. Geoffrey McAllister’s death had been bad enough, fueling the parents’ obsessive desire to stop Caitlin from playing Russian roulette with her life. Not surprisingly, details of Tara’s abduction had taken their last vestige of patience. Now hard feelings and nearly three thousand miles separated Caitlin and Tara from their parents.

  Through it all, Caitlin had ended up feeling closer to Tara than she ever had. The younger sibling had squandered nearly every career opportunity possible to indulge in frivolous schemes over the years, borrowing large sums of money from Caitlin to fund them. The twenty-six year old could not have been more of an opposite concerning career paths.

  Nevertheless, when it came to family, Tara chose to leave her Anaheim apartment in order to be closer to her sister. Words did not have to be spoken. Caitlin knew her sister had moved to maintain a watchful eye over her. Despite her near loss of life three month ago, Tara Diggs did not waver when it came to protecting Caitlin. And even if Tara’s waif-like frame would never end up frightening evil away from her, the very thought of her little sister acting as guardian angel warmed Caitlin’s heart to no end.

  Preoccupied with thoughts of family, Caitlin had unconsciously made her way to the stove to heat water when Tara greeted her.

  “Don’t worry, Sis. I’ll be working soon. I intend to pay my share of upkeep around here.”

  Caitlin could not resist a comeback. “Oh, like you paid for those movers last week.”

  Tara folded her arms and sighed. “Not everything revolves around money, Caitlin. One of those movers asked me out on a date. So the way I see it, the move has already paid for itself.”

  “You know, I think it has.” Caitlin revealed nothing more, remaining cryptically quiet, taking full advantage of her inquisitive younger sister.

  “What do you mean?” Tara’s eyes grew wide.

  “No price would ever be too high to have my sister at my side.”

  Tara could not resist smiling. Embarrassed by Caitlin’s emotional response, she turned her eyes to the floor. “Okay, Sis. My intention was never to make you get all Hallmark about things.”

  “Hey, I think we should say what we feel sometimes. It saves paper and stamps.” Caitlin paused to enjoy Tara’s uneasiness, but underneath all the sparring, she was glad her sister dared to trust men again.

  “Now about business. If you’re worried about upkeep, you can begin helping me out with Celeste’s arrival. She’ll need a cat bed, cat toys and most importantly, cat food.”

  Caitlin gulped a few sips of coffee while Tara made a shopping list. Glancing at the clock, she dumped the rest of her drink into the sink and excused herself. .

  ***

  Pathologist Ed Hoyt spent the better part of the night completing a toxicology screening. Without question, Greg Salinger had been under the influence of alcohol—his blood work registered ethanol levels nearly three times the legal limit. Agent Rivers intercepted Hoyt in the hallway at six thirty. Her appearance surprised
him. She had nearly died last night. He expected she might take a day or two to recover. Attempting to avoid further discussion of her upsetting experience, Ed blurted out the first words that came to him.

  “Good morning, darling. Pulling an early shift?”

  Without a word, Rivers shoved Hoyt back in the direction of his lab.

  Perplexed, Hoyt began to speak, but Rivers muffled his inquiry with a quick, passionate kiss.

  As Hoyt wiped a smudge of lipstick from his mouth, Rivers led him by the hand until they reached the confines of his lab.

  “Deondra, the guys in here are going to rip me to shreds. They’re always on the lookout to bust me, you know.”

  Ed Hoyt had paid a price for loving Deondra, enduring the ceaseless ragging of his FBI lab mates. Ed was certain a public showcase of their love would certainly ensure its continuation.

  “I’ve got larger concerns than your reputation.”

  Ed’s already pale skin turned a whiter shade as he noticed the determined look in Deondra’s eyes. Afraid to speak, he maintained his silence, waiting for his girlfriend to explain. He could not help thinking how stunning she looked, despite the terrible ordeal she had been through.

  “Ed, I want you to test my blood.” She pulled a vial from a leather case. The action effectively erased Ed’s hope for an early morning liaison.

  “Darling, what’s happened? Are you all right?”

  “I don’t really know. That’s why I need you to test this sample right away, without question.”

  Chapter 6

  A team of forensic investigators spent the better part of the night turning Alyssa Morgan’s residence inside out. Their findings lay on a table before Assistant Director Andrew Dudek. He stared at the evidence folder, still wondering how his high school friend could have behaved so bizarrely, so maniacally. An intercom buzzer interrupted, signaling Agent Diggs’s arrival. Dark thoughts of Salinger’s misdeeds had consumed Dudek during the night. His best investigator already knew this before she entered his office.

  “So, do we launch right into gut theories or do you want me to weigh the evidence?”

  From any other agent, the statement would have smacked of insubordination, but coming from Diggs the words offered solace, an unspoken bond of solidarity. On more than one occasion, Dudek and Diggs had found themselves operating more like partners than boss and subordinate. Diggs’s record spoke volumes. Her arrest and conviction rate broke records. Dudek welcomed her candor, respected her as an equal and often took secret joy that this relationship bothered Director Hainsworth to no end. He answered Caitlin honestly.

  “I’m always open for theories. The evidence is not all in yet, but here’s the way I see it. No matter what this folder says, I don’t believe Gregory Salinger murdered on his own accord. For that matter, I don’t believe his tumble to death was voluntary, either.”

  “Sir, judging Salinger’s behavior on the ledge, I concur. Suffice it to say, the smoking gun may lie inside his body. Have the toxicology results came back yet?”

  “Agent Rivers should be hand-delivering them to me at any moment. She informed me Ed Hoyt pulled a double shift to accommodate the investigation. Let’s hope his findings contain a smoking gun.”

  “Gut feelings aside, sir, we have to ask all questions. Did Greg Salinger simply snap under the strain of work and his marriage? Could alcohol consumption simply be all the push he needed to go over the edge?”

  “Of course, agent. I’ve considered that possibility. Now, I did fall out of touch with Greg, but I would have to say Carrie Salinger always stood behind his political career. If you are suggesting she might have been a catalyst to his demise, I would have to say no. Of course, that’s gut instinct talking.” Dudek offered a small smile to cut the tension. “And by the way, how do you know alcohol was a factor?”

  “I cheated a bit, sir. I contacted Agent Sanchez half an hour ago. He ran all activity on Salinger’s credit card. Salinger rang up quite a bar bill. Without seeing toxicology figures, I am certain he must have been over the legal limit. Which begs another question. Why didn’t Salinger simply take the woman back to his hotel room? Why risk driving drunk?”

  “Perhaps he was afraid. Maybe he believed Carrie would catch him.”

  “So there may have been trouble in his marriage after all.”

  “You might be able to say that about any couple, Caitlin. I don’t believe stress and alcohol turned Salinger into a killer.”

  “I will be interviewing Ms. Salinger and hotel employees today. And by the way, Andrew, I also believe there’s something sinister at work here.”

  Diggs didn’t have to explain any further. Dudek realized what she was insinuating, the possibility that Director Hainsworth might be involved.

  The opening of a door startled them, for a second both wondered if the director in question had been listening outside the door. Each took a breath at the sight of Agent Rivers who walked in unannounced. With trembling hands and sweat upon her brow, she concurred with Diggs’s last statement.

  “Yes, Agent Diggs, I do believe something sinister is at work here.”

  Dudek intervened. “Agent Rivers, maybe you should take the day off. In light of yesterday’s circumstances, I would fully understand if you need some recuperation time.”

  “Sir, if yesterday’s circumstances had rattled me, I shouldn’t be wearing a badge. I apologize if I sound curt, but I’ve been up all night wrestling with a feeling that somehow Salinger affected me standing on that ledge. I followed up my hunch by drawing a blood sample. Hoyt tested it. It confirms I was intoxicated last night.”

  How could that be? Diggs shifted in her seat, disturbed by the young agent’s news. She could only conclude that a mix up had occurred because Agent Rivers would never take a drink on the job. “Could you possibly have had a drink without realizing it, Agent Rivers? Maybe after all the confusion at the hotel, you simply took a drink to calm your nerves,” Diggs said.

  “I haven’t drunk a drop of alcohol in three weeks, since New Year’s Eve to be precise. As an agent of the law, I voluntary report this to you, assistant director. As for Hoyt’s findings, they are all here in this folder.” She tossed it at Dudek. He read a few lines. “Salinger was intoxicated as well.”

  Rivers remained standing, hands on hips. “I don’t know what this all means right now, but facts are facts. They don’t lie.”

  How could this be possible? The bizarre circumstance perplexed Diggs as much as it shocked her. She did not doubt Rivers’s integrity. Her voluntary admission to drunkenness could result in her termination. Still, she’d reported it. If Rivers did not take a drink on duty, maybe someone or something connected to this case had been ultimately responsible for the lab result. The explanation would not come easy. Alcohol transference between two people should not be possible. A small filament of light wavered on and off in the deep recesses of Caitlin Diggs’s mind. It told her coercion was indeed possible, even if logic did not follow at this moment. Regardless, there had to be an explanation, for Agent Rivers’s sake.

  Chapter 7

  Agent Diggs waded through a sea of reporters perched along the perimeter of Carrie Salinger’s lawn. Each journalist had spent the night clinging to a desperate hope that he or she would come away with an exclusive, an answer to America’s most pressing question: How could the man entrusted with the safety of the nation literally go over the edge? They were armed with mikes and cameras, prepared to force a revelation from Salinger’s widow or law enforcement. They knew time was of the essence. The quicker Carrie Salinger or the FBI could confirm Salinger’s unstableness, the quicker they could stop prefacing every assumption with phrases like “alleged” and “latest theory.” Every reporter assembled in front of Salinger’s estate shared a common belief: Integrity is paramount for advancing a career. No one ever became a national news anchor reporting a story filled with loose ends. Diggs fully understood the equation.

  Confirmation equals integrity equals promotion. Associat
ing ambition with Ross Fisher, Diggs scanned the throng for a glimpse of the reporter-turned-newscaster. When she caught his gaze, she quickly broke it. Fisher’s coverage of the Arrowhead Killer must have been responsible for his promotion to Washington. It would explain why the Oklahoma reporter had been part of the media frenzy at the hotel yesterday. Diggs hoped men like Fisher retained at least one shred of respect for the victims and their families—those who involuntarily made it possible for them to dream of a Pulitzer Prize in the first place. Diggs began to see the entire crowd as Fisher, ready to disparage and devalue the last memories of Greg Salinger. She felt horrible for his wife. Still, Carrie Salinger must have known the risks, married to a public figure.

  Diggs also felt pressure from forces not as close as the Salinger lawn. President Neal Duncan demanded a quick close to the investigation, as well. He had an entirely different motive, however. It revolved around control. Duncan desperately needed to conclude that terrorists were not behind Greg Salinger’s physical and moral demise. The President had phoned Hainsworth “requesting” a speedy close to the case and a conclusion inviting containment. In other words: say the Homeland Security Director succumbed to personal pressures. It’s unfortunate, but Americans can get on with their lives...

  Connah Hainsworth encouraged Dudek to comply with the President’s wishes via memo. He concluded the letter with a note implying sadness at the loss of one of Dudek’s personal friends. It stabbed like a knife. Dudek knew the pompous director had no pity for anyone but himself. He also wondered if the phony condolence inferred a threat to his own welfare. Geoffrey McAllister had been sacrificed for no good reason in a sting operation. Did Salinger fit this pattern as well? Had the Homeland Security Director been given up as some kind of sacrifice? Would he be next; or perhaps, Diggs?

  Despite all the pressure from above, Assistant Director Dudek refused to give in to haste, and he knew damn well Caitlin Diggs wouldn’t either.