Murder in eagle cove, p.24
Murder in Eagle Cove, page 24
“Was there a murder here?” one reporter shouted.
“Was the perpetrator caught?” shouted another.
“Is this related to the deaths and abduction in Eagle Cove?” shouted another.
“No comment,” responded the lead tech. They must have seen the Infiniti hauled out of here on a wrecker less than an hour ago. It won’t be long before they put the whole thing together.
He instructed the deputy not to let anyone past the locked chain and called Chief Armstrong’s cell phone while driving out.
The chief woke to the sound of his phone ringing beside the bed. His wife nudged him to answer it before rolling back over to sleep.
“Chief, this is the tech from the crime scene team in Bristol County. We just cleared the scene. A chain secures the driveway, and a deputy is guarding the entrance. We have a boatload of evidence, and the Infiniti was taken to impound. We’re heading back to the lab now, but I need to let my guys get some sleep before we start processing it. You should know a gaggle of reporters are at the motel driveway. I’m sure they saw the Infiniti roll by.”
“Thanks for the heads-up,” the chief said, still trying to wake up. “Tell the deputy not to let anyone past the chain.”
“Already did,” He replied.
“Let me know if you find anything to help track this perp.”
“Will do, Chief.”
Chief Armstrong looked at the time and decided the call was an omen. He should get up and get ready for another brutal day. He showered, dressed, and left for the station.
Noah woke from a dream-filled sleep even before his alarm went off. He tried to shrug off the nightmares of car chases and gun fights. His whole night had been like a bad movie or video game. Still tired but too awake to go back to sleep, he crawled out of bed and checked to find the bathroom empty. He grabbed clothes, quickly showered, and dressed for work. Taking his weapon from the gun safe, checking it over to be sure the clip was full and the safety engaged, he slipped it into the holster and strapped it over his shoulder. Pulling a windbreaker over his reserve police officer outfit, he went downstairs.
Katherine sat at the counter eating a bowl of cereal.
“I know yesterday was tough, but you did a great job, Katy,” Noah said, grabbing a bowl from the cupboard. “I don’t know that I would have been able to speak to the whole student body about what happened.”
“Thanks. You guys sure rushed out of there.”
“Sorry about that. Got a lead on the guy who abducted you.”
“Mom told me. Is he in jail?”
“He got away. Make sure you stay aware of your surroundings today. He escaped in an old brown Ford pickup. If you see anything like that, call me right away.”
“Mom’s taking me to school this morning. She’s going back to work today.”
“I know. She told me last night. Did she ask you to go to Marilyn’s funeral tonight?”
“Yes, Noah, but I can’t do it. That’s going to be so hard. She had little kids. I’m sure everyone will be sad and crying.”
“I know, but we owe it to Mom to try.”
“Okay, I’ll go. Are you going with us?”
“Yes.”
Noah finished his cereal, rinsed the bowl, and put it in the dishwasher before leaving for the station.
Brad arrived in the breakfast room of the Holiday Inn Express early. He secured a table large enough to accommodate his and the ATF teams. He was glad the hotel wasn’t busy in the middle of the week so that they would have a little privacy. While they ate, they could discuss the case without being overheard. He went to get his breakfast while the other agents dribbled in, found their table, and made selections from the food station. They all ate quietly until everyone had arrived. Brad spoke just loud enough to be heard by the people at the table.
“I got a call from Interpol during the night. They recovered a Bitcoin wallet and several other passports from the home of Johansson’s girlfriend. They also confiscated her cell phone, which had a log of recent calls. I have the number of his burner phone. Interpol has her in custody.”
“Are they willing to turn over the Bitcoin wallet?” one of the agents asked.
“I don’t know,” Brad responded.
“We need to sort all that out when we get to the station,” Candice said.
“Maybe we should confirm it’s the wallet with Viva Bank’s funds on it,” Dave said.
“We may have to bring in a Bitcoin expert for help with this,” one of the other agents suggested.
“Dave and I never made it to Viva Bank yesterday. Maybe we should try to get over there this morning,” Candice said.
“I agree,” Brad responded. “We need to determine if they may have been involved in this fraud before we recover their money.”
“Based on how we felt after yesterday's jailhouse interviews, I’m inclined to think we have the wrong people in jail,” Candice said.
“We shouldn’t feel bad about holding Robert Moore. He did ransack and search a murder scene before injuring Detective Saunders,” Dave said.
“But I think Tiffany Strait was just an innocent employee who got railroaded into the center of this,” Candice added.
“I wonder how the blood evidence ended up in the victim’s car?” Brad asked.
“Maybe we should all meet at the station before proceeding further,” one of the other agents offered.
“I’m sure Chief Armstrong and his team will arrive early. Can all of you be there by eight?” Brad asked.
Everyone agreed they’d be there. They finished their breakfast and cleared the mess before leaving for the station.
Johansson drove through the night. His search for a hiding place became a priority when the sun started rising. He got off the main road and took to the countryside in search of a private road or fire lane where he might drive deep in and get some sleep. Adrenaline had served him well through the night, but he was exhausted. The truck once again needed gas, but stopping made him nervous. He thought about trying to find a different vehicle. This old truck is too obvious, but so is stealing another car.
He drove through the countryside for about an hour without seeing any other traffic when he spotted an overgrown driveway with a chain across it. Stopping the old truck at the edge of the road, he decided it might be time for recon. Looking at the surroundings, he grabbed the rifle from under his seat. It’s hunting season, he thought. Carrying a gun shouldn’t raise any red flags if I encounter someone.
He stepped over the chain and walked down the driveway. This place looks perfect if it isn’t occupied, he thought. He crested the hill where the driveway twisted like a river through the woods and continued until he found a hunting cabin and a shed. The place looked deserted, but he didn’t take any chances. He stayed close to the tree line and stealthily approached the buildings.
Checking the large shed first, he found a truck that looked quite an upgrade to the one he was driving. He moved toward the cabin through the deep weeds. The dense overgrowth didn’t mean the place was unoccupied. Peeking through the windows, he carefully worked around the structure until satisfied that nobody was home. The back door lock was easily jimmied, and he crept in. Searching the interior, he found a ring of keys and walked back to the road. A key on the ring opened the chain lock. After lowering the chain and moving the truck to the other side, he locked it back in place and steered the old Ford up the drive to the cabin, parking it in the back out of sight. The ring had a key for the truck in the shed, which he took inside and tried in the ignition. The engine turned over, and the vehicle started right up. The gas gauge showed that the tank was full. Relief washed over him. He felt like he just won a sweepstakes. The registration in the glovebox indicated it was registered to someone from Hartford, Connecticut. This must be nothing more than a hunting cabin. If the guy does not show up to do a little hunting, I will be safe here. It’s Wednesday. There’s a fair chance the guy will not be around before the weekend.
Searching the shed produced a couple of full gas cans, an axe, and hunting knives. He loaded the gas into the truck bed and found a bungy cord to tie them down. A few minutes of work got his stuff moved from the old Ford into the truck in the shed. He took the axe, hunting rifle, and knives into the cabin and rummaged through the cupboards, finding some cans of soup. Making himself at home, he heated soup and ate. Before lying to sleep, he rigged a trap on the door to alert him should anyone enter the cabin. Doing the same at the back door satisfied his mind that he was safe. Relaxing with the rifle under the blanket beside him, sleep took over quickly.
Sandra woke up, showered, and dressed before checking on Katherine. Her daughter had just finished getting ready for school.
“Morning, Sweetie.”
“Morning, Mom.”
“I’m going downstairs to get some breakfast. You eat?”
“Yes. I’ll be ready to leave shortly.”
“See you downstairs.”
Sandra entered the kitchen, brewed one cup of coffee, and made toast. Her stomach was in knots over returning to work. She wasn’t wild about returning to the lab while Larry was in the hospital, and a crazed killer was on the loose. On top of everything else, she had Marilyn’s funeral tonight and two more by the end of the week. Plus, she expected Larry to be released from the hospital tomorrow. How am I going to manage all of this?
Katherine came into the kitchen and put her book bag on the table.
“I’ve been thinking, Mom. I’ll go with you to the funeral tonight.”
“That’s kind of you. Noah’s going, too. I don’t know what I’d have done without you both these last few days.”
“After I pick you up from school, we’ll go to the hospital to spend some time with your dad before the funeral.”
“That’d be great, Mom.”
“Noah’s going to visit him this morning.”
Sandra cleaned the breakfast dishes and turned off the coffee maker, taking her travel mug for the road. She detoured to the front door, where she checked the lock and retrieved the check she’d written for Marilyn’s kids’ education trust off the entry table. She wasn’t sure if time would allow her to return to the house today. She’d dressed appropriately for the funeral and was happy to see Katherine dressed nicely. She and Katherine checked the side door to be sure it was locked on the way out. Sandra dropped Katherine at school and watched her walk inside before continuing to work.
Noah drove to the station, finding the parking lot full of news outlets with cameras and broadcast equipment. Woah. They must think they’re going to get a live interview this morning.
He looked around the lot for the agents’ or Chief Armstrong’s SUVs. He spotted them parked at the back of the lot near an entrance only used by police officers. He parked near them and hoped someone would let him in that door. The thought of running the gauntlet of news reporters gave him hives. He found the door monitored by the dispatcher inside, who could see him on camera. She buzzed him through.
He went into the conference room, where everyone worked on the case. He learned Interpol may have the Bitcoin wallet. One team was working to confirm that. Another team was trying to figure out how to use the phone number of the burner phone to locate Johansson. Brad’s FBI team was strategizing to flush out anyone from Viva Bank who may be working with Johansson to perpetrate the fraudulent funds transfer. Chief Armstrong was on the phone with Ty Flanders’ wife, who wanted to plan a memorial service for her and Kelly Connoroe’s husbands on Saturday. He informed her that the killer was still on the loose, but he hoped to have an apprehension before the service. He also tried to get her to understand that the medical examiner may not release the bodies of their husbands in time. The conversation ended with an agreement to keep the memorial service on hold. He told her that police officers from across the state planned to attend. She must have recognized that planning a perfect time would be necessary.
When he hung up, he went to Brad’s team. “What should we do about the media?” he asked.
“We should try to leverage them to help catch Johansson,” Brad replied.
“They know the killing in Bristol County is related. I got a call this morning from the scene to let me know the press was there, too.”
“You want me to take this one, Chief? Candice asked.”
“That’d suit me fine.”
“I have special training for these situations,” she said as she boldly walked out the station's front door.
Noah had observed the conversation from a distance, but what would happen was clear. He turned on the television to the national news and projected it to the big screen. Everyone in the room was suddenly quiet as the scene flipped to Eagle Cove, Massachusetts. Everyone in the room recognized the outside of the station as Candice Rodriguez walked out the door and right up to a national news reporter. Candice was live on the national news station. The other news outlets were all broadcasting as well. Before she reached the crowd, every morning news show preempted their routine to get this story.
“Good morning. My name is Agent Candice Rodriguez with the FBI. I’m going to give a statement for the public about the horrific murders that have taken place here in Massachusetts over the past several days. The situation started with the discovery of the body of a prominent local banker last Thursday. The banker, Harold Blunt, had been dead for nearly a week before being discovered. He was murdered. While we worked to uncover the reason for Mr. Blunt’s murder, two police officers here in Eagle Cove were slain at the same scene late Sunday night. Last night in Bristol County, about two hours west of here, a fourth murder occurred at a small motel. The victim has been identified. However, his next of kin has not been notified, so I cannot disclose his name. These murders are related, and the suspect is still on the run. His name is Kristoff Johansson. Mr. Johansson has several aliases, including Carl Cravens and Jakob Szymański. He’s also responsible for the abduction of a local teenager. We believe he’s driving an old brown Ford pickup. We’re casting a wide net to apprehend this man. The FBI is working with local police, Plymouth County Sheriff, Bristol County Sheriff, Massachusetts State Police, the ATF, and Interpol to locate and arrest this individual. We’re asking the public to contact their local FBI office, state police post, or county sheriff if they see this man. He’s extremely dangerous. Do not approach him.”
The network news reporter accepted the microphone when she returned it, quickly asking a question. “Agent Rodriguez, do we know why this individual is committing these terrible murders?”
“We have a theory which extends to other countries, but I’m unable to go into it right now.”
“Is there any speculation where he may have gone when he left the Timberline Motel?”
“He was gone long before we arrived. Some believe he may have come back to Plymouth County. I believe he’ll attempt to go off the grid. He has a Swiss passport under his own name. I think he’ll wait for things to settle down before trying to get a flight out of the United States.”
“Our viewers can see a photo of Kristoff Johansson on their screen, and a phone number for tips is running across the bottom,” he reported. “Remember, he may have altered his appearance. Do not approach him. Now, back to the studio.”
Candice turned to go back into the station, waving off further questions.
Sandra drove south toward Elk River Pharmaceuticals, her mind wandering. What will the lab be like after my short absence? Will my research projects be moved forward or stalled? Is management going to share the details of why Marilyn died so suddenly? With these questions racing in her mind, the drive passed quickly. She drove up to the guard gate, where the guard usually raised the arm automatically, admitting her. Today, he stopped her car and had her lower the window.
“Morning, Mrs. Saunders. Chris Johnson is expecting you. She’s asked that you come straight to her office,” he said as he handed her a visitor pass.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the pass and driving into the complex. She parked in her assigned space and walked into the building, making her way to the human resources office, where Chris met her at the door.
“Come on back,” she said, leading Sandra to her office.
She directed Sandra to a chair facing the desk and took her seat in her desk chair.
“Thank you for coming in this morning. I know you have a lot going on right now.”
“Things have been crazy.”
“Let me just start by giving you your credentials and this form reinstating you,” she said, pushing the credentials and document across the desk. “Things have been crazy here, too. The medical examiner’s report came back yesterday. The monkey and Marilyn were both infected with monkeypox. This isn’t your fault, Sandra.”
Sandra sat wordless, her mind racing in a million directions, while Chris continued.
“The infection was advanced in both Marilyn and the monkey. Marilyn displayed symptoms with a rash scabbed over on her back. The coroner’s report stated her immunity was badly compromised, resulting in her death. We have reason to believe the monkey was infected before being brought to the facility.”
“Does that mean others could be infected?”
“That was our worst fear. Besides you, we’ve tested everyone who had access to the lab, including Todd. He was asymptomatic but tested positive. He’s been vaccinated. Nobody else in the plant has tested positive.”
