Hindsight, p.23
Hindsight, page 23
“What’s the story with this room?” Lynch asked. “Did Hayes book it under his alias?”
“No,” Metcalf said. “We talked to the receptionist and the management company. It was leased for six months by a New York firm. The rent is paid monthly by a mailed money order. The account name is ABCD.”
“What? You’re joking. That’s the guest’s name?” Kendra said.
“Yep. Probably phony, of course. Since most of the other guests probably pay cash and register under the name John Smith, I guess they really didn’t care. We’re already trying to track it down.”
“How long has this room been booked?”
“They received the booking three months ago. No arrangements for maid service, no employee access of any kind. The dead bolt is a different brand from every other lock on the floor. It looks like it was installed by the renter.”
Kendra nodded slowly. “What the hell did Hayes have going on here?”
“I have no idea.” Metcalf raised his iPad. “But it might not be Hayes at all. I have something to show you. It came in right after I got here.”
“Tell me it’s something good.”
“Depends on how good your sketch artist is.”
“Bill Dillingham? He’s the best.”
“Then we have a chance of identifying the other man who came after you at the factory. It took longer than I would have liked, but I got a hit of about fourteen possible matches with photographs in the FBI database. I’d like you to take a look and see if you recognize any of these guys.”
“Right now?”
“Unless you’re too upset? We can wait.”
She glanced at the door of the room where Hayes had been killed. “No, we can’t. He might have killed Hayes to keep us from knowing who he was. Every minute we wait makes it a win for him.”
“Okay.” Metcalf displayed his iPad screen to her. “Swipe right to look through the pictures. Kind of like looking for a Tinder date, but far sicker.”
She tried to smile. “You would know, Metcalf. Let’s see what you have here.” She swiped her finger across his iPad screen, displaying a succession of men who looked remarkably like the man Jessie pulverized against the car the other night. But it wasn’t until Kendra reached the end of the photo lineup that she finally saw his face.
She inhaled sharply. “That’s him.”
“Positive?”
“Yes. His eyes, the thin nose, the set of his jaw…No doubt.”
As chilled as Kendra had been to see the sketch when Bill had first produced it, seeing the photo only made her angry. Angry for what he’d done to Elaine Wessler’s husband, angry for what he’d tried to do to her. She couldn’t wait to bring this son of a bitch down. She looked up at Metcalf. “Who is he?”
He turned the iPad around and double-tapped the photo. “His name is Lance Dietrich. He entered our system four years ago as a suspect in an espionage case.”
“A suspect?” Lynch said. “No conviction?”
“Not in this case. But Kendra just identified the guy. We haven’t had a chance to investigate him in-depth. I’ll turn everyone loose to dig deeper once I’m back at the office. I’m ready to leave now.” He glanced at Kendra. “I believe you know that I’ll do everything that can be done. I won’t stop until I—”
But Kendra was no longer listening to him.
She stepped closer to Hayes’s corpse and looked down at him.
Execution-style.
The words echoed in Kendra’s mind.
Cold. Efficient. Brutal.
Kendra shuddered as she remembered her first sight of Hayes when she’d come into the room. Death was always a shock even if it happened to a criminal like Hayes, but knowing the icy callousness of the man who had killed him was overpowering. “Lance Dietrich,” Kendra repeated. She was trying to connect Hayes’s death with the man she’d seen so briefly on that rooftop. “And you think this Dietrich killed Hayes?”
“It’s a possibility,” Metcalf said. “If they were partners, maybe Dietrich thought we were getting a little too close to Hayes and was afraid he might talk.” He paused. “It was odd you just happened to catch sight of Hayes and he led you right here, where he took the bullet himself. Almost as if he was trying to get you to follow him. As I said, we’ll know more once I get back to headquarters and start doing an in-depth search on Dietrich. We should know all the basics about him and any known associates within an hour or two, and then we’ll go from there. I should be able to call and give you an initial report tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Suddenly the anger and frustration that had been brewing within her erupted. “No, I want to go back to the office with you. I want to know the minute you know.”
Metcalf frowned. “You’re not being reasonable. It’s much better that you go home and take a shower and rest. Let us call you when we have a complete—”
“I’m going with you,” she said fiercely. “I don’t feel like being reasonable. We almost had Hayes. We were so close. Dietrich had to be one of the sons of bitches who killed Elaine and Mr. Kim, and now he thinks he can clean up his mess by putting a bullet in Hayes’s head? Screw him!”
Metcalf took a step toward her. “I know you’re disappointed, but that doesn’t—”
“Drop it,” Lynch said quietly. “You’re going to lose this one, Metcalf. It’s been a rough day for her. Give her what she wants in the most convenient way possible for you.” He reached in his pocket, pulled out his car keys, and handed them to him. “We’ll meet you back at the regional office. Have someone drive my Lamborghini back to the parking lot. I’ll take one of your vans parked at the curb that you can fumigate later.” He took Kendra’s elbow. “Let’s go. Battle’s won. Metcalf was only trying to be considerate.” He smiled. “Or maybe the aromatic fumes we’re emitting are going to his head. But arrangements can be made to take care of that. What about it, Metcalf?”
“I still think I’m right.” Metcalf forced a smile. “But whatever you say, Kendra. And I agree you do desperately need a shower. Take her to the forensics department on the second floor where there are shower stalls, Lynch. I’ll call ahead and have them dig up some clothes for both of you.”
“With ‘FBI’ blazoned prominently on the back?” Lynch asked. “See? One way or the other, they’re going to recruit you, Kendra.”
She ignored him. “I’m just grateful that you’re being cooperative, Metcalf,” she said. “This is important to me. Maybe I was a little curt.”
He smiled. “No problem. Like Lynch said, you’ve had a rough day.” He turned away to talk to another agent.
“You actually apologized,” Lynch murmured as he led Kendra from the hotel out to the street. “Incredible. You were throwing so many sparks around that I didn’t believe it possible. I was just hoping to yank you out before you hurt poor Metcalf’s feelings.”
“Yeah, that was going to happen. When I calmed down, I realized that it wasn’t Metcalf’s fault I was so upset. And you certainly didn’t have to step in and make explanations for me. That pissed me off more than Metcalf’s stubbornness. I could have handled him.”
“Right. But I did manage to get Metcalf to offer you a shower and clean clothes. Doesn’t that earn me forgiveness?”
“It might.” She thought about it. “Yes, I’d forgive the devil himself if he offered me a shower right now. It’s going to feel absolutely fantastic.” She headed for the van parked at the curb. “But he’d have to get me in that shower really, really fast.”
* * *
Forensics Facility
FBI Regional Office
But the shower didn’t feel as fantastic as Kendra thought it would. That fall against the wall of the sewer had really done a number on her, she realized. The muscles of her back and shoulders were becoming more sore by the minute, and the sprays pounding against them were like little needles. She thoroughly washed her body and hair and then got out of the stall as quickly as possible.
Pain.
She had to balance against the vanity for a moment to catch her breath before she was able to dry off…very carefully. She glanced at the cut on her left hand. It had stopped bleeding under the water of the shower and would probably be fine. She took a bit of paper towel and put it on the cut in case it started bleeding again.
It took her ten minutes to put on the black shirt, slacks, and shoes Metcalf had supplied her. Another five minutes to brush her damp hair back from her face. But then it was necessary to spend another few minutes to stand there and recover once again. She grimaced as she glanced in the mirror. She looked like a drowned rat, but at least she was clean.
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Bad move. She flinched with pain and had to take another minute. Then she crossed to the door and opened it.
Lynch was standing there. He was dressed in a black FBI sweatshirt and pants and looked disgustingly good in them.
“Okay?” His gaze was searching her face. “It took you a long time.”
“Of course I’m okay. I told you I was looking forward to that shower.”
“Well, it gave Metcalf enough time to have one of his guys retrieve your phone from that muck.” He handed her the phone. “And properly sterilize it. Don’t worry, it’s as clean as you are now.” His eyes were glinting mischievously. “Though I knew that wouldn’t be good enough for you. I can see you cringing. So I told them to arrange to get you a new one, enter all your info, and have it here in a couple of hours.” He added solemnly, “But you can use this one until then, if you like.”
“I’ll borrow yours instead.”
“I thought that would be your decision.” He handed her his phone. “Enjoy. Though some of my calls tend to be a bit unusual.”
“I can imagine. Metcalf should never have made that poor agent go after my phone.” She shuddered. “They should give him a medal for wallowing in that muck.” She moved past him to the elevator. “Is Metcalf back here yet?”
“Yes, and he hopped right on the Dietrich file.” He punched the button. “It’s not going to take long to get the initial info if he keeps on at this pace. I think I’ll give him a little nudge now and then to remind him that you’re here and waiting…”
But when the elevator doors opened Kendra realized that would be redundant. The entire office was crackling with the whir of machines, special agents on their phones, and Metcalf in the center of it all. She even saw Griffin out of his office and talking to him. “Leave him alone. I don’t think he needs nudging. Griffin appears to be doing a good enough job.” She sat down in a chair at a desk near the elevator. “First, I’ll take a minute to call Olivia and let her and Jessie know everything that happened today. After that you can have your phone back until I need it again. Then, when Metcalf gets time to take a breath, I’ll ask him if I can help.”
“I doubt if you’ll get a yes. You don’t know the protocol and you don’t have the contacts.” He was moving across the room toward Metcalf. “But he’ll probably enjoy giving me orders since I have both. Stay here and I’ll let you know…”
But Kendra was delegated to just sitting there waiting for another three hours before Metcalf and Lynch started across the office toward her.
She straightened in her chair. “Dietrich?”
“There’s still information streaming in but here’s what we know so far,” Metcalf said as he waved a handful of printouts in his hand. “The most interesting thing is that he’s not in the U.S. at all. At least not according to the State Department travel and immigration databases.”
“Where’s he supposed to be?” Kendra said.
“London. Supposedly born and raised in Elsworth, near Cambridge, but his current address is London and there’s no record of him leaving the EU in the last six months at least.”
“He was here,” Kendra insisted. “I didn’t make a mistake. That was his photo.”
“I believe you,” Metcalf said. “His partner was supposed to have been dead for years, remember? These guys are fairly proficient at gaming the system.”
“What’s his background?” Lynch asked.
“Cambridge-educated with a degree in finance. He got in on a rugby scholarship. He was good. He was also a star kickboxer. He placed second in the European championships.”
“Impressive,” Kendra said. “And even more impressive that Jessie was able to mop the floor with him.”
“What about since college?” Lynch asked.
“Equally impressive. He worked for one of the top brokerages in London.”
“He was a finance whiz?” Kendra frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. How did he get from there to chasing me across a shipyard rooftop?”
“Well, there was that industrial espionage arrest four years ago. He was suspected of being a corporate spy, stealing technology secrets from a defense contractor. The charges were dropped before the case went to trial. The company evidently didn’t want to press it.” He shrugged. “It could be that they weren’t entirely on the up-and-up and didn’t want to stir the waters.”
“What’s he been doing since?” Kendra asked.
“Nothing,” Metcalf said. “At least as far as we can tell. No company would hire him after his arrest. He hasn’t drawn a paycheck since then.”
“In four years?” Lynch asked.
“At least officially. We’re having our friends at the British NCA follow up for us. We do know he’s visited Paris several times during that period. Lynch called a few of his buddies with the Paris office of the CIA and got them to go through some of their records. He had contacts with several known smugglers and drug dealers on those visits. But it appears he was very smart and no one could pin anything on him.”
“Any history of violence there?” Kendra asked.
“Again, no proof. But the word is that he’s a bit wacko and likes to take chances. He was known to have a bad temper, and people had a habit of disappearing when he was displeased with them. One of those drug dealers was later found dead on the banks of the Seine. And there was a pilot for Air France who was killed on a layover in Lisbon after he’d agreed to meet with Dietrich about smuggling artifacts out of Cairo.” He paused. “Both of them had bullets in their heads.”
“It seems he likes the idea of executing his partners,” Kendra said dryly. “Anything else?”
“As I said, there will be more streaming in all the time,” Metcalf said. “The CIA promised Lynch they would keep on digging. But we’ve found out that Dietrich is clever, has contacts, and won’t be easy to catch. No matter what he does, he researches the job thoroughly before he dives in.” He paused. “Also, he likes to keep his own hands clean and he’s willing to kill to do it.”
“And that he has a background of smuggling and drugs,” Kendra said. “Could the Oceanside deaths have anything to do with either?”
“I don’t see how, but we’ll take another look.”
“Please.” She moistened her lips. “Though I’m just guessing and throwing out possibilities. He’s an ugly customer. Much worse than Hayes. Very cold. Who knows how many other people Dietrich eliminated when they got in his way? But all that horror still doesn’t tell us why he’d kill Elaine or Mr. Kim. They didn’t have anything to do with smuggling or drugs. And he might be a murderer, but he’s evidently not some psycho serial killer.”
“We can’t be sure of that. He might be many things. That report Lynch got from the CIA showed definite psychotic tendencies,” Metcalf said. “That’s why we have to go even deeper. But is this enough to persuade you to go home and let us keep on digging?”
She nodded. “It’s not enough. It will never be enough, but it’s something I can work with. I know him better now. He’s not a complete stranger.” She got to her feet. “Thanks for letting me hang out here until you finished.” She made a face. “Even if I was totally useless.”
“It was kind of nice looking over and seeing you in that FBI shirt.” Metcalf grinned. “I know Griffin liked the idea.”
“Then it’s definitely time I went home.” She headed for the elevator. “Are you ready to give me a lift, Lynch?”
“Just waiting for you to say your goodbyes like a good chauffeur.” He followed her into the elevator.
“Thanks, Lynch,” Metcalf called after them. “I hate to admit it, but those calls you made to Paris speeded up the search enormously. The CIA is never fond of sharing with us.”
“Only here to serve, Metcalf,” Lynch said as the elevator doors closed. He added to Kendra, “I’m going to owe Gabe Laurent with Paris CIA big time. No choice. I needed to tap that information to get you out of here sooner, and Laurent was the only one who could give it to me.” He frowned. “Though I have a hunch he wasn’t telling me everything about Dietrich.” Then he shrugged dismissively. “How are you doing?”
“Fine. Why shouldn’t I be? All I did was sit around and wait.”
“That’s right. What was I thinking? And you can do the very same thing while I drive you home…”
* * *
Forty minutes later Lynch pulled into her condo garage and parked the Lamborghini. She was vaguely aware he’d been unusually silent all the way from the FBI office, but she was too tired to care.
“Thanks, Lynch.” She got out of the car. “Now I’ve got to call Olivia and tell her that I’m on my way up to her condo to pick up Harley.” She moved quickly toward the garage elevator. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, you will.” Lynch got out of his car and strolled after her to the elevator. “But you can’t get rid of me just yet. I have a few duties to take care of that require my attention.” He took out his phone and punched in the number. “Olivia? Kendra is on her way up to assume Harley duty but she’s exhausted, bruised, and trying to hide the fact that one of the cuts on her left hand is bleeding again. Do you really want her taking care of a fine canine like Harley? I have to warn you it would be a disservice to him.” He put the phone on speaker and handed it to Kendra. “Over to you.”
