Good Bones, page 23
Katherine leaned across the table. “I won’t press you to mend fences with Carlene, but if you ever decide to take the next step and need a go-between—I’m here. Remember, control of the situation is in your hands. Tina Harrell isn’t a helpless child anymore, and Carlene isn’t a worthless drunk. Hearing her anguish and apology could do you good, but you choose the time and place.”
Tina said nothing, but slipped the card in her pocket.
“Tina,” said Jake, “will you come to the Sandy Shoals police department and make a statement? I’ll be honest. Even when we find this guy, we can’t prosecute him for the assault since the statute of limitations has passed, but your statement about the stolen necklace can add weight to the current case.”
“I’m behind you, babe,” said Andy. “Whatever you decide to do.”
Tina rose to her feet. “I’ll think it over.”
“If you come,” said Katherine, “call me first. I’ll go to the station with you.”
“Do you believe Tina will get in touch?” asked Jake as they drove from the park.
“Yes, I do.” Katherine pulled out her phone. “I have Carlene’s number. I’ll ask if she ever went into the closet.”
“Good.” He glanced at her with a puzzled expression. “I saw you hand Carlene your card, but I don’t remember she gave you a phone number.”
Katherine flushed. “She called. I got her number then, and we’ve talked a few times.”
He shot her a sly grin. “Giving away free advice is no way to run a business, Fleming.”
She harrumphed. “Especially when no one takes it. Want to go over your issues?”
“Nope—if Tina’s clothes are there, I’ll send Ethan to collect them. The evidence will seem tainted coming from me. Add that to my list of issues.” His gaze strayed to the rearview mirror. He stiffened in his seat.
“What’s wrong?” asked Katherine.
“A car has been back there since we left the art show. I noticed the same make and model on the way over.”
Katherine’s mouth went dry. “A dark sedan?”
“No. White compact. Only got a glimpse.”
Katherine turned around in her seat. “I don’t see anything, but Jeremy’s car is red, sporty, and hard to miss.”
“It’s behind that truck.” He pressed down on the accelerator. “Could be just a coincidence. Let’s see how eager the driver is to follow.” He drove through a yellow light just as it changed to red.
As they entered Sandy Shoals, Jake continued to shoot glances in the rearview mirror. “Nothing. Must have been my imagination.”
When Katherine called Carlene and told her Tina was alive, the woman’s tear-choked voice confirmed nothing in her daughter’s room had changed. “I can’t force her to speak with you,” said Katherine.
“That’s okay.” Carlene swallowed hard. “I don’t rate forgiveness. Knowing she’s alive and well is enough for me.”
Jake phoned Ethan and explained about the clothes. They exchanged a few more words before he hung up, clearly excited.
“What’s gives?” said Katherine.
“Ethan will stop at Carlene’s later, but right now he wants us to meet him at a bar. April traced the singer to a place called Maxie’s on the night Lacey Calder disappeared.”
Chapter 26
April waited in the parking lot with Ethan. “Maxie’s is a bar, not a club, but I remembered they host live music on the weekends, so I dragged Ethan with me to check it out. No hits on Lacey, but a waitress working the night she disappeared definitely recognized the singer. His band played a gig here.”
“I didn’t find any credit card receipts for a ride service or cab the night Lacey disappeared,” said Ethan, “but this place is only three blocks from her apartment. She must have walked.” He ushered them into an office. “I had the manager pull up the security feeds from that night.”
“How many cameras?” asked Jake.
“Two in the back, one in the front. One inside at the bar near the cash register. Not much field of view in that one, but if we’re lucky, we’ll catch sight of either Lacey or Ingalls.”
“She was near the bar when she called,” spouted Katherine without thinking. “We should watch that one first.”
April regarded her with surprise. “How do you know?”
Katherine cleared her throat. “I don’t. I simply made an assumption.”
“Uh-huh.” Ethan’s tone dripped with skepticism, but he settled behind the monitor without further comment and started the feed. They watched for several minutes with no results. “Images of customers in the background aren’t great,” said Ethan. “The camera’s range captures only the area directly in front of the cash register.”
Jake squinted at the monitor. “Lighting sucks, too. Hard to make out facial features. Gavin said Lacey’s call came in around 10:30 and we’re just passed 10:15…wait!” He stabbed a finger at the screen where a young woman walked into frame. “Is that…?”
“Yes!” cried Katherine. “That’s her.” Lacey slid onto a barstool, and Katherine’s excitement rose. “She’s wearing a necklace. That’s the same dolphin pendant I noticed at the bus stop.”
“Nothing was found on the body,” murmured Ethan. “You’re right about the souvenirs.”
“Hang on,” said April. “The bartender spoke to her…she’s checking out the other end of the bar…damn it, I can’t tell if it’s Ingalls. The angle is wrong.”
“It must be someone interesting,” muttered Jake. “She’s smiling.”
April made a face. “Definitely a dude then.”
Lacey tossed back her drink. She jumped off the stool and ambled out of sight.
“No, no, no,” sputtered April, “get over here. Bring him with you.” They watched a few more minutes, without Lacey or Ingalls coming into view.
“They may have left,” said Katherine. “Jeremy would want to get Lacey out of the bar quickly, less chance anyone noticed they were together.”
“Ethan,” said Jake, “pull up an outside camera.”
“The one closest to the back door,” chimed in Katherine. April and Ethan both gazed her with surprise. “I assume Jeremy parked in the rear lot in order not to attract attention.”
“The club has two cameras there,” said Ethan. “The one trained on the door doesn’t move, the other makes regular sweeps across the parking lot. I’ll pull up the one at the door first at 10:25.”
Several minutes later, a man exited and lounged outside. “His back is to the camera,” said Katherine with clear disappointment. “Great view of only the top of his head, but that’s definitely Jeremy. I don’t suppose you have enough for a warrant.”
“No,” said Ethan. “I can’t see his face. Wait—here comes Lacey. I recognize her outfit.”
She exited the bar and spoke to the man. He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and they walked away from the door and out of range.
“Damn it,” blurted Katherine. “He never turned toward the camera.”
“No, but this is good,” said Jake with rising excitement. “Ingalls didn’t come into the bar through the rear exit. It’s one way. He had to go through the main entrance. We saw what he’s wearing now and may get a better shot of Ingalls from that angle and prove he was at Maxie’s that night. First, let’s see if we can spot his car. Ethan, bring up the other camera that sweeps the rear parking lot.”
With a few clicks, the view changed. Figures moved across the asphalt, most headed to Maxie’s, but two people walked in the opposite direction toward a dark sedan.
April’s voice dropped to a shaky whisper. “Lacey is getting in the car, with no clue she’ll be dead soon. God, I feel sick.”
A moment later, the car started and backed from the space. “It’s too dark to see the license plate,” said Ethan.
The view changed as the camera swept to the far side of the parking lot.
“No, no, no,” April yelled at the screen. “We need the other angle.”
The camera stopped and reversed direction. The field of vision swung toward Ingalls’ car.
“Move it,” April moaned. “He’s getting away.”
Katherine gripped the edge of the desk. Too slow. We’ll miss them.
Without warning, the picture jerked as if a hand gave an impatient shove. The dark sedan was now centered in the screen. April started. “Why the hell did the camera do that?”
“Who cares,” said Ethan. “The view is better now.”
Katherine held her breath. The car reached the spot where she had intercepted it. A streetlight shone on the sedan, and Ethan froze the screen. He zoomed in and cracked a grin. “Gotcha.” Jeremy and Lacey were now clearly visible inside the car. “We’ve got blood on the clothes at Carlene’s. This picture will be enough for a judge to compel a DNA sample, and a warrant for a search. Wanna bet we find a room with a bunch of license plates at his fancy house on the bay?” He sprang to his feet. “Come, on, April. I’ll take you home and then stop at Carlene’s for the clothes. Jake, meet me at the station. It’s time the lieutenant is brought up to speed.”
Jake dropped Katherine at her apartment, promising to call. As the hours ticked by, she fought the desire to run down to the precinct. After midnight, her phone finally rang and she pounced on it. “Well?”
Jake chuckled. “Not even a hello?”
“Hello—well?” she demanded impatiently.
“We have a camera shot at the entrance to Maxie’s of Ingalls going inside two hours before Lacey. His clothes match the man exiting with her later. Although the plates were stolen, the car is the same make and model as the one Parker gave to Tiffani. The lab has the blood samples from Tina’s glasses and clothing. With all that and the video of Lacey in the car, Lt. Saldana gave the order to expedite processing.”
“What did she say to you?” asked Katherine with mounting excitement. “Back on duty?”
“Bawled me out for twenty straight minutes for investigating on my own and then lifted the suspension.”
Katherine beamed at the triumphant tone in his voice. “Congratulations.”
“I tried to keep your involvement out of it as much as I could,” Jake warned, “but she may have questions for you.”
“I’ll stick with the client confidentiality excuse. It’s worked so far. What’s next?”
“Ethan and I are headed to Ingalls’ house. We’re going to park outside and watch until we hear from Saldana. She’s with the DA now trying to locate a judge to sign search warrants for Ingalls’ house and office. We’re not waiting until morning to move on this guy.”
“I have a set of keys for the counseling center,” said Katherine. “I’ll open the door and explain the patient filing system. Diana’s computer is password protected though.”
“No problem. We’ll assign a computer tech with the search team. I’ll send a squad car to pick you up.”
“I don’t suppose I can come with you instead and watch while you arrest Jeremy?”
“Nope, but I’ll take a selfie for your scrapbook.”
****
“Ready?” asked Ethan.
“All set.” Jake dropped the phone in his pocket. The familiar weight of the badge in its holder pressed against him. It felt good to be back in business.
They drove to Ingalls’ residence and parked down the street out of sight.
Ethan let out a low whistle. “Must be nice to have money.”
“Or come from it,” said Jake. “Ingalls inherited from his father. Good thing the house is in one of the older neighborhoods or we would have to deal with a gated entry, too.”
A light came on in a first floor window. “My, my, someone’s up late,” murmured Jake.
“Damn,” said Ethan, “I hoped Ingalls was already in bed. I wanted to escort him on a perp walk through the neighborhood in his jammies.”
Jake’s phone chimed with a call from Saldana. “Warrants for the arrest of Ingalls and a search of the home and the clinic are signed,” she said. “I’m on the way to his house. Wait for me. Dr. Fleming already let a team into the clinic. They’re poring through the files as we speak.”
“Roger that,” said Jake. “Standing by for your arrival.” He ended the call and the light on the first floor went out. “Strange timing,” he murmured.
Ethan voice dropped. “What do you think?”
Jake opened the door. “Saldana will be here any minute, but nothing says we can’t drop by for a friendly chat. Come on.”
They strode to the front door and Jake rang the bell. “Maybe he’s shy? Don’t hear any footsteps hurrying to greet us.”
“I’m hurt,” said Ethan with a snort. “I’m beginning to get the impression he doesn’t want to talk.”
Jake pounded on the door. “Ingalls, it’s Detectives Sumner and Reardon. Open up…” Jake cocked his head listening. “Nothing—let’s head around back.” As they rounded the corner of the house, a figure darted across the lawn toward the private dock. “Ingalls is rabbiting!” yelled Jake, pulling his gun. “Ingalls, stop!”
Ingalls jumped into the speedboat and unhitched a stern line from the cleat. He scrambled to the bowline.
“I said stop!” yelled Jake, setting foot on the dock.
Ingalls tossed the freed bowline aside. Moonlight reflected off a metallic glint in his hand.
“Gun!” shouted Jake.
Automatic weapon fire exploded through the air in a staccato of sound.
****
“Find anything?” asked Katherine.
“Patient files,” said the officer, digging through Ingalls’ desk. “Hang on…what are these?” He pulled out an unmarked folder containing newspaper obituary clippings.
Katherine peered over his shoulder, frowning, as he thumbed through the papers. “This is strange. I don’t recognize the names of any of these people. They all seem to be from out of town and died before Jeremy opened the practice here. Wait, here’s a local clipping of Prentiss Ingalls, Jeremy’s father. He’s the only one from Sandy Shoals.”
“We’ll check through them at the station. Thanks for your help, Doc.” He signaled for the officers to haul away the file cabinet, along with the computer and items on the bookshelf and in the desk.
“Do you need to search my office, too?” asked Katherine.
“No, the warrant only covers Ingalls office, the front desk, and the common areas.”
Katherine heaved a sigh. “That’s good. Can I get into my patient files? I have client appointments on Monday.”
“Sure, as soon as we’re done. Although,” he said with obvious sympathy, “I’m not sure how many will show once the news of Ingalls breaks.”
“Yeah,” said Katherine dryly, “I figured that, and I was just starting to build my clientele, too. I guess I need to start shopping for cheap office space to rent.”
Katherine walked down the hall where an officer sat at Diana’s computer. “Hear anything from Detective Sumner, yet?” she asked.
“No, but the lieutenant is on the way with the warrant. She should be there any minute. Take a seat, Doc, and we’ll run you home as soon as we bag up the evidence here.”
“What the hell is going on!” Diana stood at the front door, trying to push pass the officers, her face flush with anger. “This building is private. You’re not allowed—” She caught sight of Katherine and her eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”
“They have a warrant,” said Katherine. “I let them in.”
Her hand clenched and unclenched. “The police have no right—”
“Yes, they do. I’m sorry, Diana. Jeremy isn’t who you think he is.”
Diana drew herself up. “Don’t tell me about Jeremy. I’ve been with him for years. He helps people. You don’t know him at all.”
An officer stepped forward with the folder containing the obituaries. “Do you recognize any of these names?”
The muscles around Diana’s eyes tightened slightly as she leafed through the clippings.
An edgy sensation crept up Katherine’s spine. She knows something.
“Prentiss Ingalls was Jeremy’s father.”
“You recognize the others,” said Katherine.
Diana stiffened. “No.”
“Please, Diana, you need to tell us the truth.”
“Listen to her, Ms. Weller,” said the officer. “Dr. Ingalls is in big trouble. He’s a cold-blooded killer involved in multiple homicides. You don’t want to get dragged down with him.”
“I said, I don’t know anything,” Diana answered coolly. “You’re so wrong about Jeremy. He’s a wonderful man. He never murdered anyone. He helps people. We both do.”
“I’d like you to come to the station and answer a few questions.”
Diana glared at him. “Am I under arrest?”
“Shots fired!” An officer burst through the door. “We have a report of shots fired at Ingalls’ house. Officer down.”
Jake. An icy hand clutched at Katherine’s heart as people barked orders. Within seconds, the room cleared of everyone except the crime scene technicians and one patrol officer. Katherine watched the squad cars peel from the parking lot. As the sirens faded in the distance, she swallowed down the sick fear in the pit of her stomach.
“Do you want me to run you home, Dr. Fleming?” said an officer.
“Not yet. I’d like to wait for word.”
He glanced around in confusion. “Where’d she go?”
During the commotion, Diana had slipped away.
****
Ingalls jumped behind the controls, gunning the engine.
Jake returned fire, dropping to his knees beside his partner, heart hammering. “Ethan!”
Ethan wheezed, clawing at his chest. “Vest caught it—go!”
Jake tore down the dock, firing as the speedboat tore across the bay. He dialed and shouted into his phone. “Shot’s fired. Officer down—” From behind came the sound of a smoke alarm. “What the hell…?” He ran from the dock.
Ethan struggled to sit up. “House is on fire.”
