Her Duty Bound Defender, page 8
“Great. That means he had knowledge of their location.”
“Exactly.”
Bill Nolice’s cheerful face bounced to the forefront of Bennett’s mind. “Dig into the security guard, Bill Nolice. He watched Spike for me when Naomi was admitted to the hospital.”
“Will do.” Isla continued. “Second, Naomi’s alibi checks out with the hospice unit time sheet records. I also spoke to the nurse she mentioned, Yvette Jacobsen. She corroborated Naomi’s claim that she was working at midnight.”
“The same time the murders occurred ten years ago,” Bennett concluded.
“Yep.” Typing on Isla’s end filtered through the line. “There’s more. Naomi’s tour bus records substantiate she was driving during the most recent murders of Peter Windham and Henry Mulder.”
The sense of relief shocked Bennett, and for the first time since he’d confronted Naomi, he could breathe. “That’s great news.”
“Yeah, just one thing that struck me as strange. I contacted random passengers from Naomi’s rosters to verify they rode with her on the scheduled days and times. Of course, I provided my creds right off the bat.” Isla referenced her professional credentials as a member of the MCK9 team. “One woman felt compelled to reiterate how sweet Naomi was.”
“Why was that strange?” Bennett asked.
“Just a feeling, ya know?” Isla paused. “She tried too hard to convince me of Naomi’s innocence.”
“Did you tell her why you were calling?”
“Of course not. But she made the law enforcement connection, and I’m telling you it was strange.”
“What’s her name?”
“Hazel Houston.”
Bennett snorted. “Sounds like a made-up name.”
“It is. Already ran a background and came up blank.”
“So, why use a fake name and proclaim Naomi’s innocence?”
“The line is disconnected, too, so I can’t follow up,” Isla said. “Also pulled Adeline Everett. She has a tour bus business that offers the same features as Naomi, including nature hikes coming in the summer. She’s clean, other than a few parking tickets.”
“Okay, thanks,” Bennett replied. “Have you notified the team?”
“Was just about to.”
“Let’s do a quick group call. I have updates, too.”
“I’ll set it up and send the video conference link.”
“Thanks.” He’d never spoken truer words. He hadn’t dined with a killer after all.
The link popped up on his phone, and Bennett connected with the team. Not surprisingly, the rest of them were also still awake and working. “Sorry for the late-night check-in,” Bennett began.
“Justice never sleeps,” Elk Valley PD Officer Ashley Hanson replied, appearing wide awake. A benefit no doubt of being the youngest member.
“Exactly.” Bennett leaned back. “So, we have an update.” He launched into an explanation of the events at Peter’s ranch, the break-in at Naomi’s apartment and the attack at the hospital.
“I’ve confirmed Naomi isn’t our killer,” Isla added, pulling back her long brown hair with one hand. “Her alibis check out for the past murders and present kills.”
“Wow.” Task force leader Chase Rawlston leaned closer, revealing shadows on his face that spoke of worry and the weight of leading the team.
“I dropped off the drug bags at DPD and requested a rush for fingerprint and DNA testing,” Bennett advised. “We’ll have data soon.”
“Does someone owe you big?” Teasing flickered in Idaho Deputy Selena Smith’s green eyes and a grin played on her lips.
“Something like that.” Bennett chuckled. “Never underestimate the power of connections.”
“True.” New Mexico Bureau FBI agent Kyle West joined the discussion.
Bennett had heard people describe him as intense with his dark hair and eyes, but Bennett failed to see him that way.
“Until we have the results from the bags, we cannot completely discount Naomi’s involvement with the drugs,” Chase reminded the group. “And just because she wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger, it doesn’t exclude her from being involved with the RMK.”
“Everyone has enemies, even if they’re unaware,” Bennett replied. Though he wanted to argue, Chase’s comment was a reality check for him. He doubted Naomi was the RMK, but he’d been wrong before in trusting a woman he shouldn’t. He shifted his focus on the commander and told himself to remain professional and impartial. “Any word on Cowgirl?”
“Not a thing,” Isla responded with a long exhale. No wonder she’d cut Bennett off earlier. She was juggling a hundred different things at the same time.
“If she was dognapped, did the thief have great coordination skills?” Elk Valley PD Officer Rocco Manelli strode closer, revealing his tall, slender frame.
“Yep,” Utah Highway Patrol State Trooper Hannah Scott replied while simultaneously whipping her long red hair into a clip.
“She’ll attract attention in town,” Bennett said.
“Her markings will help,” Selena agreed. “Though Labradoodles are a common breed, the telltale dark brown splotch on her right ear gives us a unique feature to give the public.”
“Liana has posters around town.” US Marshal Meadow Ames sat close to her camera, filling the frame with her contrasting dark hair and green eyes. “And she’s blasting social media with information and pictures of Cowgirl, too.”
“We have SAR dogs,” Bennett said, referring to the team’s dedicated search and rescue K-9s.
“We’re doing everything to find her,” Chase assured them.
Bennett clamped his mouth shut. Doubtful the boss appreciated his implication that he’d not allocated resources adequately.
“I’ve authorized Bennett to hold off on citing Naomi for drug possession and arresting her until we get the results from the fentanyl bags,” Chase advised, turning the discussion back to Naomi.
Bennett got to his feet and glanced at the spare room where Naomi roomed. The door was closed, but he lowered his voice and moved to the furthest end of the living room. “I could be wrong, but I don’t think Naomi’s involved with this. Unless she’s one exceptional actress, she’s shaken up by the cascading events. I propose we go over the suspects, those with motives, enemies, etcetera, and expand our search.”
“Agreed. However, in the meantime, I’d like to see what results we get with the fingerprint analysis,” Chase replied. “Everyone, get a good night’s rest and let’s do a briefing tomorrow evening.” With that, the team ended the call.
Bennett dropped onto the recliner and leaned forward, head in his hands. He prayed silently for wisdom to view Naomi through the eyes of an investigator. If Delaney had taught him anything, it was that the best deceptive wolves dressed in convincing sheep’s clothing. A nudge to his hand reverted his attention to where Spike sat. Bennett stroked the dog’s fur. “I wish you talked.”
Spike gave a soft sigh.
“What do you think?” Bennett glanced toward the hallway. He recalled the conversation and Naomi’s request to drive her to the doctor. Unsure what that entailed, a sudden rush of nerves got a hold of him. Recalling how the hospital personnel treated him as though he was the father-to-be, he groaned. Ugh.
Bennett leaned his head against the sofa cushions, still stroking Spike, who offered no wisdom. However, the beagle’s interactions with Naomi said a lot. He was no Belgian Malinois, like Selena’s K-9, Scout. Spike didn’t have the intimidation factor, but he had good dog sense about people. He’d accepted Naomi from the start, separating her from the drugs. Bennett considered his training, reminding himself that psychopaths were skilled at manipulation. He met Spike’s soulful gaze.
Dogs weren’t easily fooled. Wouldn’t Spike see through her lies? He’d never liked Delaney. That should’ve been a bright red flag from the start.
If he was wrong, he’d provided Naomi every opportunity to finish him in the middle of the night. Had he invited a serial killer to sleep under his roof?
* * *
Bennett jerked upright from his deep sleep, instinctively snagging his duty weapon and aiming it at his locked bedroom door. Spike sat up beside him with an annoyed expression. He yawned with an accompanying squeak as the phone rang a second time. Bennett lowered the gun and glanced at the cell, shaking his head to awaken himself.
He reached for the device and hurriedly swiped the screen after seeing DPD crime lab technician Eduardo Gomez’s contact information.
“Hey, Eduardo,” he croaked, hating the way his voice confirmed he’d just woken up.
“Rise and shine, Clementine.” Eduardo chuckled.
“It was a late night.” Bennett scrubbed a hand across his face.
“Not sure what you’re hoping for on the outcome, but I got a fingerprint match on the bags of fentanyl.”
That got Bennett’s full attention. “And?”
“Ted Cavanaugh, based off a concealed carry permit application.”
“No kidding,” Bennett mumbled under his breath.
“Yep.”
“Outstanding work. Thanks again for the rush.”
“No problem, but this makes us even, right?”
“Right.” Bennett chuckled.
“Cool. Later.” Eduardo disconnected.
The running joke between him and Eduardo about who owed who never ended. But this was important, and he’d not waste the request on anything trivial. Bennett understood it was a big ask to rush the results, and he appreciated Eduardo’s friendship.
The drug case added to Bennett’s already full investigative plate of apprehending the RMK. But he had to follow every lead, and if Naomi was connected to the drugs, he’d do whatever it took, even if it meant arresting her. Thanks to Eduardo’s information, he wouldn’t have to do that today.
Bennett threw off the blankets and stepped into a pair of running pants and shoes, then leashed Spike. He unlocked his door, feeling silly for his overreaction the prior night, and tugged it open. After scribbling a message on a sticky note to Naomi, advising he’d taken Spike out for a walk, he activated the motion sensor camera on his doorbell. Then they exited the condo, took the stairs to incorporate extra exercise, and pushed through the stairwell door to the empty foyer.
They strolled in front of the condo’s entrance. While Spike sniffed and did his business, Bennett monitored his door video. Once Spike finished, they quickly hurried back.
Sounds from inside Naomi’s room indicated she was awake. He sent a quick group text to the team, advising them of the findings and notifying them Eduardo would forward the report to Isla.
His phone lit up with their responses and Chase’s order for a short video conference in ten minutes.
Bennett freshened up and rushed to the kitchen for a bottled water, prepared to join the chat three minutes prior to the scheduled time when Naomi emerged from her room.
“Good morning,” Bennett said.
“Mornin’.” Her bedraggled hair and rumpled, oversized T-shirt enhanced her adorableness.
Bennett blinked. What was wrong with him? “Uh, I have a task force meeting shortly.”
“I’ll get ready.” Naomi turned and headed for the bathroom.
In the excitement of Eduardo’s call, Bennett had forgotten about the OB appointment. Visions of sitting in a waiting room packed with pregnant women collided into him.
Where are you? Isla’s text bounced over the chiming phone and redirected his attention.
Great.
He quickly signed into the video conference. “Good morning. Sorry I’m late.”
The comment earned him quizzical looks from his teammates.
“Why are you so cheerful?” Hannah groused.
“Eduardo’s results point to Ted Cavanaugh?” Rocco asked. “That’s a plot twist.”
Bennett nodded. “It’s clear Naomi’s husband was responsible for the drugs. And I believe the thugs who attacked us at Windham Ranch were in cahoots with him.”
“Why wait to confiscate them? Were they aware Cavanaugh hid the drugs in her van?” Selena asked. “And how does that fit with the murder of Peter Windham?”
“Maybe it doesn’t,” Hannah said. “Could be two different and unrelated cases.”
“All excellent discussion,” Chase said. “But for this call, let’s focus on the RMK investigation. Review the victims again, searching specifically for any enemies. There must be a connection tying them together.”
“We already had that with Naomi,” Rocco added. “She was the victim of a prank they’d played on her. She is the common denominator.”
“There’s obviously more to the story,” Hannah said. “We need to find it.”
“Peter Windham had no enemies,” Kyle reminded the group.
“Everyone’s got enemies,” Chase argued. “Old Peter just might not have known it.”
“I agree. Naomi is still our link to the victims, and it’s clear she remains in danger based on the attacks at the ranch and hospital,” Selena said.
“But the evidence doesn’t support her as the RMK,” Bennett reiterated. “However, the fentanyl and her deceased husband’s involvement might give us something. Doubtful the men who attacked her at the ranch chose that location by accident.”
“Agreed,” Ashley said. “Still, there are that many connections to Naomi without them tying into the murders. Elk Valley is the relative point, so the RMK lived there or nearby.”
“The YRC is also a factor,” Hannah said. “I’ll dig into past memberships.”
“Hmm, or rejected potential members,” Ashley added.
“Definitely,” Rocco said.
“Were there other young women that experienced what Naomi did?” Meadow asked.
“It’s possible,” Isla said. “They were quite the group.”
“Good. Dig into anyone else who fits the profile,” Chase advised.
“I’ll take Spike back to the impound lot to scour Naomi’s van in the daylight.” Bennett hesitated, then said, “First, though, I, uh, have to take Naomi for her obstetrician appointment this morning.”
His coworkers’ expressions conveyed more than the accompanying quiet. If he didn’t miss it or misjudge it, Ashley stifled a smirk.
“I’ll keep her close until we get this figured out,” Bennett continued, aware he had overjustified his actions. “Whoever is after her won’t stop until they get what they want.”
“True, and if they want those drugs, it’ll get ugly when she can’t produce them,” Selena added. “Kyle and I are headed to the Windham murder site. If the thugs followed Naomi there, perhaps we’ll find evidence tying them to the crimes.”
“Keep us updated,” Chase said.
“We’ll also hunt through the evidence files,” Kyle said. “Selena and I requested the lab results from both Windham and Mulder’s crime scenes.”
“Are there updates on Cowgirl?” Bennett glanced where Spike sat waiting for his breakfast.
“None,” Chase replied.
A momentary silence conveyed the team’s worry and sadness for Cowgirl’s situation.
“I’ll also send you lists of any recent murders in the surrounding states,” Isla said.
“Yes, let’s wrap this up,” Chase inserted. “Search for links, connections and common or related repetitive things.”
A collective response of “Roger that” and “Affirmative” sounded from each of the members before they disconnected. Relieved that Naomi was no longer a suspect warred with Bennett’s uncomfortableness at having to accompany her to the appointment. But the beautiful, scared, pregnant woman needed someone to watch her back.
Bennett couldn’t shake the question that remained. Who was the RMK?
By the time he’d finished putting away his laptop and walked out of his bedroom, Naomi was sitting on the sofa, scrolling on her phone. “Hey, I’m still working out a few details for my rescheduled tours. I called the dealership, and they’ll repair the windows once the impound lot releases my van.” She met his eyes with expectation and hope.
“We should be able to get that handled soon.” Unless Spike found more drugs.
“Okay.” She reverted her attention to her phone again. She’d tied her hair back into a loose ponytail with tendrils framing her face. If she wore makeup, it was lightly applied. Her long, dark lashes emphasized her hazel eyes. In the morning light, Bennett noticed they held splashes of deep green. Naomi was truly beautiful.
What? No. He shook off the thoughts with a grunt.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong?”
“No, no. It’s good. Fine. Everything is okay. In fact, I have good news. Your alibis checked out for the five murders. And you’re no longer a suspect in the drug case.”
“Really? Why?”
He couldn’t share the confidential details of an ongoing investigation. He’d offer limited information. Strangely, at the moment, he didn’t want to explain everything to her...at least, not yet. Though he wasn’t sure why. He’d tell her more if the situation presented itself. “Evidence excludes you from the drugs I confiscated from your van, so I won’t have to charge you with possession.”
“That’s fantastic news!” She pushed herself to her feet and walked to the kitchen. “I didn’t want to eat breakfast without you. But little man is starving. I’m merely his transportation.”
Bennett chuckled. Stop it. How could he feel so right around her while fully aware of his own emotional walls? Nothing could come from their interactions. “Does the name Hazel Houston mean anything to you?”
“No.” Naomi shook her head. “Sounds like a movie star or singer. Why?”
“She’s listed in your travel manifest and seemed compelled to proclaim your innocence.”
“Hmm. Maybe we bonded during a trip? I talk to my customers a lot while we’re driving. Though I don’t remember her, maybe she remembers me? I am innocent, after all.” She grinned.
