7:30 AM ACROSS TOWN, FUGITIVE FORCE HEADQUARTERS
Eve looks up from her desk at Agent Guitterez. “Yes?”
“Deputy Director Madison is here to see you.”
“Agent Hilliard. I’m giving you a special assignment,” he says without preamble. “I want you to investigate Ross Industries and its possible ties to terrorist activities.”
Eve is clearly shocked. “Am I being re-assigned, sir?”
“No! Your work on the task force is your cover. No one must know the true reason for your investigation. We do not want to tip Palazollo off and have him go underground.”
At her look of surprise, he explains, “We have reason to believe Ross Industries has undisclosed ties to Crystal Clear Water and its owner, Palazollo. Their relationship began near the time Helen Kimble was murdered.”
“Kimble!”
“Yes. We do not think that was a coincidence.
We’ve been tracking CCW’s possible involvement with diamond smuggling. The
smuggling, while lucrative, is just a front. The profits are being funneled
directly to a terrorist cell in
“Sir, shouldn’t Captain Gerard be involved in this?”
“Absolutely not! Gerard has ties with Ross that are…shall we say, suspect. Speak only to Agent Holmes. She can give you the full details. Keep me informed.” With that, he opens the doors and slips out.
Seconds later, Eddie pokes his head in the door. “What was that all about, Eve?”
“Sorry, Eddie. Need to know. Is Agent Holmes here yet?”
“She just came in. Wonder why she was late. It must be a dilly of a reason.”
“I’ll find out. Send her in.”
Kari walks in, quite recovered from her early morning nightmare. “I’m glad you asked to see me, Agent Hilliard. I was about to ask you to come in and see me.”
Eve raises her eyebrows. “Did you get a visit from Deputy Director Madison?”
Kari nods affirmatively, shuts the door behind her and says, “Yes I did, last night as a matter of fact. Hilliard, can I trust you?”
“You’re
addressing me as Hilliard. Does that mean we’re becoming friends?”
“It means I need to know if I can trust you and if I can, let’s just say you’ve moved to the status of good acquaintance in a colleague.”
“You can trust me, Holmes. Whatever you say to me in this office will stay in this office. That includes Captain Gerard. Whatever you say to me will not be repeated to him.”
“Good. Deputy Director Madison gave me these files last night. I spent most of the night going over the life and times of Ben Charnquist and Dennis Gagamiros. They’re about as sleazy a pair as you can ask for. They both worked for the CIA at one time. Charnquist sold out his services to the highest bidder. Gagamiros was playing both ends against the middle, which is why Palazzolo and his little diamond smuggling operation that is helping to fund terrorism has gone unsolved for so long. Ross bit off more than he could chew with this. In looking at the files, I don’t think Ross had any idea what he was getting involved in. The fact that Becca turned the deal down initially tells me that she smelled something rotten from the beginning.”
“Can I read those files, Holmes?”
Kari lays them on the table. “I thought you’d never ask!”
Eve looks her in the eye. “You believe Kimble is totally innocent in all of this don’t you?”
“Yes, I do,” Kari responds returning her stare. “Read the files, Hilliard. It all makes sense. Kimble’s motive for killing his wife was supposedly his wife’s money. His own statement said that she wanted to use the money to buy them a house. Why would a guy kill his wife when she obviously would have bought him anything his heart desired? The beautiful part about this was that all he ever desired was her! Becca is telling the truth. Helen’s murder was a kidnapping gone wrong.”
“Holmes, we have to work together on this.
In light of this new assignment that
“Not a problem. Make the call and let me know when we can see her.” Kari gets up and starts to walk out.
“Holmes, as long as we’re working together…it’s no secret that Kimble saved your life. Are you involved with him?”
Kari nods. “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘involved’ is, Hilliard. I just want the truth. Nobody who’s innocent goes to Death Row on my shift!” She walks out.
Eve says very softly to herself, “You’re more involved that you’re willing to admit, even to yourself.” She picks up the phone. “Hello, Ms. Ross? This is Agent Eve Hilliard, we’ve spoken before…please don’t hang up on me. Ms. Ross, I want you to know that I don’t think Richard Kimble killed your sister.”
On the other end Becca Ross raises her eyebrows. “OK, Agent Hilliard, you’ve got my attention.”
“Ms. Ross, Agent Holmes and I would like to talk to you.”
“You and Holmes? I had no idea I’d be so popular with the FBI!”
“Ms. Ross, please, we want to help.”
“All right, I’ll talk to you both at Richard’s attorney’s office. I’ll call his office and set up the meeting. But I don’t want to speak to Gerard. Is that acceptable to you?”
“I promise you, he is not involved in this. Thank you for your cooperation.” They hang up.