FINDERS,KEEPERS
ITHADBEENMONTHSsinceKyleCraighadkilledaman.Onceuponatime,he’dbeenthetypewhoneededeverythingyesterday,ifnotsooner.Butno moreIfyearsofhellishsolitudeinADXFlorenceinColoradohadtaughthimnothingelse,itwashowtowaitforwhathewanted Hesatpatientlyinthefoyerofhisquarry’sMiamiapartment,weaponcradledonhislap,watchingthelightsoftheharborandbidinghistimeHewasin noparticularhurry,enjoyingtheview,maybefinallylearningtoenjoylife Hecertainlylookedrelaxed fadedjeans,sandals,aT-shirtthatsaidCONSIDER THISFAIRWARNING
At2:12am,akeysoundedinthelockKyleimmediatelyrosetohisfeetandpressedhisbackagainstthewall,hangingthereassilentlyasapieceof art.
Themanofthehour,MaxSiegel,waswhistlingashecameinKylerecognizedthemelody,anoldsnatchfromhischildhoodItwasfromPeterandthe Wolf.Thestringssection Peter’shuntingtheme.Ironicallyenough.
HewaitedforMrSiegeltoclosethedoorbehindhimandtakeafewmorestepsintothestill-darkapartmentThenKyleleveledhisredlasersiteand squeezedthetrigger“Hello,MrSiegel,”hesaid“Goodtomeetyou”
AstreamofelectricallychargedsalinesolutionhitSiegelsquarelyintheback,carryingfiftythousandvoltswithitHegruntedbetweenclenchedteeth Hisshouldersseizedupjustbeforehisbodywentcompletelyrigid,andhefelllikeatreetothefloor Kyledidn’thesitateforasecond.HequicklyslippedanyloncordacrossSiegel’sthroat,wounditaroundthreetimes,andstartedtodraghimina smallcircletosopupthesalinesolutiononthefloor,thenyankedhimstraightthroughtheapartmenttowardthemasterbathintheback Siegelwastoo weaktostruggleWhateverefforthecouldmusterwasspentonthecorditself,tryingnottobestrangled “Don’tfightme,”Kylesaidfinally“There’snopointinit”
Inthebathroom,Kyleliftedhimintotheoversizetubandtiedofftheendsofthecordtooneofthechromefixtures Itwasn’tnecessary,physically speaking,butitkeptSiegel’sheadupwhereKylecouldseehisface
“Youprobablydon’tevenknowaboutthese,doyou?”hesaid,holdingupthestrangegunhe’dcarriedin.“Iknowyou’vebeenundergroundawhile,but trustme,they’regoingtobehuge”
ThethinglookedlikeaSuperSoaker,whichitkindofwasRegularTaserscouldgoforthirtysecondsatbestThisbabycouldrunandrun,thankstoa two-gallonwearablewaterpackstrappedtohisback “What…doyouwant?”Siegelfinallychokedoutinresponsetothemadness.
KylewithdrewasmallCanondigitalcamerafromhispocketandstartedtakingpicturesFullface,leftprofile,rightprofile “Iknowwhoyouare,AgentSiegelLet’sstartthere,okay?”
Alookofconfusioncrossedtheman’sfaceThenfear“OhGod,thisissomekindofhorriblemistakeMynameisIvanSchimmel!” “No,”Kylesaid,snappingaway brow,nose,chin“You’reMaxSiegel,andyou’reFBIYou’vebeendeepundercoverforthelasttwenty-sixmonths WorkedyourwayupwiththeBuenezcarteluntiltheytrustedyouenoughtostartmakingshipments.
“Now,whileeveryone’swatchingColombia,you’rerunningheroinfromPhuketandBangkoktoMiami” HeloweredthecameraandlookedSiegelintheeye “Nevermindthemoralrelativism It’sallinthenameofthebigtakedownattheend Isn’tthat right,AgentSiegel?”
“Idon’tknowwhoyou’retalkingabout!”hecried“Please!Checkmywallet!”He’dbeguntostruggleagain,butanotherdoseofvoltageputaquickend tothat.Theelectricitywentrightafterthemotorandsensorynerves.Siegel’spaintolerancewasirrelevant.Andtheammo,suchasitwas,ranrightdown thedrainintoBiscayneBay
“Isupposeyoumightbeforgivenfornotrecognizingme,”Kylewenton “Doesthename‘KyleCraig’meananythingtoyou?Ormaybethe Mastermind?That’swhattheycallmeupatthePuzzlePalaceinDCAsamatteroffact,IusedtoworkthereLongtimeago”
AflashofrecognitioncameandwentinSiegel’seyes,notthatKyleneededanykindofconfirmation.Hisreconnaissancewasstillflawless. ButthisMaxSiegelwasapro,tooHewasn’tabouttostopplayingthegamenow,especiallynow“Please,”heblubberedonwhenhefoundhisvoice again,“whatisthis?Whoareyou?Idon’tknowwhatyouwant”
“Everything,MaxEverylastlittlething”
Kyletookanotherhalfdozenpicturesandrepocketedthecamera.“You’reactuallyavictimofyourowngoodwork,ifthat’sanyconsolation.Nobody knowswhoyouaredownhere,noteventhelocalFBIThat’swhyIchoseyouIselectedyououtofalltheagentsworkingintheUnitedStates You,Max Canyouguesswhy?”
HisvoicehadchangedashespokeItwasmorenasalnow,withthesameshadesofBrooklynaccentthatlacedtherealMaxSiegel’sspeech “Thiswillneverwork!You’reinsane!”Siegelscreamedathim.“You’refuckingmad!” “Bysomestandards,Ithinkthatmightbetrue,”Kylesaid “ButI’malsothemostbrilliantsonofabitchyou’lleverhavethepleasuretoknow”Thenhe pulledthetriggeronemoretimeandjustletthethingrun
Siegelwrithedmutelyonthebottomofthetub Eventually,hebegantogagonhisowntongue Kylewatched,carefullynotingeverydetailallthewayto theend,studyinghissubjectuntiltherewasnothinglefttolearn.
“Let’shopethisworks,”hesaid“Wouldn’twantyoutohavediedfornothing,MrSiegel”
TWENTY-TWODAYSLATER,amanbearingastrikingresemblancetoMaxSiegelcheckedoutoftheHotelMeliáHabanaintheritzyMiramarsectionof Havana,Cuba Medicaltouristswereascommonaspickpocketshere;noonelookedtwiceatthebroad-shoulderedmaninthelinensuitwithbruises aroundhiseyesandgauzeoverhisnoseandearsashecamethroughthelobby
HesignedthebillwithaperfectlyreplicatedsignatureandkeptthechargesonMaxSiegel’sbrand-newAmericanExpresscard Thesurgeries, however,hadbeenpaidforincash
Fromthehotel,hecaughtacabacrosstowntoDrCruz’soffice,discreetlytuckedintooneofthecity’sendlessneoclassicarcades Insidewasafullservice,completelystaffedmodernclinicthatwouldhavemadeahigh-pricedplasticsurgeoninMiamiorPalmBeachproud.
“Ihavetotellyou,SenorSiegel,thatI’mquitepleasedwiththis”Thedoctorspokesoftlyasheremovedthelastofthebandages“Itissomeofthebest workI’veeverdone,ifImaysayso”Hismannerwasthoughtfulbutcrispandefficient veryprofessional You’dneverknowhewaswillingtocutso manyethicalcornersalongwiththeskinandbonesofhisclients’faces
DrCruzhadperformedsevenseparateprocedures,somethingthatmighthavetakenmonthsorevenayearelsewhere Therewasblepharoplastyfor theeyelids;atemplaterhinoplastyforthenose,withacompleteelevationoftheskinandsofttissueinthenasalpyramid;newMEDPORimplantsfor moreprominentcheekbonesandchin;aslidinggenioplastyofthejawbone;alittlesiliconeaugmentationforthebrow;and,asafinishingtouch,anice littlecleftinthechin justlikeMaxSiegel’s
Atthepatient’srequest,noelectronicimaginghadbeentakenbeforeoraftertheproceduresFortherightrate,DrCruzhadbeenmorethanwillingto workfromaseriesofdigitalblowupsinhardcopy,noquestionsasked,nointerestinanybiophysicaldetail
Now,whenheheldupthelargehandmirrorforKyletoseehisreflection,theeffectwasstunning.Theimplants,especially,werelikeamiracleof change
Max notKyle smiledbackfromthemirrorHefeltaslightstingatthecornersofhismouth,whichdidn’tmovequitethesamewayasbefore In fact,hedidn’trecognizehimselfatallItwasatotalmindfuck,inthebestpossiblewayTherehadbeenotherdisguisesinthepast,includingsomevery expensiveprostheticsthathadgottenhimoutofprison.Buttheywerenothingcomparedtothis.
“Howlongwillthebruisinglast?”heasked“Andthisswellingaroundmyeyes?”
Cruzhandedhimafolderofaftercareinformation“Withproperrest,youshouldbelookingcompletelynormalinseventotendays”
Theremainingchanges,hecoulddoforhimself shaveanddyehishairdowntoadarkbuzzcutandputinasimplepairofcoloredcontactsIfthere wasanydisappointmentatall,itwasthatKyleCraighadbeensomuchbetterlookingthanMaxSiegel ButscrewitHeneededtoconsiderthelargerpicturehereNexttime,hecouldbeBradPittifhewantedto HelefttheclinicinanexcellentmoodandtookanothercabstraighttoJoséMartíInternationalAirport Fromthere,hecaughtaflightbacktoMiami, withaconnectiontoWashington,DC,thatsameafternoonForthemainevent
Already,histhoughtshadbeguntocoalescearoundoneidea:meetingupwithhisoldfriendandsometimespartnerAlexCrossHadAlexforgottenthe promisesKylehadmadetohimovertheyears?Thatdidn’tseempossible ButhadCrossgrownjustalittlecomplacentinthemeantime?Maybeso In anycase,the“great”AlexCrosswasgoingtodie,anddiebadlyTherewouldbepain,butevenmorethanthat regretItwouldbeafinaleworthwaiting for,noquestion.
Andintheinterim,KylewasgoingtohavesomefunAfterall,asthenewandimprovedMaxSiegel,heknewbetterthananybodythattherewasmore thanonewaytotakeanotherman’slife
ANOTHERMANHOLECOVERhadexplodedinGeorgetown,blowingnearlyfortyfeetintheair.Itwasastrangelittleepidemic,asthecity’saging
infrastructurereachedsomekindofcriticalmass
Overtime,undergroundwireshadfrayedandsmoldered,fillingthespacebeneaththestreetswithflammablegas Ultimately andmorefrequently thesedays theexposedwirescreatedanelectricalarc,lightingafireballinthesewerandsendinganotherthree-hundred-poundirondiskflyingupinto theair
Thiswastheweird,scarystuffDennyandMitchlivedforEveryafternoon,theywouldgatheruptheirpaperstosellandhoofitovertothelibraryto checktheDistrictDepartmentofTransportation(DDOT)websiteforwhereverrush-hourtrafficwasatitsworst.Logjamsweretheirmeat.
Evenonanordinaryday,theKeyBridgeliveduptoitsnickname,theCarStrangledSpanner,buttodaytheMStreetapproachwassomewhere betweenaparkinglotandacircusDennyworkedhiswayupthemiddleofthetraffic,andMitchtooktheoutside “TruePress,onlyadollarHelpthehomeless” “Jesuslovesyou.Helpthehomeless?”
Theywereanoddpair,tolookatthem Denny,asix-feet-somethingwhiteguywithbadteethandstubblethatneverquitehidhissunkenchin,and thenMitch,abrotherwithaboyish,darkblackface,ahuskybodythattoppedoutatfivesix,andstubbylittlebabydreadsonhisheadtomatch “Thisisaperfectmetaphorrighthere,ain’tit?”Dennywassaying Theytalkedtoeachotheroverthetopsofthecars or,rather,Dennytalkedand Mitchplayedasortofstraightmanforthecustomers
“Yougotpressurebuilding,waydownlowwherenoone’slooking,’causeit’salljustratsandshitdownthere,andwhocares,right?Butthenoneday ”Dennypuffedouthischeeksandmadeasoundlikeanuclearexplosion“Nowyougottapayattention,’causetheratsandshit,they’reeverywhere, andeveryonewantstoknowwhysomebodyelsedidn’tdosomethingtostopit.Imean,ifthatain’tWashingtontoatee,Idon’tknowwhatthehellis.” “Toatee,bro ToaP,Q,R,S,tee,”Mitchsaid,andlaughedathisowndumbjoke Hisfadedshirtread,IRAQ:IFYOUWEREN’TTHERE,SHUTUP!Hispants werebaggycamos,likeDenny’s,onlycutoffaroundthecalf Dennykepthisshirtupoverhisshoulderstoshowoffahalf-decentsix-pack Itneverhurttoputalittleeyecandyonthetable,andhisfacewasn’t exactlyhisstrongsuit.“It’stheAmericanway,”hewenton,loudenoughforanyonewithanopenwindowtohear.“Keepdoingwhatyoualwaysdid,soyou keepgettin’whatyoualwaysgotAmIright?”heaskedaprettybusinesssuitinaBMWSheactuallysmiledandboughtapaper“Godblessyou,miss Nowthat,LadiesandGentlemen,ishowwedoit!”
Hecontinuedtofleecethecrowd,gettingmoreandmoredriverstoreachouttheirwindowswithcashinhand “Yo,Denny.”MitchchinnedatacoupleofstreetcopsworkingtheirwayoverfromThirty-fourth.“Idon’tthinkthesetwoarefeelingustoomuch.” Dennyshoutedoverbeforethecopscouldtalkfirst“Panhandlingain’tillegal,officersNotoutsidefederalparklands,andlastIchecked,MStreetain’t nopark!”
Oneofthemgesturedaroundatthesnarloftraffic,Pepcotrucks,andfiredepartmentvehicles“You’rekiddingme,right?Let’sgoClearout” “Comeon,man,yougonnadenyacoupleofhomelessvetstherighttomakeanhonestliving?” “YoueverbeeninIraq,man?”MitchaddedPeoplewerestartingtostare “Youheardtheofficer,”thesecondcoptoldhim“Movealong Now” “Hey,man,just’causeyougotanassholedon’tmeanyougottabeone,”Dennysaid,toafewlaughs
Hecouldfeelthecaptiveaudiencecomingover tohisside.
Suddenlytherewassomepushing Mitchdidn’tmuchliketobetouched,andthecopwhotriedwentdownonhisassbetweenthecarsTheotherone gotahandonDenny’sshoulderand,likealightningbolt,Dennyknockeditaway Timetogo
HeslidacrossthehoodofayellowcabandstartedtowardProspectwithMitchrightbehind. “Stoprightthere!”oneofthecopsshoutedafterthem Mitchkeptrunning,butDennyturnedaround TherewereseveralcarsbetweenDennyandtheofficersnow “Whatareyougoingtodo,shoota homelessvetinthemiddleoftraffic?”Thenhespreadhisarmswide“Goahead,manTakemeoutSavethegovernmentafewbucks” Peoplewerehonking,andsomeofthemyelledfromtheircars “Givetheguyabreak,man!”
“Supportthetroops!”
Dennysmiled,gavetheofficeracrispsalutewithhismiddlefinger,andrantocatchupwithMitchAsecondlater,theyweresprintingupThirty-third Streetandweresoonoutofsight
THEYWERESTILLLAUGHINGwhentheygotbacktoDenny’sancientSuburban,parkedinLot9byLauingerLibraryontheGeorgetowncampus.
“Thatwasawesome!”Mitch’sdoughyfacewasshinywithsweat,buthewasn’tevenoutofbreathHewasthetypewhosemuscleslookedalotlikefat “‘Whatareyougoingtodo?’”heparroted “‘Shootahomelessvetinthemiddleoftraffic?’” “TruePress,onedollar,”Dennysaid.“LunchatTacoBell,threedollars.Thelookonpo-po’sfacewhenheknowsyougothim?Priceless.WishIhada picture”
Hepluckedabright-orangeenvelopefromunderhiswiperbladeandgotinonthedriver’sside
Thecarstillsmelledofchain-smokedcigarettesand burritosfromthenightbefore Pillowsandblanketswerebunchedupinaballononehalfofthebackseat,nexttoalawn-and-leafbagfullofreturnable cans
Behindthat,underastackofcollapsedcardboardboxes,afewoldcarpetremnants,andafalseplywoodbottom,weretwoWaltherPPSninemillimeterpistols,asemiautomaticM21,andamilitary-gradeM110sniperrifleAlsoalong-rangethermal-opticalsite,aspottingscope,acleaningkitfor therifles,andseveralboxesofammunition,allwrappedupinalargeplastictarpandbundledwithseveralbungeecords
“Youdidgoodbackthere,Mitchie,”Dennytoldhim“RealgoodDidn’tloseyourcoolforasecond” “Nah,”Mitchsaid,emptyinghispocketsontotheplasticlunchtraybetweenthem “Iwon’tlosemycool,DennyI’mlikeoneofthemwhatchamacallits Cucumbers.”
Dennycountedouttheday’stakeForty-five notbadforashortshiftHegaveMitchtensinglesandahandfulofquarters “Sowhatdoyouthink,Denny?AmIreadyorwhat?IthinkI’mready”
Dennysatbackandlitoneofthehalf-smokedbuttsintheashtrayHehandedittoMitchandthenlitanotherforhimself Whilehewasatit,helitthe orangeenvelopewiththeparkingticketinsideanddroppedit,burning,ontothecement “Yeah,Mitch,IthinkmaybeyouarereadyThequestionis,aretheyreadyforus?”
Mitch’skneesstartedtojackhammerupanddown“Whendowestart?Tonight?Whatabouttonight?Whataboutit,huh,Denny?”
Dennyshruggedandleanedback “Justenjoythepeaceandquietwhileyoucan,’causeyou’regoingtobefamousasshitsoonenough”Heblewa smokering,thenanother,whichpassedrightthroughthefirst“Youreadytobefamous?” Mitchwaslookingoutthewindowatacoupleofcute,short-skirtedcoedscrossingtheparkinglotHiskneeswerestillbouncing“I’mreadytostartthis thing,that’swhat.”
“GoodboyAndwhat’sthemission,Mitchie?” “CleanupthismessinWashington,justlikethepoliticiansalwayssay” “That’srightTheytalkaboutit ” “ButwegonnadosomethingaboutitNodoubtNodoubt”
Dennyextendedhisfistforabump,thenstartedupthecarHebackedoutthelongwaytogetagoodlookattheladiesfrombehind “Speakingoftacos,”hesaid,andMitchlaughed“Whereyouwanttoeat?We’vegotpapertoburntoday” “TacoBell,man,”Mitchsaidwithoutevenhavingtothink Dennypulledhardonthegearshifttogetitintodriveandtookoff“WhyamInotsurprised?”
THELEADSTORYinmylifethesedayswasBree BriannaStone,knownastheRockatMetroPolice.And,yes,shewasallofthat solid,profound, lovelyShe’dbecomeapartofmylifetothepointwhereIcouldn’timagineitwithoutheranymore
Thingshadn’tbeenthissaneandbalancedformein years
Ofcourse,itdidn’thurtthatHomicideatMetrowassoquietlatelyAsacop,youcan’thelpbutwonderwhenthatnexttonofbricksisgoingtofall,butin themeantime,BreeandIhadanunheard-oftwo-hourlunchthatThursdayafternoon Usuallytheonlywayweseeeachotherduringthedayisifwe’re workingthesamemurdercase
WesatinthebackatBen’sChiliBowl,underallthesignedcelebphotos.Ben’sisn’texactlytheworldcapitalofromance,butitisaninstitutionin WashingtonThehalf-smokesaloneareworththetrip “Soyouknowwhatthey’recallingusaroundtheofficethesedays?”Breesaid,halfwaythroughacoffeemilkshake“Breelex” “Breelex?LikeBradandAngelina?That’sawful.”
Shelaughed;shecouldn’tevenkeepastraightfaceatthat.“I’mtellingyou,copshavenoimagination.” “Hmm”Iputahandlightlyonherlegunderthetable“Withexceptions,ofcourse” “Ofcourse”
Anymorethanthatwouldhavetowait,andnotjustbecausethebathroomsatBen’sChiliBowlweredefinitelynotanoption Wedidinfacthave somewhereimportantwehadtobethatday
Afterlunch,westrolledhandinhandupUStreettoSharitaWilliams’sjewelrystore.Sharitawasanoldfriendfromhighschool,andshealsohappened todooutstandingworkonantiquepieces Adozentinybellstinkledoverourheadsaswebreezedinthedoor “Well,don’tyoutwolookinlove”Sharitasmiledfrombehindthecounter “That’s’causeweare,Sharita,”Isaid“AndIhighlyrecommendit” “Justfindmeagoodman,Alex.I’min.”
Sheknewwhywewerethere,andsheremovedasmallblackvelvetboxfromunderthecase“Itcameoutbeautifully,”shesaid“Ilovethispiece” Theringusedtobelongtomygrandmother,NanaMama,sheoftheimpossiblysmallhands We’dhaditresizedforBree Itwasaplatinumdeco settingwiththreediamondsacross,whichstruckmeasperfect oneforeachofthekids Maybeit’scorny,butitwaslikethatringrepresented everythingBreeandIwerecommittingtoThiswasapackagedealafterall,andIfeltliketheluckiestmanintheworld “Comfortable?”SharitaaskedwhenBreeslippeditonNeitheronecouldtakehereyesoffthering,andIcouldn’ttakemyeyesoffBree “Yeah,it’scomfortable,”shesaid,squeezingmyhand“It’sthemostbeautifulthingI’veeverseen”
IPUTINalate-afternoonappearanceattheDalyBuilding.Thiswasasgoodatimeasanytocatchuponthefloodofpaperworkthatneverseemedto stopflowingacrossmydesk
ButwhenIgottotheMajorCaseSquadroom,ChiefPerkinswasjustcomingoutintothehallwithsomebodyIdidn’trecognize “Alex,”hesaid“GoodYou’llsavemeanothertripWalkwithus?”
Somethingwasobviouslyup,anditwasn’tgood Whenthechiefwantsameeting,yougotohim,nottheotherwayaround Ididaone-eighty,andwe headedbackovertotheelevators
“Alex,meetJimHeekin.Jim’sthenewADattheDirectorateofIntelligenceoverattheBureau.”
WeshookhandsHeekinsaid,“I’veheardalotaboutyou,DetectiveCrossTheFBI’slosswasMPD’sgainwhenyoucamebackoverhere” “Uh-oh,”Isaid“Flattery’sneveragoodsign”
Wealllaughed,butitwasalsotrueAlotofnewmanagersattheBureauliketoshakethingsupwhentheystart,justtoletpeopleknowthey’rethere Thequestionwas,whatdidHeekin’snewjobhavetodowithme?
OnceweweresettledinPerkins’sbigoffice,Heekingotalotmorespecific.
“CanIassumeyou’refamiliarwithourFIGs?”heaskedme
“FieldIntelligenceGroups,”Isaid “I’veneverworkedwiththemdirectly,butsure”TheFIGshadbeencreatedtodevelopandshareintelligence “products”withthelawenforcementcommunitiesintheirrespectivejurisdictionsOnpaper,itseemedlikeagoodidea,butsomecriticssawitaspartof theBureau’sgeneralpassingofthebuckondomesticcriminalinvestigationafter9/11
Heekinwenton,“Asyouprobablyknow,theDCgroupinterfaceswithallpolicedepartmentsinourarea,includingMPD.AlsoNSA,ATF,Secret Service younameitWe’vegotmonthlyconferencecallsandthenfacetimeonanas-neededbasis,dependingonwheretheactionis” Itwasstartingtoseemlikeasalespitch,andIalreadyfeltprettysureIknewwhathewasselling “Generally,policechiefsrepresenttheirdepartmentswiththeFIGs,”hecontinuedwithhissteady,well-pacedspeech,“butwe’dlikeyoutotakeover thatpositionforMPD”
IlookedatPerkins,andheshrugged“WhatcanIsay,Alex?I’mjusttoodamnbusy” “Don’tlethimfoolyou,”Heekinsaid “Ispokewiththechiefhere,andwithDirectorBurnsattheBureaubeforethatYournamewastheonlyonethat cameupineithermeeting”
“Thankyou,”Isaid“That’sverynice,butI’mgoodwhereIam” “Yes,exactlyMajorCaseSquad’saperfectfitforthispositionIfanything,it’sgoingtomakeyourjobeasier” Thiswasn’tanoffer,Irealized,somuchasanassignmentWhenI’drejoinedtheforce,PerkinshadgivenmejustabouteverythingI’daskedforNowI owedhimone,andwebothknewit,andheknewthatIlikedtoplayfair “Notitlechange,”Isaid“I’maninvestigatorfirst,notsomekindofadministrator” Perkinsgrinnedacrosshisdesk.Healsolookedrelieved.“Finewithme.Keepsyouinthesamepaygrade.” “AndmycasestakepriorityoveranythingelseImighthavetodo?”
“Idon’tthinkthat’sgoingtobeaproblem,”Heekinsaid,alreadystandinguptogo Heshookmyhandagainatthedoor“Congratulations,Detective You’removingupintheworld”
Yeah,Ithought.WhetherIwanttoornot.
DENNYLEDTHEway,andMitchfollowedliketheman-childinthatoldSteinbeckbookOfMiceandMen “Rightuphere,budLet’skeepitmoving”
ThetenthfloorwasalsothetopfloorSheetsofplastichungoversectionsoftwo-by-fourwallframe,withnothingbutrawplywoodunderfootAstackof palletsbytheEighteenthStreetwindowsmadeagoodroostingspot
DennyunrolledtheplastictarpandspreaditonthefloorTheydroppedtheirpacks
HeputahandonMitch’sbackandpointedtowherethey’djust comeup.
“Primaryexit,”hesaid,thenturnedninetydegreestofaceanotherdoor“Alternateexit”Mitchnoddedonceeachtime“Andifwegetseparated?” “Wipedowntheweapon,dumpit,andmeetyoubackatthecar”
“That’smyman”
They’dbeenoveritmaybefiftytimes,beginningtoend DrillingwasthekeyMitchhadallkindsofrawtalent,butDennydidthethinkingforbothof them “Anyquestions?”Dennyasked.“Thisisthetimetoaskthem.Lateron,itwon’tmatterworthadamn.”
“Nah,”MitchsaidHisvoicehadgoneflatanddistant,thewayitalwaysdidwhenhewasconcentratingonsomethingelseHe’dalreadysettheM110, fittedwithasoundsuppressor,onitsbipodandwaszeroingitout,calibratingthescope
DennyassembledhisownM21andslungitflatagainsthisback Ifeverythingwentaccordingtoplan,he’dneverhavetouseit,butitmadesenseto haveabackupTheWaltherwasalsoholsteredonhisthigh
Heusedacompass-setdiamondbladetocutaperfecttwo-inchcircleinthewindow,thenpulledthesectionawaywithasmallsuctioncup.The streetlightsoutsidesentupaglarethatmadethewindowactlikeamirrorfrombelow
WhileMitchgotintoposition,Dennycleanedanothersmallspotjustupandtotheleft,wherehecouldpracticallylookoverMitch’sshoulderanddown theriflebarrelEventheirdifferenceinheightworkedwell
Hetookhissightingscopeoutofitscase Fromhere,theyhadaclearlinetotheentranceofTabernadelAlabardero Withthescope’s100x magnification,Dennycouldpracticallyseetheporesonthefacesofthepeoplecomingandgoingfromthehot-shitrestaurant.
“Here,piggy,piggy,piggy,”hewhispered“Hey,Mitch,youknowwhenapigknowshe’shadenoughtoeat?” “Nope”
“Whenhe’sstuffed”
“Goodone,”Mitchsaid,inthesamedeadvoiceasbeforeHewasinhisstancenow aslightlyfreakylooking,assout,elbowscockedkindofthing, butitworkedforhimOncehehittheposition,hewouldnotmoveorlookawayuntilitwasover
Dennymadehisfinalcheck Heeyeballedthesteamcomingfromaventacrosstheway howittraveledstraightup Theairtemperaturewas approximatelysixtydegreesEverythingwasago
Alltheyneedednowwasatarget,andthatwouldbearrivingrealsoon “Youreadytoletthisgenieoutofthebottle,Mitchie?”heasked “Who’sJeannie,Denny?”
HechuckledlowMitchwasabeautifulpieceofwork,hereallywas“Justthegirlofyourdreams,manThegirlofyourwildestgoddamneddreams”
ATAROUND7:35,ablackLincolnNavigatorpulledupinfrontofTabernadelAlabardero,ahotsyDCeateryforthestars. Twomengotoutofthebackoneithersideandanotheremergedfromthefront,whilethedriverstayedinthecarAllthreeworedarksuits,withbarely distinguishableties
Banker’stie,thoughtDennyWouldn’twearonetomyownfuneral “Thetwofromthebackseat.Yougotitcovered?”
“Igotit,Denny”
EverythingwasdialedinThescope’sbulletdropcompensatorwouldaccountforthetwobiggestdragsonanybullet wind,iftherewasany,and gravityFromthisangle,thebarrelmightbepointinghigh,butthecrosshairswouldputMitch’seyerightwhereitneededtobe
Dennywatchedthetargetsthroughhisownscope.Thiswasthebestseatinthehouse.Secondbestanyway.“Shooterready?”
“Ready”
“Sendit”
Mitchslowlyexhaled,thenpulledofftwoshotsinthesamenumberofseconds VaportrailsshowedintheairBothmenwentdown oneonthesidewalkandtheotherflatupagainstthefrontdooroftherestaurantItwaskindof visuallyspectacular,actually twoperfectheadshotstothebasesoftwoskulls.
Peoplewerealreadyfreakingoutinthestreet Thethirdmanliterallydovebackintothecar,whileeveryoneelseranorduckedandcoveredtheir heads Theydidn’tneedtoworryThemissionwasoverMitchhadalreadybeguntobreakdown themanwasasfastasaspeedwaymechanic DennyunslungtheM21,pulledoffthemagazine,andstartedpacking Fortysecondslater,theywerebothonthestairs,double-timingitdowntostreet level
“Hey,Mitch,youweren’tplanningonrunningforelectedoffice,wereyou?” Mitchlaughed“Maybepresidentsomeday” “YoudidperfectupthereYoushouldbeproud”
“Iamproud,DennyThat’stwodeadcrumbumsnobody’sgottoworryaboutnomore” “Twodeadpiggiesinthestreet!”
Mitchsquealed,aprettygoodimitationofswine,actually,andDennyjoinedinuntiltheirvoicesechoeduptheemptystairwell.Bothofthemweredrunk onhowwellithadgone Whatarush!
“Andyouknowwhotheheroofthestoryis,right,Mitchie?”heasked “Nobodybutus,man” “Damnstraight.Wediditourselves.AcoupleofrealliveAmericanheroes!”
THESCENEOUTSIDETabernadelAlabarderowasatotalzoowhenwegotthere.Thiswasnoordinaryhitorrubout.Iknewthatmuchwithouteven gettingoutofthecarTheradiohadbeenblaringaboutalong-distancehit,fromagunmanthatnobodyhadseen,firingshotsthatnobodyhadheard Andthentherewerethevictims CongressmanVictorVintonwasdead,alongwithCraigPilkey,awell-knownbankinglobbyistwhohadrecently draggedbothofthemintotheheadlinesThesehomicideswereascandalwrappedinanotherscandalSomuchforquiettimesinHomicide
Bothdeadmenwerethesubjectofafederalinquiryregardinginfluence-peddlingonbehalfofthefinancialservicesindustry.Therewereallegations aboutbackroomdealsandcampaigncontributionsandallthewrongpeoplegettingrich orricher whilemiddle-classcitizenshadcontinuedtolose theirhomesinrecordnumbersItwasn’thardtoimaginesomeonewantingVintonandPilkeydeadAlotofpeopleprobablydid Still,motivationwasn’tthefirstquestiononmymindrightnowItwasmethod Whythelonggun,andhowdidsomeonepullthisoffsoeffortlesslyona crowdedcitystreet?
BothbodieswerecoveredonthesidewalkwhenmybuddyJohnSampsonandIreachedtheawninginfrontoftherestaurant CapitolPolicewere alreadythere,withFBIontheway.“Highprofile”means“highpressure”inDC,andyoucouldallbutcutwithaknifethemountingtensioninsidethatyellow perimetertape
Wefoundanotherofourown,MarkGriecofromThirdDistrict,andhebriefedus Givenallthenoiseinthestreet,wehadtoshoutjusttohearone another
“Howmanywitnessesdowehave?”Sampsonasked
“Atleastadozen,”Griecotoldus.“We’vegotthemallcorralledinside,eachonemorefreakedoutthanthelast.Novisualontheshooter,though.” “Whatabouttheshots?”IaskedinGrieco’sear“Weknowwheretheycamefrom?” Hepointedovermyshoulder,upEighteenthStreet“Wayoverthere ifyoucanbelieveitThey’resecuringthebuildingnow”
OnthenorthcornerofKStreet,acoupleofblocksaway,therewasabuildingundersomekindofrenovationEveryfloorwasdarkexceptforthetop one,whereIcouldjustmakeoutpeoplemovingaround “You’vegottobekiddingme,”Isaid.“Howfaristhat?”
“Twohundredfiftyyards maybemore,”GriecoguessedThethreeofusstartedjogginginthatdirection “Yousaidthesewereheadshots?”Iaskedaswewent“That’sright?”
“Yeah,”Griecoansweredgrimly “Deadon,pardonmypun Someoneknewwhatthehellhewasdoing Hopehe’snotstillaroundsomewhere, watchingus”
“Someonewiththerightequipment,too,”Isaid“Consideringthedistance”Withasuppressor,theshootercouldhavegonecompletelyunnoticed IheardSampsonsayunderhisbreath,“Damn,Ihatethisthingalready” Ilookedbackovermyshoulder Fromthislevel,Icouldn’tevenseetherestaurantanymore exceptforthered-and-bluelightsflashingoffthe buildingsaroundit
ThiswholeMO thedistanceoftheshot,theimpossibleangle,themurdersthemselves(notoneperfecthit,buttwoinacrowdedenvironment) wascompletelyaudaciousIthinkweweremeanttobeimpressed inastrictlyprofessionalcapacity,Iwasalittlestunned ButIalsohadasinkingdreadinthepitofmystomach.ThattonofbricksI’dbeenwonderingabout ithadjustfallen.
BACKATHOME,Ihigh-steppedoverthesecondandthirdporchsteps,avoidingthesqueakwithmylonglegs.Itwasjustafteronethirtyinthemorning, butthekitchenstillsmelledlikechocolatechipcookieswhenIcameinTheywereforJannie,whohadsomekindofschoolfunctionIgavemyselfhalf creditforknowingshehadafunctionbutpointsofffornotknowingwhatitwas Istoleonecookie delicious,withahintofcinnamoninthechocolate andtookoffmyshoesbeforeIsnuckupstairs
Inthehall,IcouldseeAli’slightwasstillon,andwhenIlookedin,Breewassleepingnexttothebed He’dbeenrunningaslightfeverbefore,andshe haddraggedintheancientleatherarmchair,akalaundrystand,fromourroom AlibrarycopyofTheMouseandtheMotorcyclewasopenacrossherlap
Ali’sforeheadwascool,buthe’dkickedofftheblanketsinthenightHisbear,namedTruck,wasupsidedownonthefloorItuckedbothofthemback in WhenItriedtotakethebookfromBree,herhandtightenedaroundit “Andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafter,”Iwhisperedinherear.
Shesmiledbutdidn’twakeup,asifI’dworkedmywayintoadreamofhers Thatwasaniceplacetobe,soIslippedmyhandsunderherkneesand armsandcarriedherbacktobedwithme
ItwastemptingtohelpheroutofherpajamabottomsandT-shirt,andeverythingelsewhileIwasatit,butshelookedsobeautifulandpeacefullike that,Ididn’thavethehearttochangeathingInstead,IlaydownandjustwatchedhersleepforawhileVerynice Inevitably,though,mythoughtsreturnedtothecase,towhatI’djustseen.
Itwasimpossiblenottothinkaboutthosedarkdaysin2002,thelasttimewe’dwitnessedanythinglikethisTheword“sniper”stillstrikesabadchord withalotofpeopleinWashington,myselfincludedAtthesametime,thereweresomescarydifferenceshere,consideringtheskillofthisshooterItallfelt morecalculatedtome,tooAndthen,thankGod,IwasasleepCountingbodiesinsteadofsheep,though
NANAMAMAALREADYhadthe WashingtonPostspreadoutonthekitchentablewhenIcamedownat5:30 Thecasewasrightthereonpageone, abovethefold:“SniperMurderDowntownLeavesTwoDead” Shedouble-tappedtheheadlinewithonebonyfinger,asifImightmissit
“I’mnotsayinganyone,nomatterhowgreedy,deservestodie,”shetoldmestraight-out“ThisisabsolutelyawfulButthosetwomenwerenoangels, AlexPeoplearegoingtotakeacertainsatisfactionfromthis,andyou’regoingtohavetodealwiththat” “Andgoodmorningtoyou,too”
IleaneddowntokisshercheekandinstinctivelyputahandonthemugofteainfrontofherAcoldmugmeansshe’sbeenupforalongtime,andthis onewascooltothetouchIdon’tliketonag,butIdotrytomakesureshegetsenoughrest,particularlysinceherheartattackNanaappearstobegoing strong,butshe’sstillninetyplus.
IpouredsomecoffeeintoatravelmugandsatdownforaquicklookatthepaperIalwayswanttoknowwhatakillermightbereadingabouthimself Thestorywasopinionated,andwronginafewimportantplaces Ineverpayattentionwhensupposedlysmartpeoplewriteidioticthings herewas anotherexampleofnewsthatneededtobeignored
“It’sjustabigshellgameanyway,”Nanawenton,warmingtohersubject “Someonegetscaughtwithahandinthecookiejar,andweallpretendas thoughtheoneswehearaboutaretheonlyonesdoinganythingwrong.Youthinkthatcongressmanwasthefirstandlasttoevertakeabribeherein Washington?”
Iruffledthepaperopentothecontinuationonpagetwenty“Anoptimisticmindisaterriblethingtowaste,Nana”
“Don’tbefreshwithmesoearlyintheday,”shesaid“Besides,I’mstillanoptimist,justonewhohappenstohavehereyeswideopen”
“Andweretheyopenallnight,too?”Isaidalittleham-handedlyAskingaboutNana’shealthisliketryingtoslipvegetablesintothekids’macand cheeseYouhavetobesneaky,oryoudon’tgetanywhere,andusuallyyoudon’tgetanywhereanyway Sureenough,sheraisedhervoicetomakeitclearthatI’dbeenheardandwouldbeignored. “Here’sanothernuggetofwisdomforyouWhyisitwhenwehearaboutpeoplegettingkilledinthiscity,they’realwayspoorandblack,orrichand white?Whyisthat,Alex?”
“Unfortunately,that’salongerconversationthanIhavetimeforthismorning,”Isaid,andpushedmychairback Shetrailedahandafterme“Whereareyougoingthisearly?Letmemakeyousomeeggs andwhereareyoutakingthatpaper?” “Iwanttodosomediggingattheofficebeforemyfirstinterview,”Itoldher.“Andwhydon’tyousticktotheentertainmentsectionforawhile?” “Oh,becausethere’snoracisminHollywood isthatit?Openyoureyes” Ilaughed,kissedhergood-bye,andstoleonemorechocolatechipcookieoffthetableallatthesametime “That’smygirlHaveagoodday,NanaLoveyou!” “Don’tbecondescending,AlexLoveyou,too”
