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“This is Special Agent Armstrong,” Noah said. “Do you have time for an update?”
“A few minutes,” Stockton said.
“The Denver regional office found a computer and files of pornography; much of it they suspect is illegal or child porn. On the surface it looks like Morton was trying to re-create the enterprise he ran with Adam Scott six years ago. I asked Denver to box everything up and send it to me on a military shuttle.”
“Good. We need to confirm exactly what he was up to and who he was working with. The last thing I want is another Trask Enterprises. We’re overloaded as it is.”
“I’m concerned that this case is going to take a lot of manpower, and my cybercrimes unit is swamped right now.” During the last staff meeting, Noah had listened to the SSA of cybercrimes relate their multitude of cases, many of them involving children in jeopardy. Unless there was something similar in Morton’s data, Noah couldn’t in good conscience pull them, even if he had the clout. “I don’t feel comfortable pulling weight when they’re dealing with extremely time-sensitive crimes.”
“Agreed,” Stockton said. “What about Kate Donovan? Is she in the clear?”
“She was out of town, and no way she or her husband could have killed Morton. Her alibi checks out and there are no signs suggesting she or any of the Kincaid family took out a hit on Morton. Lucy Kincaid claimed she didn’t even know he was out of prison, and I believe her.”
“How would you feel turning the computer evidence over to Kate?”
Noah leaned back in his chair and frowned.
“Kate Donovan?” he asked unnecessarily. “While so far everything checks out, I can think of ways she could have had a hand in it—”
“What do your instincts tell you?”
“I prefer to deal in facts, sir.”
“So do I, but sometimes absolute definitive proof is unattainable. Her alibi checks, her financials check, and she knows more about Trask Enterprises and Roger Morton than anyone in the Bureau. She can assess the data and route it to the appropriate field agents. She’s not working in the field while teaching at Quantico; she can devote her time to this. I can flex my muscles with the cybercrimes squad, but they won’t be able to devote the same time to it.”
“Understood.” Noah didn’t know how he felt about bringing a former suspect into the investigation.
“I’m not suggesting you let her into every facet of your investigation,” Stockton continued. “That’s your call. But as far as the computer data and tracking goes, she’s the best we’ve got, and she’ll work it till it’s done. Better yet, she’s part of the Quantico cybercrimes unit and has access to the fastest computers we have.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good work. Shoot me and Hans a brief summary via email, and call me if you need anything.”
“Yes, sir.” Noah hung up. He wasn’t wholly comfortable with Rick Stockton’s suggestion—which sounded more like an order—but he didn’t see any other option.
Reluctantly, he called Kate Donovan. When she answered, he said, “It’s Noah Armstrong.”
“Is Lucy okay? When did she leave?”
“Yes, and nearly an hour ago.”
“Are you sure she was okay?”
“I didn’t turn the screws on her; it was a straightforward and civil interview.” Noah had been impressed with the lady. She’d held up well on the surface, even when the questions touched on sensitive areas. But she’d been tightly wound, and he wondered just how well she’d really held up. She was a private, controlled person, and in Noah’s experience, they were the type who exploded big when it was least expected.
“When I said I wanted her to have an attorney, I didn’t mean that she had anything to hide,” Kate explained.
“I know that, Kate. I’m calling about a different matter. The Denver office found a computer and extensive collection of pornographic files, including child porn, in Morton’s apartment. It’ll be here tonight, but my cybercrimes team can’t get to it immediately, and there may be data on his computer that will give us an idea of why he was here and who might have killed him.”
“You’re going to have to push cybercrime. That’s Robeaux, right? I know him well. I’ll call him—he’ll do it for me.”
She spoke with complete confidence in her ability to have her will be done, and Noah smiled in spite of the feeling Kate acted as if this was her case. “He’s good, I agree, but his unit is overwhelmed right now. Rick Stockton authorized you to be the point person on this. I’d like to bring the evidence to Quantico tonight.”
“Me?” She paused. “So you cleared me.”
“Your alibi checks; so does your husband’s.”
“And Lucy?”
