Miles stood and walked to the whiteboard where they had mapped out the timeline of the attacks.There was a printout of a map with markings Vic had placed there, indicating where the bodies had been found.With the sheer size and maze-like structure of LA, the number of places this maniac could be launching from or even storing his equipment were endless.But his last two victims getting away…surely that had to be messing with the killer’s mind.He’d stolen a truck and blazed away after nearly being caught.Surely, they’d have him sooner rather than later.
"Got it," Kim said.
Miles turned back to the table.Kim had pulled up an insurance record on her screen—among many other windows that were piled like weird playing cards on her screen.Miles had no idea how she was fast and organized when her laptop screen was always so cluttered.
"The van is insured through a company called Pacific West Auto Insurance to an individual named James Clancy,” Kim said.“Pacific West Auto seems to be a budget provider, mostly online operations."Kim scrolled down through the document, making ahmmmsound as she studied it."The policy was purchased eight months ago with six months of coverage paid up front.And the address listed for the policy holder is different from the fake one on the DMV registration."
"James Clancy,” Miles said, as if testing the feel of the name on his tongue.“What's the address?"
Kim read it off her screen."1847 Oleander Street, Los Angeles.It's in Highland Park, on the east side of the city."
Miles pulled out his phone and searched for the address on the map.The location appeared in a neighborhood that looked worn down based on the satellite imagery.There were countless small houses packed close together, some with chain-link fences and overgrown yards.It was the kind of area where people kept to themselves and didn't ask too many questions about their neighbors—not a forgotten or abandoned neighborhood, but maybe just a few poor economic decisions away from it.
"It could be nothing," Miles said, though he did not believe that."Just another fake address."
"Maybe.But it's worth checking out."Kim closed her laptop and stood."You said yourself that the fingerprints could take forever, and the APB on the truck might not lead anywhere if he's already ditched it.This address is the only active lead we have right now.Unless you want to stay here and go through security footage from the climbing gym.”
Miles looked at the map on his phone again.The address was about thirty minutes away, depending on traffic.They could drive over there and check it out; if there was a hit on the APB, it would come straight to them.And if it turned out to be another dead end, they would have wasted an hour.But if it was real, they might be able to end this before nightfall.
"You're right," Miles said."It wouldn’t hurt to go take a look."
Kim grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair and checked her weapon.Miles did the same, surprised by how odd it felt to be hurrying off to investigate a lead without Vic by his side.But Kim looked excited, eager to help in any way she could…even if it wasn’t from behind a laptop.
For what felt like the hundredth time, Miles left the conference room with a lead dangling ahead of him.Only this time, he knew the killer’s face.And having come so close to catching him just an hour and a half ago pushed him even harder to make sure he took every possible step in bringing down yet another of Kane’s disciples.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The house on Oleander Street looked like it would blow over if a sudden, strong wind blew through the area.The siding was a faded yellow with paint peeling away in long strips.The front porch sagged slightly on one side, and several of the wooden steps showed signs of rot.A chain-link fence surrounded the small property, though sections of it had been bent or broken over the years.It got lost in the shuffle of the hundreds of other houses just like it along the surrounding network of side streets.
Miles parked the car on the curb directly in front of the house.He and Kim approached the front gate, which hung crooked on a single hinge.The yard was mostly dirt with a few patches of struggling weeds.An old refrigerator sat rusting near the side of the house.
They walked up to the front door and Miles knocked firmly.The sound echoed inside but no response came.He waited ten seconds and knocked again, harder this time, but there was still nothing.
“Itis3:05 on a Wednesday afternoon,” Kim said, looking at her watch.“It would make sense for someone not to be home.”
“Yeah…especially if they just came from the desert where they tried to launch a woman with weather balloons and then stole a truck.”
“Yeah, or that…”
Miles peered through the small window beside the door.The interior was dark and he couldn’t make out much detail.He returned to the door and tried the doorknob.It was locked.
"We could wait," Kim said."See if anyone comes home."
"Or we could take a look inside now."Miles stepped back from the door and looked at Kim."But we'd need a warrant or probable cause.Though, given the nature of the case, I could argue the probable cause…"
Kim was quiet for a moment.Then she said, almost guiltily, "I'm pretty adept at picking locks.It’s not exactly a warrant…"
Miles raised an eyebrow."That's tempting, but I don't have a lock pick set."
Kim smiled."I do."
“What?Where?”
Without answering, Kim jogging back to the car.She opened the passenger door and pulled out her laptop bag, rummaging through one of the side pockets.She returned moments later with a small leather case about the size of a wallet.
"Where did you learn to pick locks?"Miles asked.
"My dad was a locksmith.I used to help him on jobs when I was a kid."Kim unzipped the case, revealing several thin metal tools."I kept the hobby going in college.It also helped that I was a bit of a nerd and went through a phase where I was into magic.Reallybig on Houdini."
