“I believe he or his companions were sending a message to each other.”
“What?”
Haversham cleared his throat. “One of the people working for August Kaminski goes by the name Rook. We believe Rook is the mastermind behind Kaminski’s organization. But August and Rookhave had some kind of disagreement. One of them is killing the wealthy families on the Collective list. We don’t know what the end result will be. Or what the Collective is after—wasafter—in the first place. But we’re trying to find out.”
Belinda looked at Jane. “You didn’t hear from my son, so you worried something might have happened to him.”
“I did.” Jane nodded. “Had you heard from him at all this past week?”
“No.” Belinda sighed. “He’d told us we might not hear from him for a while since he was working on something important. Usually, he’d call every few days. We had weekly dinners. And when Louis went missing, he said he’d help us.”
“He tried,” Jane said. “Matthew was dedicated to bringing Kaminski to justice. Nothing you or any of us could have done would have prevented him from his job. From doing the right thing.” She stared at the senator, who studiously avoided her gaze.
The room went silent for a moment and then ASAC Haversham said, “Again, we’re so sorry for your loss. For all our losses. You know, Matthew was a great friend of mine.” His eyes were glassy. “I still can’t process it. I can’t even begin to imagine your pain. I’ll do everything I can to find the truth. We’ll find out who killed him, Ronald, Belinda. You have my word.”
They stood. Senator Scott shook his hand, but Belinda gave him a hug and said, “You do that, Jon. And don’t forget to come to dinner later this month. I’ll be expecting you.”
“I will. I’m so sorry, Belinda. For everything.”
She wiped her eyes once more.
SSA Grimshaw, who’d been quiet up to that point, expressed her condolences as well, shaking hands. Until only Jane stood between the exit and the Scotts.
The senator extended a hand, his eyes warm when he said, “Thank you for being his friend, Jane.”
She sniffed.
His expression turned to one of real grief and he stepped aside so his wife could say goodbye as well.
“I’m so sorry we never got to know you, Jane,” Belinda said. She took Jane’s hand between hers and squeezed. Then she leaned in to whisper, “He really, really liked you.”
Angry at the tear that escaped, Jane quickly wiped it away and nodded. “The feeling was mutual. He will be dearly missed.”
They left.
Haversham and Grimshaw studied her. “Do you need some time, Jane?” Grimshaw asked, her voice kind.
“No one will mind,” Haversham agreed. “I’m taking today. I told the director I’d like to arrange a special ceremony for Matthew later this week.”
Grimshaw nodded. “That’s more than appropriate. I’ve heard nothing but great things about my predecessor.”
Haversham gave her a sad nod. “He was a great man.”
Jane’s phone buzzed, thankfully giving her an out from all this maudlin talk. “Excuse me one moment.”
She stepped aside and answered her cell. Hal had come through. “Hey, what do you have for me?”
“I sent you the file. It wasn’t corrupted so much as it had a funky protocol set to protect it. It’s a list of August Kaminski’s holdings and investments into a place called Castle Capital.”
“That is amazing work. Thanks, Hal. I owe you.”
“The offer for that equipment is still on the table.”
“Gotta go.” She hung up before he could offer to slit the enemy’s throat or string him up by his thumbs.
“Sir, ma’am, we have a major break in the case. A direct tie from August Kaminski to Castle Capital.”
“Castle Capital?” Haversham said. “I know that name.”
