Sketches of criminals were hit or miss, and Jane didn’t have the time to go through myriad potential suspects down at the local PD.
“Hey, Ray, thanks for getting your guys to try to match my sketch to a suspect on file.”
“No problem,” Ray said before getting out of the car. “One of our better officers is on light duty to a LEGO mishap. He can use the work to distract him from the many reports the sergeant’s tasked him with.”
Jane joined him on their way to the front door. “LEGO mishap? Is that some new law enforcement term, or are you talking about the toy?”
“The toy.” Ray chuckled. “Almost worse than a knife or gun. Apparently, the plastic weapons can be deadly when left out on steps. Mortensen broke his ankle thanks to those lethal blocks. Poor guy.”
“Ouch.” Jane glanced at Ray. “You have kids, don’t you?”
“Two girls. Both grown and in college. Thankfully, they were never much into LEGOs. But man, did they go through an arts and crafts stage that still haunts me. I swear we still have glitter in the house from fifteen years ago.”
She snickered. “I remember going through a glitter and rhinestone phase. Although, to be fair, it took bedazzling my favorite pocketknife for my uncle to take the glue gun away. Glittering weapons aren’t smart, especially at night.”
“Did you say pocketknife?”
“Yeah, why?”
Ray gave her an odd look. “How old were you?”
“I don’t know. Seven, I think?”
He looked her over and chuckled. “That explains so much.”
Before she could respond, an older man opened the door. He carried himself like security. “Welcome, Detective Ryan and AgentCannon. Mr. Harte and Mr. Buchanan, his lawyer, will see you in the living room. Please, follow me.”
Led to the same room Jane and Ray had visited previously, they met Stephen Harte and his lawyer, Jed Buchanan. Jane had done a bit of research, and it appeared Buchanan worked for high rollers and had a cutthroat reputation.
If they got anything out of Stephen Harte, it wouldn’t blow back on him or anyone Buchanan had been hired to protect.
After the quick introduction, Buchanan clearly indicated his client would answer only the questions he approved.
Jane counted to five in her head before putting on a polite smile. “That’s fine. We’re here to solve the murders of Mr. Harte’s friends and their families, as well as to find out why someone might want to steal from him and hold his family hostage.”
The lawyer nodded. “Ask your questions.”
“What exactly is missing from your safe, Mr. Harte?”
Stephen sighed. “I told you and the officers this last week, but I’ll tell you again. The thief stole a cold wallet containing crypto from the Jacobsons and Browns. He took four other hard drives and ten grand in bills. That’s it.”
“And from the upstairs safe?” Jane asked.
After a glance at his lawyer, who nodded, Stephen added, “I told you that too.”
“Tell us again.”
He frowned. “They got the drives I was holding from Burgess and Pryor. And no, I have no idea what’s on them. I can only tell you that Todd Burgess and Jason Pryor came over two weeks ago for drinks and left the drives with me for Rook.”
“Stephen.” Buchanan shook his head.
Harte shut his mouth, saying nothing more.
“Mr. Buchanan, we already know about Rook,” Jane said. “I’m just trying to get a clearer picture of why all this happened.”
Stephen blurted, “None of it makes any sense. If Rook wanted the drives, I’d have just handed them over. I don’t know why he’dsend his goon to steal them or threaten me. Trust me, I’m as confused as you are.”
His lawyer pinched the bridge of his nose and drew a deep breath, likely for patience. “Stephen, please. You’ve said enough.” Buchanan turned to Jane and Ray. “My client has done nothing wrong or illegal. He held proprietary information for others that belonged to his boss. If you want to know more, I suggest you contact Castle Capital and speak to their PR department.”
