Thanks for nothing.
Ray spoke up. “Mr. Harte, I’d like to know more about the intruder.”
At a nod from his lawyer, Stephen said, “Yes?”
“How did he get in exactly? I know you’ve already gone over all this, but we’re trying a fresh approach. Can you run me through that timeline?”
“Sure. I was out with my wife and the kids while they played in the pool. Sabrina was managing the house. She takes care of groceries and moderate cleaning, not the main house cleaning. We hire a service for that. She also helps care for the children.”
“So where was she when the intruder came in?”
“I don’t know. I just know I left the patio and went back inside only to find a man in black, wearing a mask, waving a knife at me. He had Sabrina by the neck. I did what he asked. After he took my family upstairs to hold them hostage, I grabbed the drives and cash from my downstairs safe and had Sabrina take them to him.
“She returned right away to tell me he was leaving. That’s when you showed up. I hadn’t realized the time, or I’d have tried to get rid of you,” he confessed. “I was scared for my family. But he told me to act natural and that he’d leave once you did. I think he wanted to hear what I had to say to you.”
“You never saw him interact with Sabrina?”
“No. He held a knife to her throat. And then, well, he killed her in the garage.” Stephen paled. “He killed her in our house. Like hekilled all the others. I can’t believe he was in my house with my wife and children!”
The lawyer stirred. “I think you can see my client’s been through a lot. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to call me.” He stood and handed his cards to Jane and Ray.
They left, not fully satisfied.
On the drive back, Ray turned to Jane. “We’re still thinking Sabrina gave the killer those drives from the upstairs safe, right?”
“Yeah. I don’t think Stephen has anything to do with the murders or the Collective, except that he ferries information from the group to Rook. He’s right. If Rook wanted the information, all he had to do was ask for it.”
“Unless Harte’s lying.” Ray sat on that. “Nah. He was genuinely spooked.”
“Interesting that the lawyer wants him saying nothing about Rook.”
“I noticed that too. So is Buchanan repping Rook or Harte? Or both?”
Jane thought about it on the way back. “You know, I think Harte is on the level. The man sent to get that data is the same one who killed the Coatneys, Duvalls, and Strands. But he didn’t kill Stephen Harte because he needs him.”
“Right. But now we’re onto Harte. Why make a big deal about the middleman? This theft did nothing but bring our attention to the killer.”
“Yeah. Isn’t that interesting? It’s almost as if someone wants us looking deeper into the Collective.”
“What the hell does that mean? Do we have another player in the mix? A silent partner, maybe?”
Jane sighed as she pulled into the precinct to drop off Ray. “Just what we need. A new player on the board.”
“Right?” Ray got out of the car and leaned in, his hand on the roof. “If I get any hits on your sketch, I’ll let you know. What are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to look into this investment firm. It feels like Harte is connecting the others for us. And it leads to Castle Capital.”
Ray nodded. “Let me know what you find when you can.”
“Ditto.”
He closed the door and left.
Jane drove back to HQ with a plan in mind. She texted Matthew, not surprised he didn’t get back to her right away.
She also needed to look into a missing person. Quietly.
Time to see what connection, if any, Senator Ronald Scott’s aide had to the Collective. Or to Rook.
