Page 17 of Flash Freeze

Athena sat in her office, feeling relaxed and thoroughly satisfied as she read through the incident interviews Detective Bach’s police officers had turned in. She hadn’t felt this energized and happy for weeks. Last night was exactly what she needed.

She still wished her tech specialist, Agent John Paulson, and Agent Cedric Howard would finish their temporary assignment and get back here. Howard was a competent leg man, and Paulson, the most experienced member of her team, was indispensable.

Through the slits in her office blinds, she kept an eye on the others as they manned stations, made calls, and ran in-depth checks on the company and persons of interest. Even Agents Ice and Hernandez, who preferred action in the field, remained on task at their desks. This was her home, she realized—not the bland apartment where she slept, showered, and changed clothes. Though whenever Flash was there, the space seemed more vibrant. That feeling was always much stronger at Flash’s loft, which smelled of sweat, dog, and citrus, with aromas from the microbrewery downstairs drifting up from time to time. It made her smile to remember the real Christmas tree Flash had cut in the woods and set in front of the windows, cheering all who walked by.

Athena laid the memory aside to focus on the reports. Most read much the same. “Working across the way at a pump station, didn’t see anything, heard the explosion,” or “was in the staff meeting, had been there for almost an hour, when suddenly the whole building shook.” “The noise was terrifying.” “I was trapped in the basement,” or “on the second floor.” More than a few said, “Mr. Booker got me out safely.” Others praised the fire department’s response.

She picked up the next sheet, an interview by Officer Tracy with LeShawn Jones, groundskeeper.

Tracy: Did you see anyone around the generator that morning?

Jones: Only one of the janitors. (seemed unconcerned)

Tracy: Is that typical?

Jones: Yeah. A couple double as maintenance workers, like your building’s super.

Tracy: Do you recall the janitor’s name?

Jones: I think it’s Isaac Mora. He’s a whiz at mechanics. At least once a month he’d check out all the generators.

Setting the report aside, Athena thumbed through the stack until she found Isaac Mora’s interview and opened it. This one had also been conducted by Officer Tracy.

Tracy: Walk me through your morning.

Mora: I got there early to clean the office and nearby restrooms to make sure they were spiffy for the OSHA guy’s visit. The administration building’s generator was due a tune-up, so I changed out the spark plug and tested the battery. Then I moved on to change some lightbulbs, restock paper in the copy room, dust mop the hallways.

Tracy: About what time was this, that you worked on the generator?

Mora: I reckon about nine or nine-thirty? Most everyone had already arrived at work, and not many folks were wanderin’ around.

Tracy: Did you notice anything different? Did it appear to have been tampered with?

Mora: Naw, it looked fine. I sure would’ve noticed a bomb, if that’s what you mean. Well, unless it had been planted deep beneath everything I worked on. It’s a big 2,000 kW generator, and I wasn’t inspectin’ every inch of it—just what was on my list to do.

Tracy: Did you notice anyone loitering outside who didn’t belong? Somebody suspicious looking?

Mora: Can’t say that I did. I waved at the groundskeeper—forget his name. Some dude in a suit pulled up and entered the buildin’. I think he was the OSHA guy.

Tracy: And where were you at eleven-ten when the blast went off?

Mora: Cleaning up a spill in the basement. Another custodian and I rushed upstairs, because what the hell? There was smoke and the fire alarm was goin’ off. I rounded up two members of the day shift cleaning crew, and we got out of there.

Athena jotted notes, forming a timeline. 9:00 a.m., workers arrive. 9:15-9:30, Inspector Nolan arrives. 11:10, explosion. She compared that to what she already had and added: 11:19, Fire Station Eight vehicles arrive on scene and get to work. Station Eighteen arrived a minute and a half later, and Twenty was on scene by 11:22.

So, Athena calculated, either the perpetrator planted the bomb between 9:30 and 11:00, or it had already been there, and Mora missed it during maintenance.

She sifted through more interviews, some making wild accusations about who they thought was responsible. China and Russia featured prominently. One worker accused ICE. More than a few pointed fingers at CEO Whitmore, choice words included.

Athena reached for her coffee when a rap sounded at her door. “Come in,” she called.

Agent Ice’s broad shoulders filled her doorway, and his expression said he had something. “Tell me,” she ordered as she braced for the news.

“The M.E.’s report just arrived,” he said, his honest face revealing everything. “Inspector Nolan wasn’t killed in the fire. He was already dead when it started.”

Chapter 9

Athena shot to her feet and crossed to Travis. “Show me the report.” This changed everything.