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“With us right next door, that would be overkill,” Drex said. “Besides, someone shows up in a uniform, she’ll clam up even tighter until she can summon a lawyer. Gif, Mike, and I’ll take turns standing watch till morning.”
“She won’t like it,” Locke said.
“I don’t give a fuck what she likes.” Drex thought on it, then added, “But having a couple of patrolmen outside wouldn’t be a bad idea. They’d be two extra sets of eyes for us and give her peace of mind.”
“How will I explain the three of you to them?” Locke asked.
Drex shrugged. “Tell them the truth, but emphasize that we’re undercover and that if they tell anybody we’re here, even within their own department, we’ll cut out their tongues.”
“In other words, use subtlety and tact,” Gif said.
“I’ll get on it.” Menundez took out his phone, but before placing the call, he read another text. “You were right, Easton. Local FBI is now assisting,” he told the group, then continued reading. “Word got out how similar our case is to Marian Harris’s. Tomorrow, an agent familiar with that investigation is flying in to talk to Mrs. Ford.”
Mike groaned.
“Rudkowski?” Drex asked Menundez.
“How’d you know?”
Gif, Mike, and Drex exchanged looks of disgust. Drex said, “He’s a blowhard. All mouth. No brains. The three of us took personal days, using phony excuses, just to follow this lead on Jasper Ford before Rudkowski could barge in and muck it up. Mike eluded him yesterday, made him look like an ass, which isn’t difficult to do. He won’t be happy to see us.”
“Who has seniority?” Locke asked.
“He does. In years, not know-how. What time is he due?”
“Around ten. Wants to interview Mrs. Ford right away.”
“They say where?” Mike asked.
Menundez shook his head.
“Find out and let us know the location,” Drex said. “We’ll have her there.” Seeing the consternation registered by Mike and Gif, he said, “It was only a matter of time, guys. We’re lucky he didn’t run us to ground before now.”
Talia had remained seated on the sofa. When the group of men broke up, the two detectives came over to her and expressed their condolences regarding Elaine. “I’m sorry we had to put you through that identification procedure,” Locke said.
“You were only doing your job.”
He thanked her for her cooperation then said, “We’re still relying on your cooperation, Mrs. Ford. Please don’t leave town.”
“I have no intention of going anywhere until my husband is accounted for.”
He nodded and gave her his business card. Menundez also passed her his.
Locke said, “Call either of us if you think of anything that could be useful to the investigation.”
Although Drex’s arguments were damning, she wasn’t ready to concede that it had been Jasper onboard the yacht with Elaine. “Are they still searching for the man?”
“Yes, ma’am. We’ll notify you if there’s something to report.”
“Please. No matter how bad the news may be.”
He gave her a bland smile. “Try to get some rest. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Menundez nodded a quasi goodbye, then followed Locke out, leaving her alone with Drex and his partners.
Gif said, “I’ll take first shift.”
Talia shot to her feet. “What do you mean first shift?” She walked over to Drex. “You’re my jailers now?”
