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“This is no coincidence.”
“What?”
“We just learned that an FBI agent may be compromised and now they’re going after Kara. Which puts my investigation in jeopardy.”
“Remember what I said—get Kara to come in on her own, before this blows up.”
“She hasn’t called me yet.” It might be one of the missed calls, but Matt didn’t tell Tony that. “As soon as I talk to her, I’ll tell her what’s going on. I’m pulling the plug on this undercover LAPD investigation. Lieutenant Gomez is bringing Fox in to talk to me.”
“To you and Michael. Where you go, he goes. Too many people are dropping dead out there.”
The missed calls were from Granderson, Sloane and an unknown number, who didn’t leave a message. He called Granderson, who was cordial but not forthcoming. He insisted they wanted to interview Kara about what Thornton claimed his informant said, and verify her alibi because her phone was found at the scene of Thornton’s murder. Matt said he was working on it, but she was on assignment protecting a witness and not reachable for a couple of hours. “Brian, please don’t put a BOLO out on her. She’ll come in and talk, but if it leaks that she’s suspected of killing an FBI agent, it puts a target on her back.”
“That ship has sailed, but it’s just a BOLO for information. Nothing about Thornton’s murder.”
“She didn’t kill him. I stake my reputation on it.”
“I hope for your sake that you’re right.” He ended the call.
Matt called Sloane. She sent the call directly to voice mail, and five minutes later, after Matt was dressed, she called back.
“I had to find an empty office,” she said quietly.
“I talked to Tony and Brian. What do you know?”
“Brian is upset. He’s inclined to think that Kara is involved in some way, but I think that’s based on his guilt over investigating Thornton. But that’s not why I needed to talk to you. I read your report about Jonathan Avila—he’s Rebecca Chavez’s son.”
Matt froze. “From a previous marriage?”
“No—she’s been married for thirty years. She has always used her maiden name. The only reason I even know this—she never talks about her family, never brings anyone by—is from the research I did on Chavez and Thornton when I first got here. Rebecca’s husband is Paul Avila, and I documented that she had two adult children, a son and daughter. She has one photo of the four of them in her office on her desk. After some research this morning, I learned that Jonathan Avila works for the city. I don’t know in what capacity, but I can find out.”
“According to Halliday, he’s on the housing commission responsible for approving grant money. Can you verify that, find out how much he’s paid and how much money he’s responsible for allocating? Anything else you think is important. And anything about Avila’s wife. I’m hoping to get actionable information in an hour. I’ll let you know what I learn.”
Five minutes later, his phone rang. Unknown caller.
“Costa,” he answered.
“Hey, Matt, I’m alive and well,” Kara said.
Relief flooded through him. “Where are you?”
“Colton’s uncle has a cabin in Big Bear. There’s a gas station a mile down the road, and I’m using their phone.”
“Is it safe?”
“Yep. Violet is tucked in. I even slept for two hours. Honestly, I haven’t ridden a bike in months and I’m feeling the pain in my thighs, needed a couple Tylenol. I’m getting her some supplies, then heading back. I’ll call on my way out with my ETA.”
“Stay put.”
He hoped Tony didn’t fire him.
“Explain.”
“Bryce Thornton was killed. Your phone was found at the scene, there’s a BOLO. They know you’re on Fox’s bike.”
Silence.
“Kara? You there?”
