Midnight Crossing (Josie Gray Mysteries #5)(73)
Townie finally came out of the booking area holding the phone in the air.
“I know you’re disappointed with the end of that interview, but this’ll make up for it.” Townie powered up the phone. “This is Big Ben’s. Entered as evidence. Guess whose number is in his contacts.”
“Tell me it’s Lilith,” Josie said.
He grinned and handed her the phone. Not only was the name Lilith in his contacts, but she saw that the phone number utilized the area code for Arroyo County. Josie opened her phone and took a photo of the contact information on Big Ben’s phone.
“That what you needed?” Townie asked, smiling, knowing it was.
“The trick will be tying the so-called Lilith to an actual person.” Josie handed him the phone back and shook his hand. “I appreciate you letting me sit in on the interview. It was impressive, the way you worked him over.”
“Slow and steady. Best advice I ever got as a new investigator.”
*
Dell drove the first four-hour stretch to Artemis while Josie spent the time making calls to every law enforcement contact she could think of who might have information that could tie a phone associated to a Lilith to a human trafficking scam associated with Caroline Moss. She realized the name was most likely a fake, but it was a connection she would pursue until it dried up.
After several futile hours Josie opened a search engine on her phone and typed in Lilith + “Caroline Moss.” Surprisingly, several links appeared, and Josie clicked on one that took her to an obituary for Lilith Ann Rockwell, who had lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She scrolled down and read that the woman passed away ten years ago, and was survived by her daughter, Caroline Ann Moss, of Artemis, Texas.
*
After arriving home at three in the morning, Josie fell into a deep sleep that she’d not experienced in days. She woke at ten the next day feeling refreshed and confident. She started her day with a cup of coffee and a phone call to Otto, briefing him on the day’s events.
“So what’s her mom have to do with this?” Otto asked.
“What do you use when you need a security code, or a password, or you want to disguise some piece of information? You use your mom’s name, or your sister’s, or some relative that makes it easy to remember and, you assume, unlikely for anyone else to trace back to you.”
“You think she used her mom’s name as her contact name for when she talked to Big Ben?”
“Exactly. It was easy for her to remember and probably not many people around here know her mom’s name. She lived in Pennsylvania when she died.” Otto was quiet and she added, “How many Liliths do you know? What are the odds this could be anyone other than Caroline?”
“It’s not conclusive, but it’s a hell of a good connection.”
“We’ve got her. I can feel it.”
“What now?” he asked.
“I have a plan,” she said.
“Let’s hear it.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Josie. You know I hate that phrase.”
“As the lead investigator on the case, I don’t think you really want to know my plan.”
“What does that mean?” His voice had turned guarded.
“It means you don’t want to know what my plan is.”
“You don’t want me to know, because I won’t agree with you. The last time you didn’t listen to me you ended up suspended. Sometimes I know what I’m talking about. Give me some credit.”
“I’ll check in later.”
Josie ended the call, feeling a twinge of guilt for leaving him hanging, but he’d been correct. Otto would no doubt disagree with her plan, but she didn’t care. She needed to take care of business.
*
Josie showered and dressed in khaki pants and a short-sleeved top and sandals. She’d have been more comfortable wearing her gun and badge, but the lack of a uniform wouldn’t stop her.
She drove about five miles out of town north of the Mud Flats, to a small subdivision that held four homes situated around a cul-de-sac. With no other houses around for miles, the small cluster of homes had always made Josie think of a group of elite homesteaders.
The homes were a variety of styles, from modern minimalist steel and glass, to a rustic stone and wood cabin. Her destination was a two-story that looked like it belonged in the Texas hill country, built with blocks of limestone so light in color they were almost white. Josie pulled into the paved driveway of Steve and Caroline Moss and didn’t stop to reconsider before she exited the jeep.
She followed a stone pathway to a massive wooden door fit for a castle. No doubt Caroline’s parents had paid for the lavish home. As mayor of Artemis, Moss’s salary was paltry, and his side consulting job could not support this kind of home. As far as Josie knew, Caroline had never worked for a salary outside the home, at least legally. For years, her focus had been setting up political functions for her husband in an attempt to get him into the limelight; her goal was national recognition. Josie had no idea if the Republican Party ever considered Steve Moss as a contender for anything, but she’d not seen anything to support that idea.
She rang the bell and was surprised when Caroline Moss answered. She wore dress slacks and a cream-colored blouse. Her blond shoulder-length hair hung loosely around her face and gave her a polished look, although Josie noticed fine lines around her eyes and a tired sag around her mouth. Josie wondered if her appearance at Caroline’s door had caused the weariness.