Wrecked (Josie Gray Mysteries #3)(30)
“How do we convince the bastards we have something important to offer? How can we be certain they won’t take over the case?” Marta asked.
Otto gave Marta a frustrated look. “That’s a stereotype. We’ve worked with arrogant bastards, and others who weren’t. Same as any other agency. Don’t judge them before we even meet them.”
Josie lost the thread of the conversation, unable to keep her attention on anything but the newfound knowledge that Dillon was being held captive. She clicked the Back button on her computer to stare at the photo of Dillon. What was he doing now? Were they feeding him and allowing his basic needs to be met? Had he given up hope? Did he believe in her ability to get him home safely? She knew that for years to come that picture would haunt her.
NINE
By eleven o’clock that night a sedan carrying two FBI agents had arrived at Josie’s home. Agent Josh Haskins looked to be in his late twenties, with a new-recruit buzz cut, clean-shaven face, and tasteful suit. He appeared smart, well-spoken and tactful, and interested in the details of the case. His partner was Bob Omstead, a fiftyish bald man who seemed to be all business, all of the time, a trait Josie was fine with as long as he didn’t shut her out. Omstead wore a lightweight FBI windbreaker over a button-down shirt and black trousers. His badge was clipped to his gun belt, and a 9 mm was holstered just inside his jacket but still visible.
They had listened attentively from the couch as Josie told them about finding Christina’s body, the timeline they had put together for the murder and kidnapping, and the new ransom demands. Otto sat in a chair beside the TV, and Josie sat on the bench under the window directly facing the agents. Marta had been called out an hour prior for a motorist stranded down by the river.
At the end of the briefing, Agent Omstead faced Josie. “You mentioned that Officer Podowski is the lead. As the chief of police, why aren’t you the lead investigator on this case?”
Josie glanced at Otto before she responded.
“Mr. Reese and I have been in a serious relationship for four years. I didn’t think it wise for me to retain the role of lead investigator. I assigned the job to Officer Podowski.”
“Serious relationship?” he asked.
“We are romantically involved.” She felt the flush in her cheeks.
Omstead let it drop and switched the subject. “Can you talk more about why you believe the kidnapping is linked to the Medrano cartel? I get your connection, but it seems early in the investigation to limit your focus.”
Josie leaned forward and rested her arms on her thighs. She was mentally and physically exhausted and angry at no one and everyone. She knew the questions were necessary, but she wanted everyone out of her home. She was a private person, and discussing intimate details of her life with strangers bothered her immensely.
She took a long breath and finally said, “Two years ago, the Medrano cartel and La Bestia cartel were battling for drug routes and territory in Piedra Labrada, our sister city just across the border from us in Mexico.”
Haskins nodded. “Sure, I’ve been there.”
“The leader of the Medrano cartel was brought here for medical treatment after he was shot at a nightclub in Mexico. He was dying and needed immediate attention. The Mexican authorities knew the rival cartel would finish the job if he was taken to a Mexican hospital, so they brought him to the Trauma Center in Artemis.”
“How could they bring him here if he’s a Mexican citizen?” Omstead said.
“He had dual citizenship. He owned several hundred acres of ranch land in Texas.”
Haskins shook his head, smiling in disbelief. “I remember this now. You guys had a gun battle in your Trauma Center. The rival gang came in and blew the Medrano leader to bits.”
Josie nodded. “Then all hell broke loose.”
Otto broke in, unable to keep quiet. “The Bishop, the Medrano family’s second in command, blamed Josie for his father’s death. Cartel members broke into Josie’s home and shot up her bedroom in the middle of the night. They’ve accessed her home in the past.”
“It would take someone with a lot of knowledge about my house and my habits to know that I hang my gun belt on the hook in the pantry,” she said. “That’s where I go when I come home each night from work. The first thing I do is hang my gun belt on the same hook that the kidnappers placed the phone.”
“So, members from the Medrano cartel have been in your home before. And now they’ve shown you they still have access. Still have control,” Haskins said.
Josie forced herself to keep her gaze on Haskins. “Mr. Reese was with me the night they entered my home. He was with me as they attacked my house, shot up my bedroom with automatic weapons.”
Haskins shook his head again. “No one was hurt?”
“No, but they sent a clear message. They didn’t want me interfering in cartel business.”
“So you think the cartel may be after you as retribution?” Haskins said.
Omstead shook his head, his expression doubtful. “It doesn’t work for me. You have family money?”
“No.”
“Any rich friends able to chip in on a multimillion-dollar ransom?” he said.
“No.” Josie thought of Macon Drench, a local millionaire and personal friend, but he made no sense. If someone wanted Drench’s money, they would go through his wife or a family member, not the police chief. She chose not to mention him for now, to keep the investigation from derailing.