Long Shadows (Amos Decker, #7)(46)

Decker glanced at the file. “So, other things being equal, it was probably your father’s enemies in this country that made him disappear.”

“But the Slovakian money?”

“That could mean any number of things, Kasimira. But what I could use from you is a background file on Draymont and Lancer. What they did before coming to Gamma, that sort of thing. Think you can provide that without making us go to court?”

“I think I can manage that.”

“Send it to Agent Andrews so he won’t feel left out.”

“But there’s something else you need to know. My father was terminally ill. He had only months to live. I think that’s why he wanted to go out on his boat. Maybe one last time.”

Decker stared pointedly at her.

“Do you think that’s important?” she said.

“I think everything in a case is important, until it’s proven conclusively not to be.”

“So you’ll let me know what you find out?”

“I’ll let you know what I can, but I will not tell you anything that will jeopardize my investigation. Like someone else already did about the Slovakian money.” He held up the file. “And just so we’re crystal clear: Despite this, I haven’t ruled you out as a suspect.”

He turned and left Kasimira Roe and her chic Miami Beach condo in the sky.





Chapter 32



S?O, NOTHING?” ASKED DECKER.

White eyed him as they stood outside Alice Lancer’s neat little bungalow a half hour north of Miami. He had phoned her and driven directly there from Roe’s condo in the sky.

“In official parlance the term is ‘fuckin’ zip.’ Same at Draymont’s apartment, which is no surprise, since someone had already searched his place.” She looked at the house next door. “But there was something. A neighbor looked out the window and saw a car pull into the driveway. She described two large men getting out of the car and going into the house.”

“When?”

“Right after Lancer disappeared.”

“So they snatched her and came right here?” said Decker.

“Looks like it.”

“And she didn’t see Lancer?”

“No,” replied White. “She might have been drugged and in the trunk for all we know.”

“And the neighbor didn’t call the cops?”

“She had no idea that Lancer had disappeared. But she said she was going to call the cops. Then one of the guys unlocked the door and they went in like they owned the place, so she thought they must be friends of hers.”

“She get the license plate number?”

White shook her head. “But she gave us a description of the car.”

“Well, at least she was more helpful than the other neighbor we talked to. So, had her place been previously searched, too?”

White said, “Not like Draymont’s. But something tells me a search was made. And there was no laptop or desktop computer here.”

“Did the neighbor see them carrying anything out?”

“No, she went out for a walk and didn’t see them leave.”

“Okay, so they’re still a couple steps ahead of us. We have to change that at some point.”

“And what have you been up to, Decker?”

At that moment Andrews walked out of the house.

“I’ll fill you in, but later.”

She glanced over at Andrews. “Okay.”

“Decker,” called out Andrews. “Long time no see.”

“Yeah. I understand not much here.”

Andrews walked up to them. “We’re a day late and a dollar short. But the team is still in there processing. They still might find something useful. How did things go with you?”

“They’re still going.”

“I thought I’d go back to the office and write up my report so far and check in with the forensics folks. You two want to grab some dinner back in Ocean View later?”

“Yeah, that sounds good, we’ll give you a call when we get back,” said Decker. “We have to go report in, too. I’ll drive back with Agent White.”

Andrews gave them a thumbs-up and walked off to his car.

Decker led White over to the rental and they climbed in and drove off.

They had barely gone thirty feet when White unloaded. “I don’t appreciate getting dumped by my partner.”

“I can—”

“Shut up, ’cause I’m not done. In fact, I’m just getting started. I’m a good agent and I’ve been busting my hump for a long time and I don’t deserve this shit from you or anyone else.”

“Look, I—”

She stuck a finger in his face. “I’m not done, so shut the fuck up, Donnie!”

“Didn’t take you for a Big Lebowski fan,” said Decker, referring to the line from that classic film.

“If you ever pull that shit on me again, I will lay your ass out so fast, you’ll think Muhammad Ali came back from the grave and used you for punching practice. And I already told you I have a double black belt in karate, so I can lay your butt out. I don’t care how big you are.”

“I’m trying—”