Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(74)

“I’ll go check and see if any of the officers who worked that night noticed anyone suspicious,” Joe said. “Cops know pyromaniacs often like to stay and watch their destruction, and someone taking photos should have attracted attention. You go check with the TV crews and see if they noticed any paparazzi ghouls at the scene. Most reporters wouldn’t want to share their big story.”

“Ghouls is right,” Jock said grimly as he gazed at the wreckage of the square. “But whoever took those photos wasn’t focusing on the disaster, he was after the human element. That should have set him apart.” He strode toward the ABC TV truck. “I’ll nudge their memories.”

“Gently,” Joe said.

“As long as it’s quick,” Jock said. “I’m going to have a lead before Cara gets on that plane for New Orleans. I’ll get them to play me their footage from those first few hours after the explosion. I may be able to spot our ghoul myself.” He glanced at Joe. “You persist in thinking that I might go off the rails. Newspeople don’t respond well to violence. I’d tend to get the wrong result. I don’t get wrong results.”

Joe watched Jock as he approached the TV truck, smiling at the young journalist who was gazing speculatively at him.

No, Jock would not get a wrong result this time either. He’d do whatever he needed to do to get the job done. So forget him and go about your own business, Joe thought. He headed toward the Officer in Charge at the Police Command Center.

*

“Got him,” Jock said as he strode toward Joe three hours later. He handed his phone to Joe. “Their cameras caught shots of this guy moving in and out of the crowd watching the fire. He wasn’t too concerned about the explosion, he was taking shots of Eve, Cara. Even you, Joe.” His lips tightened. “Norwalk didn’t miss a thing by skipping out when he did. He got everything he could want to satisfy him.”

Joe scanned quickly through the photos. A tall man in a black windbreaker, thirtysomething, dark hair in a crew cut, hooked nose. “I’ll check the Interpol database and see if I can ID him. There wasn’t anyone else who could be a contender?”

Jock shook his head. “Some people were taking photos, but it was all about the disaster for them. Run these and see what you get. In the meantime, I’ll send them to Benoit and see if he can connect them to anyone in Norwalk’s organization in Dublin.” He headed for his car. “And I’d make a bet this particular ghoul headed for New Orleans the minute he’d finished doing his duty for Norwalk here. You might see if you can check the airlines and see if anyone recognizes him.”

“Not likely. With the thousands of people who pass through that airport, faces are just a blur to them.” He held up his hand. “I’ll check it. But I have a better chance with Interpol.” He gazed at that face again. He remembered how agonized Eve had looked last night, and this scum had taken her photo when she’d been at her most vulnerable. “I’ll do anything I can. I want him, Jock.” He got into his car. “I’m going to the precinct and work on this. It may take a little time. But Eve called me, and she’s going to be on a flight leaving in two hours to New Orleans, with Cara and Darcy. She’s not waiting for anything. Who can blame her? She’s going to Michael.” He looked at Jock. “I don’t want them alone there. Not for a minute. I don’t think you do either.”

“Two hours.” Jock turned away and headed for his own car. “They’re not going to be alone. Call Eve and telI her I’ll meet them at the airport.”





CHAPTER

13



Their Delta flight landed in New Orleans at 11:40 P.M.

Jock stopped Cara for a moment while they were waiting for the doors to open. “What the hell is wrong? What did I do? You have barely looked or spoken to me since I met you at the airport.”

She still didn’t look at him. “You haven’t done anything.”

“That’s not good enough. Look, I know you’re traumatized by what happened. We’re all going through hell. Is it something you think I did wrong? I thought you wanted to be with Eve and Joe. It wasn’t because I didn’t feel your pain and was ignoring you.”

“I know that.” The doors were open now, and Cara moved quickly forward after Eve down the jetway. This was so terribly difficult, she thought. But she had promised. And it was a little thing compared to what Eve was going through.

Eve.

Support her.

Protect her.

She moved closer to Eve in that silent support as they moved toward the exit.

Jock glanced at the taxis and shook his head. “I made reservations for you at the Windsor Hotel and reserved a car. Give me a minute, and I’ll bring it around.”

“No.” Eve stepped forward as a black limousine slid to a stop before them. “I believe we have transport.”

Jock went rigid as he saw the driver get out of the car. “Nikolai?” He muttered a curse as his gaze shifted to Eve. “You expected him?”

She nodded. “I expected him. Kaskov prefers not to expose himself unnecessarily.”

“And Nikolai is extremely capable,” Jock said between set teeth. “Kaskov trusts him implicitly.”

“Thank you,” Nikolai said as he opened the passenger door. “It’s good to have the trust of one’s superiors. Are you going to accompany us to the compound? I was told to only pick up the three ladies.”