“You have a better idea?”
“Not really.”
“We need to run her through the NCIC. Can you access the database from the motel?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe we’ll catch a break. If she’s in the system we’ll have a current address, even better if she’s on parole or probation. If she’s not at home when we show up, her PO will have her employment info.”
“What do you hope to learn from her?” asked Henning. “I mean, besides the obvious, Ernie’s whereabouts.”
“I’m not sure yet. I won’t know until I talk to her. We might be able to use her.”
“Use her? Like bait?”
Nathan needed to change the subject. He didn’t want to discuss this train of thought aloud. “We should call and check on your SAC, see how she’s doing and give her an update.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“I’ll swing by your room in ten minutes.”
Back in his room, Nathan thought about Amber Mills Sheldon. Interrogating a woman involved different techniques and psychology. In truth, he hoped it wouldn’t be necessary. He’d interrogated women before and in some regards found them to be more resilient than men. Despite common belief, interrogation was a mind game more than anything else. To be effective, the victim’s spirit must be broken. Physical discomfort, while effective, wasn’t the best method unless the information was time-sensitive.
He wished he had a female interrogator available. The psychology of having a woman present, looking on with emotional detachment and a complete lack of sympathy, worked well toward breaking a female’s spirit. Having a woman present was especially effective against men. Nathan figured it was the macho syndrome. Men didn’t like to appear weak and vulnerable, especially in front of women. Once again, it was all about mind games. Unless the victim had counter-interrogation training, it usually didn’t take long to wring information out of them. If that held true, Amber Sheldon wouldn’t be much of a challenge.
He gave Henning a few extra minutes before knocking on his door.
“It’s not locked,” Henning said.
Nathan stepped in and left the door partly open. Sitting at a small desk, Henning was typing on his laptop’s keyboard.
“What’ve we got?” Nathan asked.
“Amber Sheldon is currently on probation for drunk and disorderly contact, disturbing the peace, and driving while intoxicated. Here, take a look. I didn’t bring a printer.”
Nathan looked over Henning’s shoulder while he scrolled down to Amber Sheldon’s color mug shot. As usual, she didn’t look real happy. She had stringy blond hair, blue eyes, and a hollow, sullen-looking face, probably from using. She looked hard, a summa cum laude graduate of the school of hard knocks. When the picture was taken, she definitely fit the description of
“She’s got a fairly long sheet,” Henning continued. “Nothing too serious. We have a current address, phone number, and place of employment. She lives in Fresno. Works at an establishment called Pete’s Truck Palace. Let’s see… After her arrest in 2006, her driver’s license was revoked for six months. Based on her background and the trouble she’s had with the law over the years, I’m not expecting her to be real friendly. Let’s make that call to SAC Simpson. I think she’ll want you present for the call.”
Henning pulled his cell and scrolled down the numbers stored in memory. When he found the number he wanted, he hit send. He didn’t put it on speaker yet. Nathan waited.
“Hi SAC, how are you feeling? Yes, he’s here. Okay.” Henning pressed the speaker button. “You’re on speaker.”
“Hi, Nathan.”
Nathan sat on the bed. “Hey there.” He didn’t ask how she was feeling, he already knew.
“How are things going out there?” she asked.
“Good. The meeting with the Castle’s shrink was helpful.”
“What did you find out?”
Nathan went over the salient points of their discussion. He finished with what they found on Amber Sheldon in the NCIC.
“That’s good,” Holly said. “You heading to Fresno?”
Nathan nodded for Henning to take over.
“Yes,” Henning said. “We’re planning to rent a car, rather than call the Fresno resident agency for transportation. I’m trying to minimize Nathan’s exposure.”
“Hold off on that,” Holly said. “Fresno’s ASAC, John Pallamary, is good friend of mine. We went through the academy together. I’ll give him a call.”
“We’re hoping to be in the air within the next half hour,” Henning said.
“What’s your plan once you get there?”
“We have Sheldon’s current address, so we’ll head over there and see if she’ll talk to us.”
“If she isn’t forthcoming, let Nathan take over. Understood?”
“Yes,” he said tightly.
“Nathan, use your best judgment when questioning her.”
Translation: Don’t get rough unless you absolutely have to. “No problem,” he said.
Holly continued. “We’ve copied all the video from the bombing and sent it back east to your father’s committee. They’re trying to glean as much as they can. We’ve implemented the largest manhunt in the history of the bureau. Hundreds of agents are on the case. Three more of our people died last night, the rest are probably going to make it. Six of them will never walk again.”
“I’m sorry, Holly.”
“This isn’t your fault. I’ve had a lot time to think about it.”
“Maybe I didn’t have to kill their little brother. Maybe I should’ve wounded him. I could’ve-”
“Nathan, listen to me, I’ve read all the reports. Don’t do this. Sammy Bridgestone was aiming a sniper rifle at our SWAT teams. You took the proper action for the situation as it existed at the time. If our sniper team had seen him before you, they would’ve done exactly the same thing. Any law-enforcement officer in America would shoot to kill in that situation. Don’t second-guess yourself. None of this is your fault. Clear?”
“Clear,” he said.
“Okay. We’ve set up a hotline. Tips are coming in by the hundreds with possible sightings. We’re checking them out. ASAC Perry Breckensen is in temporary command. Nathan?”
“I’m here.”
“Despite all the manpower we’ve got, I think you’re our best chance at finding them.”
Nathan said nothing.
“I’ve got to go, my nurse just came in. Will you ask Harvey to share anything he finds with ASAC Breckensen?”
“Sure, Holly. No problem.”
“Bruce, remember, you’re a sworn law-enforcement officer. Where Nathan is concerned, it’s don’t ask, don’t tell.”
“Understood,” he said quietly.
“If you haven’t heard back from me before you leave Fresno, call me from the air.”
“I will,” Henning said.
“I’ve got to go.” The cell went dead.
“She’s an amazing woman,” Nathan said.
Henning reached for his laptop. “Let’s pack up and get going.”
From his room Nathan called Harv and filled him in. Harv said he’d follow up and make sure he received the DUI news clippings and any other documents Fitzgerald had promised to send. Harv also told him Thorny came through with Leonard’s contacts from his deployment in Iraq.
“We just talked to Holly.”
“How’s she doing?” Harv asked.
