“I don’t know about that. If I was that brilliant, I would have seen all of this before now. Each incident taken separately I managed to overlook, but this morning it all came together.”
“So, did anyone interview Jacob? And did he say anything about Walter being behind all this, or is he even able to be interviewed?”
“Oh, he was able. The gunshot wound was not life-threatening and he was interviewed extensively last night. But he refused to cooperate in any way. He probably thinks Walter is going to somehow get him out of this again.”
“Then he’s really delusional,” she replied. “What about Gretchen? Is she talking?”
“Not a word except to cuss anyone who asks her anything,” he replied. “Although when we arrested them she insisted that she was an abused woman and was terrified of Jacob.”
“Trust me, there’s no way she was abused or terrified. She had no problems beating the crap out of me.”
“I hate that you went through that,” he said, her words generating new anger at the person he believed had helped those people get into the school in the first place.
His phone rang with an incoming video call. “Hey, man. What do you have for me?” he asked Hendrick.
“Gretchen Owens was in foster care from the age of six when her mother gave her up. She bounced around among several foster homes, but when she was fifteen she was fostered by Jackie and Damon Huck and she remained with them until she aged out,” he said.
“And Chief Cummings’s wife?” Evan asked.
“Rose Mayfield entered the foster care system when she was eight. Her parents were killed in a car accident, and there were no other relatives to take her in. She was with the same foster parents until she was fourteen and, due to health issues, they had to give her back to the state. She was then placed with Jackie and Damon Huck until she aged out.”
“Bingo,” Evan said. “Thanks, Hendrick.”
“I’ve got your warrant ready, and I’m faxing it to you right now. You have the full approval and authority of Director Pembrook and the support of the department behind you. Call me on the other side.”
Evan got the documents he needed and then sat back down at the table.
“So, when is this all going down?” she asked.
“Soon. I’m just waiting for Davis and my other men to come and get me.” He grinned at her. “It’s questionable what role Chief Cummings’s wife played in all this, but I have every confidence that Walter is the insider and this will finally put this case to bed.”
As if on cue, Annalise’s doorbell rang. Evan’s backup had arrived. For the next thirty minutes, the men sat at the table and talked about their game plan, which was really quite simple. Go in, take him down and get out.
“I know he’s at the station right now,” Evan said. “I have no interest in embarrassing him by a takedown in front of his men. Hopefully we can take care of business in his office and then escort him out of there peacefully and without handcuffs.”
“And if he doesn’t go along with that plan?” Davis asked.
“Then all bets are off,” Evan said firmly. He stood up from the table. “Let’s all rock and roll.”
The three agents left the house, then Annalise walked with Evan to the door. “I can feel your excitement,” she said. “Go get your man, Evan, and be safe while you do it.”
He smiled and then grabbed her in his arms and kissed her long and hard. When he released her, he immediately turned and went out of the house.
ALL OF THEM were jazzed on the drive to the Pearson police station. “I can’t believe this bastard was playing us all along,” Davis said from the passenger seat.
“He obviously made a deal with the devil and now there’s hell to pay,” Daniel said from the backseat.
They all continued to talk about the case until Evan turned into the police station parking lot. Then they fell into a sober silence.
Evan got out of the car with a sense of purpose. He knew he was right about this. Not only did his gut tell him he was right, but the circumstantial evidence all supported it. He was also certain more evidence would come to light that would prove him right.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the G-men,” the chief said as they entered the building. “Come to tell us goodbye before you leave town?” He stood with two of his patrolmen just behind the reporting counter.
“Just tying up some final things. Could we talk to you in your office?” Evan asked.
“Sure, come on back.” He gestured for them to follow him into a small office with a desk and two chairs before it. “I’ll tell one of my boys to bring in a couple more chairs,” he said.
“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Evan replied. “We won’t be here long.” He pulled the arrest warrant out of his pocket and tossed it on top of the desk.
“What’s this?” Walter asked with a frown. He picked up the paperwork.
“It’s a warrant for your arrest on a variety list of charges including conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping, just to name a few,” Evan replied.
“The hell you say.” Walter looked at him in shock and threw the paperwork back on the desk. “Is this come kind of a joke?”
“It’s no joke, Walter,” Evan replied.
“You aren’t taking me anywhere. This is all a big mistake,” Walter said, and then made a move toward his gun.
Davis, Nick and Daniel drew their weapons. “Whoa.” Walter raised his hands above his waist. “I’m telling you this is all some kind of a terrible mistake.”
“Walter, I need you to give me your weapon and your cell phone,” Evan said.
“I’m telling you this is a load of crap.” Walter’s face flushed red. “I’m the chief of the police around here, not some damn criminal.
