The next morning, I came to the office with a renewed sense of purpose. I floated my idea to the team about any large local events happening that would be an easy target for someone.
“Maybe it isn’t anything as high profile as all of that.” Jared offered.
“That doesn’t help.” I was frustrated that we were getting nowhere. “Anything more on the chatter?
“Nothing yet.” Stephanie shook her head.
“Okay, so who are our main players around here for mayhem?” I started pacing. “Who do we know that has access to the base and the port and who is behind most of the big problems around here?”
“I like where you’re going, boss.” Logan said. “So, we have the gangs, the drug runners and the Dixie Mafia.”
“So, let’s start with a drug angle. Focus in on our typical players involved in moving a lot of weight.”
“So, you think they need explosives to do what?” Jared asked.
“Maybe it’s a turf thing. Maybe someone is planning on taking out a rival in a big away.”
“Okay, I’ll check with the local PD for recent conflicts and see if there is anything to indicate a big move by the rivals. Maybe, somebody smoked another gang member or something.” Stephanie frowned at her screen in concentration.
“Okay, that or someone is stepping on someone else’s drug turf.” I offered.
“On it.” Jared said as he ducked his head behind his computer monitor.
“And think of any of our informants that might know what is going on. Maybe, someone who is part of the chatter telling people to stay away? See if there is anything we can get from that angle.” I suggested. With everyone tapping away on their computers. I decided my time would be better spent elsewhere. “I’m going to go over and talk to Chief Corey.” I grabbed my keys and headed out the door. It only took me about ten minutes this time of day to drive over the police headquarters. I had called his office once I was in the car to let them know I was on my way.
“Ethan what a pleasant surprise.” Chief Corey extended his hand when his assistant let me into his office.
“Jim, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.” I shook his hand.
“Anytime at all. Come on in.”
His was a simple office with a few pictures adorning the plain walls. The chief had been on the Gates Point PD his entire career and he had moved up through the ranks and therefore had the respect of the people who served under him. He also knew everyone and where all the bodies were buried in this town. He was a valuable friend and a terrifying enemy. Not that he would do anything outside the law, but he knew the dirt on everyone and everyone in Gates Point had dirt.
“How can I help you today?”
“Well, this chatter we’ve all heard about and the thefts at the warehouse and over at Camp Allen.”
“Yeah, we have to stop this before it turns into a shit storm for all of us.” He took a seat behind his desk and I sat across from him in a leather guest chair.
“Exactly, I have to admit I’m not getting much of anywhere yet, which is disturbing. So, I am trying a different angle. Maybe it isn’t an outside terrorist but something closer to home?”
“Certainly possible, but what did you have in mind?”
“Well, I was thinking is there anything that might be a local gang retaliating on another or a big drug shipment coming in that you might have heard about on the local chatter that I haven’t heard?”
“Well that is definitely an angle we should be looking at so hang on and let me call Lt. Taylor and find out what he knows.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
The chief spoke briefly into the phone.
“He’ll be right in.”
“Okay, thanks.” I leaned back in the chair.
“I’m sorry to hear about you and Diane.
“Thanks, just one of those things.” I shrugged.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. You stay in touch?”
“Yeah, we do. She’s just down in Charlotte so I see Madelyn once in a while when I’m not working.”
The chief nodded. Divorce was a common thing in police work at every level. It was tough, dangerous, long hours and unpredictable schedules. It was hard on the families.
The door opened and Lt. Dale Taylor stepped inside. I had met him once before.
“Agent Craddock, good to see you again.”
“Yeah, you too.”
We shook hands and the lieutenant sat down.
“Ethan and I were just talking about the recent thefts. We were wondering if it could be drug and gang related. Ethan isn’t getting much traction on the international front of things.”
“It is possible, I mean there is always some rift or other going on. Why don’t I pull up some data and we can go over it maybe see if we can find a new pattern or something going on, we’ve missed.” Taylor offered.
“Okay, what can I do to help?” I asked.
“Maybe your database might be able to pull some information from other states and we can compare notes.”
“That sounds good, I can send one of my techs over if that helps?” I offered.
“That would be great.”
We all stood up and shook hands. “I really appreciate the help gentlemen.”
“Anytime.” The Chief said.
I drove back to the office and sent Greg our tech guru over to police headquarters to work with their drug and gang units.
I tried to do some more research
