His phone rang—the evidence garage.
“Look, it’s not our fault, okay?” the impound officer started. “We just got the vehicle.”
“What are you talking about?” Luka lowered the sound on the video.
“This Standish SUV. First, the CSU guys kept it for DNA processing and then they fumed it overnight for fingerprints. Then the cyber guys wanted to access its onboard computer, so it’s only now arrived at our garage.”
“And why is that an issue?”
“Because they don’t inspect vehicles that are impounded as evidence, they only look for their own stuff, we’re the ones—”
“What did you find?” Luka interrupted.
“Someone had a GPS tracker wired into the vehicle. Fancy one—a lot nicer than the ones the department uses.”
“I’ll need the serial number. And is there a way to track who was receiving its signals?”
“You’d have to ask the cyber guys. I told my guys to leave it as is, so it’s still powered up. Figured that might help preserve any internal data.”
“Good thinking. I’ll send someone right over. Thanks for calling.” Luka hung up. If not law enforcement, who would want to track Spencer’s movements? Foster Dean was the obvious candidate, but he hadn’t even arrived in Craven County until Sunday morning. Unless the Zapatas had sent someone else in addition to Dean. Or maybe the not-so-grieving widow had suspected her husband’s plan to leave without her? Or perhaps another of Spencer’s victims was searching for their stolen money? Someone like Larry Hansen?
He glanced at the video—Harper was wrapping up and still getting nowhere. He called Ray. “You said Larry Hansen brought Tassi home, right? Is he still there?”
“No one’s come in or out since they got back from the hospital. Why?”
Luka explained about the GPS. “Could’ve been either of them who planted it.”
“I’ll take a run at them—unless you want them brought into the station?”
Luka considered. A familiar environment might relax them, help them to drop their guard. Of course, he’d thought that about the reverend as well when he’d gone to the church to speak with him. But somehow, he didn’t think Tassi or Larry would be as difficult to get talking. He glared at the crutches leaning against his desk. That stupid piece of impaled glass was making his life much too complicated.
“Yeah. Bring them in. I want to see their reactions. Besides, so far they’ve been handled with kid gloves; let’s show them how real criminals are treated.” Ahearn wouldn’t like it, but Luka was past caring.
“You got it,” Ray said, sounding eager for action. “I’ll call you once we’re en route.”
Luka hung up just as Harper tapped on the door. “Guess you saw,” she said, hanging her head. “Sorry. I should’ve tried a different approach—”
“No. You did fine.”
“Okay.” Clearly she disagreed with his assessment. “What about my father? Are you pressing charges?”
“For what? Carrying a diaper bag out of a hospital isn’t a crime.” Not to mention that arresting a prominent clergyman without probable cause really would have Ahearn blowing a gasket. “I shouldn’t have sent you in there. I wanted to throw him off balance.”
She took a step inside, leaned against the bookcase. “No. It was the right move.”
“You brought up what happened to you in college,” he said in a gentle tone, giving her space if she didn’t want to talk about it. “You never told your father what happened?”
“He never asked.” She thought for a moment. “I really thought I could get him talking.”
“Why don’t you drive him home?” he suggested. “No questions, no judgments, simply listen. Maybe if you let him take the lead, give him back control, he’ll tell you what really happened and where Beth and the baby are. Anything he says would be inadmissible, but seriously, as long as they’re safe, and we can get the baby back to the hospital, I don’t mind breaking the rules.” He studied her. “That is, if you’re okay with it.”
“No, it’s fine. If he had anything to do with Beth and her baby, or with Spencer’s death, then we need the truth. If I can get it, I’m happy to do so.”
“I don’t want to put you in a position where you have to choose between your family and your job. But we need to make saving that baby a priority.” He shook his head. “Explain it to me. He’s a man of God; I can’t understand why he won’t talk to us, help us.”
“Because that would mean admitting he’s wrong,” Harper said. “The Reverend has lived his entire life believing God works directly through him—”
“So how could he ever be wrong about anything?” Luka finished for her. Not for the first time, Luka wondered about Harper and how strong she was. Growing up in that environment must have been complicated. “I’ve no idea if that’s a sign of a faith beyond my imagination or pure hubris.”
“Don’t ask me. I’ve given up trying to find those answers.” She started to leave, then turned back. “Just so you know, boss. If it’s between the truth and my family, I’m choosing the truth. Every time.”
“I already knew that, Harper,” Luka replied. “Now get going. Call me if you need anything.”
The door had no sooner shut behind her than Luka’s phone rang. Ray. “Got a bit of a complication, boss.”
“What?”
“Tassi and Larry Hansen are gone.”
Thirty-Seven
The Reverend said nothing as Harper led him out of the police department and to her car. They got inside, turned onto the street, and drove three blocks before finally he sighed and spoke. “Tell me the truth. About college. Everything.”
Startled, she jerked her head up, eyes blazing as they met his. He couldn’t handle the truth. At least that’s what she’d told herself for eleven years, choking it back down every time she was tempted to set it free. No one in her family could handle the
