Page 83 of Lost Hours
“Seems like it,” Dylan said. “But you never know when the information could be helpful.”
“We have another favor to ask.” Mina told him about Percy and Cadence. “If I text you the information can you run a background check on them to see if they’re legit?”
“Sure, but is this top priority?”
Mina glanced at Nolan to get his opinion.
“I wouldn’t sit on it,” he said. “Running the background on the dad could reveal who the mayor seemed to be helping.”
“Okay, then I’ll get someone else on our team to help out.”
“Thanks, man,” Nolan said. “Text me Tate’s address.”
“Will do.” The call ended.
Expecting an instant text, Mina stared at Nolan’s phone. She could sense Nolan staring at it too.
“Do you really have to check Cadence and Percy out?” Hayden asked.
Nolan peered at his teammate. “You don’t need me to answer that question.”
“Nah, I know you have to do it.” Hayden rolled his shoulders. “They just seemed like they were telling the truth.”
“As do many people who try to deceive law enforcement,” Mina said.
“Yeah, you’re right. Forget I even said anything.” Hayden turned his attention back to his computer.
Silence consumed the room. Tension mounted. Mina wanted to do something to relieve it, but what? She couldn’t prove Percy and Cadence were telling the truth, nor could she make the text appear. Still, she had to say something. “This is excruciating. Are you sure you still have a signal?”
Nolan glanced at his screen. “Full bars.”
He’d no more than replied when it chimed.
“Hayden,” he called out and rattled off the address. “Get the property up on the screen, and let’s see if you can find a surveillance photo.”
“On it.” Hayden’s fingers flew over the keyboard, clicking into the stillness of the room.
An electronic map appeared on the screen with the address highlighted by a red dot.
“Zoom in,” Mina directed.
The screen whizzed closer in.
“I know that neighborhood.” She shook her head. “And not because I have friends or family living there. It’s a low-rent, high-crime area. Lots of drugs, petty crimes, and prostitution. Some assaults.”
Nolan frowned. “Dylan said Tate had money issues, so maybe that’s all he can afford.”
“Whatever the reason, we’re going to pay him a visit.” Mina got up.
Nolan stood and planted his hands on his hips. “Not without looking at a surveillance photo, and not without backup.”
She didn’t like that he was suddenly demanding, but he was right. They should have backup, but… “As much as I’d like to have someone watching our backs, I can’t afford to pull another deputy from patrol. The murder investigation already has us too extended as it is.”
“I’ll be glad to do it,” Hayden offered.
“I don’t know about that.” She studied him, her mind racing over what to do.
“Think about his skills.” Nolan apparently wasn’t going to give up so easily. “He’s former CBP and knows how to meld into the surroundings like he did down at the border. No one will even know he’s there.”
