Page 68 of Under Fire
Agent Wells rubbed a hand down his face, then said, “I agree.”
CHAPTER 27
The following week, things started coming together in a way neither Locke nor Hollis had expected. Nate and Cranston discovered a major breakthrough. They not only identified the brand of video equipment used in the warehouse but also pinpointed where the signal had been sent for viewing.
With Cranston’s technological expertise, he could pull a copy from the cloud. Obviously, the persons responsible assumed deleting their copy would destroy the evidence. Unfortunately for them, that wasn’t the case. However, one roadblock Locke knew he would encounter was the legality of obtaining videos from someone else’s cloud account without lawful permission. After further investigation, it appeared the account used a fictitious name.
Also, the call from the burner phone was made from the same location the warehouse video was transmitted to. Finally, transfers were made between Adkins’ and Biggins’ bank accounts.
Yesterday, Locke submitted a request through the judge to obtain access to the video in question. The judge granted approval with stipulations. The video would be sent to Prosecutor Irvin’s office, where the defense and prosecutor could view it together. At Irvin’s discretion, he could invite others close to the case to the viewing, unless the defense specifically asked that they be omitted. Since it was also alleged that the call from the burner phone came from the same location, the judge’s legal order extended to that as well.
Locke knew that if the video showed Donnie Barcos got a call and afterward drew his gun first, it would prove what Karl said was true, and he acted in self-defense. At that point, charges against him could be dropped. However, Locke knew that neither Karl nor Nyla would be safe until everyone involved was brought to justice.
There were still the threats of Barcos’ men, as well as the remaining questions of who the men were posing as FBI agents to frame Karl, what part Nick Underwood, Jason Adkins, and Alton Biggins played in it, who had Nyla’s gun for eight years, and what the connection was with the watch. But what topped Locke’s list was the name of the bastard who paid those men to attack Hollis.
Tomorrow he would be meeting with the prosecutor and had gotten approval for Hollis to attend with him. He couldn’t wait for them to view that video.
***
“Thanks for inviting me to the meeting,” Hollis told Locke as they walked down the corridor to Prosecutor Irvin’s office. They had a one-thirty meeting with him and were a little early.
“I’m proud to do so since your in-depth investigation delivered the goods. Don’t be surprised if Irvin tries to push back on my request that charges against Karl be dropped when I advise him that the murder weapon was once owned by Nyla. That’s when I will bring up the fact that it was eight years ago, before she knew Karl. I will then ask where the gun has been all this time. And if it had been recovered, why didn’t law enforcement notify her of that?”
She smiled. “That’s a good strategy.”
“Thanks, and I expect that in addition to your favorite detectives, Irvin has invited those two FBI agents to view the video as well.”
“I figured as much.” She paused and said, “I still feel like I’m overlooking something about this case. I know clearing Karl was our number one goal, but I still want to uncover who framed him in the first place.”
“And we will. Clearing my client is just part of what I do. Bringing the guilty parties to justice is the other. Besides, I don’t feel Karl and Nyla are safe, even if charges are dropped. I’m keeping them hidden until I make sure everyone responsible is accounted for.”
“I was hoping you would say that,” Hollis said, smiling. “That means we have more work to do.”
“I agree. So, like it or not, Ms. Calloway, you’re stuck with me for a while.”
“And you’re stuck with me. I have to say that I like your company.”
Locke smiled. “And I definitely like yours.”
He had never entertained the thought of him and Sophie living together. In fact, her plan to move in with him without discussing it first had been the last straw. Love or no love, she would have driven him batty. Sophie took OCD to an entirely higher level.
Sharing space with Hollis was wonderful. She was tidy but wasn’t a neat-freak. He enjoyed doing things with her, even if it was snuggling on the sofa while watching television, or those nights they played cards to relax and unwind. She would ask for suggestions for things they could do and didn’t make decisions for both of them. Bottom line, he was getting used to having her around.
“Well, we’re here,” Locke said, stopping in front of a door. He knocked and a deep voice said, “Come in.”
***
Prosecutor Ralph Irvin looked around the conference table, and his gaze paused on the only female in the room. He’d heard about what happened to former Special Agent Hollis Calloway a few weekends ago when she fought off three home invaders. However, the woman sitting beside Attorney Dangerfield looked beautiful, professional, and serene. Someone who wouldn’t hurt a fly. If the stories that floated around police headquarters a few weeks ago were to be believed, looks were definitely deceiving.
After introductions were made, he said, “We’re here to watch a video that was supposedly recorded the night of Donnie Barcos’ death. It is supposed to show what exactly happened. Any questions?”
“Yes, I have one,” Detective Tomlin said. “Has this footage been verified. I recall none of the video cameras were working that night.”
Before either Locke or Hollis could speak, Special Agent Wells said, “They were working that night. Your team assumed lack of power meant they weren’t operable. However, Agent Harris and I checked out the cameras the same day Ms. Calloway did and found a special chip connected. We got our report back right before we got here, so I feel comfortable we’re viewing the same footage the FBI uncovered. Good investigative work, Ms. Calloway.”
Hollis was surprised at the compliment. “Thank you, Agent Wells.”
“Any more questions?” Irvin asked.
