Page 29 of Fatal Strike
Everson appeared taken aback. “Why?”
“I’d have liked an hour at least to run Ortega down before the media warned him.” Jon studied him for a response.
“I contacted the media.” He squeezed his fist. “I’m not backing down from any trail to find Ortega.”
“Okay. I understand.” Jon shoved aside his irritation. Three people who represented law and order had been killed on his watch. “Ortega’s girlfriend claims she hasn’t seen him.”
“What’s her name?”
“Elena James.”
Everson wrote her name on a pad of paper. “He’ll turn up—sooner than later. Silvia Ortega is one woman I don’t trust.”
“Why’s that?” Jon replayed the phone conversation Leah had with Silvia.
“Seems odd she doesn’t know where to find him.”
“Unless he doesn’t tell her everything. Do you have anyone watching the house?”
“Short on officers at the moment. Can you arrange it on your end?”
Jon studied Everson. His drawn facial muscles indicated more than one emotion. Definitely grief. Nervousness. Anger because three law enforcement officials were murdered on his watch. “Consider it done. Anything we should know about Rachel Mendez?”
“She’ll not rest until the judge’s killer is arrested, and she’ll be on our tails until then.”
Did Everson share the same dislike? “I understand you have the judge’s phone. Any prints or leads?”
“Zero.” Everson’s features hardened. “I’ll send you his phone records.”
“What’s there?”
“Last call was at 9p.m. to his mother in Tampa. Judge Mendez was an icon around here. Good man. Respected the law and didn’t mess around with offenders.”
“Do you have intel on who’s at the helm of the local Veneno gang?”
“Not yet. We have bad guys on the island, but none to my knowledge of this caliber. They’ve been questioned, and of course they have alibis. I suppose you want names?”
“We do. Have you heard anything about the gang enlisting members through coercion?”
“Coercion is an invention to commit violent crime. Too many kids are out there looking for ways to buck the system. Kids don’t get the death penalty.”
Leah jumped in. “What about the Venenos using women for communication?”
“Nothing’s confirmed,” Everson said. “Did Rachel Mendez give you a list of those who’d threatened the judge?” When Jon nodded, Everson continued. “How soon will you have backgrounds?”
“A couple of hours on basic info. Depends on what we learn. We’ll make sure you receive the findings.”
Everson settled back in his chair and took a long breath. He dragged his hand over his face. “The deaths have hit me and my officers real personal.”
Leah nodded with obvious sympathy. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. Ian Greer was a good officer, a notch above the rest. A friend.” Everson hesitated. “Might as well tell you.I dated Marcia Trevelle.” He stared down at his desk before speaking. “More than dating. We were engaged. Supposed to be married in October.”
The source of Everson’s bad attitude surfaced. The unsolved murders were personal and professional, a mix of pride and emotions. “I’m sorry. You have a huge stake here, and I get it. We’re all after the same thing.”
Everson swallowed hard. “My officers are working on the other murders. I’ll send you those reports. We’re questioning and probing. Using our informants. It’s obvious to me that when we find the judge’s killer, we’ll find Ian’s and Marcia’s.”
“Any similarities noted?” Jon hadn’t found anything other than the kill method and the staging of the bodies and dead rattlers, but maybe Everson had some insight. “Were the three victims working on the same case or cases? Greer made an arrest, Trevelle prosecuted, and Judge Mendez sentenced?”
