Page 71 of Fatal Strike
Rachel approached them while her mother escorted the children to the car. Two police officers and Chief of Police Everson awaited the small procession.
“Agent Riesel, do you have time to talk?” Rachel said.
“Yes, of course.”
The two women made their way to a bench, leaving Jon and Father Gabriel alone. Rachel took a deep breath. “I apologizefor not telling you the truth about Dylan. I’d like to explain a few things about me, my past, and how Nicolás helped mold me into a better woman.”
Leah questioned if Rachel’s explanation was the truth.
“I was a selfish younger woman. More narcissistic than I’d like to believe, and nothing I’m proud of. My modeling and law school were more important than anyone or anything. At least I had the sense not to abort Dylan. Silvia is a godly woman. She loved my son and became the mother I never could have been.” Rachel swallowed hard.
“Take your time.” Leah patted her arm. “This week has been a nightmare for you.”
“Thank you.” She glanced at her children and mother in the distance. “My mother is my best friend. Dad died of a heart attack shortly after Nicolás and I were married. She and Dad knew I had given up my baby for adoption, but they thought the family lived in Dallas. Last night I told Mom the truth, and she cried with me. I watched my son grow up and kept my word not to interfere. The only thing I’ve done for Dylan is establish a trust account for him when he’s twenty-five.
“After graduating from law school, I went to work at a law firm and became friends with Marcia Trevelle. She introduced me to Nicolás. I’d never met a man so complex before. He believed in God and the law in that order. His faith in action moved me to place God foremost in my life too. While he had a reputation of little leniency with offenders, he had a gentle side. He laughed freely and loved life. I fell in love, so deeply that the emotions frightened me. He acted as though I were a queen, and when he told me he loved me, I knew I didn’t deserve it. Iwanted to be the woman who helped him serve the community. I confessed my past, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell himabout Dylan. Last Sunday after church, he asked me about a son I’d given up for adoption. I have no idea how he learned the truth. Perhaps Lucinda told him or the lawyer who handled the adoption, but it doesn’t matter. It was hard, but he didn’t condemn me.” She peered into Leah’s face. “I believed I could finally establish a relationship with my son. Then Monday came. We were devastated about Ian and Marcia.”
“And your husband didn’t say a word about something they were working on together?”
“No. When I questioned him, he said he’d tell me what was happening on Tuesday after he talked to the FBI.”
Father Gabriel told Jon he’d never heard of Henry Kantore. Another person linked to the crimes, but where did Kantore fit?
Everson waited until Rachel and her family left the cemetery before approaching Jon and Leah. What the man lacked in height, he carried in command and wide shoulders. Not an ounce of waste on him.
“Tell me about the guy sitting in my jail,” he said to Jon.
“His name’s Henry Kantore. He confessed to being a Veneno. Hired to hack into computers. Says he was supposed to get Father Gabriel alone and use rattler venom on him. Tried to make a run for it during questioning. Had a syringe full of something in his pocket. We’ll test it.”
Everson huffed. “I want five minutes.”
“He’s in FBI custody.”
“In my jail.”
Jon gave him a stern look. “Not happening.”
“How’d he get in with the Venenos?”
“Claims he was approached by four men who wanted his computer skills. Threatened him if he didn’t agree. He said he hacked into systems but never had a name. Seemed clueless about Ian Greer or Marcia Trevelle.”
Everson’s face reddened. “Did he hold Marcia down when they injected her with rattler venom?”
“Agent Riesel and I are ready to question him.”
“I’m sitting in.”
Any problems with Everson’s personal involvement with the victims, and Jon would have him removed.
Two hours had passed since Jon arrested Henry Kantore. His dilated pupils and the track marks on his arm indicated cocaine use.
“You had a fix this morning.” Everson stated the obvious.
Henry ignored him and focused on Jon. “Who are these people?”
Jon introduced Leah and Everson. “We need information. Unless we get it, you’ll be tried for three counts of murder andan attempt on a fourth. Not to mention the illegal drug use.”
“How do you figure?”
