Page 93 of Fatal Strike
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AFTER SILVIA LEFT THE JAIL,Leah knew it was time to chat with Chief of Police Zachary Everson about his volatile temper.
“I want the full story of his relationships with Marcia Trevelle, Greer, and the judge,” Leah said.
“You feel up to it?”
“If you don’t let up on the hovering, I might have to show you how well I can shoot.” She was only half-teasing. Seriously, Jon needed to drop the overprotective syndrome. Her hand ached, but she wasn’t about to tell him that or let it keep her out of the game. “If you’re busy looking out for me, we’re lining ourselves up for a mistake.”
“You’re right,” Jon said.
“Can I record that?”
He smiled. “I suggest we balance the questioning instead of one of us leading out.”
They needed to be viewed as a team seeking the truth, not the FBI ganging up on Everson.
Within minutes, the three sat in Everson’s office drinking cold bottles of water. They’d gotten past the rattlesnake bite story. Leah didn’t believe in waiting out the inevitable but facing it. Everson seemed squeaky clean. Looked and acted the part of a man dedicated to saving and protecting lives.
“What’s going on?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Jon led out. “Chief—”
“Zachary. This case puts us on a first-name basis. Despite our differences.”
“We need to confirm a few things,” Jon said. “Are you telling us everything?”
The cords in his neck knotted. “If I had a lead on the Venenos, there’d be a few less of them.” His jaw tightened. “Ithink I know where this is going. It’s why you replaced GPD officers with agents for Rachel.” His gaze drilled into Jon. “Who questioned my integrity?”
“Doesn’t matter, Zachary.”
He reached for a nearly empty bottle of water. “So what do you want, then?”
“We believe there’s documentation of the investigation the three were conducting.”
“I figured so. I’ve searched through Marcia’s things but haven’t found anything in the way of a notebook, computer file, flash drive, or slips of paper with information pertaining to their investigation.”
Leah wrestled with the inconsistencies from those they’d interviewed since Tuesday. “Our teams who swept the judge’s home and office also haven’t turned up anything.”
Zachary shook his head. “The judge wouldn’t haveendangered her or the kids. I had tremendous respect for the man. His family meant more to him than his commitment to justice.”
“What if I told you Dylan Ortega is Rachel’s biological son?”
Zachary released his arms and blew out a breath. “Didn’t see that coming.”
“The judge was aware and was willing to welcome Dylan into the family.” Leah let her words sink in. “It’s highly unlikely he would have extended an invitation like that if he suspected his wife’s son was in a gang or involved with the drug theft.”
“Do you think any of your GPD officers had anything to do with this?” Jon said.
Everson snorted. “They know if there’s even a hint of stepping over the line, they’re outta here. Look, we must figure this out before there’s another murder.”
Leah exchanged a long look with Jon. Should they trust Everson with more details of the investigation? His personality might rub some people the wrong way, but she still believed he was grieving the loss of his fiancée and his officer. It hadn’t been an easy week for the man.
Jon nodded and turned back to the police chief. “Those three believed the in-game was prescription drugs. There are at least three connection points to drugs stolen from Molston Pharmaceuticals.”
Zachary ducked his head. “Landon Shaw got caught trying to hawk stolen drugs from that company. Ian Greer arrested a man in possession of prescription pills from there too. What’s the third connection?”
Leah sighed. “Dylan Ortega.”
