Nick Stephenson - Panic

“Okay, say your theory is correct. What do we do now?”

“Run the usual toxicology reports and check for any elevated levels of sleeping drugs, particularly those not present in over-the-counter medication. Try Midazolam for starters. When you isolate the chemical not present in the senator’s usual bedtime cocktail, you’ll know it wasn’t suicide.”

“But why would anyone murder the senator?”

“Good, Lieutenant, your second intelligent question of the evening. The vast majority of premeditated crimes happen for one of three reasons: money, revenge, or power. The senator was wealthy, no doubt about that, but nothing is missing from his home, which suggests we can rule out a robbery.”

“So we’re looking for a revenge killing? Or something politically motivated?”

“Precisely. The senator was in a position powerful enough to make enemies; we just need to narrow down the list.”

“How do we do that?” asked Bradley, pulling out a pen and small notepad from his coat pocket.

“I expect you’ve been watching the news recently. This is an election year, and tensions are running high. Senator Wilson made a lot of enemies by speaking his mind. Find out who has the strongest motive, and you’ve got your killer.”

“Anything else?”

“Yes. Focus on any leads you have on hired killers or mercenaries; this has all the hallmarks of a professional job. With high-profile targets like this, you’re looking for someone who can afford to pay for the best. Start by checking out the wealthier members of government with a reason to hold a grudge. Other than that, I’d recommend good old-fashioned police work.”

“You’re not going to help?”

“I’ve already helped. You don’t want me taking all the credit, do you? I’ve given you everything you need to get started. If you find any more bodies, let me know.”

The lieutenant opened his mouth to protest, then thought better of it.

Leopold stepped back from the body and made his way to the front door, nodding to the forensics team as he passed. “He’s all yours.”

“Wait, Mr. Blake.” Bradley strode across the hallway and caught up with Leopold on the doorstep. “Don’t for one second think I’m impressed with your showing off. We would have figured it out eventually.”

“I’m sure you would.”

Bradley turned to go back inside, then paused. “I’m curious. Have you ever been wrong?”

Leopold looked straight into the lieutenant’s eyes and smiled. “Just once.”

He walked out into the night, closing the door firmly behind him.

Christina Logan and her two girlfriends sat at the bar, giggling and wailing along to the music. Suave, the newest mid-town New York hotspot, had only been open a few weeks, and it was still impossible to get in unless you had the right connections. Christina knew this, and had taken advantage of her social status to bag a few VIP tickets for herself and her friends. She looked around the nightclub and beamed a brilliant white smile as she caught the eye of a tall, muscular guy across the room. He raised his bottle of beer in salute and started walking over, smiling back at her as he weaved in and out of the crowd.

The VIP room at Suave was not like your average club. People didn’t come here to dance, they came to be seen and they came to drink. Usually by the bottle. The music was played loud and the lights were kept low; nobody wanted conversation and everybody wanted to look their best. Christina felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to the girlfriend to her right – Candice, the one with the sharp nails.

“That guy is totally into you!” Candice shouted over the thrumming music, nodding at the muscular guy as he drew closer.

“He’s cute!” Dakota chimed in from the left. “But what about your boyfriend?”

“Hank?” replied Christina. “He’s not really my boyfriend. Just some guy I’m seeing. Besides, he’s been acting a little weird recently. He said he didn’t want me going out tonight. He still thinks I’m back at the dorm.”

“Good move,” said Candice. “He never has to know. You just concentrate on having fun!”

Christina grinned and began to feel the effects of the vodka from their fifty-dollar cocktails. She felt her skin warm as the alcohol spread through her body, making her smile even more as the tall, handsome guy approached and leaned against the bar, looking at Christina as he spoke.

“Hey, you ladies having a good night? The name’s Finn. What’s yours?”

“Christina,” she beamed and looked down, fiddling with the cocktail stick in her now olive-free Martini. She saw Dakota bobbing up and down on the stool, trying to look over Finn’s back to hear what she was saying.

“You in college? You look like a student. Isn’t it a little late to be out on a school night?” Finn’s voice was smooth, even though he was practically shouting over the beat of the dance track that was playing, and his eyes twinkled as he spoke.

“We’re all Columbia Law. Nobody works much on a Friday, so we can sleep in. You won’t tell anyone, will you?” Christina said coyly, biting her bottom lip.

“Your secret’s safe with me.”

“So, what do you do for a living?” said Christina, wanting to know just how many drinks she could expect him to pay for.

“Oh, you know; this and that. Mostly private equity investments, that kinda thing.”

“Sounds interesting, I’d love to hear more, but we’re running out of drinks. Why don’t you pull up a chair?”

Finn laughed and shook his head. He put down his drink, stood up, and took a few steps back so that he could address all three girls.

“Ladies, it’s been an absolute pleasure, but I’m afraid I have to be leaving soon. I’ve got other places to be tonight.”

Christina pulled a face in disappointment, a trick that always worked on her father. This guy wasn’t going anywhere.

“I’m sorry, I really do! But how about this: I’ve got a friend who works the doors at Halo downtown. My driver’s outside; you guys are welcome to take a ride down to the club and I’ll meet you there later. I’ll call ahead and have the champagne waiting.”

Christina looked to her girlfriends, all of whom seemed impressed, and nodded enthusiastically at Finn. “Sure, sounds like a plan. Lead the way!”

Finn took Christina by the hand and led the three girls toward the exit. Christina stumbled as they went down the stairs, her impossibly high heels not helping her balance, and Finn caught her before she could fall. She looked up into his gorgeous brown eyes and grinned.

“My hero!”

Christina grabbed onto his thick arm with both hands and let him carry most of her weight out of the club and onto the streets. She was looking forward to getting him home later.

The four party-goers spilled out onto the sidewalk, and Christina immediately felt the brisk midnight air around her bare legs; this was not the weather for short skirts, but looking good came with a price and cold legs were part of the bargain. Christina found her footing despite the clawing numbness brought on by the vodka, and unhanded Finn so that she could walk unaided. Dakota and Candice walked ahead, looking around for signs of a town car.

“It’s just up here,” Finn called out, pointing to the end of the street where the streetlights had gone out. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Dakota and Candice disappeared from view, and Finn ushered Christina to where the car was waiting, just out of sight of the main road. Except there was no car. Candice and Dakota turned around, clearly confused. There is no car . Christina wheeled around to face Finn, the adrenaline now pumping away the alcohol that had been making her fuzzy and slow. Finn was stood still just a couple of feet away, and he spoke slowly.