Дэвид Балдаччи - Walk the Wire

“She may be more important to us in death than she was in life. But I for one believe that every death such as she suffered must lead to justice, and punishment.”

Blue Man gave him a curt nod, and Robie rose to go back to work.

“Look out for Decker and his partner with the greatest care, Robie.”

Will Robie didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to.

“Sumter hasn’t gotten back to me,” said Kelly as he joined Decker and Jamison by prearrangement in the lobby of their hotel. He had on a gray two-piece suit and white shirt, but instead of scuffed boots he wore black loafers.

“That’s telling,” said Decker.

“The DoD works like a glacier, at least that’s been my experience.”

“Sumter came here about a year ago?”

“That’s right, when the operation of the facility transitioned.”

“What do you know about Vector?”

“Not much. But they got a lot of people over there. And most of them carry weapons. The very serious kind.”

“Got a question,” said Decker.

“Shoot.”

“Why all the ambulances over at the Air Force station? Sumter said it was a really safe place, no accidents, so I don’t see the need.”

Kelly looked at him shrewdly. “You asked that when we were over there.”

“And I didn’t get an answer. Thought I’d tee it up again.”

“You think I’m supposed to know?”

“I think you might have an opinion.”

“Well, the easiest answer is all military facilities prepare for worst case, so having ambulances there might just be for that reason.”

“And it might not. Lot of security there for a radar array. I mean, it’s not like someone can go in and steal that pyramid.”

“But they can sabotage it,” countered Kelly.

“Okay, I’ll give you that one,” conceded Decker.

“Why do you care about any of that?” asked Kelly.

“I care if there’s something going on over there that might be tied to Irene Cramer.”

“I don’t see a connection.”

“It’s our job to find one, if there is one.”

“Well, like I said, I’ve heard nothing back.”

“Then we have to move forward in other directions.”

“And where would that be?” asked Kelly.

“I’d like to go back to the Brothers’ Colony.”

“What do you expect to get there?”

“Irene Cramer worked there. We might have missed something. At the very least we can talk to other people. A lead might shake out from that.”

“I’ll give them a heads-up that we’re coming. But let’s tread carefully. They’ve all been hit hard by this.”

“I’m sure they have. And the sooner we solve this, the sooner they can get on with their lives. The not knowing probably isn’t good for them.”

“That’s a fair point,” conceded Kelly. He suddenly gave Decker a hard stare. “Some young punks went to the hospital the other night with assorted injuries. Nothing too serious. You know anything about that?”

“Why would I?”

“They didn’t file a police report, but one of my guys was over there interviewing some other dumbbells who got into an altercation. That’s how he hooked up with them. They said it was a couple of really big, rough-looking guys who took them out. Six against two, and the two kicked some serious ass. Surprised they admitted to that, but I think even they were impressed. Sure you don’t know anything about that?”

“Lot of really big, rough-looking guys in this town.”

“Yeah, there are,” said Kelly, not looking convinced.

“You want to call the Brothers so we can head out?” said Decker. “I’ll go bring the SUV around.”

He left Kelly and Jamison there.

Kelly eyed her. “So what exactly is going on?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You going down the obfuscation road, too?”

“Wow, that’s an SAT word if ever I heard one.”

“Where do you think I got it?” replied Kelly.

On the drive out to the Colony they passed the All-American Energy Company’s oil well site, which bordered both the Brothers’ land and the Air Force station.

“Colonel Sumter really hates all this stuff right next to his installation,” said Jamison. “I guess I can understand that. I mean, what if there’s an accident with one of those oil rigs, a fire or something? It could affect what he’s doing over there.”

Kelly stuck an unlighted cigarette in his mouth. “Like shooting fish in a barrel.”

“What is?” asked Jamison.

“Drilling for oil around here.”

“You ever think about getting into the fracking business?” asked Jamison.

He shook his head. “I prefer steadier work. It’s not like crime is ever going to go away.” Kelly glanced at Decker. “If you weren’t a cop, what would you be?”

“Unemployed,” answered Decker quite truthfully.

Milton Ames and Peter Gunther were waiting for them in the dining hall. They were dressed the same as before, but each man seemed paler, with Ames looking feeble and disoriented.

He mumbled, “When can we have Pammie’s remains? We have to bury her properly.”

“I’ll let you know as soon as possible, Milton,” said Kelly in a gentle tone. “It shouldn’t be too much longer.”

“Do they... did they have to, you know?”

“They had to perform an autopsy, yes,” said Jamison quietly. “It’s legally required under the circumstances.”

“I... I guess so. Susan keeps asking. She... we... want to...”

Kelly said, “We’re doing all we can, please believe that.”

“I do, Joe. Thank you.”

Decker said, “I know you didn’t keep a file on Cramer’s documents, but after she gave you the information about her undergraduate degree, did you check with Amherst to see if she actually went there?”

Ames said firmly, “No, we didn’t. Why would she lie about that?”

Gunther chimed in, “And why would someone come all the way out here with a made-up story? We can’t pay a lot. What would be her motive to lie to us about her past? I just don’t see it.”

“Well, if she wanted to disappear but needed a job to support herself?” said Jamison. “That would be one motive.”

Gunther’s expression showed clearly that he did not believe this to be a plausible explanation.

Jamison said, “Did she give you references from past places of work that you could check out? She’d been out of school for about eight years. She had to have held other jobs in the meantime.”

Gunther and Ames exchanged a glance.

Decker said, “During job interviews, you always ask about a potential hire’s experience. You check references.”

Gunther placed his hands together and said quietly, “We needed a teacher and... and she was the only one to apply for the job. It’s not like we could be choosy.”

“Teaching is a lot of work,” added Ames. “And a person could come here and make twice what we were offering just to be a cashier at a truck stop. So when she applied for the position we were thrilled.”

“In fact, I imagine you were desperate for someone?” said Jamison.

“Yes.”

“How’d she find out you needed a teacher in the first place?” asked Decker.

Gunther answered. “We placed an ad online and also in the local paper. She apparently saw it and came in. She interviewed very well. She brought model lesson plans with her, seemed very well prepared to teach our children, and appeared happy and well-adjusted. And she had done a very good job for the time that she was here. Susan told you that herself, if you recall.”

Ames said, “But why all these questions about Irene’s past? How is that relevant to what happened to her? She was a prostitute. Don’t a lot of them have bad things happen to them? I mean, it’s just the nature of the beast, isn’t it?”