Identity (20 page)
Authors: K. J. Cazel
Steve sat across from Tom who was working on his case files. He knew Tom had a lot on his plate, but he had to ask.
“So, have you called Sarah for the Easter buffet at your sister’s?”
“And, you’re asking why?”
“I was with Carole last night and she told me you hadn’t called Sarah.”
“As long as we’re asking questions, what’s up with you and Carole? Anything serious?”
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but as long as you asked, I plan on proposing to her on her birthday.”
“Big steps. I’m happy for you.”
“You can’t get off that easy. When are you going to call Sarah?”
“I really like her. I’m just not sure she’s ready for any relationships.”
“My personal source says she wouldn’t mind a relationship with you.”
“Okay. I get the picture. I’ll call her tonight.”
***
The captain stopped by Tom’s desk and handed him the FBI report on the bombing at the restaurant. Tom quickly read through the report to the final disposition on the last page. It was determined that it was not a hate crime. They referred the case to the Chicago Police Department for further investigation.
“Anything interesting?”
“The Feds have dropped out of the bombing case. Now our hands aren’t tied by their investigation.”
“I hope it isn’t too late to find out who did this. Let’s interview the Fed’s witnesses.”
***
Later that evening Tom decided to call Sarah. As he was reaching for the phone, it began to ring.
“Tom Cassell.”
“Mr. Cassell, Weber here.”
“You have news for me?”
“Yes, your sister was released on bond by a woman’s advocacy group. They have a halfway house located on Colorado Boulevard. Unfortunately, I can’t get in there to see your sister.”
“Give me that address. And, I want the current address for Sergio Rizzo too.”
After Weber gave Tom the needed information, he asked, “Is there anything else you need?”
“Not at the present time. Are we okay on payment?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. If I need your services again, I’ll be in touch.
***
Tom looked at his watch. It was too late call Sarah now. Besides he had to make plans. It was more important to find Ginny than to be worrying about his love life.
He began shuffling through his desk drawers. “Damn, where is that phone book,” he mumbled to himself. When he found it, he went to ‘Airplane’ and followed the column down until he found what he was looking for, ‘Jet charter flights.’ He wrote down the number on the back of his detective business card. His second task was to look at his schedule. The calendar showed that he wasn’t going to have a break for several weeks and that wasn’t good. He had to get to Los Angeles before his leads were lost.
Tom arrived at the precinct an hour before the beginning of the shift. He knew the captain would not like to hear Tom’s request for a week vacation now. There was an ongoing investigation on the bombing of the restaurant, but Tom knew Steve could handle it. Worse case scenario he could work with Sloan again.
“Come in Tom and have a seat.”
“All right Tom, I know this isn’t a social call. What’s on your mind?”
“I have to ask for a week of vacation effective immediately.”
“Are you having some kind of health problem?”
“No. I have some personal business that has to be addressed immediately.”
“Tom, can’t this wait? You know we have several big investigations going on.”
“I’m afraid not. Hopefully, this will be the end of my special requests.”
“I don’t think he’s going to like working with Sloan again.”
“Hey, you’re early. What’s up?”
“I was just leaving you a note. I’ll be gone for the next week.”
“Taking a week to go to Los Angeles. I have the address where Ginny might be.”
“The captain approved you taking off?”
“Not only that, he is going to arrange for you to work with Sloan.”
Steve shook his head. “Please, please find your sister. I can’t work with that man.”
“I’ll do my damndest.”
***
Two hours later, Tom was packed and taking the Kennedy out to Wheeling Executive Airport. The rush hour traffic had already cleared. A private jet was waiting to take him to Los Angeles. It was times like that this that Tom was glad he had the funds to make all this possible.
Upon his arrival at the Wheeling Executive Airport, he went directly through the terminal to the waiting jet. The pilot, upon seeing Tom’s identification, ushered him into the plane. Tom went back into the cabin and took one of the grey leather seats. He was the only passenger on the plane. He readjusted himself in the seat and removed his holster and gun and placed it on the seat next to him. If it wasn’t for the fact that he may have some use for his gun, he could have taken a commercial flight to Los Angeles. Once buckled in, he closed his eyes. As the plane took off, Tom had already fallen asleep.
“Ciao.
“My informant in Chicago says that Detective Cassell is in route to Los Angeles as we are speaking.”
“Figlio di Troia. Make sure that man doesn’t harm Sergio!”
“Si, Si. I will make sure he doesn’t.”
Tom’s first stop was the Holiday Inn Express in Van Nuys. He engaged the GPS and keyed in the address. It was just a short three-mile drive. His room reservation was ready and Tom went to his room to freshen up before searching for Ginny. He took a soda, sat down and spread the map out on the table. He determined the
fastest way to get to Glendale was the 405 to the 134. If he left now, he could avoid the LA rush hour.
Meanwhile, three cars east of Tom’s parked car was the bla
ck SUV.
Before Tom returned to his hotel, he stopped at the McDonald’s drive through. The black SUV was just two cars behind him. He bought a Big Mac and fries. He would choose one of the drinks in the hotel courtesy bar.
“Tom, I thought you were in Los Angeles?”
“The magic of Alexander Bell.”
“I’d be delighted. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Jenny.”
“Great. The second reason why I called is that I need Carole’s help. Could you give me her number.”
In the next few minutes a courtesy conversation took place before Tom said that he had to get in touch with Carole
before she left work. With the two-hour time difference he hoped she hadn’t left the office early. Tom punched in Carole’s number. The phone rang three times before Carole picked up.
From Tom’s hesitant voice, she asked, “Tom is there something I can help you with?”
“Her name is Kari Mason. She lives on Colorado Boulevard in Burbank.”
“Okay, Tom. I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Thanks Carole. By the way, I called Sarah. I’ll be bringing her on Sunday.”
Tom cleaned up and prepared to leave the hotel. He called down to the front desk to have his rental car ready. As he was leaving his room, he went to his suitcase and retrieved his Glock 19. He checked to make sure the safety was on. He couldn’t carry it in California because he didn’t have a concealed weapon license. Tom planned to store the gun in the car’s center console. If he ran into trouble, he would be ready. He walked over to the desk and placed the gun in the McDonald’s bag.
***
After getting breakfast, he drove to the Colorado address. He was still unaware that the black SUV was following him. As Tom approached the driveway, he slowed down and drove up the hillside. He stopped on the side of the old three-story Victorian. He stepped out of the car and walked to the back of the house to get the lay of the land. He noticed that there was a street that backed up to the lot. The fenced back yard was well groomed. He could see that there was a one-car garage on the corner of the lot with three garbage cans placed along the side.
Tom went back to the front door and rang the bell. He waited for about a minute before he heard someone coming to the door. The door opened. A woman in her forties opened the door. She was wearing a tee shirt and blue jeans. Tom could tell that she wasn’t wearing any make-up, but she didn’t need it.
“Yes.”
“Ms. Mason?”
“Who wants to know?”
“I’m Tom Cassell. I’m Ginger Nash’s brother.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know any Ginger Nash.”
“I was told you posted bond for her about two months ago.”
“Whoever told you this is sadly mistaken. You’ll have to leave.”
With that, Mason closed the door. It was obvious to Tom that he wasn’t going to get any information from her. He was going to have to go at it another way.
***
Kari Mason went to the staircase and called up, “Ginny, would you come down here?”
