“So that’s why you wanted to talk to Stevens,” said Lancaster.
Decker nodded. “I think Frankie Richards overheard the conversation between his father and Katz, and told Stevens about it when he saw him, or maybe he phoned him. The call came in on a holiday and both father and son were presumably home. Whatever Frankie told Stevens about that phone call, Stevens then told others. And they arranged things and the very next night they came and killed them all. That’s how they picked that night and also the location, since Richards was probably expecting Katz to come over anyway. That seems to be what the phone call between the two was about.”
Mars said, “And maybe they picked that night because they knew Susan Richards wouldn’t be home. It might be that she knew nothing about what they were planning to discuss.”
Lancaster said, “So we figure out what they were planning to discuss, this whole thing unravels.”
“They only had one known connection. The American Grill restaurant.”
“Which Rachel Katz still owns and operates,” said Mars. “And that’s puzzling, since she told me she’ll probably make more in a month at her nightclub than the American Grill does in six months.”
“And she’s got all these other projects going, so it’s a wonder she wants to keep the place,” said Decker.
Mars said, “She told me it was because it was her husband’s first deal. But the lady didn’t strike me as being all that nostalgic.”
“And she also told you she brings the local know-how and her partners bring the cash,” noted Decker.
“You think her money partners are involved in all this?” asked Lancaster.
“I don’t know. But if they are, they would have had to have been around thirteen years ago. It might be worthwhile digging into who they are.”
“Whoever it is, they must have some serious connections inside Travis Correctional,” commented Lancaster.
“How do you want to go about doing this with Rachel?” asked Decker. “They already know we’re snooping around from our meeting with Stevens. I don’t want to spook them even more.”
Mars said, “What about me?”
“What about you what?” asked Lancaster.
“Lady clearly likes me.”
“The lady also knows you work with us,” said Decker.
“She told me a lot last night. Maybe she’ll tell me some more.”
“I don’t like it,” said Lancaster.
“I don’t like it either,” said Decker. “But it might be our best shot. And at the same time, we can find out who her partners are. There has to be paperwork filed with all of her projects.”
“Okay, I’ll get rolling on that,” said Lancaster. She pointed her finger at Mars. “This is not fun and games. These people are killers.”
“Yeah,” said Mars. “Which is why we’re going after them.”
“You think you know a lot about killers?”
“Well, I was on death row all those years.”
Lancaster looked at Decker. “Will you tell him to be serious?”
“He is being serious, Mary.”
Lancaster whirled back around to stare suspiciously at Mars.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “Turns out I was innocent. Only cost me twenty years of my life and ruined any shot I had at playing in the NFL.”
“Damn,” said Lancaster. “That sucks.”
“Oh, it more than sucks, trust me.”
“How are you going to approach it with Katz?” asked Decker.
“Look, she probably thinks she can work on me and get details about the investigation. She tried doing that last night. I didn’t give her much, but I did give her a taste here and there. I can let her think she’s making inroads. And I’ll do the same with her.” He paused. “And there’s something off with her.”
“What do you mean?” asked Lancaster.
“I’m not sure. She’s attractive, she’s got money, education. But she feels like a loner to me. How come she never remarried? And why is she always so guarded about everything? When I asked about meeting her business partners, she didn’t look comfortable with that at all.”
“You could be right,” remarked Lancaster.
“And if we end up in a place where I can snoop around, I will.”
“Whoa, now you think you’re some kind of, what, spy?” said Lancaster.
“Well, my girlfriend is a spy.”
“Now you’re bullshitting me, right?”
Mars held up his right hand. “God’s honest truth.”
She looked at Decker, who nodded. “Military intelligence.”
“Sonofabitch,” exclaimed Lancaster. “You have a whole new class of friends, Amos.”
“Hey, if you don’t grow, you wither, right?” said Mars.
Decker put a hand on his shoulder. “All that aside, this is dangerous, Melvin. You’re not going into this clean. They know what side you’re on. Things can go sideways fast. If you sense any of that happening, you need to get out, pronto.”
“I’ve always been fast, Decker, you know that from our college football days.”
Lancaster said, “Wait a minute, you two played football against each other?”
“Longhorn versus Buckeye,” said Mars. “And guess who won?”
“You did,” said Decker. “And I hope you win again. Because unlike our college football matchup, I’m rooting for you.”
Mars smiled, but when he saw the look Decker was giving him he gripped his shoulder and said, “Look, I know this isn’t a game. But people have been killed. For no reason other than some assholes decided they didn’t get to live anymore, and that included kids. If I can help you take them down, then I will.”
Lancaster exchanged a glance with Decker. “You have seriously upgraded your friends, Amos.”
“I know,” he said. “And I want to keep them.”
Chapter 47
“What the hell is he doing here?”
Decker, Mars, and Lancaster were walking into the police station the next morning when Childress stormed across the front lobby to confront them.
Decker eyed the police superintendent, who was attempting to stare him down. “I’m observing,” he replied. “Like I was told I could. Natty’s on board with it.”
“I don’t give a damn if Natty’s on board with it.” Childress put a finger in Decker’s face. “And I know damn well that you’re hardly just ‘observing.’ You’re working this case, I know you are, because I know you.”
“Then you know that I want to get to the truth.”
In a scoffing tone, Childress said, “You think you can just waltz back in here and try to do our work for us? We’re perfectly capable of investigating this case ourselves. We don’t need you or the FBI to help us.” He glanced at Mars. “Are you FBI?”
“No, just your friendly neighborhood vigilante.”
“Nothing wrong with cooperation,” interjected Decker. “Happens all the time.” He glanced at Lancaster but was not surprised to see her remain silent. This was her job, this was how she supported her family. And with her health issues, Childress could make her life miserable.
Now Childress got right in Decker’s face. “Just remember that we are still pressing charges against you. And you still have a court date to keep. Hired that lawyer yet? Because you’re going to need one.”
“Well, I won’t be hiring Ken Finger.”
Childress drew back. “Why not? He’s got a good reputation.”
“Yeah, he did such a bang-up job for Meryl Hawkins.”
“Hell! The world’s greatest lawyer couldn’t have gotten Hawkins off. The forensic case was overwhelming.”