“What color was it?”
He waited for the answer. “Like the brass sculptures on the church.”
Bingo!
Her captor had to be the head of this particular trafficking ring. All Luckey had to do now was find him and nail him.
“I know who I’m looking for,” he announced, elated, when he saw Vic coming out of TJ’s office a half hour later. “How did the raid go?”
Vic’s black eyes flashed. “Your plan to arrest the man out in the car for stalking worked like magic and opened up the worst can of worms you ever saw. The spa has been shut down and the men arrested. They’re still being interrogated.”
“No one’s given up the name of the mastermind yet?”
“They will. I just got out of a meeting with the boss to let him know what’s been happening. He’s wanted to clean up that area of downtown for years. This is a big win for the department, thanks to you.”
No. It was thanks to Ally. “I couldn’t have done this without your help, Vic. There’ll be more wins when we catch this fork-tongued dragon.”
His friend squinted at him. “Forked tongue? Is that a secret code or something?”
“A secret code from a secret language. Come down to my office while I check my emails and I’ll explain. First, though, I need to call Ally.”
“While you do that I’ll get us some coffee and doughnuts.”
Luckey sank down in his chair and phoned her.
She answered on the second ring. “I was hoping it was you!”
“Where are you, Ally?”
“I just got home from the university. What’s happening?”
“The spa has been closed down and the men arrested. But the big news is I’ve identified the guy responsible for this trafficking ring. I’m positive he’s the one who kidnapped the victim in the morgue. Ally, it’s looking more and more like she may be Yu Tan.”
“Oh, Luckey...”
“There’s more. He also kidnapped Shan and one of the other girls we picked up at the spa. She’s Indonesian. I just came back from talking to her. With the information I got from the three women, I have the description I need to go after this pervert.”
“Were we right when we thought the victim at the morgue had written an important clue?”
“Absolutely, and she provided more than one. We’re now looking for a tall, muscular American with brass-colored hair, who speaks Indonesian, Xiang and Mandarin, smells of garlic and holds awards in gymnastics and kung fu. I’m going to get him, Ally. Give me until Saturday, then I’m all yours. I’ll call you tomorrow night to arrange a definite time to come and pick you up.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Take care. You’re the most important person in my life.”
As he hung up, Vic walked into the office with the coffee and doughnuts. He darted Luckey a meaningful glance. “Guess I don’t need to ask how things are going between you two. Jeremy wants you to bring Ally over to the house. She has received my son’s seal of approval.”
“She’s got mine, too, Vic. All I have to do is solve this case so I can concentrate on the two of us.”
“I hear you.”
“Take a look at these rap sheets. After what I know now, I think the last one is the ringleader.”
Vic walked around the desk and studied them. He read the last one aloud.
“‘Robert D. Martin, known to hold a US and Chinese passport, is sought for the armed robbery of eight million dollars from a security company in Las Vegas. He took two security employees hostage at gunpoint, handcuffed them and injected them with a poison, killing them. Fled to China and is still at large. Fluent in Xiang. Has awards in kung fu and gymnastics. Aliases are: Dino Morten, Bobo Marten, Sid Marteen, Momo Demott, Angelo Martin. Carries a .32 caliber pistol.’”
Vic lifted his head. “I think you’re right about this one.”