Paradox (FBI Thriller 22)

“My son, he’s with Octavia’s coffin. I’ll be all right.” Still, Ty found another couple, brought them over to stay with him.

Sala’s cell phone rang. He was about to let it go to voice mail but then saw the call was from Dirk, the agent now manning the Star of David belt buckle hotline.

“Dirk, Sala here. What’s up?”

“I heard about the explosion, the fire. Are you guys all right?”

“Yes, we think everyone got out, no life-threatening injuries, I don’t think, but the cathedral is badly damaged, burning. The area is cordoned off. Firefighters and cops are everywhere, but things seem under control. What’s happened on your end?”

“A woman called me, name was Gunny—didn’t give her last name—to see what she should do about Mr. Henry’s belt buckle, and the secret. Then I heard something in the background, movement, and then someone’s harsh breathing. I heard Gunny gasp, and the phone went dead. I think something violent could have happened to her. I called her number, but no answer. I’m thinking her phone got smashed.”

Sala felt a surge of adrenaline. “Where did she call from?”

“She was near the corner of Fourth and Maple in Haggersville. This was three minutes ago. I called the police in Haggersville, spoke to Chief Masters. I could tell he was really upset when I said her name, and he was out the door fast. I think you and Chief Christie should get there as soon as possible.”

“We’re on our way. If you hear anything from the chief, give him my cell.” Sala caught up with Savich, who was speaking to a teenager dressed in cut-off denim shorts, a baggy T-shirt, and sneakers, and she was over-the-moon excited. Savich saw him, raised a hand. Sala stopped and listened.

“I was skateboarding with some kids down Pulman Avenue, a block from here. I think I saw the guy who bombed Father McKay’s church. That fire was so cool—” Her face froze. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I know,” Savich said. “It’s all right. What’s your name?”

“Ellie, Ellie Corrigan.”

“Okay, Ellie, tell me what you saw.”

“I saw a guy standing beside an old banged-up green car—I think it was a Kia, like my brother’s. He was watching the church burning and listening to people screaming, watching them run. He was hollering and waving his fist, like he was happy, and then I heard a girl laughing, and she yelled out, ‘Wham! Kill the bugs!’?” Ellie shuddered. “She sounded crazy wild. Do you want me to come with you and give a statement? Like on TV, you know?”

Savich felt a cold chill. Those were nearly the exact words Lissy’s mother had said during the bank robbery in Georgetown. Kill the bugs. Lissy probably learned it at her mother’s knee. No, there had to be an explanation, had to be.

“Yes, I know. Ellie, you said it was really banged up. How?”

“It had all these scratches and what looked like holes—” Her eyes popped. “Bullet holes? Were all those holes from bullets?”

He nodded. “Did you see the Kia’s license plate?”

Her face fell. Savich quickly pulled out a small notebook from his coat pocket and handed it to her. “It’s okay. Ellie, write down your cell number and your address. I might be calling you later. And yes, tell your parents how much you helped the FBI.”

She grinned really big, showing perfect white teeth. Savich watched her hop back on her skateboard and steer toward the teens who’d been watching them.

Sala said, “Nesser?”

Savich nodded. “Did you hear? She said she heard a girl’s laugh, heard her yell, ‘Wham! Kill the bugs!’?”

“I heard.”

“Victor’s still driving the green Kia. We still don’t have a license plate, but how hard can it be to find?”

They both watched Ellie Corrigan get swallowed up in the small knot of kids, doubtless telling them she’d seen it all.

Sala said, “Here’s Ty. Hey, are you okay?”

She pushed her hair out of her face. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She looked back at the crowds of people. “I saw a lot of bravery back there. Sala, you look ready to jump out of your skin. What’s going on?”

34

* * *

ON THE ROAD TO HAGGERSVILLE, MARYLAND