Break the Silence (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Kane smiled at her in the darkness. “That’s my girl.”

Nine

Tuesday

As he had little to occupy his day, he decided it was time for more observation. He slid his vehicle into a space at the back of the student parking lot and turned off the engine. He could remain in his vehicle all day if he chose to. No one policed entry into the designated parking areas—such was the security around campus. It was a terrorist’s dream. The weaknesses in the school’s defense amused him. The wired CCTV system was sporadic and didn’t cover all entrances. Anyone could easily disable it by cutting the power source or simply aiming a laser pointer at the lens of a camera to disable it for a couple of hours. Laser pointers were the easiest option as the beam travels long distances and the user could remain hidden.

Using his drone, he’d followed six security guards as they patrolled the complex. Another three worked in a small office surrounded by screens, viewing the CCTV footage or issuing ID cards to the students. It hadn’t taken too much time to discover they worked eight-hour shifts, so at any time, only two men strolled around and none of them worried too much about security. In fact, for most of the time they were either smoking, eating, or chatting to each other about sports. He wondered if he arrived carrying an AK-47 and strolled through the hallways killing at random, would they stand and fight or turn tail and run? He decided on the latter.

He set up his iPad and made himself comfortable then maneuvered his tiny drone to rise up into the air and scan the area. The minute panoramic camera and sensitive speaker gave superior clarity of picture and sound. As small as a hummingbird, it wouldn’t attract attention and landed perfectly on the windowsill outside the football players’ locker room. He listened with interest at the conversations; not one mentioned the suicide. It seemed the death of Jacobs—and the player the coach would pick to take his place on the team—consumed them. As the team members left the locker area to shower before heading to class, he zoomed in and listened to a hushed conversation between Dylan Court and Pete Devon.

“Seth’s found another girl. He wants to meet her later tonight at the pool. She gets there around eight thirty.” Court wasn’t looking at Devon; his eyes were constantly scanning the locker room. “You’ll be doing laps as usual and he’ll go to watch. You told us no one else goes there that late at night, so no one will see him talking to her. When she’s finished, he can follow her out and use his charm to get her to come to the house on Saturday night.”

“I figure we should cool it for a couple of weeks.” Devon rubbed the sweat from the end of his nose with the back of his hand and then shook his head. “Jesus, you’re talking about Brook? Hell, man—I know her.”

“Yeah, she’s a loner and a perfect choice.” Court snorted with amusement. “Her mother lives alone.” He poked Devon in the chest. “Come on now, don’t tell me she doesn’t deserve it. You’ve seen her teasing the guys.”

“Nah, touch her and she’ll squeal like a stuck pig.” Devon glared at him. “Her father works for the DA’s office.” He shook his head. “I’m not going there, man.”

“Dammit.” Court punched his locker door. “Seth won’t like it. We’ll find someone else. What about that new girl, Emily Wolfe? Seth has her on his list.”

“She’s hot.” Devon smiled. “I like blondes but she’ll take time, she’s a loner.”

“Hmmm.” Court stared into space. “I guess we could ride out to Aunt Betty’s tonight after dinner and see who is hanging in town?”

“No can do.” Devon stripped off and wrapped a towel around his waist. “Coach said if I don’t do laps every night to build muscle over the injury from last season, I’m on the bench. I’ll be done by nine thirty though, I’ll join you then.” He headed for the shower.

The drone returned with swift efficiency and he stowed it away then leaned back in his seat, contemplating the information. He remembered the coach’s wrath—vividly. One small infringement of his rules and a player could be outed. The fat, balding, loud-mouthed man was no role model for his players. He’d be the first one in his sights if he ever decided to return with that AK-47. He smiled into the sunshine at the visual image of the coach riddled with bullets and then his thoughts returned to the conversation in the locker room. Such loyal friends, but if they wanted to survive, they’d need to keep their mouths shut.

Ten

Ears ringing from an overindulgence of coffee and eyes heavy with lack of sleep, Jenna scanned the files, making sure every detail was up to date. After obtaining the approval of Chrissie’s parents and running her idea by the DA, the callout for other victims of rape went out over the media. The Victims of Crime hotline workers would be handling the delicate issue but no one had come forward yet. Jenna had checked out any dropouts from the college as well. She’d followed up four from the previous year and been shut down each time. All had insisted they’d moved college for logical reasons and didn’t want to be involved in her line of questioning. So she had nothing to tie Lyons to any blackmail conspiracy or rape. Chrissie’s roommate would be her only chance of getting some information or even gossip about what really happened on campus.

She’d called the college, and rather than pull Livi out of class, she’d decided to wait and speak to her at eleven, when she had a break. If Kane went with her, he could hunt down Phillip Stein and find out his story.

When a shadow crossed the door, she glanced up. “Ah, Rowley, what have you found for me?” She waved him into a seat.

“Not much.” Rowley sat and glanced down at his iPad. “Lyons is the son of John Wakelin Lyons, old money with shares in just about everything, from housing to goldmines.” He frowned. “Lyons is what I’d call the usual bad boy and spent most of his first year suspended, but then everything changed when he became quarterback. He’s an integral part of the team and lives a charmed life on campus. It seems he can do no wrong, and if he’s caught skirting the rules, it goes by unchallenged. Although, he was asked to move his friends off campus after a number of fights broke out in one of the dorms.”

Jenna tapped the pen between her fingers on the desk. “Hmm, so I figure his father pays off any potential problems?”

“Seems so.” Rowley cleared his throat. “There is a division in the team to some extent: Lyons has the team members from wealthy families in the house off campus, and I figure they’re under his protection.”

“How so?” Jenna placed the pen on the table.

“Well, although they’ve been implicated in incidents over the last couple of years, nothing is on their records, and nothing has been reported to us at all.” Rowley gave her a troubled stare. “And I’ve checked them all out. Trust me. No one is that squeaky-clean.”

“I gather all the guys in the house with Lyons are important team members as well?” Jenna shook her head. “Winning is everything, so I guess the dean lets things slide rather than lose a darn football game.”

“Yeah, it’s important for them to win.” Rowley leaned back in his seat. “The chance to impress a scout and turn professional is the dream. It looks good for the school too.” He glanced down at his notes. “I hunted down everything I could find on Chrissie as well. Normal kid who won a full scholarship to college, well liked, quiet, studious girl. She’s never had as much as a detention. Her family lives in town, including a grandpa and one cousin—but decided to live on campus.” He lifted his gaze. “That’s all I have, ma’am. Do you want me to go out on patrol now? We have an influx of visitors. Main Street looks like a lineup at Aunt Betty’s on discount Fridays.”

With the rodeo in town, it would only be a matter of time before all hell broke loose. The last thing she needed during rodeo week was a desk full of unsolved cases. Jenna glanced at the clock. “Ah, sure, but wait until Deputy Walters arrives. He’s due in soon and I want someone here. I’ll be heading out with Kane around eleven to interview Livi Johnson, and then we’re going straight to Alex Jacobs’ autopsy.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Rowley stood. ?

??I heard from Wolfe. Jacobs’ parents will be arriving this afternoon to view the body.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll go and update the files with this info before I leave.” He headed for the door.

Jenna made a few notes in her daybook then looked up when Kane poked his head around the door. She could always count on Kane to arrive bearing food and couldn’t help smiling as he slipped inside the door carrying freshly brewed coffee and takeout bags from Aunt Betty’s Café. She took the coffee from him. “Don’t tell me you’ve decided since we have to work through lunch attending an autopsy, it would be good to eat at ten?”