33
Maureen waited outside the Big Man for LaValle to lock up, then walked him to his car. He said nothing to her when she thanked him for his patience. When she offered him a business card, he wouldn’t take it from her. She stood a few long moments in the street after he’d driven away. One of his taillights was out. She’d stop by the bar one night and let him know. Before he got pulled over and ticketed.
On her way back to the car, she pulled out her phone and called Atkinson.
“Very strange,” Atkinson said. “I was about to call you.”
“Where are you?”
“In the East,” Atkinson said. “A domestic double. Father and son, it looks like. Just when you think you’ve seen it all.” Maureen heard the snick of her lighter as she lit a smoke. “We pulled a second print off the handle of Madison Leary’s razor.”
“Any idea who?”
“An idea, yes,” Atkinson said, “but we haven’t heard back on it yet. I may have to hit up Detillier for help, those FBI resources. Anyway, what’s on your mind?”
“I may have something for you on the Watchmen murders.”
“Do tell.”
“Me and the others have been working CIs in the neighborhood,” Maureen said. “We’ve uncovered an apartment that Clayton Gage used in the weeks before he was killed. We know he did Watchmen business there. And we know Caleb Heath was there, too.”
“An apartment where?”
“Right here in Central City,” Maureen said. “In the Harmony Oaks development.”
“Wow. Okay. That makes sense. You found Cooley’s body right across that empty lot from there. And it explains what Gage was doing uptown when he was killed. Could be where he was headed with Madison the night you pulled them over.”
“I was thinking the same things,” Maureen said. She leaned against the hood of the cruiser.
“So you’re there now?” Atkinson asked. “At the apartment?”
“No,” Maureen said. “I’m on the street. I’m going back on patrol. I told Detillier about it.”
“Does he think Leon Gage is in there?” Atkinson asked. “There’s a weird logic to it. A hide-in-plain-sight thing.”
“I didn’t get that impression,” Maureen said. “Though Detillier told me he was dispatching agents to watch the building. We don’t know exactly which apartment it is, but we know which building. He’s getting a warrant and a team to search the place in the morning. And of course, they’ll pick him up if he tries to get there, or if he’s in there and tries to leave.”
“Did you tell Detillier about Caleb Heath being at the apartment?”
“I did not.”
“Keep it that way,” Atkinson said. “As an extra precaution. I’m sure you asked him to let you in on the raid?”
“I did. He said he’d keep me in the loop.”
“Listen, I may need a favor from you,” Atkinson said. “As a professional courtesy, early tomorrow morning, Detillier should let me know that he’s found this apartment, since I have a murder victim with a history there. He should invite me over for a look around. If he doesn’t do that, I’m going to need you to let me know what’s happening so I can be there. I want a look at that apartment whether the FBI has their manners or not.”
“You got it,” Maureen said. “I’ll keep you posted on everything.”
“I have to ask,” Atkinson said. “How did you make this happen?”
Maureen tried to suppress the pride she knew would flood her voice. “We got to Shadow.”
“Really?” Atkinson said, astonished. “You have Shadow? You flipped Shadow?”
“I had Shadow,” Maureen said. “I had to do some dealing to get the information. So he’s back on the streets. But he walked away thinking that I now have whatever Quinn and Ruiz had over him, so I don’t know if he’s flipped, but he might be useful to us in the future. At least until he finds out I’m full of shit.”
Atkinson said nothing for so long that Maureen started getting nervous. Then the detective said, “That is good goddamn police work, Maureen. Well done. This is how good cops make a name for themselves, this right here is exactly it. Hell of a job, Officer. Preacher’s going to be real proud.” She paused. “I know I am.”
“Thank you,” Maureen said. She had decided only a year ago to be a cop, but Atkinson’s praise sounded like words she’d been waiting her whole life to hear. She didn’t know whether to jump up and down or burst into tears. “That means a lot. I’m just happy to help, on a day like today, especially.”
“You’re welcome,” Atkinson said. “Have you seen Preacher? I heard he came through surgery okay, that he’s doing pretty good.”
“He is,” Maureen said. “He’s in pain, and he’s rattled, but who wouldn’t be? I’ll probably stop by one more time before I head home, whenever that is. I’ll tell him you asked after him.”
“Anthony’s with him, I take it?”