Maggie shuddered. ‘Because she wanted Anna’s money?’
‘Yes. In addition, she had to leave our jurisdiction to avoid detection, since she had already trafficked other victims here. More would have raised suspicion. Konstantine Rogolyi also told us that after Patti Tenderly moved to Pennsylvania, she trafficked one Samantha Silas, a junior at Lower Merion High School.’
‘All of the missing girls were trafficked?’ Maggie felt absolute disgust, even as she tried to piece the story together. ‘Patti, or PG, worked so quickly.’
‘She had to, to take advantage of the school year to meet her victims.’
‘So why did Connie kill her? My husband was wrongly convicted of that murder.’
‘I’ll explain, briefly.’ Chief Vogel glanced at the office, where the FBI, assistant U.S. attorneys, assistant district attorneys, and uniformed officers were leaving. ‘According to Konstantine Rogolyi’s statement, Patti Tenderly intended to recruit victims in Pennsylvania using your daughter’s identity until your daughter’s trust fund and inheritance paid out, at eighteen years old. Then Patti Tenderly would have collected the money and left your home. However, she feared that your husband was going to change the terms of the trust so she didn’t receive her payout until she was twenty-five. She didn’t want to wait that long for the money, so she sought to eliminate him by making false allegations in a PFA against him.’
Maggie put it together, appalled. ‘In other words, she filed the PFA to get him out of the house?’
‘Yes, but she feared that you might eventually reconcile with him. She formed a plan to frame your husband for another incident of sexual assault, which she was going to use to charge him criminally and ultimately to force you to divorce him. Konstantine Rogolyi pretended to go along with her plan, meanwhile forming his own plan to kill her.’
‘How?’
‘Unbeknownst to Patti Tenderly and Roy Watson, Konstantine Rogolyi felt that Patti was getting too big for her britches. So Konstantine Rogolyi went to your husband’s house before your husband was due to arrive, killed Patti Tenderly, and left without being detected.’
‘Oh my God,’ Maggie said, horrified. ‘So where’s Anna?’
‘Konstantine Rogolyi has just given us information about a location in the vicinity where the victims are being trafficked. We intend to raid that location immediately.’ Chief Vogel glanced over as the law-enforcement personnel emptied the squad room.
‘You mean you’re going to find Anna now?’ Maggie asked, her heart leaping.
‘I think it’s time for you to go to the Congreve Inn and wait to hear from us. Okay, folks?’ Chief Vogel glanced at Kathy and Caleb. ‘I will call you at my earliest opportunity –’
Maggie interrupted, ‘If you’re going to find Anna, I’m going with you.’
Chief Vogel raised his palm. ‘Folks, I would prefer it if you waited at the hotel. We will be attempting to apprehend criminals who are armed and dangerous. The victims are in further danger once the operation begins. We want to avoid a hostage situation. This will be a major, coordinated operation of federal and state law enforcement.’
‘I’m coming, Chief.’ Maggie turned to Kathy. ‘Kath, I think you should take Caleb to the hotel, don’t you?’
‘Yes, agree. We’ll go to the hotel.’ Kathy gave her a quick hug. ‘Good luck, honey. Be careful.’
‘Mag, I want to stay with you,’ Caleb said, taking her hand.
‘Honey, no. You heard the Chief.’ Maggie kissed him and gave him a hug. ‘Love you. See you as soon as I can, okay?’
Chief Vogel frowned. ‘Maggie, I’m advising you to wait at the hotel, too. Please.’
‘Thanks, but no,’ Maggie said. ‘I’m coming with you.’
Kathy interjected, ‘Chief Vogel, you have to take her with you. After all, you wouldn’t have cracked this case if it hadn’t been for her. You can thank her on the way.’
Chapter Eighty-three
Noah, After
Noah realized with horror the COs were going to put him in the cell with Drover, like a cage match. Adrenaline poured into his system. His heart began to pound. His breath came short and choppy. He no longer felt pain. He broke a sweat. He didn’t struggle because it would waste energy he needed.
‘Uncuff me,’ Noah said, wanting a fighting chance.
‘I don’t think so, doc.’ CO Evesham shoved Noah inside the cell.
Noah staggered in and fell, handcuffed. The door clanged shut and was locked behind him. He scrambled to his feet, backing up. He willed himself not to panic.
Drover advanced slowly, brandishing the shank, a jagged piece of metal with an adhesive-taped handle.
Noah edged backwards, thinking fast. If he drew Drover close enough, he could kick the knife from his hands or kick him in the crotch.
Drover advanced, grimacing. He swiped the air with the knife, toying with Noah. His dark eyes glittered. ‘You killed Jeremy.’
‘No I didn’t. I tried to save him.’ Noah backed closer to the door. Warm blood ran in rivulets down his face. He blinked it away. He was running out of space. He needed Drover to get closer still.
‘You wouldn’t sew him up.’ Drover swiped the air in the opposite direction.
‘It wouldn’t have helped.’ Noah felt his back against the door.
‘I’m going to carve you like they carved him.’
Noah heard shouting behind him. Heavy footsteps filled the hallway outside. Orders were being barked. ‘Get me out of here!’ he called out, kicking the door.
Drover made his move, lunging at Noah with the knife.
Noah jumped out of the way, just missing the blade.
Suddenly the cell door flew open. The CERT team, or Corrections Emergency Response Team, burst inside. They charged in a phalanx at Drover in black riot helmets, protective eyewear, and heavy body armor.
Noah sprang aside. The lead CERT team member brandished a man-sized plastic shield, used it to shove Drover backwards, and pressed him to the floor while Drover struggled, yelling obscenities. The other CERT members disarmed and handcuffed Drover, armed with pepper-ball delivery-system guns. It took them only a matter of minutes to haul Drover to his feet and out of the cell, still hollering.
Noah wiped the blood from his brow, shaken, and Deputy Warden McLaughlin entered with another CO, his expression grim behind his glasses.
‘CO Jimenez, uncuff Dr Alderman,’ he ordered, turning to Noah. ‘Dr Alderman, any injuries besides that cut on your forehead?’
‘Maybe a broken rib, but I could have been killed.’ Noah tried to collect his thoughts. ‘You see what happened? I assume you spoke with my lawyer. I’m in danger in Graterford. You have to transfer me out of here.’
‘We’ll do you one better.’ Deputy Warden McLaughlin smiled. ‘You’re going to be a free man, Dr Alderman.’
‘What?’ Noah asked, bewildered. ‘How?’
‘Your lawyer got a call from your wife. She’s up in Maine with the FBI. They have a man named Konstantine Rogolyi in custody, and he confessed to the murder of Patti Tenderly on May 10. I just got off the phone with the assistant U.S. attorney in Philly, who confirmed the information.’
‘Really?’ Noah felt stunned. He had no idea what was going on. May 10 was the date of Anna’s murder, but he had never heard of Patti Tenderly. He wiped the blood from his face again.
‘Let’s get to the infirmary, doc.’ Deputy Warden McLaughlin put his hand on Noah’s shoulder.
‘But who’s Patti Tenderly? And what’s my wife doing in Maine? With the FBI?’
‘I’ll explain on the way.’
Chapter Eighty-four
Maggie, After