Solemn Duty (1997) (29 page)

Ramona turned to Ashley as Charlie walked out. "You think he's right?"

Ashley lowered her head. "I think I'm tired, and yes, I think Agent Lee is right. Once Tram is found, the case will be closed."

Ramona glanced again at Eli before walking over and sitting in the chair vacated by Charlie. She nodded slowly. "Yes, I suppose you all are right. All we can do now is wait." She looked at Ashley a moment and leaned forward. "What is it with you and Eli?"

Ashley raised her chin. 'What do you mean?"

"Don't give me that look. I'm a trained psychologist who happens to believe I know people. It's a defensive mechanism, isn't it? It's the reason you always call him 'Agent Tanner.'

You do it to keep him at a distance. Why?"

Ashley shifted her eyes to the charts. 'What's this got to do with the case, Doctor? And what business is it of yours?" She looked at Ramona with a cold, questioning stare.

Ramona raised her hand. "Whoa! All I want to know is if you have a thing for Eli. If you do, I never asked the question."

Ashley felt her temperature rising, but managed not to show any emotion as she spoke. "Are you asking me if I have romantic intentions toward Tanner?"

"Simply put, yes. I'm a big girl, Ashley, and if you say yes, I'll back off. If you don't have feelings for him, then I'm going to give it another go. The guy needs me; he just doesn't know it."

Ashley forced herself to smile. "Dr. Valez, how could you possibly think that I-"

"Good, that's what I hoped. Thanks, Ashley. Now, why don't you do me a big favor and take a walk yourself. The air will do you some good."

Shifting nervously in her seat, Ashley wanted to pretend she didn't understand the request, but knew Ramona would see through her. She put on a plastic smile again and stood. "Yes, perhaps a walk would do me some-"

A phone beeped. Both Ashley and Ramona reached for their cell phones before they realized that the beeping was coming from Eli's cell phone. He rolled over and patted the nightstand twice before finding the device. His eyes still closed, he put the phone to his ear and said thickly, "Agent Tanner." As he listened, his eyes opened, then he shot upright in bed. Still listening, he swung off the bed and grabbed for his shoulder harness on the headboard. He suddenly became animated, stomping and waving as if very upset. He shook his head and kept shaking it as he slipped his feet into his shoes. Finally he spoke. "Got it, I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

He turned and tossed the phone to the bed so he could use both hands to put on his holster, then mumbled. "Idiots! Why couldn't they have just followed procedure. Damn, damn, damn!"

Ramona asked before Ashley could, "What's wrong?"

Getting his arms through the holster harness, Eli snatched up his blazer and picked up his cell phone. "That was Brewer.

Damn park police got a tip that two nude men were tied to trees just off the GW parkway. A two-man team responded and walked into the woods without backup. Now, one is dead and the other is wounded. The wounded officer managed to crawl far enough away to radio in and say he and his partner were down. He also reported that just before the shots were fired he'd seen two old men tied to trees."

Ashley's eyes widened. 'The missing generals."

"And Tram," Eli said. "He must have still been there and shot the park officers. Brad said the deputy ordered me to be the scene AIC. Well, which one of you is driving?'

"Me," Ramona said, heading for the door.

Brewer started talking as soon as Eli stepped out of the car.

"The area is sealed and the shooter is still located by the two generals. We've got a sniper team close enough to see them through their scopes. . . . It doesn't look good. The sniper team says the two nude men are shot to hell and slumped over.

They've spotted the shooter, but only catch glimpses. He's staying down, behind a mound of dirt, and they can't get a shot."

Eli already had his jacket off, and took a vest from a tac team member. "Your boys see anybody else?"

"No, it looks clear. The river is only twenty feet behind the shooter, and it's pretty open under the trees to the north and south of him. The team says he's alone."

"Vehicles?'

"Hope. Park police have checked up and down the parkway and all the off roads."

Eli shook his head. "I don't like it, Brad. How the hell did the shooter get them here? And why is he still here?'

"I don't like it, either. Ask the shooter when you take him, is all I can tell you. The tac team commander is waiting for you."

Ten feet way, the commander was easy to identify because he had scrambled eggs on his dark blue ball cap. Beside the commander, Eli saw a familiar face from the night before. He walked toward the two men.

The ops officer nodded. "Agent Tanner, good to see you again. This is Agent Rogers, my C. O."

Eli dipped his chin. "A pleasure. How you plan on doing it?'

The C. O. smiled. "The easy way. We'll pop a gas round, let him choke awhile, and see if he comes up for air."

"I need him alive," Eli said. "Shoot to maim only if he decides to play O. K. Corral. What about the hostages? You think the gas could harm them?"

"My team says they're beyond being harmed. No sign of life in either one nor in the park officer lying close to them."

Eli took in a breath and nodded. "Okay, do it. I'll follow in look-see mode only. Just remember I want him alive."

The commander turned and barked to the twelve men dressed in full tactical gear. "Move into position. It's a go."

The gas grenade exploded with a muffled pop and began spewing a cloud of thick white smoke. Kneeling by a tree only thirty yards away, Eli watched as the dirty white cloud began to drift upward. Suddenly, a thin, brown-faced man wearing odd camouflage fatigues stepped out of the smoke. He held a cloth to his face in one hand and in the other a pistol he swung left and right as if looking for a target. Hidden tac team agents called to the thin man to drop his pistol, but he fired in the direction of their voices. The crack of a rifle round erupted and echoed through the trees. The thin man jerked backward, caught his balance, and fired his pistol again. The tac sniper fired a second time. The small man spun and fell.

Eli stood and watched as blue-clad agents rushed toward the downed man. Suddenly, he sat up holding the pistol, but the barrel was pointed upward, just under his chin. Eli took a step forward and froze, holding his breath. The man's head jerked up. Eli heard the weapon's report and closed his eyes as the man toppled over.

"It's Tram, all right" Brewer was holding a photograph as he looked down at the dead man's body. "He messed his face up but there's enough to see it's him."

Eli nodded and turned to the tac commander. "Victims confirmed?"

"Yeah, the park police officer took a round through the head.

Stroud and Gradd each took one in the knee, elbow, and stomach. Gradd had an extra one in the side. They died slow. . . . It was ugly. They were covered with ants. The looker, that lady shrink, took a look and pointed out to me that neither of them had a chain or cross in their mouth. Guess they didn't rate-or your killer ran out of jewelry."

Eli looked down at his feet for a moment to give himself a chance to think. He made up his mind and lifted his head, speaking loudly so all the agents and park police officers could hear him. "Okay, people, I want this scene locked down tight, now! Nobody comes in unless I approve. Absolutely no press!

Brad, get a crime scene unit in here. Nobody walks around the area where the bodies were found until the lab boys give me an okay. Those that already have been in the area will remain until their shoes are tagged and okayed by the lab boys. Agent Rogers, work with the park police and search the area for footprints and vehicle tracks within the immediate vicinity, and work outward for a hundred yards in all directions. The shooter brought the victims into this spot somehow, and I want to know the how. C. P. will be over there by that big tree. Brad, I'm going to need a support unit in here complete with gas generated light sets, the works. Let's go, people; I want answers. Find me some."

There was rapid movement away from him as Eli stooped down by the dead Cambodian. Taking out a pen from his shirt pocket, he leaned over and placed the pen under the gold chain dangling from the man's mangled jaw. He gave the chain a light pull.

"Is it a cross?" Ashley asked from behind him.

Eli scooted over a step so she could see. "No, it's half of an encased Buddha. . . . Bullet blew part of it up into the roof of his mouth, into his brain."

Ashley took one look and turned her head. "Oh, God .. .

I. . . I think I'm going to be sick."

Holding a Pepsi, Eli walked into the shade of the large tree and handed Ashley the can. "You feeling better, pard?"

Seated on the ground, Ashley accepted the cold can and lifted her eyes to him. "I'm sorry, I should have handled that better."

"Don't worry about it. It happens to everybody," Eli said as he kneeled beside her.

"Even you, Tanner?"

He looked at her to see if she was goading him, but she seemed not to be. He canted his head. "Oh yeah . . . more times than I want to remember. This damn heat doesn't help either . . . makes it worse."

He reached over and popped the top of her can for her.

"Charlie is here, he's making a tour of the scene. He congratulated me on closing the case. I didn't know what to say. My gut says this isn't right. What do you think?"

About to take a sip of the Pepsi, Ashley lowered the can and gave him a shrug. "What does Ramona think?"

"I haven't asked her yet. I want your opinion, you're my partner."

Ashley looked into his eyes a moment before taking the sip. Lowering the can, she shook her head. "I don't like it, either, Tanner. Tram staying here with his victims really bothers me. It's obvious he wanted them to suffer, but his staying so long doesn't make sense to me. I can't believe a man who planned so skillfully and traveled across the country killing for revenge wouldn't make another attempt on Anderson. The job wasn't done, it doesn't fit that he would just give up and wait to be caught."

Eli smiled and patted her shoulder as he stood. "Thanks, pard. I was wondering if I was getting paranoid or something."

Ashley lifted her can as if in a toast. "Anytime, pard And thanks for asking for my opinion. Next time I promise I won't throw up all over your crime scene."

He was about to respond, but Agent Brewer walked up. "Eli, I just got a call. Local P. D. found an abandoned red Ford van in Springfield. They ran the license tag and it's a rental from National Airport The doors were unlocked and they opened it to take a peek. Backseats had been removed, and they found blood on the carpeting . . . and they found our victims' clothes.

Yeah--before you ask, the lab guys are on their way to the van."

Eli put his arm around the agent's shoulder and walked him toward the support truck parked fifty feet away. "I love it when you bring good news. Has the search team found tracks or footprints yet?'

Ramona walked into the shade of the big tree and sat down beside Ashley. She motioned with her head toward the departing agents. "I overheard Brewer tell Eli about the red van. At least now we can start closing the scene down--this heat is killing me."

Ashley looked at her new companion and motioned to herself with the Pepsi can. -Tell me something, Dr. Valez. Do you think I'm bitchy?"

Ramona lifted an eyebrow. "The heat must be getting to you, too."

"I'm serious, Doctor. This has nothing to do with the heat I've noticed how agents keep their distance from me. I was just wondering if you thought I might come across as being testy."

Ramona lowered her head to hide her smile. "Ashley, let me put it this way. If I can see that chip on your shoulder, so does everybody else. It sits right up there and says in neon, 'I am a female who's taking no shit from anybody.' Let me put it another way by asking you some questions that don't require an answer. Have you had a real date in the last six months?

And when was the last time a male colleague opened a door for you or asked your advice on anything? The answers to those questions, I think, answer your question."

Ashley took another sip from her can and looked toward the support truck. "Let's suppose I am a bit sensitive. What advice would you give me?"

Ramona leaned back against the tree. "Ashley, I've found men are stupid about a lot of things, but when it comes to a woman's back-off attitude, they can smell it the way they can smell a cold can of beer in the fridge. If you did, let's say, have an attitude problem, I'd suggest altering your outlook. It's not that hard really. You laugh at their jokes, don't interrupt them when they're bragging, and smile even though you're bored to tears when they're still bragging. I've found men accept us professional women when they respect us. . . . Of course, that takes time, but if you do your job and do more smiling and less glaring, you'll do just fine."

"You don't think that's demeaning?"

Ramona smiled. "Demeaning is sitting around talking to a bunch of women and listening to them backstab and spread gossip about other women. Men aren't as petty, at least not until they get into high positions, then it's dog eat dog. No, I don't consider it demeaning on our part, I think of it as condescending because we put up with them. We control men, Ashley. The only question is how much control we use."