Terminal 9 (38 page)

“Sorry. I guess we like it a little too dark around here.” Kevin gave her an authentic smile.

“It was a thoughtful gesture just the same.”

Kevin nodded. “I need to get back to work. It was nice meeting you.” Turning to Mac and Dana, he said, “I need to speak to you two when you get a chance. Unrelated.”

Kevin winked at Kelly. “You let me know if these two give you any trouble.”

When Kevin had gone, Dana offered Kelly a warm smile. “We don't drink his coffee either, so don't feel bad.” She pointed in the direction of their “soft” interview room. “Please join us in here, where we can talk in private.”

The room was equipped with a comfortable cushioned couch and two cushioned chairs with floral patterns. It was even supplied with a stock of coloring books and crayons and a couple of teddy bears for juvenile crime victims.

“Can I get you some water or anything else to drink, so you can wash away that coffee?” Dana offered as they entered the interview room.

“No thanks; I'm fine. I'd like to get this over with if that's okay with you.” Kelly took a seat on the couch. Dana and Mac both sat in the high-back chairs after Mac shut the single door to the room. Dana made sure she positioned herself in the seat closest to Kelly, so Kelly's attention would be focused on her.

“All right, go ahead.”

Kelly took a deep breath, her broken exhale giving evidence to her anxiety. “First, you should know this is very difficult for me. I am coming here against the advice of my personal attorney, which I know is foolish, but I need to have this conversation with you alone.”

“All right, but you understand you don't have to give a statement.” Dana hesitated, looking for the right words to give the legal admonishment without scaring Kelly away. “I mean, you are free to walk out of here anytime you wish, but if you give a statement it may be used in court at a later date.”

“Believe me, I understand all of that.” Kelly raked a hand through her tousled hair. “If this wasn't concerning my own father and brother, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I have some information, and as painful as it is, I need to tell you.”

“And that is?”

“I couldn't say anything last night.” Kelly glanced at Mac then turned back to Dana. “I was pretty upset, as you can imagine, but when you mentioned the ricin, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My husband is involved in some experimental research projects involving ricin. I heard him mention it once during a keynote address at a conference back east and in discussions with colleagues. Experimental research is one of many arms in his department.”

Mac scribbled down the information, wishing they had discovered this sooner. Eventually they would have. “Go on.”

“I'd never heard of the stuff before Ray introduced the topic some time ago with regard to medical use. Now, since the terrorist scares, it's been all over the news as a deadly poison and a possible weapon of mass destruction. Until recently, I always associated it with medical treatment, not as a method of terror or death.”

“By telling us this,” Dana said, “do you think your husband may have some involvement in your father's death?”

Tears gathered in Kelly's eyes, and Dana pulled some tissues from the box on the end table. “I was hoping I wouldn't have to answer that. Before this morning, I would never have believed him capable of such a thing. Now, I . . .” She covered her mouth and took a moment to compose herself. “I'm not sure.”

“How so?” Dana pressed.

“I was still awake when Raymond returned from the hospital. It was nearly 3:00 a.m. I turned on the bedside lamp and, while he was undressing for bed, I told him about your visit and the details of Shaw's arrest and the circumstances around my brother's death.

“He stopped undressing and just looked at me like I'd done something wrong.”

“Did he say anything to you?” Dana asked.

“Not really. He just fumbled with his wallet like he was looking for something and walked back and forth from the bedroom to the bathroom. He looked, well, nervous. That's when I told him about ricin being used to poison my father.”

Kelly paused, looking up at the ceiling. Dana moved a box of tissues closer to her, Kelly took one to dab her eyes. “That's when I knew. I took one look at Raymond's face and I knew he was somehow involved in my father's death. Even in the low light of the room, I could see his face go pale. I thought he was going to be sick.”

“Then what happened?” Dana asked.

“He wanted to know what I had told you. I said, ‘Nothing.'

Then he lit into me about how the research was top-secret and that I needed to keep my mouth shut. You need to understand that Ray is the most easygoing man I've ever known. I kept assuring him I hadn't said anything and he finally calmed down—only he didn't come to bed. He went downstairs and poured himself a drink.”

“Where is he now?” “I don't know. About an hour later, he came upstairs and told me he had to go back to the hospital. That he'd accidentally left his computer on and there were sensitive documents he needed to close out.”

“Did he come back?”

Kelly sucked in a sharp breath. “No. After he left, I laid there thinking about what you'd said. You were right; I did bring my father his medication. As horrific as it sounds, I think my husband may have used me as a pawn to kill my own father.”

“You think he substituted ricin for insulin?”

Kelly paused. “Are you married, Detective Bennett?”

The question caught Dana off-guard. “No, I'm not.”

“Then you wouldn't understand what I'm going to say. My husband's betrayal hit me harder than my father's death. Harder even than his involvement. That betrayal is the reason I came here to talk to you directly and against the advice of my attorney. I had nothing to do with my father's or my brother's death, and I'm willing to cooperate fully with the investigation.”

“You said your husband didn't come back after he left for the hospital?”

“No. Normally I wouldn't worry. He has a room with a bed there. I haven't seen or heard from him and I don't know where to turn. That's why I paged you, Dana.”

“You did the right thing.”

She nodded. “There's something else you need to know.”

“What is it?”

“After I spoke with my attorney this morning, I went back to the house to get some of my things. I planned to stay at a motel for a few nights. I kept my attorney on the phone while I went inside in case Ray was there. To be honest, I'd hoped he would be so I could confront him about my suspicions.”

“It's just as well he wasn't,” Dana assured her. “If he is involved in this, he's a murderer.”

“That sounds so harsh. I . . .” She shook her head as if to clear it. “You're right. At any rate, I noticed Raymond's Jag wasn't in the garage, so I knew he wasn't there. We have a safe in our bedroom for my expensive jewelry and important paperwork, along with a little cash in case of emergency.”

“How much is a little?” Mac asked.

“Around ten thousand. Ever since 9-11 we've kept some cash on hand, in case we don't have access to our accounts in the event of an emergency.”

“Let me guess, the safe was cleaned out?” Mac tapped his pen against the pad.

“The cash was gone, but the jewelry and paperwork are still there. I wasn't too worried about the money, but . . .” She frowned. “The thing that concerns me most is his passport. Ray's passport is missing.”

THIRTY-
FIVE

I
NEED TO STEP OUT FOR A MOMENT.” Mac stood and inched his way to the door. Glancing at Dana, he said, “I'll be right back.”

Dana nodded, seeming to understand the urgency. The realization that Dr. Raymond Cassidy might be their murder suspect and that he might be on his way out of the country hit home. “We'll wait here.”

Mac burst into Kevin's office, not noticing at first that he was on the phone. “Is Sergeant Evans back to work today?”

“I'll get back to you.” Kevin said into the mouthpiece, then hung up. “No, that's what I was going to talk to you about. He's making plans.”

At the moment Mac couldn't have cared less about Frank's plans. “We've finally got a break in our case, and I think our suspect's making a run for it. We need your help. I need everyone's help.” Mac gulped in a much-needed breath.

Kevin pulled himself up to his desk, instinctively taking his pen from his pocket and grabbing a notepad. “Tell me what you have, Mac, and take your time. We always have time.”

“Not in this case. The woman we were interviewing is Kelly Mullins-Cassidy. She's Clay Mullins's daughter.”

“I know, Mac. I talked with her, remember.”

“Right.” Mac could barely contain his excitement as he relayed Kelly's statement implicating her husband.

“Is that right?”

“Cassidy took ten grand in cash and his passport out of their safe. Sounds like he's heading out of the country.”

“Do you have enough for a probable cause arrest?” Kevin picked up the phone.

“It's slim right now, all circumstantial. I don't know; all we have is his tie to the ricin and his wife's report. For all I know she could be setting him up. But we can't let this guy get away.”

“He definitely had motive,”Kevin mused. “He stood to gain a lot of money if that property went to him via his wife. We have enough for a material witness warrant. Guess we can at least bring him in to reduce the flight risk. That'll buy you and Dana about twenty-four hours to charge him or let him go.”

“If he's still in the country. We're looking at about ten hours since his wife last saw him.”

“Has she called him, any attempt at contact?”

Mac sat back in his chair. “Sorry, I didn't ask. But we could try a pretext phone call—have her call him and record it.”

“Right, you get going on that. I need a DMV photo and physical on Dr. Cassidy ASAP.” Kevin began to dial then set the phone back down. “Phil, Russ!” Kevin yelled. “Get in here.”

Mac turned to walk out.

“Mac, get her story on tape. Like you said, she may be dirty too. We can't assume anything. I'll get uniforms at the airport, train station, and bus depot. I'll get an all-vehicles registered bulletin on their cars; you work with the wife. See if you can make contact with him.”

“Dr. Cassidy is driving their Jaguar.”

“Good, I'm on it.”

Mac's adrenaline soared. He passed Philly on his way to his cubicle; the no-nonsense look Mac gave him was enough to ward off any jokes.

“Got a suspect?”

“Yeah, Phil, maybe a runner. Kevin will fill you in.” Mac rummaged through his desk, pulling a tape recorder and a recording rig that was similar to the one Tyler Cohen had worn to set up Shaw. This one, however, was just an earpiece that recorded the phone call and would not afford Mac and Dana the opportunity to listen in on the conversation.

Mac ran back into the interview room, startling Kelly and Dana as he slammed the door. “Sorry it took so long, I had to get the ball rolling to locate your husband.”

“I understand. Is there anything I can do to help?” Kelly had regained her usual composure.

“Have you had any contact with Dr. Cassidy since this morning?”

“No, but I just checked my cell phone.” She bit her lower lip. “I had it turned off. He's been trying to call me.”

“When was the last time?”

“A few minutes ago.”

“Good. I need you to call him for us,” said Mac. “We'll record your conversation.”

“I don't think I can do that, Detective. I'm not sure I can talk to him.”

“If you don't we may not have enough to hold him, and there is the distinct possibility he's on a flight that will take him to a country that doesn't extradite prisoners to the U.S.”

She swallowed hard. “All right.” She cleared her throat. “How do I do this?”

“Take this earpiece and place it in either ear.” Mac handed her the padded earpiece. He plugged the earpiece cord into his mini cassette recorder.

“What do I say if he answers?”

“Ask him what he wants, then confront him.”

She began to shake her head.

“You have to confront him with your suspicions and observations. Don't tell him he's being recorded.”

Kelly placed the earpiece into her left ear and pulled her cell phone from her purse. “Here goes.” Her hand shook as she scrolled through the speed dial. She held the phone up to her ear, while Mac and Dana sat in anticipated silence as the phone rang.

“It's me,” Kelly said as the barely audible voice answered at the other end. She gave Mac a nod, and he finally allowed himself the luxury of breathing.

“I've been out,” Kelly said. “In fact, I'm just coming from Walter's office.”

Dr. Cassidy spoke for some time before Kelly began talking again. “Because I needed some advice, Raymond. Raymond, let me talk please. I need to know. Did you plant ricin in my father's insulin bottle?”

After a long silence, Kelly snapped the phone shut. Without speaking, she grabbed for a tissue and buried her face in her hands.

Mac played back the tape recording to the part where Kelly asked the big question.

Dr. Cassidy's voice was soft but clear. “I never meant to hurt you.”

THIRTY-SIX

M
AC BURST OUT OF THE INTERVIEW ROOM DOOR, nearly running into Kevin.

“We have enough to make an arrest. No confession, but no denial either.”

“I got a locate on the Jaguar. Port of Portland Police found it at PDX long-term parking less than ten minutes after we put out the attempt to locate.” Mac had to remind himself to breathe. This was it.

“Do they have Cassidy?”

“Not yet. Philly and Russ are heading over there right now. You two ready?”