The Chase (20 page)

W
ednesday morning, Tigo worked at his desk. Kariss hadn’t called, and he was certain she’d not be into the office the rest of the week.

He clicked on the fingerprint report from the man who’d shot Kariss. Lucky Perez had done a three-year stint for robbery and was linked to Arroyo gang activity. The man must be working on his initiation. Now she’d upset two men who wanted her dead. Tigo printed the man’s pic and information.

He walked to the squad board and pinned the new findings. One more face. One more name in Operation Wasp. He and Ryan were working on a weapon’s deal with Cheeky where they’d offer guns cheaper than their current source.

Soon he and Ryan would have them nailed.

Tigo walked back to his desk and saw an email from the FIG regarding Arnold Bates’s client file. He clicked on the attachment and scanned the list, recognizing a few names and businesses, all of which he’d have the FIG check out.

Tigo whistled. Phillips Commercial Realty Company was listed. He found Ryan at his desk. “Have you seen Bates’s client list?”

Ryan stood and stretched. “Haven’t checked email for the past thirty minutes. Who’s on the list?”

“Wyatt Phillips.”

“The one who was married to Kariss’s sister?”

“The same. Is this a coincidence, or is there more to the story about the woman who assaulted Kariss?”

“How does our resident writer manage to keep both feet in trouble at all times? I mean, look at the size of this city!”

“Does make me wonder about a few things. What do you think about taking a look at Phillips’s phone records?”

“Go for it. What do we know about his girlfriend?” Ryan said.

“When I drove out to her and Phillips’s house, she was cooperative. Expressed her regret to Vicki and Kariss. Apologized for not being available when I called. Thought it was a prank call.” Tigo huffed. “Right. After I just talked to Phillips.”

“If Kariss hadn’t been approached by a woman who offered vague reasons for following them, I wouldn’t mess with Phillips or his girlfriend. But something’s not right. I want the woman found so we can question her. If this is about a man who’s trying to dig up dirt about his ex-wife, then fine. But if the woman was really tailing Kariss, that’s another matter.”

“It will be interesting to compare Bates’s and Phillips’s phone records.”

“Makes sense to me,” Tigo said. “Oh, I received a call from Derek Kyowski. Our disguises will be ready in a week.”

Kariss surfed through TV channels before drifting off to sleep. Her shoulder throbbed, but that would soon fade into oblivion. No way could she drag herself to the FBI office. She barely had the strength to make it to the bathroom. Writing this suspense novel had gotten way out of control.

Her laptop lay open on the bed beside her. She’d attempted to title the novel again. The list consisted of:
Cherished Doe, Red Greed, Never Forgotten, Dark Greed.
Today wasn’t monumental in the creative department.

She’d subscribed to a website that allowed her to search through newspaper archives. Nothing about abandoned children fit Xavier’s situation. Weariness crept through her body, and her shoulder slowly numbed.

Her cell rang. She saw the caller was Tigo and muted the TV.

“Did you miss your Starbucks?”

“I figured you wouldn’t make it in today, and I picked up one myself.”

“Checking up on me?”

“Of course. Wanted to make sure you were resting.”

“Trust me, I am. Just took another pain med, so I … might drift off while you’re talking.”

He chuckled. “I have that effect on women. I shouldn’t have bothered you, so I’ll ask a quick question. Have you ever suspected Wyatt Phillips of criminal activity?”

She lay back against the pillow, her mind beginning to fog. She swallowed hard and focused on her response. “Immoral, yes. Criminal, no. He isn’t smart enough to weave that intricate of a web. Thinks with his … Never mind. Vicki caught him and his present girlfriend … together at their house. A criminal mind would have shown discretion and intelligence.”

“Is this the sister talking or the medicine?”

“Both. But he does like his money. When Vicki left him, he hired a lawyer who somehow proved Wyatt was penniless.” Her words slurred. “His financial records show the real estate company had taken a beating during the recession, and their home had a huge second mortgage.”

“What about their joint savings and checking accounts?”

“Disappeared. Vicki didn’t have the money to hire an attorney who could investigate the situation. She packed up her belongings and moved to an apartment. The house sold in a few weeks. And … and his girlfriend bought a home for them in The Woodlands.”

“I’ve been there. Pretty impressive for a woman serving tables. I’ll need to check that out. Interesting. Say, how long ago was …”

Kariss couldn’t stay awake any longer. Neither could she muster the words to speak.

B
y Friday, Kariss had cabin fever. As much as she loved her spacious condo, she missed people. Tigo had delivered her Prius last night, and he’d given her orders not to drive while taking the pain meds. Today she vowed not to take any of the little white pills.

But she needed a heavy dose of something other than herself. She’d immersed her energies into helping Xavier and had come up with nothing. She was writing a book with no one to represent or publish it. Every thought turned inward. Depressed, she needed to center on a project that didn’t deal with crime and greed. That meant her parents or one of her siblings. Self-centered people didn’t make good contributions to society, and she intended to leave a legacy. She picked up her cell to call Vicki for a lunch date. Her sister worked the afternoon shift at the hospital this week and might want to talk about her pregnancy or Wyatt. After setting a meeting time of noon, Kariss realized she had two hours to figure out how to explain her shoulder. Even her shirt couldn’t cover the bulkiness of the bandages.

The two met at a popular French restaurant close to Vicki’s apartment. Her sister looked a little green, not at all like her normal peaches-and-cream glow. They stood in line to place their order. The delicious aroma of delicate pastries and fresh bread filled the air.

Kariss took a second look at her sister. She needed to be in bed. “We don’t have to do this. We can go someplace quiet and talk, or reschedule.”

Vicki inhaled and slowly exhaled. “I’ll be okay. It’s wearing off, and the baby needs to eat.”

“At what expense?”

“I’m the mother, and it’s my job to make sure proper nutrients are available to my baby.” She smiled weakly.

“You’re right, and here I am making inappropriate remarks. Why don’t you find us a table, and I’ll place the order?”

“Sounds good. I’d like a bowl of soup. Whatever looks good, but not dairy based. Kariss?”

Here it comes.
“When were you planning to tell me about your shoulder?”

“Oh, I can right now.”

“Go for it. I’ve gone through a dozen scenarios in the last few minutes.”

Kariss blinked. “I was jogging, and a cyclist hit me.”

“He must have run over you.”

“It was a she.”
Kariss, you need your mouth washed out with soap.

“When did this happen?”

“Wednesday.” That part was true.

Kariss placed the order and learned it would be a few minutes before they were served. She found her sister sipping on water. “I hate this for you. I thought the throw-uppies were over. Can’t you take something to stop the sickness?”

“The doctor prescribed medication, but I’m concerned how it might affect the baby.”

“Isn’t it FDA approved?”

Vicki nodded. “I want the best for this little girl.”

“It’s a girl?”

“A pink and frilly bundle.”

“Wonderful. Now I know how to shop. What names do you like?”

“I’m thinking Kendal.”

“Nice. How are you spelling it?”

“K-I-N-D-L-E.”

Kariss startled. Being pregnant had shaken more than her sister’s abdomen. “Why not Nook or Apple or Sony?”

Vicki cringed. “Hadn’t thought of that. Guess I’ll not be creative in the spelling.”

Kariss touched her sister’s hand. “You can spell your little girl’s name any way you want. I don’t even care if you name her after Grandma.”

“Myrtle?”

They both laughed.

“I want to take you up on your offer to move in.”

That made the whole week worth it. “Fantastic. When?”

“Is a week too soon? My rent’s due in two weeks, and I wanted to be out by then.”

Kariss’s mind raced with the thrill of helping Vicki through the pregnancy and with the baby. “Perfect. What else is going on?”

“I heard from Wyatt.”

Just the sound of his name soured Kariss’s stomach. “What’s he up to?”

Vicki pressed her lips. “He wants a paternity test.”

“Oh, he’s priceless.” She had a mental picture of their dad taking off after him with a cleaned shotgun and his worn Bible.

“Can’t believe he’d even think such a thing.” Vicki wiped her perspiring forehead. “Especially since he’d been to see me more than once.”

“He was unfaithful, and he wants to believe you’d stoop to the same level.”

“I was wavering about the amount of child support payments, but his latest accusation has pushed me over the edge. He wiped out our bank accounts, and now he can make a few deposits for the sake of his child. I’m going for all I can get. I think his live-in must be pressing him for the paternity test. Blonde and Sexy must see dollar signs floating out the door.”

“I’m glad you’ve gotten smarter about him, but I know it hurts.”

“This gets worse. He called me while I was on my way here. Wants to talk about the whole pregnancy thing, so I asked him to meet with both of us. I hope you don’t mind.”

Kariss wanted to stand on the table and dance. “I love the idea. No way is he going to browbeat you with me glaring daggers into his baby blues.” She paused, thinking through what she hadn’t revealed to her sister about Wyatt. “He came on to me a few times before and after you separated.”

Vicki blinked. “I’m … I’m not surprised. The more I think about this baby, the less I’m thinking about him. New me, huh?”

“That info will keep me from slapping him in the face.”

“Restrain yourself. He just walked through the front door.”

Kariss refused to look at Wyatt until he seated himself at their table. She nearly exploded in laughter. The fifteen-year age difference between Vicki and Wyatt had never been a huge issue, but now his face looked as smooth as a baby’s rear. Botox must be a way of keeping his new wife happy.

“Vicki, Kariss, it’s good to see you,” he said.

“Wish I could say the same.” Kariss tilted her head. “How many vials of Botox did it take to smooth the plowed lines in your face?”

He smiled. “Glad you noticed. Looks like you’ve had a little accident. Trip over your ego?”

Ouch. He’d gotten her good.

He focused on Vicki. “You’re looking a little green.”

“Thanks. Look, Wyatt, I have no intentions of swapping who looks the worst here. All I want to know is what you have to say. Kariss and I would like to enjoy our lunch.”

“I’ll make it brief. I’m willing to pay for your indiscretion so we can go on with our lives.”

“I have insurance to pay for the baby, but there’s a deductible. My attorney will draw up the papers for child support.”

He reached for her hand, and she snatched it back. “Your girlfriend would not approve. You’ve touched me for the last time.”

You go, Vicki.

“I think you’ve misunderstood my meaning. I’ll pay for an abortion. That will end the problem, no matter who’s the father.”

Vicki stood, her face crimson. “Why, you disgusting piece of trash.” She picked up her glass of ice water and tossed it in his face. “Get away from me, you filthy pig.”

Wyatt wiped his face with a paper napkin. “You are sadly mistaken if you think I’ll pay one dime to support your brat. I have a life, and that doesn’t include every-other-weekend visits or contributing to your diaper fund. I already have one kid to support, and that’s my limit. Here I thought we could get back together, but this proves your irrational attitude.”

Kariss clenched her fists to keep from tossing her own water at him, along with her hand across his face.

“And you’ve just proved how selfish you really are. My attorney will handle our communications, and I’ll send you the bill for the paternity test.”

Wyatt scooted back his chair and stomped away from them. Kariss thought he was leaving the restaurant, but he headed for the bathroom. People seated around them stared.

“Do you want me to go after him?” an older man said. “It’d be my pleasure.”

Vicki’s gaze flew from him to the bathroom. “I’m tempted. But I think hurting his cash flow will be my best move.”

“I was ready to toss my Dr Pepper at him,” a young mother said. “Hope your next relationship is an improvement over this one.”

Vicki smiled. “From now on, it’s just baby and me.” She sat down, her hands trembling.

“Are you okay?” Kariss said.

“Tummy is whirling.” She lifted her chin. “For the first time, I stood up to him. Can’t believe it.”

“And a grand job you did too. Daddy would be proud.”

She giggled. “I’m a little embarrassed, but I feel good at the same time.”

“Wyatt’s the one who made a fool of himself.”

“How could I have been so blind for so many years? Now I sound like our parents. Next I’ll be quoting Scripture.”

“In this instance, it fits. You were blind, and now you see.” Kariss smiled up at the server as he placed the food before them and offered to clean up the spill.

“This is cause for celebration,” Vicki said. “I’m a new, independent woman, about to be a mother.”

“And you’re moving in with me.”

The figure of a man sitting at a table across the room caught Kariss’s attention. She met his stare, and she remembered where she’d seen him before. He was Arnold Bates, the interviewee from the FBI office, the man who’d had gun smuggling information for Tigo and Ryan. She’d heard the agents talking about his possible involvement with Operation Wasp. That also meant he could be thick with the Arroyos.

Bates waved, and she returned the gesture. He pulled his cell from his shirt pocket and pressed in a number — or took her picture. She shuddered. The memories of the night Tigo and Ryan saved her life at the hospital sliced through her. Did she have any reason to be alarmed? Who was Bates calling?

He scooted back his chair and left his plate of food. Surely he didn’t plan to start a conversation with her. Two back-to-back confrontations were a stretch. Instead he walked to the door and followed Wyatt outside.

A coincidence?

Kariss stared out the window to see Bates had stopped Wyatt. The two men exchanged a few words, and Wyatt pointed to the restaurant. The men must be acquainted. She let out a pent-up breath.

“You look pale,” Vicki said. “Do you know the man talking to Wyatt?”

“Possibly. He looks familiar.”

“I don’t want to give Wyatt the satisfaction of staring.”

Kariss shrugged. “Seemed strange that both men left here at the same time and then decided to have a conversation. He’s probably taking Wyatt’s side in the little show we gave them.”

“A man thing, I’m sure. Sis, where’s your Jag?”

“I have it in storage and bought that hot little Prius.” She pointed to the parking lot. “It’s not a gas hog and has surprisingly good zip.”

“I thought you loved the Jag.”

Kariss smiled. “I still do. That’s why I didn’t sell it.”

A restaurant worker cleared Bates’s food from the table. Outside she noticed the two men shaking hands. Should she tell Tigo about this? Would it make a difference in the investigation?