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  “Then that’s our goal for the day.” He let out a breath and prepared to get on with it. He knew there was a certain rookie that needed questioning, and maybe some of the other men on the force could offer up something.

  Jo put her hands on her head. “Shit,” she said, earning a sideward look from Jake. She sighed. “I nearly forgot to tell you that I found our man, Tanner. The one Scratch told you about.”

  “We’ll do both. Looks like it’s going to be a busy day.” He looked back at the whiteboard. “I guess we need to get forensics down here and have them look for prints and do their things in the office first.”

  “Hopefully, we haven’t done anything to compromise it,” said Jo, looking down at her feet.

  Jake wasn’t worried about it. He had come in and sat down at the desk, and he didn’t think the Hangman would have made himself as comfortable. “I’ll have the chief—”

  O’Connor stepped into their doorway. “You’ll have me do what?” he asked, glancing at the board. “Ah, you’ve solved it?”

  “No, the Hangman has been here. We were just about to call you. It seems our friend came in through the ceiling. He must have accessed the ceiling from somewhere, so I need forensics here and someone looking into his point of entry.

  O’Connor scratched his stubbly chin. “This part of the building is an add on, and since it’s not connected to the two-story part, that will narrow things down. He had to have gotten in from inside the building. I’ll get someone on it.”

  “Thanks. I’ll call forensics, and then Jo and I are going to chase a lead before lunchtime.”

  “A lead? You mean you actually have one?”

  “Yeah, a little birdy told me about them, so let’s hope they’re willing to talk to us like they have been everyone else.”

  “On the force?” asked O’Connor.

  “No, but I’m hitting them up after. I figure they’ll be in better moods after they eat.” He grabbed his keys from his desktop.

  O’Connor turned and called to someone down the hall, and Sam came running.

  “Yes, Chief?” He looked happy and ready to play hero.

  “I need you to stop flirting with Dannie long enough to keep this room secure. It’s now being investigated.” O’Connor stormed down the hall, and Sam gave them a confused look.

  “You missed all of the excitement,” said Jo. “We found out who wrote the word.”

  Sam gave them a puzzled look. “Who?”

  “The Hangman,” said Jo.

  She had taken the words right out of Jake’s mouth. “Make sure no one erases that board or leans against it. Jo, take a few photographs for our collection, just in case.”

  “Will do,” she said, stepping over with her phone. “Then we need to put our hard hats on. The morning isn’t getting any younger.”

  “I hear you.” Jake couldn’t wait to catch this asshole either.

  “You know, it’s kind of disappointing,” said Jo. “All of these E words, and we somehow missed this one. It makes the most sense, too. I love solving puzzles.”

  “Well, at least we know we’re on the right track, although I think he wanted to create a distraction. Oh well. Hopefully, there won’t be any more murders to test our theories.”

  Jo gave him a sideward look. “I’m not holding my breath.”

  Chapter 21

  Jake

  After a failed attempt at finding Tanner on the job site, Jake drove across town to the address given to him by Tanner’s boss.

  “What are the chances he’s home? I mean, I know if I called in, I’d be out shopping.” Jo had eased her seat back and appeared even shorter than usual. Like at the office, she had made herself comfortable in his car, but for some reason, he didn’t mind sharing with her.

  “I don’t know. But I hope this asshole isn’t really sick. The last thing we need is a fucking head cold, or worse, the flu.”

  “No kidding,” she said, making a face. “I just hope he’s willing to talk to us.”

  “He’s been blathering all around town according to Scratch, but that doesn’t mean anything. Even blabbermouths have a way of clamming up when a cop wants to talk.”

  Jake took the next turn and then drove into the apartment unit’s parking lot. “Maybe I should go up there alone.”

  Jo pegged him with a hard look. “Oh, no, you’re not about to leave me out here. I’m going, and I’ll do most of the talking too. Don’t even try to shut me down this time.” She opened her car door as soon as he stopped and got out.

  “Wait up!” He killed the engine and got out to catch up with her. “Hey, what’s that about? Shut you down?”

  “Yeah, when we went to see the Noose, you totally shut me down.”

  “I did not.” He couldn’t remember doing anything of the sort, but she seemed certain, so maybe he had. “When?”

  “You totally interrupted me and took over.”

  “Then why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  “Because I was going to let it slide, but I’m not about to let you do it again. And the last time we went out to talk to someone, I had to spend half an hour in the car while you played checkers with him.” She hurried up to the building and down one of the corridors to find the door.

  “For the record, that’s not my fault. Scratch doesn’t like cops, and he didn’t want you in his house. Was I supposed to piss him off? And I agreed to the game because it was the only way to get him to talk to me. And it worked. So, I’m sorry your ego was bruised, but I had a job to do, and I didn’t consider your emotional sensitivities when I did it.”

  “Ouch,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Was that supposed to hurt?”

  “No, but it’s good to know that you can handle the truth.”

  She smiled. “I like that about you. You always speak your mind, whether you’re right or not. And all I’m saying is that you’re not leaving me behind again. So, don’t try it.” She stopped and looked around. “Where the hell is this guy’s apartment?”

  “Around the corner in a different unit. You were so busy scolding me that you missed it.” Jake laughed as she reached out and pushed him. Then she stormed past and headed to the next unit.

  Jake followed as she led the way to the next corridor. “It’s twenty-five,” he said, pointing to the door on the end. Its blue paint was cracked and chipped, and someone had scribbled the numbers with a black marker.

  “Come on.” She walked over and knocked, but the place was eerily quiet.

  “Bang harder. You’re the fucking police, not a goddamned Avon lady.” He reached over and hammered on the door. A moment later, they heard a noise and could tell someone was home. Jake knocked again. “Tanner? I’m Detective Thomas. I just want to talk. That’s it.”

  There were more sounds, and Jake realized they were coming from around the building. By the time he made it around the stairs that led to the upper floor, he found Tanner running away and an open window with the breeze blowing its curtain.

  “Dammit!” He took off running after him, but by the time he rounded the building, Tanner was gone, most likely hopping the tall fence. It was the only place he could have gone.

  “Well,” said Jo, strolling up behind him. “Looks like we’re going to have to come back.”

  “Yeah. Looks like it. The good news is, maybe he knows more than he’s been blabbing.” Jake turned and headed back toward the car.

  “Do you want to drive around the block and see if we can find him?”

  “Let him think he’s won this one. We’ll come back later and get him when he least expects it.”

  “So, what now?” she asked as they approached the car.

  “Scratch said that Hayden was with Lang when he did his last shakedown. I say we go and talk to him and see what happened. He’s bound to know what Hayden intended on doing with those drugs. If he had made a habit of taking drugs from the pushers, then he was moving it out somehow.”

  “Unless he did stash it for his own use. We could go to his h
ouse and search it.”

  “Nah, the other officers would shit if I go searching his house before he’s put in the ground. He’s the victim, and I think his family has been through enough.”

  “He was married?”

  “No, mother and sister. They used to come with him to the department’s picnics. She made wonderful potato salad.”

  “What a good memory you have,” said Jo with an amused tone.

  “Hey, I ate three helpings. As a matter of fact, that’s all I ate.” He got in the car, and Jo slid into the seat beside him. “You think the Hangman killed Hayden for taking drugs and reselling them for his gain, or do you think there could be another reason? The crimes just seem too personal.”

  “Personal is such a loose term. People feel victimized by injustices. The Hangman could be a fellow drug dealer who feels like he got a raw deal, and he just wants to clean shit up around here, or he could be some vigilante superhero who, like me, is sick and tired of certain people getting away with the shit they do. I know you’re new around here, but you’ll see it in time.”

  “If the Hangman doesn’t weed out the bad seeds before I take over.”

  Jake nodded. “That’s why we need to work fast so he doesn’t have a chance to.”

  They drove back to the station, and when they walked in, Dannie at the counter was having a hard time with one of the fine citizens of Spokane. “I’m sorry, but you have to go down to their office to pay your ticket.” The few others in the room were watching the action like they needed popcorn.

  “Well, your cop is the one who gave it to me. And I wasn’t even doing nothing wrong!” The old man threw his hands up in the air, snatched his ticket from the counter, and walked away.

  “Asshole,” Dannie mumbled under her breath. The other people in the lobby turned around and went back to their own business. Dannie had a great big smile for Jake as he approached. “Hello, Detective.” She barely gave Jo a glance or a welcome. “What can I do you for today?”

  “I’m looking for Lang. I know you talk to him, so do you know where he’s assigned today?”

  “He’s actually in the break room now if you want to catch him.” She leaned over the counter. Her breasts pushed together by her arms looked especially nice. Too bad they were attached to a narcissist.

  “Thanks,” he said.

  “Any time.” She gave Jake a wink, and Jo shook her head as they walked away.

  “Wow, I think that woman would sleep with anyone,” she said.

  “Even me?” Jake asked. “You seem surprised. I’ll try not to be offended.”

  “No, it’s not like that. Of course, she would sleep with you. What woman wouldn’t?” Her cheeks flushed as soon as the words came from her lips. “I mean, of course, you’re attractive. Very.” She met Jake’s eyes, and it amused him how flustered she had gotten. “Okay, I’ll shut up now. Wow, Jo,” she said to herself. “So unprofessional.”

  “It’s okay. I’m not offended that you would sleep with me.” He gave a sly grin and peeked into his office, which was still being searched.

  “I didn’t say I would sleep with you,” she mumbled as she walked past him, hoping no one else would hear. “Just drop it, okay? I don’t want you twisting my words. I know my thoughts and—never mind.”

  Jake chuckled, feeling a bit thrilled that she thought he was attractive and doable. And even though he had never really had any problems in that department, he knew his quiet personality could be a turn off to some. It was just nice to get validation now and then.

  “For the record, I think you’re beautiful too.” He gave her a wink, and before she could make a comment, they were at the breakroom.

  Lang was right where he was supposed to be, eating a sandwich from some dive across town. The greasy bag was sitting on the table in front of him with a soft drink and fries. He shifted in his seat as Jake and Jo approached.

  “Just the man we’re looking for,” said Jo. She sat across from him, and Jake decided to make himself comfy too, pulling out a chair beside Lang.

  “What’s it about? If you’ve come to talk about Elliot, I’d rather not while I’m eating.”

  “Actually, we’ve come to talk about Hayden,” said Jake. “You rode with him the day before he died.”

  “Yeah, the chief has had me riding with everyone. Says it will help me get to know the lay of the land, introduce me to the others.”

  “That’ll do it,” said Jake, thinking of how no one liked to get stuck babysitting the rookie. Well, except maybe for him. Jo hadn’t been so bad yet. He didn’t let his mind wander too far. “I’d like to focus on the day you went around with Hayden. Did anything out of the ordinary happen?”

  Lang shifted in his seat again, brushing his hand through his hair and tucking his chin. “No, nothing.”

  Jake exchanged a look with Jo, who jumped in. “Come on. There has to be something that sticks out. Maybe when you were down on the other side of town?”

  He looked back and forth at them as if to see if he could read them. “I don’t know what you heard, but—”

  “Why would we have heard anything?” asked Jo, looking up at Jake.

  But he wasn’t about to play the game of back and forth. “We know about the shakedown. You and Hayden stopped a couple of kids, and Hayden took their drugs.”

  “Was that some kind of test or something? Initiate the rookie? Because I left right after that. I had him take me to my car, and I went home.”

  “If it had been a test, you’d have failed, but no, that’s not what it was.”

  “Did you question Hayden’s behavior?” Jo looked at the young cop like she didn’t understand him at all.

  “I did, but he told me to keep my mouth shut. I didn’t know if it was all some kind of test, and I didn’t want to be seen as the department rat, so I kept it to myself.” He wiped his brow and then raked his hand through his hair again, which Jake couldn’t help but think was Lang’s tell for when he was nervous and pressured. “I guess I made the wrong choice, but I’m still finding my way.”

  “Don’t find the wrong way,” said Jo, leaning in closer. “What he did was wrong. Did he at least tell you anything about what he did with the drugs?”

  “I couldn’t believe he hadn’t arrested those kids. I would have. But when Hayden took the lead, I couldn’t contradict him. I didn’t know what to do. I asked him about the drugs, and he acted like he did it all the time.”

  Jake patted Lang on the back. “And what did he say he did with the drugs? Use them? Sell them?”

  “He talked like he had made good money on the side selling it for a while. There was too much there for a personal stash, and that kid, Niko was his name, he could have been sent up for good. He was supposedly on probation already.”

  Jo let out a groan, and Jake shook his head. “Did he say anything about how he sold them? I mean, did he sell them to other cops or what?”

  “No, he had a runner. He never said who, but it was like talking to him about sports. He just didn’t act like it was a big deal.” He sank down in his chair, his sandwich going cold in front of him. “Do you think that’s what got him killed?” He looked down at his hands on the table.

  Jake nodded. “I think it’s part of it, yes. I’d sure like to find this runner.”

  “He never gave me a name, and honestly, I kind of pussied out on him. I hoped I wouldn’t have to ride along with him again, but then I found out that he was up to be my partner. The chief is probably going to reassign me to Sam.”

  “Sam’s good people,” said Jake.

  Lang shook his head. “Maybe, but he hates me.”

  “That’s because you’ve got a smart mouth.” Jake gave him a pat on the back. “I’ll let you explain all of this to the chief. But if you think of anything, anything at all, let me know.”

  Jake pushed his chair back, but before he could stand up, Lang cleared his throat. “There is something,”

  “What’s that?”

  “Dannie. She tol
d me that the last conversation she had with Hayden, she had sent him to check out a possible drug deal. She said she thought she was doing him a favor. She didn’t say where, at first, but then she mentioned Kennedy Street.”

  Jo turned to Jake. “That’s where the old warehouse is.”

  “Looks like we just found another person to question.” Jake turned to Lang. “Thanks, man. Welcome aboard.”

  Chapter 22

  Jake

  Jo walked ahead of Jake as they made their way down to the front desk. Dannie was busy with another person, an old lady who wanted to file a report. “He’s been up the tree for sixteen hours now, and he won’t come down.”

  Jake assumed the woman was talking about a cat up a tree, so he stepped in to help out. “Ma’am. How about we connect you with the fire department, and they can get your cat down.”

  “My cat? I’m not here about a cat. There’s a maniac up in the tree in my front yard, and I can’t get him to come down. I’ve called it in, but you always seem to think I’m kidding.” She was out of sorts, and Dannie looked frustrated.

  “I’ll send an officer out there to talk him down, Mrs. Jones, but I can’t promise that he won’t climb back up there as soon as they leave unless you want him arrested for trespassing or disorderly conduct. That’s why I suggested to you the formal complaint. Which you would do by filling out this form.”

  “I didn’t bring my glasses,” she said. “Just send someone, please!” She turned around and stormed off, and Dannie slumped against the counter, taking a moment before she turned on the charm. “May I help you, Detective?”

  “As a matter of fact, you can. I just learned some very interesting news, and I thought you might be able to clear something up for me.”

  “Anything you want,” she said.

  Jo stepped in between them with a big smile on her face. “I don’t think we’ve formally met. I’m Detective Jo Calloway.” She held out her hand, and Dannie rolled her eyes.

  “I know who you are, Jo.”