She decided to send a team back to the hotel basement. Couldn’t hurt to check the ventilation systems one more time. With the weather as cool as it had been, the conference attendees could always live without air conditioning for an hour or two if necessary. Better than risking the alternative.
Harper massaged her temples. Decided to make sure Blake didn’t find out about the extra search. Didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. She found her radio, called in the order. Froze as she heard her cell phone ring. Private number. Only a handful of people knew how to reach her on that handset, and none of them made a habit of calling unless blood was about to be spilled.
She answered the call. “Harper.”
“This is Hunt.” The Assistant Director sounded edgy. “There’s been a development.” The usual departmental term for someone screwed up.
Harper took a deep breath. “How can I help, sir?” She gripped the phone a little tighter.
“I just got a call from the Chief of Police over at Seattle PD,” Hunt said. “They’ve found something at Seattle Center Park, near the Needle.” He paused. “Joanne, you’ve got one hell of a shit storm headed your way.”
Chapter 34
A SUBTERRANEAN TUNNEL leading out the parking lot provided the perfect route for Jack’s little excursion. Leopold hung back about fifty feet, watching the two of them saunter toward the daylight. Jerome took up the rear, scanning the area with unblinking eyes. The smell of damp concrete and vehicle exhaust lingered in the air. Outside, the sun had finally broken through the cloud cover. It was still a little cool, but getting warmer.
Still hanging back, Leopold stepped out onto the sidewalk. The open air felt good after sixteen hours indoors. Traffic was heavy, the wide roads jammed with cars. Trees lined either side, the last of the night’s rain still clinging to the leaves.
“You think Harper’s going to run another sweep?” Jerome said, sidling up next to Leopold. They walked in step.
“Seems likely. I pissed her off enough. She’ll probably figure it’s not worth the humiliation if I turn out to be right.”
“Seems you have her figured out.”
Leopold nodded. “I know the type. Focused on getting everything perfect, even when they know it’s not possible.” They crossed the street. “She’s not going to risk missing something. Even if it means having to listen to me.”
“She’s not going to enjoy this assignment, is she?”
“Not a chance.” Leopold felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket. He fished it out and checked his messages. “Mary’s been in touch.”
Jerome smiled. “You two still talking?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Just that most people would have gotten sick of you by now. No offense.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“You bet.”
Leopold sighed. “We have a mutually beneficial professional relationship. No reason to end it now.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s the reason,” Jerome said.
They reached the intersection and Leopold stopped at the crosswalk. “I’m sure you have a point, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what the hell it might be.”
“I’ve seen you two together. It’s more than a professional relationship.”
Leopold rolled his eyes. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
“Sure. Whatever.” Jerome pointed ahead. “Walk.”
They crossed the road, still a little over fifty feet behind June and Jack.
“And I understand you and Officer Johnson hit it off last night,” Jerome continued as they reached the other side.
Leopold looked sideways at him. “You still spying on me?”
“I might have tracked down the bartender. Asked a few questions.” Jerome frowned. “And I told you not to drink any alcohol.”
“A gin and tonic doesn’t count. And Johnson was there to share a few concerns, that’s all. She had some questions of her own.”
“Right. She went all the way home, got changed, then came all the way back into town to meet you for a drink. Just so she could talk about work.” He laughed. “You sure do know women.”
“Oh, and you’re an expert?”
“Compared to you.”
“Just drop it.”
Jerome laughed a little louder. Leopold made a mental note to seat him in coach on the flight back.
“Back to Mary,” Leopold said. “She’s been looking into the Chemworks business.” He glanced at his cell phone. “According to this, activity out of the facility seems to have dried up. There’s been no apparent activity in quite some time.”