Part 23 (1/2)

Rainey wanted clarification. ”But you said, Chelsea moved here. Did your mother move away, after the split?”

”Chelsea and my mother moved to Oklahoma and lived in the Elohim City sect, until my Dad was able to get Chelsea out and in college. She taught for a couple of years on the west coast and then moved back here after Dad sent her a job application. I haven't seen or heard from my mother in years. Chelsea still keeps in touch with her, but I'd rather not deal with her at all. I'm proud of Chelsea for overcoming all that c.r.a.p she had to listen to.”

Elohim City was the home of a religious sect made up of radical Christians. Some still believe the residents had something to do with Tim McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing. A former sect guest, Richard Snell, taunted guards that something big was planned for the day of his execution. He was put to death in Arkansas on April 19, 1995, just hours after McVeigh brought down the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including nineteen children under the age of six. Rainey was more than intrigued by Chelsea's connection to these people.

Rainey tried not to sound too interested, when she asked, ”Chelsea taught on the west coast?”

”Yes, near San Diego. She met Jared at Elohim City, too. He joined the Navy when she left the sect. He was stationed out there and she wanted to be near him. When he got out he moved here to be with her. They are very sweet together. He obviously wors.h.i.+ps the ground she walks on. They are getting married in August.”

Rainey dug deeper. ”He seemed like a nice guy.”

Dara grinned. ”He is. She hasn't slept with him. Won't even go to his house without a chaperone. He has much more patience than me.”

”What does he do, now that he's out of the navy?”

”Jared works for a computer tech company. He's the guy that comes around to solve your software problems. He's a wiz with computers. He does all the graphic designs for my business and the bar.”

Rainey hoped Danny was reviewing the video on this guy. She realized they had no last name, so she asked, ”I didn't catch his whole name. I need to look him up. I could use a new logo.”

”It's Jared Howard. He's really good. If you want, I could give you his number.”

Rainey wanted everything she could get on this guy. ”Sure, that would be great.”

Dara picked up a pen and a small rectangular card, from a decorative mug in the center of the table. Feme Sole provided blank ”Call Me” cards for their patrons. While Dara wrote down Jared's information, Rainey looked around the room again. It wasn't wise to focus on one suspect until all the other options had been eliminated. In the corner, opposite Rainey's table, a small dark man was watching her. When he realized she was looking, he quickly diverted his attention to the dance floor. Dara handed Rainey the card and dropped the pen back into the cup.

Rainey held the card so it was visible on the camera. She was sure a background check was in progress, and that was confirmed when Danny's voice sounded in her ear.

”We're running Howard now, Rainey. Turn back to the man in the corner. We need a close up if you can get one.”

”Thank you,” Rainey said, pocketing the card. ”Dara, do you know that man in the corner over there?”

Dara followed Rainey's gaze. It wasn't hard to pick out a man in this crowd of women. Dara shook her head from side to side. ”No, I don't know him.”

Rainey stood up. ”Well, I'm going to go get a better look at him. I just wanted to ask you one more question. I know you knew Lisa Jones. Phyllis told me. Did you also know Kim McNatt?”

Dara studied Rainey's face. She answered cautiously, ”Yes, I knew Kim, intimately if that's what you're getting at.”

Rainey smiled to ease Dara's anxiety. ”Just trying to connect all the dots. Both women were seen here with you, then, at this table?”

Rainey's question was as much for Danny as it was for the woman in front of her. It didn't help Dara's apprehension.

”Do you think these murders might have something to do with me?”

”The victims were connected to this club and you are part owner. It's just a piece of the puzzle.” Rainey started to turn away, but looked back at Dara. ”Watch your back, Dara. He's close.”

Rainey crossed the floor toward the man in the corner. He was on his cell phone, pretending to be in deep conversation, but he was watching her approach. A tall, statuesque, redhead, nearly half Rainey's age, suddenly obstructed her path. She smiled seductively at Rainey.

”Hi, my name is Ashley.” The redhead's drawl was pure central North Carolina. ”I certainly know who you are. Could I interest you in a drink, Agent Bell?”

Danny said, in Rainey's ear, ”Oh good, lord. That woman is a lesbian? No wonder I can't find a woman like that. They're all at the gay bars.”

”Thank you,” Rainey said, ”I appreciate the offer, but I'm a little busy right now.”

Ashley smiled and leaned closer, slipping a card in Rainey's blazer pocket, and whispering in her ear, ”I'd like to keep you busy for a couple of hours. Call me.”

The earwig erupted with different voices.

”Oh, good G.o.d,” was Danny voice.

Rainey was sure it was Sheila that said, ”Steady, girl.”

James let out a quiet, ”Oooooo.”

Paula was the voice of reason, ”Settle down, boys.”

Rainey realized her camera was level with the Ashley's cleavage. She smiled and leaned into the redhead, giving the boys in the truck a close up. More gasps and whoops quickly followed.

”I'm flattered,” Rainey said, ”but I'm taken.”

Ashley was not fazed. With a big beauty queen smile, she said, ”Well, variety is the spice of life. If you get tired of that little blonde, you give me a call. By the way, I'm a natural,” Ashley winked, ”redhead that is.”

Rainey laughed and shook her head from side to side. ”I bet you are, Miss Ashley.”

Ashley went back to a laughing table of girls. Rainey continued toward the corner. The guy wasn't there. Rainey was alarmed.

”He's not there anymore. Sheila, do you see him?”

”No, he was under me. He could only have gone out to the lobby.”

Rainey went through the doors and ran into Phyllis coming the other way.

”Phyllis, did you just see a guy with dark hair come through here? He was alone.”

Phyllis, ever observant, said, ”Yeah, he's over there by the window.”

Danny was in Rainey's ear again. ”Sheila, move to the balcony over the lobby. I want more eyes on this guy. Couple two, he's right behind you, dark hair, khaki slacks, burgundy s.h.i.+rt.”

Rainey moved toward the man. He was typing into his cell phone and didn't see her until she was right on top of him. He was about her height, clean cut, not bad looking, but his body language suggested he was timid. That was confirmed when Rainey said, ”h.e.l.lo,” and he nearly jumped out the window.

”Hel...h.e.l.lo, Agent Bell.”

”You know who I am? Now, who are you?”

The guy's eyes darted around the room. He stammered, ”Mike, Mike Hopkins.”

Rainey took a step closer and Mike shrank from her. She pressed him, ”Well, Mike-Mike Hopkins, why were you staring at me? You were taking pictures, too. Give me that phone.”

Mike handed over the phone without a word of protest.