Part 4 (1/2)
”I got in with three of the smartest in the cla.s.s,” Tim grinned. ”Eli Frederick was a genius software engineer. Hai's English was a little rough, but I quickly realized he was just as smart as Eli. And then Charlotte? She was only a freshman, but was allowed to take the cla.s.s, and she was absolutely brilliant. We worked well together and created the most kick-a.s.s project. Got an A and all four of us were offered teaching a.s.sistant positions. Eli and Hai didn't accept, but Charlotte and I did.”
”And you maintained a friends.h.i.+p with the other three?”
”Yes. We four got along fine and actually liked each other. I played some sports and belonged to a small fraternity so I had friends outside that group, but I really liked their company. Hai was funny as h.e.l.l without even trying. Charlotte was an enigma. I got the feeling that she hid behind the gla.s.ses and nerd-girl persona...as though she wasn't very comfortable around a lot of guys and that kept them at bay. And Eli? His mind never shut down! He was constantly looking for a better way, a smarter way to do something.”
”And after graduation?” Luke prompted. ”What then? What can you tell us about the group?”
Tim's forehead scrunched in thought as he answered, ”Hai got a job in California. I think he was with a Chinese based company that worked with hospitals...or something in the medical field. Then a few years later, he sent a group email saying he was moving back to China. Kind of a polite, kiss-off email. You know, an it-was-nice-to-meet-you email that was also essentially saying goodbye forever. And sure enough, I haven't heard from him since then.”
”And Charlotte?”
Luke noticed a faraway smile light Tim's face and he wondered if a college romance had budded between the two.
”Charlotte was a year behind us, but she did a better job of staying connected. In college, she wasn't very social, but seemed to appreciate our group. She was brilliant, as I said, and really gave Eli a run for his money considering he truly thought he was the smartest. By the time she graduated, I have no doubt that she could have worked for any company and demanded good money, but Eli convinced her that she could live her dream by working from home.”
Taking another large drink from his iced tea, Tim then explained, ”You have to understand Eli to understand Charlotte.”
Lifting his eyebrows in question, Luke did not need to prod to get more from Tim, who seemed to relish talking about his old college buddies.
”Eli truly hated being around people. He a.s.sumed they were not as smart as he was and, for the most part, he was right. His social skills were almost nil and his disdain for people in general was high. He tried having a job out of college, but he complained constantly. Then, after less than a year, he quit and became an independent, freelance software engineer. I tried to tell him to set up his own actual business with a license and tax breaks, but he refused to listen.” Shaking his head, Tim added, ”If Eli didn't understand something, especially if it didn't interest him, he would shun it. But what he was doing must have been working for him, 'cause he convinced Charlotte to do the same when she graduated.” For the first time since speaking, Tim's voice held contempt.
”You disagreed about Charlotte working for herself?” Patrick asked.
Leaning forward, with his forearms on his knees, Tim focused intently on them, his lips pinched. ”I liked Eli, but he could be a conceited p.r.i.c.k at times. He touted the virtues of working in his sweatpants instead of a suit. He talked about how he could work a few hours a day and make more money than working for some company. He sang the praises of not having to work with people. I get it. For him, that was perfect. But Charlotte? She was sweet, giving, smart. I got the feeling that in high school she'd been bullied for being uber smart so she learned to pull it all in and kind of hide. At MIT, at least with us, she became more at ease with herself. And I think it would've been good for her to have a job where her intelligence would be valued and she would be accepted in a group.”
Settling back in his seat heavily, he said, ”But Eli was very persuasive and she took his lead and worked freelance for herself...and from what I a.s.sume, quite lucratively.”
”Have you had any contact with any of them in the last six months?”
Shaking his head slowly, Tim replied, ”No...now that I think about, not at all.” Blus.h.i.+ng slightly, he admitted, ”But then, to be honest, they're kind of like old friends that slowly fade away. My life now is my family, my kids and their activities, and my job. I'm embarra.s.sed to say that I had no idea that Eli was missing...wow, and it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that he's dead.” Holding Luke's gaze, he asked, ”What can you tell me?”
”Eli approached the FBI with supposed information about a crime but wouldn't identify himself or the problem. Months later he approached them again and set up a meeting. He never made the meeting and the matter was closed. A month ago, his body was found.”
”But, earlier, you said murder.”
”Yes, it was determined he had been murdered.”
Shaking his head, Tim said, ”I'm afraid I can't help you there. I never had any idea what he worked on or who he had individual contracts with.”
”And Charlotte?” Luke asked.
”I'm afraid I'm just as in the dark about what she was doing as well. I know for a couple of years, Eli would farm out some of his extra work to her, but as to what it was, I'm clueless. But, I've got her contact info for you to check with her.” He was already pulling out his phone when Luke stopped him.
”Actually, it appears that she's missing also.” These words gained a gasp from Tim and Luke tried to ascertain if he were truly surprised or perhaps was covering. s.h.i.+t! I can't tell. I hope to h.e.l.l Marc or Patrick has a better read on him. ”We have no idea if she's in danger or not, but she is no longer at her previous residence and has discontinued any internet presence.”
”d.a.m.n,” Tim sighed.
”One last question,” Luke said. ”Did you know anyone named Charles or Charlie?”
”Charlie? No...I've never known a Charles...nor a Charlie.”
Luke observed Tim's face carefully, but the other man gave no indication that he was lying.
”If I can be of any help, I'd like to be. These were my friends at one time. Will you please keep me up on anything you find out?” Tim asked. Gaining the Saints' a.s.surance, he stood and walked them to the door, just as his wife was entering with four-year-old twin boys in tow.
As Patrick drove away, Luke turned to look back at the house, unable to see Tim on the phone with an angry expression on his face.
Chapter 7.
Lin w.a.n.g sat at the opulent dinner in the Chinese Emba.s.sy, her sharp eyes a.s.sessing everyone. Her dark, sleek bob was unadorned, swinging above her shoulders. Dressed in a modest evening gown of emerald green, she pretended to hang onto every word spoken by the boring man sitting next to her while attempting to scan the room.
Her eyes landed on Dr. Jian Cheung and her lips pinched together involuntarily. His eyes met hers and, much to her chagrin, he walked through the crowd toward her. Turning in her seat to face her table partner more fully, she hoped the doctor would ignore her, but her luck was not holding.
”Agent w.a.n.g, how nice to see you again,” Dr. Cheung's voice purred from behind as she felt his fingertips slide across her shoulders. Sucking in a quick breath, she twisted around and gifted him with a tight smile.
”Doctor,” she greeted in return, her voice barely a growl.
Just then the Chinese Amba.s.sador's secretary, Yeng Chow stepped into view, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Dr. Cheung and hustling over.
”Dr. Cheung,” he said breathlessly in Chinese, ”I've been looking for you.”
Jian turned slowly, his smile never wavering, although Lin caught the irritation glistening in his eyes. ”And now you have found me.”
”The Amba.s.sador has someone he wants you to meet,” Yeng said, his eyes dropping to Lin's perceptive gaze.
”Anything I can a.s.sist with?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow, speaking in Chinese as well.
”No, no, my dear,” Jian replied smoothly, his fingers digging ever so slightly into her shoulder. He turned and followed Yeng out of the room, Lin's eyes staying on them until they were out of sight.
”Hey, Agent w.a.n.g, you okay?”
Jumping, she turned to see her fellow FBI agent standing nearby. ”Yes, I'm fine. Just trying to keep an eye on security as well as be a guest,” she said, her voice brooking no doubt. She eyed the other agent as they nodded and moved away.
Sucking in a deep breath, she sometimes hated being Chinese-American in the Bureau. Her gaze landed on the door Dr. Cheung had left through and her lips curved into a small smile. And then again...it gives me the perfect opportunity to blend in to keep an eye on things.
Charlie woke suddenly, unable to discern the sound that had jarred her from her sleep. With the fall chill penetrating the nights in the camper, she was already dressed in a long-sleeve black t-s.h.i.+rt and black leggings. Stealing noiselessly from the bed, she went to the security monitor screen mounted on the wall that showed her the images from the outside cameras.
d.a.m.n! One person slipped around the side of the camper toward her Vespa while another person stood at the end of the gravel campsite leading to the main road circling the campground. Biting her lip, she sucked in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, clearing her mind.
Watching the person in the back bend over her Vespa, she opened the specially oiled door without making a sound. Moving in the shadows, she slipped up behind the man, glad he was not overly large. With a quick karate move, she dropped him to the ground before he was aware of her presence. Slipping to the other side of the van, she waited until the lookout turned and approached her vehicle. Coming up behind him, she executed the same maneuver and dropped him as well. Staring down at the two men, she looked around in guilt. What now? What do I do with them now? Suddenly, she sprinted back inside her camper and rummaged through her toolbox. Grabbing the duct tape, she slipped back outside, holding her breath until she saw the two men still lying on the ground.
Bending down, she secured one man's hands behind his back with the tape and, with difficulty, dragged his body under a tree. Thank goodness a wind is blowing through the trees creating a noise camouflage. Within a couple of minutes, she had both unconscious men secured. Heart pounding, she stood for a moment, uncertain of what to do next. If they found me...others will come.