Part 31 (2/2)
”What is the order of the day, Officer?” Kiku inquired.
”We wait.” Jack plopped down on the couch.
They spent the day waiting for something to break: Jack paced and did push-ups, Replacement searched the computer, and Kiku cleaned her guns. Replacement checked on Marisa's bank activity, phone, and email, but there was nothing. She looked through every system she could access for any and all clues. After sitting for hours in a chair, Jack saw her shove the mouse away, put her head back, and rub her eyes with the palms of her hands. He walked over to rub her back. ”Should I order subs?”
Replacement looked up with a lopsided grin. ”Steak and cheese, baby.”
”Do they have salads?” Kiku lay on her back on the couch while she checked the slide action of her Glock.
”I think I have a menu in here.” Jack walked into the kitchen and went through the drawers. Finding no menus, he headed for the nightstand in the bedroom.
Suddenly, he heard the police scanner come to life. He raced back into the living room. Replacement looked up. ”They called for an ambulance at the tattoo parlor.”
All three raced to put their shoes on and get their jackets.
”I'll drive.” Jack ran ahead but Kiku and Replacement rushed behind him.
As the Impala rounded the corner to the tattoo parlor, Jack saw a police cruiser and an ambulance out front. A small crowd of people had gathered outside, making it difficult for Tom Kempy to maintain control as people tried to get in the front door.
Jack walked up as another cruiser arrived at the scene. Because of the crowd, he couldn't see who was driving and, at the moment, he didn't care.
”The paramedics are coming out, and we need to clear this doorway,” Tom tried to explain.
One look at the faces of the crowd told Jack Tom's approach wouldn't work. Half of them looked concerned, while the others were just along for the ride, eager to see what was going on.
”MOVE BACK!” Jack didn't have his uniform on, but he was still all cop.
He marched forward, making the crowd immediately start backing away from the entrance.
”MOVE BACK! Give them s.p.a.ce.” Jack kept walking until the path was clear.
Two EMTs wheeled a stretcher out with Shawn Miller on it. He'd been really worked over. It was clear he was unconscious.
Black eyes, broken jaw, nose, arm...
Jack stopped his mental list of injuries to look back to an EMT, but struggled to remember his name.
”Hey, boss,” he called out, deciding on a nickname that flattered, ”did he say anything?”
The young man shook his head. ”A girl inside found him. She's still pretty upset. How've you been?”
Jack shook his hand. ”Been better, thanks. I'm going to head in to talk to her. All right, everyone, let's move back. Let's keep the sidewalks clear.”
”How can you set such a fine example of working police procedures and yet be a poster boy for how to infuriate Sheriff Collins?” The crowd parted as Robert Morrison, a tall, African-American man in his late fifties walked forward. Morrison wore the tan uniform of the sheriff's department without the hat. His curly black hair was short and graying at the temples. Even though he had a smile on his face, Jack could see the look of disappointment in his eyes.
”Undersheriff.” Jack nodded as he came to attention.
”Don't do that, son.” He stretched out his hand. ”I appreciate the show of respect, but save it for Collins. Actually, just stay away from the man for now. Why the h.e.l.l didn't you call me?”
”What was I going to say? Collins had already made up his mind. Why drag you into a fight I can't win?”
”Because I can try to talk some sense into him.” As he turned, he looked up at the large sign over Marisa's shop. ”The girl you think is missing owns this place?”
Jack nodded and then motioned for Morrison to go in. ”The guy they just took out is the a.s.sistant manager, Shawn Miller.”
Jack held open the door to let Morrison pa.s.s.
”Can he give a statement?”
”Not right now. Unconscious. EMT said a girl found him. I'd like to talk to her.”
Morrison stopped to give him a look. ”You're going to let me handle that. Collins is out of town, but I keep expecting him to jump out of the floor and start yelling at me for even breathing the same air as you.”
Jack rolled his eyes as he suddenly realized he didn't see Kiku or Replacement anywhere.
”Sir, I-”
”Bring me up to speed after we talk to the girl.”
They walked over to one of the front tables where Tom was talking to a crying girl.
Tom snapped to attention as they came over.
”Undersheriff. I have the scene under control, and I'm taking statements now.”
”Good job, Tom.” Morrison nodded. ”Miss? Can I ask you a few questions?”
She sobbed into a handful of tissues but nodded.
Morrison leaned down. ”What happened when you came in?”
Her face contorted. ”I came to work, but I didn't see Shawn. I called for him, but...I didn't get any answer. I went to see if he was out back. Marisa's office door was open. He was lying on the floor and there was blood everywhere.”
”Did Shawn say anything?”
She sobbed as she shook her head. ”He was just moaning.”
Morrison stood up and turned to Jack. ”Do you know if this place has surveillance?”
”None.”
”I'm going to call it in to start a canva.s.s of the neighborhood.”
Jack walked over to the curtain.
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