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COMBS STARED AT DOTY. “Pottinger was Steven’s doctor.” Combs repeated it for emphasis.
Doty’s words were curt. “Perfect timing, Officer. When did you plan to enlighten us?” She did sarcasm well.
“Uncle Stan heard from September’s folks. I came directly to the press conference from Stan’s, and before I could say anything, you got word about April.” Combs knew he sounded defensive but Doty always had that effect. He made an effort to smooth his tone. “Since then we’ve been busy.” He could do sarcasm, too.
“So all the deaths are connected.” Gonzales stuck his hands deep in his pockets. “Kid has some seriously bad karma.”
“It’s not like Steven pulled the trigger. But yeah, there’s something rotten. Childress denied knowing Pottinger, and claimed April picked all the doctors.”
Gonzales smoothed his mustache as if that would help him think. “You believe him?”
“They fought over Steven’s treatment.” Saying it out loud made Combs more convinced the man was involved.
“Hey, I’d fight for my kids to the death.” Gonzales looked at Doty. “So would you, if you had kids.”
So would he. So far he and Cassie had kept it civil, but all bets would be off if she tried to take his kids. “Crime of passion, you knock off the ex-wife. But all these other people? It’s got to be something more. Something about reputation. Or money.”
Doty’s phone buzzed. “About time. Tell me you’ve got answers.” She listened intently, and whistled through her teeth with exasperation. “So you don’t know yet, but can tell me when? Thirty minutes? Ten? Bite me, we don’t have the time. I need answers yesterday. And while you sit on your ass for some bureaucrat to answer his pager, add this to your to-do list. Do you hear me?” The angry pulse-beat in her temple thrummed faster. “Write it down. I want you to find any connection—anything—between Dr. Henry Pottinger and Doug Childress.”
Combs muttered a curse. “That’s it. That’s what April tried to say.” He pulled on his own gloves. “Gonzales, is anyone watching Childress? Do we know where he is?”
Doty spoke through gritted teeth, her patience at an end. “He’s the father of a kidnap victim, so yeah; I’ve got a uniform with him. You know, in case there’s a ransom call.”
Ignoring her acerbity, Combs mentally connected the dots. “Check to make sure we’ve got eyes on him. I don’t know how, or exactly why, but Childress is involved.” Combs watched Gonzales make a call.
“How’d you come up with that?” Doty’s tone softened into a devil’s advocate role. “He’s a victim here. Maybe an asshole for a father and husband, but that doesn’t mean he’s a killer.”
Gonzales hung up the phone. “They lost him.”
“What?” Doty’s temple pulse quickened.
“They can’t find Childress. They got separated after the press conference, figured they’d hook up back at his place. Pike’s gone after him.” Gonzales was disgusted.
“Damn it to hell. But why? He kidnapped his own kid? That’s crazy.” Doty headed for the door. “Gonzales, keep a watch on the guy’s apartment, he still might show up. It’s not like we know where else to go.” She slammed through the door.
Combs dodged its rebound and followed. Gonzales hurried to catch up.
“I’m still not convinced. Childress wasn’t anywhere near this place. Ex-husband goes after the wife to get custody of the kid. Why would he hurt the kid?” Her phone rang. “Talk to me.” She listened, and then told the men, “They found two guns in Childress’s car. One’s a Remington Rand Model 1911A1, a .45 semi-automatic, shoots the same caliber that killed the dog park victim and your mom. What do you want to bet the other gun will match the wounds of the vic from Star Mall.”
“Sloppy as hell, but that confirms it’s him.” Their breath fogged the air. Doty stopped and turned on Combs’s next words. “April pointed him out with her dying breath. And I bet Steven’s not his kid.”
“Our witness never said...” Doty’s brow furrowed. “What d’ya mean, not his kid?”
“My God, you’re right.” Gonzales slapped his forehead. “April didn’t mean the dog. She wasn’t talking about dogs at all.”
Doty looked perplexed. Gonzales and Combs spoke at the same time, mimicking Doty’s flat Midwestern accent. “April said it was Doug’s fault.”
