Megan
Thank goodness for technology! While hi-tech gadgets made it easier for criminals to get away with crimes, it also gave law enforcement new ways to intercept evidence and locate suspects. The triangulation system the department’s tech gurus were using now could access data from cell phone towers, measure the relative strength of the signals, and pinpoint the location of a cell phone within a very small range.
With Bustamente telling me where to go, we made our way through east Fort Worth, heading west, our lights flashing. Even so, we weren’t making great time. It was the tail end of rush hour, and a major wreck on Vickery had traffic backed up. Even when drivers tried to get out of our way, they had a hard time pulling over with so many cars on the road.
His phone still at his ear, the detective cut a glance my way. “They’re saying the signals haven’t changed for a few minutes now. Either he’s stopped somewhere, or he’s ditched the phone.”
I prayed it was the former. Please, God! Help us save this rhino!
He pointed down a side street up ahead. “Turn left there. It’ll get us out of this mess.”
I made the left turn.
When we reached the next block, Bustamente repeated what he was being told on the phone. “He’s on the move again.”
The information was both good news and bad news. It was always easier to nail a nonmoving target. But at least with the signal in motion again, we knew he hadn’t ditched his phone.
Bustamente pointed through the windshield. “He should be right up there somewhere.”
I squinted and leaned over my steering wheel for a better view as we sped along. Not seeing a trailer or a black Dodge pickup with a camper shell. No … No … Wait! “That must be him!”
A few cars ahead, we could see the back end of a white trailer. The back doors were open a few inches, but secured with some type of crossbars.
As we drew closer, we could see foliage through the narrow opening.
Bustamente grunted. “You sure that’s him? It looks like that trailer’s full of trees.”
“Maybe it’s the rhino’s food.”
“Can a rhino even fit in a trailer that size?”
I was wondering the same thing. I unrolled my window and stuck my head out to see up ahead. To my dismay, I couldn’t tell from this distance and angle what type of vehicle was pulling the trailer.
“Is it a black Dodge pickup?” Bustamente asked.
“I can’t get eyes on it.” The cars between our cruiser and the trailer were taking their sweet time pulling out of the way. Never mind that the law required them to pull right, they didn’t want to give up the two-second advantage they might have over a driver coming up behind them.
The detective pointed to a Penske rental truck in the adjacent lane. “Think Fleming’s in that truck instead?”
“Could be.” Ugh! The uncertainty was frustrating. We had to follow the right vehicle or he could get away!
But which vehicle was the right one?