Two officers met me around the corner from Erik Smalley’s apartment to go over the plan. They would wait for me to get into position with a good view of the duplex, then they’d park in front of it and bang on the door for the second time in several hours. We were setting a trap that I hoped would pan out. If it didn’t, Erik Smalley’s face would be plastered on every news channel until someone from his group gave him up or he was spotted and turned in by a concerned citizen.
As a precaution, I exchanged cell phone numbers with the officers. Nothing about what we were doing would be broadcast over the police radios. For all we knew, the people who were involved in the murders could have scanners.
I found a good place across the street to park, cut the engine and lights, and let the officers know I was ready whenever they were.
A minute later, I saw headlights coming my way through the rearview mirror. The squad car passed me then parked in plain view of the upper unit’s front window. From my position, I saw lights on upstairs. I watched as the officers approached the duplex, walked the sidewalk to the porch, then banged on the door to the upstairs apartment. A man came to the window and looked down. There was no denying that at least one person was home. After the officers waited on the porch for several minutes, the door swung open, and they disappeared inside.
I made the call to Taft and updated her on where I was and what I was watching. I told her I’d keep her posted and hung up. Even though I knew I was on Speakerphone and Renz was listening in, I planned to call his cell and update him, too, every half hour or so.
My hope was that the roommates would leave as soon as they saw the police car drive away. Sometimes a little prodding went a long way, and I crossed my fingers that they’d take the bait and leave. That was when the real investigation would begin. There was a good chance that they knew where Erik was and who the puppet masters were, and hopefully, they’d lead us right to them.
Ten minutes later, the cops exited the building, climbed into their squad car, and drove off. That same man came to the window again and looked out. I called Officer Brice to tell him that they had been seen driving away. “Are they both up there?”
“Yep, both Lucas and Cole are home.”
“Okay.”
If the roommates were going anywhere, it would probably be in the next few minutes. While I watched the duplex, I wondered how Erik had gotten to the alley, was in the car with Brandon, yet never showed up on any cameras near his home between seven and eight a.m. that Sunday morning.
Maybe he left even earlier than that or stayed the night somewhere else, yet there is the chance he sneaked out using the fire escape and jumped the fence, but why sneak out at all? That’s just one more puzzle piece we need to figure out. No matter what, he’s good for the murder. Now all we need to do is track him down.
As I stared at the duplex, the upstairs lights went off. “Yes!” I realized I was holding my breath as I watched the front door. A minute later, I saw movement. The door opened slightly. A head popped out and looked up and down the street, then cautiously, both men walked out. I kept low in my seat but still had a good visual of them. They turned right and hurried down the sidewalk. As they walked away from me, I sat up and made another call to Officer Brice. I told him that both men were on foot, walking east down Greenfield Avenue, and would probably pass them as they sat on the next side street within a minute or two. If the guys planned to hop on a bus, they were headed in the right direction. The nearest bus stop was only two blocks away.
I started my car and inched ahead. I didn’t want to get too close, but I didn’t want to lose them either. I made sure to cut in and out of the commercial driveways so they wouldn’t notice a car following them at a slow pace. They were coming up on the bus shelter, so I turned in at a gas station and waited. Brice called my phone and asked my location. I told them where I was, and he said they had passed the shelter on a parallel street and were stationed a half block ahead with a clear view of both men. They had just taken seats in the enclosure and were waiting for the next bus. Brice said that this particular bus went due east and ended at South Barclay Street just blocks from Jones Island. There was nothing in that area except derelict homes, abandoned warehouses, and homeless people, which could be exactly what we were looking for.
I looked to my left, and the city bus was approaching. Cole, Lucas, and one woman were waiting in the shelter. After the bus stopped and the riders exited, both men and the woman climbed aboard. Brice and I were still on the phone, and he reminded me that they could assist the entire way since West Allis and Barclay Street were both part of the second district jurisdiction. I was glad that I wouldn’t have to ask for different officers from another precinct and explain the situation to them. Brice said they would update the precincts on their end and he’d make the call with his cell.
It took twenty-five minutes to reach the end of the bus route, but Lucas and Cole had already gotten off at the First Street stop. I didn’t like the idea that I was completely exposed even though I was in my personal car. The area was desolate, and a car following, even at a distance, would probably raise a red flag. I had to back off, park, and follow them on foot. It was the only way, or I’d lose them for sure. I called Brice, told him my plan, and turned down a side street. The squad car was only a few car lengths behind me. After I exited my vehicle and peered around a building, I saw the men walk north. Brice and Connelly parked behind my car and came my way.
“What have we got?” Connelly asked.
“They’re right there.” I pointed at the men a good block ahead. “The only way to get close enough to see where they’re going is on foot, but we’ll need to split up. I’ll go straight up the middle, Brice, you go a half block to their left, and Connelly, you go a half block to their right. As long as one of us has a visual on them at all times, we’ll be able to see where they went. Set your phones to vibrate, I’ll do the same, and we’ll keep each other posted via texts. Any questions?”
“Nope, I’m good,” Brice said.
Connelly nodded. “Me too.”
The officers scurried off in opposite directions. I lost sight of them as they rounded the buildings, then I sucked in a deep breath and moved ahead cautiously.