The chance of Wisconsin’s FBI regional serial crimes field office being open at seven o’clock on a Sunday night were slim, but I did have the mobile number of Kate Pierce, who actually saved my life a while back and lived with FBI Agent Jade Monroe. It had been well over a year since I’d seen or spoken to Kate, and even if their life situations had changed, she could still put me in touch with Jade. I had no idea if Jade was still with the Serial Crimes Unit or had moved on to higher places on the proverbial totem pole, but it was worth a shot. Kate’s cell phone number was somewhere in my desk. I just had to find it.
Lutz told me to get back to him as soon as I spoke with Jade. The rest of our crew was tasked with finding out as much as they could about Carl Lyndon. Learning more about the man might get us one step closer to finding out where he went. Since we had no idea what Carl’s final destination was, we needed the FBI’s guidance, and in all likelihood, they would be the ones taking the lead.
Finally, with Kate’s phone number in hand, I dialed it and listened as the call rang in my ear. Seconds later, I heard the familiar voice that instantly made me smile.
“Jesse? Jesse McCord?”
“Hey, Kate, how’s it going?”
“You know, same old thing, saving the world and solving crimes. Of course, I knew you’d call.”
“Really?” I laughed. “So your psychic ability is still spot-on?”
“Absolutely.”
“So you know why I’m calling, then?”
It was her turn to laugh. “Okay, okay, you got me. What’s up, Detective McCord? Or are you a sergeant now?”
“Nope. I like where I’m at in life.”
“Hmm… that sounded like you were talking about more than what’s going on at the precinct. Is there someone else consuming your personal time besides Bandit?”
“Maybe, but I’ll save that for another day. I need your help, Kate. Are you still close to Jade?”
“Jade, of course. Remember, I live with her and Amber. Actually, she’s here right now.”
I breathed a sigh of relief since the person I needed to speak to was readily available. “Is she still with the FBI?”
“Yes she is, so let me get her for you. Take care, and we’ll catch up later. I’m handing the phone over to her.”
“Hello, Jesse, Jade here. Calling Kate on a Sunday night must mean something urgent is going on. What can I help you with?”
“I’m sorry to disrupt your night, but yes, it is urgent. There’s a killer we’ve been after for nearly a week now, and we just learned that he crossed into Wisconsin earlier today.”
“Okay, let me grab a notepad and a pen. Hold on a second, please.”
I slid my own paper and pen across my desk while I waited.
“I’m back. Go ahead and tell me what you know.”
“I’ll explain the most important points, and hopefully, we can find a way to work together. We have a killer on the loose who I believe has murdered six people, if not more. Given the fact that you’re with the Serial Crimes Unit working the Midwest regional area, I believe you’re the right person to speak to. This man left Chicago sometime early today, crossed into Wisconsin, stole a Wisconsin license plate, replaced his own with the stolen one, and then for whatever reason, set his vehicle on fire just a few miles north of Wisconsin Rapids on State Road F.”
“So he fled into Wisconsin, drove north hundreds of miles, but instead of continuing to wherever his destination was, he set his vehicle on fire? I assume the vehicle was empty.”
“That’s correct. He disappeared into thin air, so he either highjacked a vehicle or hitchhiked to parts unknown. The problem is, if he continued that same route, he could end up in northern Wisconsin, or by turning left, he could be in Minnesota, and—”
Jade cut in. “And turning right would take him into Michigan.”
“Exactly, and I have no idea where to look. What I do know is that the man is a vicious killer with no regard for human life.”
“And his name?”
“Carl Lyndon. Lived in the Wicker Park area of Chicago for years, yet his neighbors didn’t even know him.”
Jade sighed through the phone line. “Not uncommon. Many serial killers stay under the radar for years simply by making themselves invisible. Does he have a police record?”
“Nope, and no prints on file. We do have several still shots of him as well as a couple of videos. Oh, and he was injured during a shoot-out with one of the victims. He was shot in the leg. There’s no hospital record of him coming in, so he must have addressed the wound himself. The last video we saw of him showed him walking with a limp.”
“He sounds like a tough one, but the FBI is a lot tougher, and we have plenty of resources. Give me an hour to contact my team and get the ball rolling. I’ll need everything you have sent to my email address at our Glendale office.”
“Or—” I was sure I heard a chuckle through the phone lines.
“Or what?”
“I could give your team a hand by going up there with everything we’ve collected on him so far.” I was sure I heard a sigh.
“All right, but we are taking the lead on the case. Get your ass to my house in North Bend and make it fast. Bring your laptop and everything you need for four or five days. It shouldn’t take longer than that to track him down. You and I will go over all the details tonight and be ready to hit the road tomorrow after we meet with the team. Oh, and Jesse?”
“Yep?”
“Make sure to clear it with your commander first.”
“On it. See you soon.” I bolted from my desk and went directly to Lutz’s office. “Boss, the FBI is taking the case, but they’re going to need my help.”
Lutz frowned. “In what capacity?”
“As in the physical kind for four or five days. I’ll be their wingman of sorts since I have everything they need on my laptop and—”
Lutz waved me on. “Just go. We’ve spent every waking moment searching for that man without an apprehension, and now I’m relieved to pass it off to the FBI. We can get back to normal—whatever that is—and work our other cases, but I want an update every evening.”
“You got it, and thanks.”
I ran to the bullpen, explained to everyone where I was going, and gathered my gear. I felt bad leaving Frank in the lurch, but he was tough and understood that sometimes, we had to follow our cases out of town.
“Sorry, partner, but I have to go. It shouldn’t be more than a couple of days. We’ll get that bastard, and I’ll bring him back here to face the charges against him.”
“Yeah, yeah, you don’t have to convince me, McCord. Just get him.”
With a nod, I grabbed my keys off my desk and headed for the door.
“Jesse.”
I turned back and looked at Frank. “Yep.”
“Tell Pierce I said hi.”
“You got it, and I’ll keep you updated.”
I ran out and down the stairs then sped across our parking lot to my Camaro. I still had to stop home, grab some clothes, and ask Dean to take care of Bandit for a few days. I knew he would—I could never ask for a better neighbor. My mind went to Hanna, and I wondered if she was still at my house or had gone home.
It’ll save time if I call her while I drive.
With her number already programmed in my infotainment center and synced with my phone, I pressed the button on my steering wheel and called her name. The system dialed her number, and she answered right away.
“Hey, I thought you were working late.”
“I am, but I’m heading home to pack a bag.”
“To where?”
“Our killer has crossed into Wisconsin, and I have connections with the regional FBI Serial Crimes lead. I’m heading there to assist.”
“Okay, what about Bandit? I’ve already left your house.”
“I’m so sorry, Hanna. This wasn’t the best trial weekend, was it?”
She chuckled into the phone. “We’ll try it again after you get back. So, Bandit?”
“Right. I’ll call Dean. Bandit and Jackson haven’t had much playtime lately. Dean will appreciate having Bandit stay with them for a few days, so it isn’t a problem.”
“Okay, call me when you’re settled and good luck.”
“Hanna?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Thanks for understanding. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Jesse. Stay safe.”