I waved when I saw Maddox's SUV and he pulled over to where I insisted Alice drop me at the side of the road. Even though I hopped out of her car, she refused to leave me alone, "just in case a calamity befell me" and remained in the car with the kids making faces at me. I should have sat and waited in her car but I was too excited about my revelations.
"I've worked it all out," I told Maddox as I climbed into his car and buckled the seatbelt. I waved to Alice and she drove off, Ben and Rachel both waving to me from the backseat. "Go!" I shouted as I pointed ahead.
Maddox didn't move.
"Hurry up! Time is of the essence!" I waved my forefinger at the road.
"Seriously?"
"Pedal to the metal!"
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you know."
"Everything," I said smugly, my mind racing. "I've worked it all out. The bank heist. Sophie. The money. Mackleton's murder. Charlie. Everything."
"Are you telling me a woman in a coma pulled off... hang on. Which bank heist?" Maddox frowned.
I gave him a quizzical look. "What are you talking about? Sophie didn't pull off either heist."
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"We have to get to the agency. We need everyone. I'll tell you everything there."
"Fine," muttered Maddox, shifting the gear into drive.
I shot off a message to Solomon saying I had it all worked out and he should meet us at the agency. Then I sent the same message to Garrett and Jord. I contemplated sending it to Lily too so she wouldn't feel left out but figured there would be too many questions. I'd make it up to her later.
I directed Maddox into one of the parking spaces under the building and he followed me up the stairs. Solomon and Delgado waited in the boardroom, arms crossed, faces unreadable. I grabbed the files I needed from my desk. "Where is everyone?" I asked.
"We’re everyone. Lucas is working the Bagshot angle. Fletcher and Flaherty are still in Boston, running down leads on our dead thief. And I just dispatched two bodyguards to the hospital for the Takahashis. What's the urgency?" asked Solomon.
"We should wait for my brothers." I opened up my email and forwarded a few items to the office printer while I waited. As I grabbed them and returned, I couldn't deny a small sense of satisfaction, knowing that I put everything together, although I wasn't going to admit to the things I missed in the process. None of it made sense until nearly an hour ago and now everything did.
"Here they are," said Delgado, nodding to the doors as they opened and both of my brothers stepped in.
"You're lucky I happened to be in the neighborhood," said Garrett. "And by that, I meant, still at the hospital."
"How's Austen now?" I asked.
"Apart from slight shock, he seemed okay when I left him. He's refusing to leave Sophie's side despite me posting two uniforms on the door. I got the security footage. One of my guys is running through it now."
"I just told Lexi that I sent two bodyguards at Austen's request," said Solomon.
"Glad he made the call," said Garrett.
"Did you find Zach yet?" I asked.
"No sightings. Give it time. Everyone in Montgomery PD is on alert for him and his truck."
"I assumed this meeting had something to do with the bank robbery," said Jord. "Did you find the stolen item? Because I gotta say, I'm still no closer to knowing what it is and it sounds like you're all focused elsewhere. The information from the kid you sent my way might be useful but I’m not holding out any hope."
"No, we haven't yet, but Lexi came up with an idea of what it is," said Delgado. He walked the few short steps to the whiteboard where the particulars of the case were quickly rearranged to add the new information. He pointed to the newspaper clipping I found about Charlie, and then another one.
"What's that?" I asked.
"A coin that was stolen five years ago. According to our informers, Bagshot did the job and the coin was never recovered. Several others were stolen in the same heist that later turned up in the collection of a Mexican kingpin after he was assassinated, so we think Bagshot might have kept that one for a future payday."
"Bagshot worked for some unsavory people," I remarked, wincing.
"It's remarkable he lived to see old age," added Solomon.
"A coin?" asked Jord. He stepped over, reading the articles. He glanced back at us, surprise written across his face. "Old coins are worth that much?"
"Yep, and someone worked out who stole it, where it was being kept, and managed to put together a crew to steal it again. All they needed was a seasoned bank robber to pull off the heist," I explained as I pulled a photo from my file, adding it to the whiteboard. "Meet Zach Gallo. Ex-Army, stone-cold bastard, and my hot tip as bank robber." I added the next item to the board, pointing to it as I said, "Zach and his sister, Sophie, used to live in Milwaukee along with his wife, who was also named Sophie, which must have been weird when they were in bed but let's forget I said that."
"Let's," agreed Delgado. Solomon sighed and Maddox chuckled. My brothers simply waited. Tough crowd.
"Anyway, the wife, Sophie, died in a horrible car accident back in Milwaukee. Strangely enough, this happened around the same timeframe as a not-yet-solved bank robbery there, and Zach and his sister skipped town within days of both incidents. Sophie has been in a coma ever since she was attacked. That seemed coincidental but thanks to Maddox tracing the cash Sophie hid from the Milwaukee bank robbery, now I'm not so sure. I think if we try, we can find a connection between Zach and Thomas Mackleton too. They knew each other. I'm sure of it."
"This is all purely circumstantial," said Jord. "But I'll put a call into Milwaukee PD and get the case particulars. See if any of it matches up with our robbery."
"There's more," I told them.
"This is the same Zach Gallo that I'm searching for in connection with the assault on Sophie Takahashi at the hospital today?" asked Garrett.
"The very same," I confirmed.
"Could Sophie have been the female robber?" asked Delgado.
"No, she was definitely in a coma by the time First Eastern Bank was hit. That doesn't mean she wasn't involved in the Milwaukee robbery however. You should check into that too, Jord, but I think she probably wasn't connected to either one. She may well have known nothing about it. Or suspected something but wasn't sure."
"What about..." started Maddox.
"I'm getting to the cash!" I paused, waiting for everyone's attention. "Austen hired me because he believed his wife was purposely attacked and did not suffer a fall." I added her photo to the board and drew an arrow from Zach to her.
"What's that got to do with the robbery?" asked Jord.
"I'm getting to it!"
"Sorry," muttered Jord.
"During my investigation into Sophie, Austen found a bag of money hidden in their house and asked me to look deeper into it. He had no idea how she could have come by that money and I couldn't come up with a feasible idea either so I gave some of it to Maddox to investigate."
"And what do you know?" said Maddox. "The serial numbers took me to that bank robbery in Milwaukee."
"So Sophie is the definitive link between the two cities. Is it sheer coincidence she has money Maddox can trace to that bank in Milwaukee, and also a coincidence that she was attacked before our bank got hit?" I asked. "I don't think so. I think something went down between Zach and Sophie and he tried to kill her. While she was in the coma, she was safe because she couldn’t talk. But Austen told me that Sophie was making small, positive movements and her doctors are optimistic she'll wake up soon. I thought Zach might have tried to kill her because she was pregnant and ruining a con he had on Austen. However, what if Zach feared as soon as Sophie regained consciousness, she'd tell Austen everything?"
"That's assuming there is anything to tell," said Garrett. "This is still mostly supposition."
"Work with me here!"
"I am! I've got the whole city looking for him!"
"What's Charlie's role in this?" asked Solomon. "Even if he did know what Joe Bagshot squirreled away, I don't see him as the guy to put together a heist or be involved in other robberies. He doesn't have the skills for it. Are you saying he did?"
"No. I still believe Charlie is just taking advantage of the heist and hoping we can get that coin before it's passed on or sold to the real mastermind behind it all. He knows its value is and probably wants a comfortable retirement."
"Maybe I should bring him down for questioning," said Jord.
"You could, but I think it'll be a waste of time. What would you charge him with? Acting in the bank's best interests by hiring private investigators?"
"We can't tie him to an inside job," said Solomon. "Lucas combed their security systems and is sure no one on the inside helped."
"Charlie will just clam up and claim to know nothing. Plus," I added, "Charlie hasn't actually committed a crime. He hasn't even benefited from one. All he's really done is waste our time."
"I'm sending him a bill anyway," said Solomon.
"I don't suppose you found this mystery coin?" asked Jord. "Seems to me that would be a nice case to tie up."
"I wish I could say we had. The team that executed this plan were extremely good. They barely left a trace. The only loose ends were Mackleton and the van and someone got rid of him. I'm not even sure it'll be possible to ever tie anyone to the murder," said Solomon.
"That's my view too," said Garrett.
"Unless you find the murder weapon and match it to Zach or one of the bank robberies," I said. "They were all well-armed. Those guns came from somewhere and have to be somewhere now. They couldn't just disappear."
"We're looking into all the local dealers," said Jord, "but the fact is, those guns could have been purchased years ago or sold on the black market. They've probably already offloaded them. Like you said, this was a well-executed heist, so they had a plan for afterwards too."
"So, that's everything?" asked Delgado. "You tied the cases together."
"Yes. And I'm also certain that Sophie targeted Austen in a long con. I don't know if that was a plan she concocted herself or one that she came up with Zach. Maybe Zach pushed her into it, but I am sure it started to fall apart before she even got married to Austen. I just can't work out why Sophie had the cash from that robbery. Why didn't Zach have it?"
"Maybe she stole it from her brother?" suggested Maddox.
"I'm told she was a thief too. Maybe she decided she wanted Austen along with the stolen cash," I said with a shrug. I brightened, a light bulb going off in my head. "That could make him mad enough to want to kill her. Only thing is, he still doesn't know where the money is. Sophie hid it."
"So Zach goes looking for a new payday," said Solomon. "The cash from the previous robbery is long gone. Setting up Austen took time and money but is falling apart. Then somehow, he gets wind of this heist and sees his opportunity to make back all the money, maybe even more. Something happens between him and Sophie and she's rendered comatose. He tries to finish the job to make sure she can't ever rat on him but fails. Austen fights him off and he runs. What does that tell us all?"
"That Zach's on the run," said Garrett.
"We need to find him," added Jord.
"And arrest him," said Maddox. "The Feds will want him."
"Get in line," said Jord. "He's ours first."
"Can you guys sort that out later?" I asked. "Zach has a headstart. The longer we debate this, the further and faster he's getting away!"
"He can't get far. Someone will spot his truck," said Garrett.
"I bet he ditched it," I said. "He was smart enough not to get caught for this long. I bet he ditched it as soon as Manny chased him out of the hospital. His truck may still be parked there. What else does he have access to?"
"Does Sophie have a car?" asked Solomon.
"I think so but I don't know what kind. I'll call Austen and ask."
Garrett's cellphone rang and he stepped outside to answer it. When he came back, he looked pleased. "Highway Patrol just sighted Zach's truck heading north. They're in pursuit. I'm heading up there. Jord?"
"I'll come with you," said Jord. "Good work, Lexi. We'll keep you informed of what happens when we make the arrest."
"Thanks," I called to their retreating backs as they hurried from the room. To the remaining men, I asked, "Do you really think Zach is dumb enough to drive his own truck after attempting to murder Sophie?"
"Plenty of stupid people around," said Delgado. "If this guy's world is caving all around him, he might make some rash decisions."
"We should go to his apartment and see if he's taken anything or left any clues as to where he might be headed," I said. "I know it's probably a crapshoot but we should delve into it anyway."
"I'm all for that," said Maddox. "Plus, I'd like to look around. Maybe there's something that ties him to both robberies."
"We should all go," decided Solomon. "We'll follow you."
"I'll text you the address," I said as everyone prepared to leave.
~
We arrived at Zach's apartment building together, just in time for a train to speed past, causing the windows of the car to rattle. I hopped out and Solomon and Delgado followed me to where Maddox waited.
"This way," I said, leading them up while Delgado waited downstairs on lookout duty.
My phone beeped as we jogged up the stairs and I pulled it out, hoping it was an update from Garrett or Jord. Instead it was from Austen. Yes, Sophie had a car. A two-door Mercedes convertible. "Austen says Sophie kept her car in the garage at their home but since he's barely been home in over a week, he couldn't confirm it was still there," I told them. "He gave me the plate number."
"One of us should check that out," said Solomon. He and Maddox exchanged a look.
"I'm here on federal business," said Maddox.
"I'll get Manny to ask one of his work crew to check," I said pointing down the corridor. "That's Zach's apartment."
Solomon reached it first. "Door's unlocked," he said.
"Is it?" asked Maddox.
Solomon kicked it and it swung open. "Yes," he replied.
"Perhaps there was a break-in," said Maddox, drawing his weapon. "I better check."
"I like how you're all saying these things like I'm recording you to show the video in court later," I said, following them in.
Zach's apartment was just as sparse as the first time I saw it. Maddox and Solomon cleared the rooms and we convened in the small living area. "Just to state the obvious, he's not here," said Maddox while I shot a text to Manny. "I'm ready to poke around."
"I'll take the bedroom," I said. "I think I'd notice if anything were missing." Within a few minutes, I verified that Zach's fancy leather jacket, along with the rest of his clothing were gone. Clearly, he packed in a hurry because the closet door hung open and he hadn't even bothered to make the bed or take anything from the bathroom.
"He's definitely on the run," said Solomon.
"We could try Sky Outdoors?" I suggested. "If he's not in his truck like we suspect, perhaps he went there?"
"What for? To hand in his resignation?" asked Maddox, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
"No, because I think he might have been dating one of the women there. I saw him kissing Vanessa... oh, my God!" My eyes widened.
"What?"
"I just realized where I saw the tattoo the little boy drew!"
"What are you talking about?"
"The little boy from the bank! He kept drawing a symbol that he said he saw on a woman robber during the bank heist. Vanessa had that same tattoo on her wrist! I remember now! If she and Zach were an item, she could be his accomplice!"
"You think he would take her with him?"
"Maybe." Who knew what violent men prioritized while on the run? "Maybe she knows where he’d go. Either way, we should talk to her and quick."
"Lexi's right. I'm not buying he's driving his truck on the highway either. If this woman is another piece of the puzzle, we should get to her before Zach does. She might be another loose end to tie up."
"Let's go," said Solomon and we barreled towards the door. Maddox took off at a run. Solomon and I reached the corridor before I remembered something that still puzzled me.
"Wait," I said, grabbing Solomon's arm. "I need to check something." I turned and sprinted back to the apartment and went into the living room. I tugged at the couch's cushions and arms but there was nothing hidden there. With one last look behind me, I ran back to join Solomon and we darted down the stairs to the car, motioning for Delgado to follow us.
"What're you all in such a hurry for?" he asked.
"Zach cleared out already," I said, explaining where we were going as Solomon gunned the engine and pulled out after Maddox.
When we hit a red light that Maddox slid through ahead of us, Solomon smacked the steering wheel. "I'm putting my money on Zach fleeing the moment he failed his second attempt at the hospital," he said to no one in particular. "He probably already had his bags packed."
"That suggests a lot of things," I said. "Like he didn't even try to pretend it wasn't him in Sophie's room, and he's content to pursue a life on the run."
"You think anything different?"
"I think he screwed up and panicked. He knows he was seen fleeing her room. Now it's a case of how fast he can get away with enough dough to support a life on the run." I thought about it for a moment. "He either passed the coin on to whomever hired him and got paid, or he still has it with him and possibly plans to double-cross them."
"Whoever hired him won’t take that well," said Delgado. "He runs, he puts a price on his head."
"So he runs faster," said Solomon. The light changed and Solomon sailed through the intersection.
My phone rang and I answered it, hopeful of good news. "He wasn't in the truck," said Garrett.
"Are you sure?" I asked, even though I knew he was.
"Positive. The truck came off the road and landed in a ditch. When Highway Patrol pulled the driver out, they found a scrawny kid. He claimed some dude tossed him the keys about three blocks from the hospital and told him to enjoy it."
"Let me guess. The dude looked just like Zach."
"Yep. He knew we were onto him so he sent us on a wild goose chase."
"Austen says Sophie has a car she keeps in the garage," I told him. "Perhaps he took that."
"I'll look into it. To get from the hospital to their house takes time, which means he's most likely still in the area. Where are you?"
"We're going to Sky Outdoors. Zach might have headed there. Even if he didn't, I think one of the women there knows something, as long as we can reach her in time."
"Huh," said Garrett. "We're turning back. We'll meet you there."
We pulled into the outdoor center parking lot only minutes after Maddox and found him waiting with Farid. "This is nice," I said, punching the agent on the arm.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," said Farid. "Maddox called me and said to meet you all here. It seems we're taking down a master criminal who's been on the run for years."
"If we can find him," I pointed out.
"I don't see any sign of a Mercedes," said Maddox, "nor the truck."
"You won't. The truck was found along the highway with some kid driving it," said Solomon. "Zach gave him the keys."
"Smart of Zach. Send everyone one way and go the opposite direction."
"I don't see a car that looks like Sophie's either," I said, looking around the lot. A sporty car like hers would have stood out amongst the trucks, compacts, and two large minivans.
"What's the layout of this place?" asked Solomon.
"There's a chalet over there that serves as the reception and meeting area," I said, pointing to the path I took before, "and then a bunch of paths and clearings with various obstacles and platforms for climbing and rappelling."
"We should go to the chalet first," said Maddox. "I don't want to walk miles into the woods; plus, it's too easy for Zach to hide amongst the trees."
"This way," I said, taking off, the men following me.
"You've met the woman with the tattoo before?" asked Solomon.
"A couple of times."
"We shouldn't all go in at once in case we spook her. You go in first and speak to her. Find out if she’s seen Zach or has plans to meet with him."
"Where will you be?"
"Outside. I'll see if there's an employee area and check it out."
"I'll come in with you," said Maddox.
"Me too," said Farid.
"And you?" I asked Delgado.
"I'll take a look around," said Delgado. "No point in us all going in. She might relate better to you as a woman."
"And to us as law enforcement," said Maddox.
"Let me talk to her before you flash your badges," I said as we reached the doors. We stepped back when a small crowd of teenagers bustled out, their helmets and climbing gear on. One of the girls loudly complained about her nails and an adult chastised her while holding the door for us. The group sulked away, quickly lost behind a thicket.
Nobody manned the desk so I walked over and rapped my knuckles on it as Maddox and Farid fanned out to the sides. They waited where they couldn't be seen at the side of the storeroom.
Vanessa emerged from the storeroom. "The last group just went out," she said. "Can I help you?"
"Remember me?" I asked.
"Sure. You came here to talk to Zach about his sister," she said, nodding. "How's she doing?"
"Not so great. Someone tried to murder her today."
Vanessa gasped, "What? That can’t be true!"
"Vanessa, I'm going to be straight with you. I need to find Zach."
"He isn't here right now."
"Has he been here?"
She gave an uncomfortable glance over her shoulder, then shook her head. "He's not working today," she said.
"Are you sure?"
She tilted her head. "I think I'd notice if he were here," she said in a bored tone.
I leaned in, placing both my hands on the countertop. "This is serious, Vanessa. Zach attacked his own sister."
"He would never! He’s looked after her all his life. She's... delicate. She can’t cope without him!"
"There's proof."
"He really wouldn't. I know they've had their differences and she was being a bitch before the accident, but they're all each other has."
"I'm sure he told you that. But you know what he's capable of."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Zach is dangerous and you know it."
"He's my boyfriend."
"And you think that protects you from him? I mean, it should but do you really think that? His life is about to get much worse and he'll have no problem getting rid of you if it suits him."
Vanessa opened her mouth and shut it again. Then said, "What do you mean?"
"He's going to be arrested as the prime suspect in the bank robbery."
"I don't know what you're talking about! I think you should leave!"
"And so are you, Vanessa. This is your chance to get ahead of the rap. Do you know where he is? Does he have somewhere to hide? Did he borrow your car?"
She paled. "I still don't know what you're talking about," she said, quieter now.
"Then listen. Zach coordinated a bank heist and put together a crew. One of them was a woman — you — and one of the other members is dead. Thomas Mackleton. You knew him, didn't you?" I asked on a hunch.
"Tommy is dead?" she whispered.
"Shot point blank."
"But that's... that's..."
"It’s possible and it's very real. And I think Zach did it. He's tying up loose ends before he gets out of town and you might turn out to be one of them."
"No, he would never..." She glanced behind her again.
I followed her gaze, settling on the large holdall sitting on one side of the open door behind her.
"Are you going somewhere?" I asked.
"We're traveling," she said, her voice weaker. "We're heading up to a cabin I rented..."
"Did you give notice here?"
"Yeah."
"So no one would ever know if you just vanished," I said as gently as I could while trying to impress on her the perilous nature of her next steps. "No employer will expect your return. Friends think you're traveling. Your family..."
"All gone," she said softly. "Tommy was the only one I had left."
"Oh," I said, making the connection. "Thomas Mackleton was your half-brother. He called you Nessa. You came back for him."
"Yeah." Tears prickled at her lower lids.
"Anything could happen to you up there. He shot Tommy in the head. Tommy never saw it coming."
"No, no..."
"Vanessa, where is Zach?" I glanced at the holdall again, having seen one just like it in Zach's apartment. I dropped my voice. "Here's here, isn't he?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. I was also waving my hands under the desk, hoping Maddox and Farid could see my motions. "Just blink if he is," I continued softly. "You're already implicated. Don't make things any worse for yourself. Get ahead of this."
Vanessa stared at me. The fight dropped from her face. She blinked.
"It's time to go," said Zach stepping out from the backroom, a gun drawn and pointed at us. "C'mon, honey."
Vanessa stepped backwards, her hands out from her sides, her fingers splayed to show she was unarmed. She stared hard at me, her lower lip shaking. Beyond that, I saw anger. She had no idea her brother was dead.
"Don't pay any attention to her, she's just making trouble. We're getting out of here and leaving this stupid town behind us," he said, coming to stand behind her.
"What about your sister?" I asked.
"What about her?" scoffed Zach.
"You didn't even go to her funeral," I said, guessing. A good guess, I thought. I wasn't totally sure but I saw the painted fingertips in the photo Annie sent me. Only the paint was on the fingertips of the Sophie who now lay in a hospital bed. She wasn't a copycat; she was always the woman who knew how to paint.
"And I don't regret it."
"And your wife?" I asked.
Zach froze and I had my answer. "You figured it out?"
"I did."
"Then you just signed your death warrant," he said, moving slightly so the gun was pointed directly at me. The gun was small. It had to the nine millimeter we were looking for. Zach grabbed Vanessa's arm with his free hand, holding her in front of his body like a shield.
From the corners of my eyes, I saw Maddox and Farid approaching him from either side, their footsteps soft and deft. But I knew they couldn't shoot him from their angles. They might hit Vanessa but not Zach.
"No," said a voice from the shadows, the word followed by a click. "You just signed yours."