I looked over my shoulder and saw Lutz step on the broken front door and enter the house. He walked toward us.
Staring down at the men, he slid his hands over his balding head. “Run me through everything, Jesse.”
I nodded at the bloody bodies. “Mauricio and Antonio Vasquez, each shot through the chest and head. From how the scene appears, they weren’t expecting it. The head shots, I believe, were because Cruz wanted to make sure they were dead before he fled the area.”
Lutz cursed. “We finally found the Vasquez brothers, but they sure as hell aren’t talking.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “Nope, they sure aren’t.”
“Anything from the neighbors?” Lutz gave each of us a glance.
“I’ll ask the officers where they are with the knock and talks.” Henry crossed over the broken door just as Don Lawry, the Cook County coroner, arrived.
“Don.”
“Gentlemen. Those are the Vasquez brothers, huh?”
I spoke up. “Their faces, minus the blood, match the mug shot photos of them, so yes, I’d say it’s a positive ID on both. They couldn’t have been killed much more than a half hour or so before we arrived. Both bodies were still warm to the touch when we got here, and the blood was still pooling under them.”
“Okay. I’ll need a little room to work. Mike and Danny are a few minutes out.”
Lutz nodded. “Thanks, Don. We’ll back out of your way.” Lutz turned to Frank and me. “Have you started going through the house?”
“We were just about to begin when you got here. I’d like Henry and Shawn to pitch in since we’ll get it done twice as fast with their help. We have the names Maria gave us and know what we’re looking for.”
“Sure, go ahead. See what Henry found out with the officers too.”
I walked outside and shielded my eyes. The sun was bright, and with all the curtains drawn indoors, it seemed like we were in a cave. As I peered down the street, Henry and the officers were heading toward me.
“Learn anything?”
Jefferson slapped the air. “Nothing of value. Seems like the neighbors keep to themselves. The only person that knew anything about Abraham Cruz was the guy across the street, and that’s only because they talk on occasion at their mailboxes.”
“What did he know?”
“The usual, which won’t help us because it’s bullshit. Cruz told him he was a salesman for pharmaceuticals and he was often on the road. Said he was part of the Mexican Army years back.”
“Actually, that information might be true and helpful. We need to find out if he has dual citizenship and if he did serve. As far as being a drug salesman? He just told us what his role is for Vance. The noose is getting tighter and it’s just a matter of finding out what players are left.” I pointed at Henry. “Make sure TSA is alerted in case Cruz tries to board a plane. Have Border Patrol flag his passports, too, unless we find them in the house. It’s time to tear this place apart.”