Dexter Avenue
1:15 p.m.
She and Devine had been waiting for twenty minutes in a private lobby outside Hanover’s office. According to his assistant, he was on a conference call. Bobbie didn’t care how long she had to wait she wasn’t leaving without talking to him. Devine, on the other hand, paced the floor. He didn’t see the point in another meeting with the man. The last time Bobbie had met with Hanover he’d insinuated he thought it was time to call his lawyer. He might refuse to see her.
It was a chance she had to take.
Like his home, Hanover’s business accommodations brandished his wealth. According to her research he’d purchased this three-story historic building twenty years ago. The article claimed he’d taken the derelict piece of history and turned it into a showplace fit for a businessman of his stature. The first-floor main lobby had marble floors and decadent artwork reminiscent of the time when parts of the building were purportedly used as a high-class brothel. From the carpet to the chandelier, even this private lobby on the top floor was elegantly appointed.
What was all this beauty and elegance hiding? Could he possibly know that someone close to him was a murderer? Was framing him? Were the two of them playing a game or were they both involved in the murders?
Three people were dead, three more were missing. This was no fucking game.
Devine finally sat down in the tastefully upholstered chair next to her. The ridiculously expensive bottles of designer water the assistant had brought sat unopened on the table between them.
“He’s making us wait to get under our skin.”
“Probably,” Bobbie agreed.
“What do you make of LeDoux’s announcement that Randolph Weller may have actually orchestrated these murders?” Her partner shook his head. “I’ve heard about the friends of inmates doing their bidding, but a serial killer following orders? The entire concept is over the top.”
“Maybe it’s not so over the top. He’s a serial killer. Why wouldn’t he have friends who were killers, too?”
“I suppose it makes a kind of sense,” Devine allowed. He frowned. “So you believe we’ve been asking Hanover the wrong questions?”
“We’ve focused on Hanover’s relationship with Nigel Parker and with his show of philanthropic deeds. We’re moving past all that and focusing on what he expects to gain from being a part of this investigation.”
Devine nodded slowly but his expression told her he didn’t get it.
“If he’s not our perp there’s a reason he keeps inserting himself into the situation. Our goal is to find his motive.”
“He’s a certified weirdo, if you ask me.” Devine looked around the room as if he hoped Hanover could hear him.
Bobbie wouldn’t argue the point.
Devine leaned toward her, his face turned to her profile. “So what’s the deal between you and LeDoux?”
When had her partner become such a busybody? She turned her face to his, forcing him to draw away a few inches. “I think all this time you’re spending with your aunt is turning you into a nosy old lady.”
A smile spread across his lips. “You might be right about that.” He shifted his attention forward. “Be that as it may, I saw the way he looked at you. He’s got a thing for you, Detective Gentry.”
“I think what you saw was frustration. LeDoux and I don’t see eye to eye on much of anything.”
It was true. Although last year she had worked hard to impress him. The Storyteller case had been her first big case working on a joint task force with the FBI. Her first time working with someone as high up the food chain as LeDoux period. For months after she escaped the Storyteller, she had hated LeDoux for allowing her to be a part of the investigation. She fit the bill perfectly of the Storyteller’s preferred victim. LeDoux had recognized this immediately and had chosen Bobbie for the task force because of it. But the truth was, she had quickly realized exactly why LeDoux had picked her. Rather than back off, she’d dedicated herself that much more to the investigation. In the end she hadn’t hated LeDoux nearly as much as she’d hated herself.
To some extent she had come to terms with the decision she’d made, but she would never forgive herself. Understanding was one thing, forgiveness another one entirely.
“Perhaps,” Devine acquiesced. “Frustrated or not, he’s like you.”
Bobbie looked to her partner once more. “I’m afraid to ask what that means.”
Devine met her gaze. “My aunt says we all have demons, but there are demons and there are demons. You can always spot the folks who battle the worst demons, the burden of the war is written in their eyes.”
“Your aunt’s a smart lady.” She knew a little something about the demons that haunted LeDoux. She also understood that you couldn’t analyze the kind of criminals his team profiled without damaging your psyche.
“You’re a good cop, Bobbie.” Devine gave her a nod. “Not just anyone could survive what you endured and get up every morning to face the possibility of a similar risk over and over.”
She decided it would be best not to mention that it was always easier to take a risk when you had nothing to lose.
Hanover’s assistant, Prentice, stuck her head into the room. “Mr. Hanover can see you now.”
“’Bout time,” Devine grumbled under his breath.
He followed Bobbie from the room and down the corridor behind the attractive assistant who looked barely old enough to have finished college. Bobbie mentally skimmed through the names of those who had attended the Life Church summer youth camp. No Prentice that she recalled. As they crossed the assistant’s office space to the grand doors leading to Hanover’s office, Prentice paused. “Can I offer you anything else? Coffee, soda?”
“No, thanks.” Bobbie was ready to talk to Hanover. They’d wasted enough time.
When Prentice shifted her attention to Devine, he shook his head.
Finally, she opened the double doors. Hanover stood behind a desk, a wall of windows overlooking downtown Montgomery serving as a backdrop.
“I apologize for your wait.” He gestured to the chairs in front of his stylish desk. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
Bobbie took the seat to her left. Devine sat in the remaining one.
“Can I assume you’ve had a break in your case since yesterday?” Hanover settled into the luxurious leather chair behind his desk. “I’ve been following the progress on the news and there’s been no arrest. In fact, the only news is that you have another young woman missing.”
“Then you should have recognized her name. Deana Venable attended your pet project at the Life Church.” When he said nothing, she went on, “We’ve also learned that your missing dagger is most likely the weapon used to murder at least two people.”
Hanover frowned. “I suppose that’s good news for your investigation, if rather unsettling for me.”
“The dagger was stolen from you,” Devine offered. “You had no control over what the perpetrator did with it after he stole it.” Her partner’s gaze narrowed. “Did you?”
Hanover didn’t exactly smile but his lip twitched. “You are a clever detective.”
“There’s a problem with the video clip you provided,” Bobbie said, drawing his attention back to her.
“Problem?” Rather than look surprised, he looked intrigued.
“The clip was altered,” Bobbie explained. “Part of it had been edited out. Did your security company do that?” From the corner of her eye she saw Devine glance at her in surprise.
Hanover flared his hands as if he had no idea. “I will certainly pose that question. I have no idea why they would do such a thing.”
“For the record, Mr. Hanover,” Bobbie said, “I don’t believe you killed Nigel Parker and his wife. Or Slade Manning. I don’t even believe you kidnapped a single one of those girls.”
Hanover’s expression closed. “Well that’s certainly good to hear. Considering me a suspect simply because I lost the most money to Nigel’s scheme is ridiculous. What I lost was of little consequence to my overall wealth. Others who lost far less suffered considerably more.”
“We’re well aware of your net worth, sir,” Devine pointed out. Though he’d recovered from the surprise she’d failed to share with him quickly, she recognized the irritation in his voice.
“As your partner said,” Hanover said to Bobbie, “the dagger was stolen from me. Clearly I couldn’t have been the one to use it.” He shrugged. “If I’m not a murder suspect, then I suppose you’re here simply to harass me. It’s a shame such hardworking detectives as yourselves can’t find something more relevant to do.”
“Interfering with an investigation is against the law, Mr. Hanover,” Bobbie said. “I believe the video clip you provided was a waste of resources and time, which you must know could be interpreted as hindering our investigation and ultimately obstruction of justice.”
He laughed. “Now what would I hope to gain by interfering with your work, Detective Gentry?”
“Attention. Notoriety.” She shrugged. “I’ve been wondering the same thing. Why would you try to hinder this investigation? What could you possibly know that you want to hide if you’re as innocent as you say? Or maybe someone close to you is attempting to frame you and you’re having so much fun with us you’ve failed to notice the seriousness of the situation.”
Understanding or something on that order settled across Hanover’s face. “I hear you and a friend took a little road trip. Did you find what you were looking for, Detective Gentry? I’m just full of information about those days. We could talk about it if you like? I have lots more photos that might interest you.”
Fury rumbled through Bobbie, she wrested it back. “You see what I mean, Detective Devine. We’re here to discuss a multiple homicide case that includes three missing women and Mr. Hanover tries to mislead us.” She glanced at her partner. “I think he’s doing this on purpose, trying to keep us off balance in what he obviously sees as nothing more than a game.”
“I believe you’re right.” Devine leveled his gaze on Hanover. “Sir, it’s abundantly clear that my partner has lost patience with your impertinence. If there’s anything you’re hiding related to these investigations, now would be the time to share that information.”
Anger darkened Hanover’s face. “I think we’ve all said quite enough.” He stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m running behind on my next appointment.”
The assistant appeared to escort them to the elevator as if she’d overheard her boss’s last statement. More likely he had alerted her via a private intercommunication system. Bobbie sent one last look at Hanover before leaving. Prentice led them out of the suite of offices and to the elevator. She watched until they were onboard and headed down.
When her partner would have spoken Bobbie put up a hand to keep him quiet. She didn’t want to say a word until they were out of and away from this building.
Two minutes later they were in her Challenger. She started the engine but waited before pulling out into traffic. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the video clip but that unexpected briefing put me off track.”
“Understandable.” Devine gave her a nod. “I’m thinking we’ve pushed Hanover into a corner.”
Bobbie agreed. “He knows something he doesn’t want to share. It might not lead us to our perp, but it’s relevant.”
Devine stared at her a long moment. “Do you really believe he knows the killer?”
“I hope for his sake he doesn’t because a smart killer never leaves loose ends.”