Hidden Motive - A Hamilton Kane Mystery

Chapter 9

"Definitely a professional's work," agreed Logan as we sat in one of the precinct's interview rooms with his umptieth cup of coffee. We had been placed under protective custody since Clarke's car blew up in the wee hours of the morning. Commander Lucas, IA's very own poster boy, was not risking anything and had ordered a transport to take us to a safe house by sun rise.

"Our next question should be why. Why would anyone hire a professional to take Reggie's team out? Then why are they changing their MO from poisoning to car-bombing? That seems very off to me," I thought out loud as Logan crushed his paper cup and tossed it into the bin, frustration and weariness etched into his normally relaxed features.

"Let's go through the recent cases again, Logan. I know we missed something. We just have to look closer," I muttered as I sat across from him.

"I can try to add what I can recall but you know me, sweet cheeks. I'm a fossil. My memory ain't all that any more. That's why I got myself the Mustang," joked Logan as he pulled out his note book.

Giving him the eye-roll that that remark deserved, Logan chuckled and added, "Let's work backward this time. From latest to the oldest. Maybe we can see thing differently." I nodded in agreement and proceeded to compare our notes from the Plaza Royale case against those that team had been looking into in the last month.

"See these two cases? They also occurred in a very short time frame in a very public space and victims are found only found after the fact," I pointed out to a case where the victim was found at the bottom of the steps at a local library and another where the victim was found on the train tracks at Lington station.

"MOs vary though," commented Logan as he looked through the note he had on the coroner's report for both cases. After a moment of silent, Logan added in, "Here's a weird coincidence. Both the victims work in the medical field," smiled Logan as he looked at me with a gleam in his eyes.

Looking over his shoulder, I looked at where he indicated. I knew Dr Mannings was on the hospital board of directors from my initial investigations. The fall victim, Dr Ferhad was an ER surgeon while the victim found on the train tracks, Dr Ramon, worked in pathology.

"A very weird coincidence indeed. We need to check out those files if we want to find for certain," I commented.

"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting, Detective Kane?" Logan grinned, mischievously.

"Only if you're up for it, Sergeant," I wiggled my eyebrow as the door to the interview room opened and Commander Lucas stepped in.

"Brought you kids some breakfast," Lucas passed us a bag of donut each and placed a tray with three cups of coffee on it. "Transport will be here in another hour so dig in and hang in there," he added.

Logan gave me a casual look that I replied with a small smile as I pretend to take a sip of the coffee. "I better hit the can before that then. Never know how far these safe houses are going to be. The old bladder can't hold much these days," said Logan as he gave Lucas an apologetic look.

"Sure thing. Martin. Go escort the sergeant to the men's," called out Lucas to one of his men posted outside the interview room.

"Hey, I may be old but I ain't that old that I'll need help with answering nature's call," replied Logan in annoyance as if the comment hurt his ego.

"Fine, old man. Don't go wandering off too far. Once the transport is here, we need to roll out," sighed Lucas as he sat across me and shook his head. "I hope I don't turn out to be a grumpy old man when I'm his age," said Lucas once Logan left.

"You'll never know, Lucas. Once your body starts losing control over its basic functions, all bets are off," I replied, trying to keep a straight face.

"So, what's your team's take on all this?" I asked him, buying time for Logan's absence to not be too noticeable.

"We're looking at them as separate cases. Causes of death are all different and the latest one piqued the Feds' interest due to some discrepancies," replied Lucas as he finished up his cup of coffee.

"You're kidding me, right? How do you explain all the members of Reggie's team being killed off, one by one then?" I asked, shocked by what he shared.

"Just an unexpected coincidence. We've spoken to all the family members and they all have possible suspects who want them dead," answered Lucas nonchalantly.

"Even Rasul?" I couldn't help the disbelief that was plain to hear in my voice.

"Yes, even everyone's favourite goodie boy. He's from the middle east, you know. Asking the wrong woman for her hand in marriage have led to many deaths and disputes if you didn't know," he replied with a look that let me know that he couldn't care less.

"You didn't know Rasul, Lucas. I suggest you refrain from using that tone around me or anyone else in this precinct," I glared at him and pushed back from the chair I was sitting in.

Lucas raised his hands in a backing off gesture as he said, "Sorry. Didn't know this place is one big raghead fan club."

Without realizing it, I had moved in on him. Grabbing his left arm, I twisted behind his back and slammed his face flat against the wall behind him. The look of shock was clear on Lucas' face. Martin and another officer came rushing in and drew their weapons, pointing them at me as I whispered to Lucas, "You're not even half the man Rasul was. Now get out of my sight before I break your arm."

"Jesus! No wonder they are gunning for your precinct. You're all nutcases!" spat Lucas as he wiped his bleeding nose and was ushered out of the room.

"What did I miss?" asked Logan as I took deep cleansing breaths to calm the anger within me.

"He was being a racist bigot, that's what!" I called over my shoulder as I continued to inhale deeply. "He said Rasul was dead because he asked the wrong woman to marry him and that it was typical of middle eastern people to kill each other for it," I answered when I had gotten my temper under control and turned to Logan.

"Well, he's lucky you're the one in the room. I would have knocked his teeth out for talking down on the kid. Never met a more hardworking and honest boy in my life and that's saying a lot since all I have are sons with my ex," said Logan, somberly as he took a box of tissue and handed it to me.

I must have looked confused because he took a piece and put it on my nose and told me to blow. Only when he did that did I register that I was crying.

"Go on. Blow," he handed me the rest of the box and patted my head as I quickly blew my nose and wiped the tears from my eyes. "Don't worry, sweet cheeks. I won't breathe a word about this to anyone," he smiled gently and gave me some space as I took a few more deep breaths to calm myself.

"Thanks, Logan. You're one of the good ones," I smiled as the door opened and Martin announced that the transport was here.

We followed him and the other officer took the rear as we made out way to the garage. Logan suddenly stopped in front of me when he stepped off the steps and onto the ramp, a click sound echoed through the garage. He turned very slowly and I saw a look pass over him. Slipping something in my hand, Logan shoved me back down the steps with enough force that I took down the officer behind me as well. A loud deafening sound roared through the garage as the ramp exploded engulfing the place in smoke and fire.