Judge, Jury, & Executioner

Chapter 12

Reaves gripped the arm rest of the car door and held on. Maddox's driving had not changed in the whole year he'd been gone. She drove like a demolition derby meets drifting contest. He'd never expected to find someone who drives worse than his older brother. (Yet he had now.)

Maddox pulled alongside the curb and Reaves let go. As he climbed out, he heard the familiar jingle that was Maddox's ringtone. Reaves heard her answer and then she stopped walking after reaching the curb. He made his way over and pressed his ear to the backside of the phone.

He felt a sharp pain in his ear, as if someone was squeezing it. Then as he pulled away, the pressure continued and did not let up. He held in the scream as he turned trying to break free from . . . Maddox's grip! She finished the phone call and let go of his ear. He held his hand on it and rubbed it.

"Put it on speaker, then," He said following her toward the bank.

"At was Drake. The phone number and the partial number didn't match anything in the wife's phone. Guess it's up to us to find a lead," Maddox explained, ignoring Reaves and his agony.

As they entered the bank, Reaves saw money and nothing else. Of course it wasn't literal money, but in fact the mere show of having it. Fancy suits, shoes, not to mention jewelry that costed more than his house payment. The diamond rings and ear rings worn by New York's elite. Then there was the smell. The smell only produced by one thing, countless dollars spent on fancy perfume. Some of which costed about as much as his house payment.

The bank itself was a representation of what rich people got to enjoy. Whoever sent the bank transfer definitely had taste.

"Talk about a fancy bank," Reaves said following Maddox to one of the desks.

"Yeah, it's been owned by the same family for over two hundred years or so," Maddox replied, much to Reaves disbelief. He gave her an expression of confusion and then she explained. "Remember how my dad was a con artist, thief, and pretty much everything else? Well he robbed this bank when I was five, I was sitting in the car."

"Listen I mean this politely, but how did you not know your dad was robbing a bank?" Reaves asked.

"I was five. How was I supposed to know carrying bags of cash out wasn't normal."

"What happened to the cash?"

"You know I don't actually know."

Reaves nodded and then the person behind the desk looked up at them. He was in his twenties. Probably fresh out of college. Spent too much time studying which was why he was drinking a fancy Starbucks coffee. It had become a routine no doubt. Spending countless nights reading and the next morning drinking every caffeinated and sugared drinks possible.

"Are you here about the joint account for newly weds?" He asked.

Maddox and Reaves looked at the young man in shock for a moment before answering.

"Not yet," Reaves said, as Maddox said no. Only creating more problems apparently, from Maddox's look.

"Oh, then how can I help?" He replied, trying to break the awkward silence.

"We have a warrant to get the name of one of your account holders. You might want to get your supervisor or whoever it is," Reaves explained.

The young man quickly got up as Maddox flashed her badge. She looked at Reaves and he shrugged with a nervous smile. I'm not sure if I'm helping or hindering myself here. Reaves leaned against the desk and watched Maddox look around the lobby.

He couldn't imagine his father robbing a bank. Let alone with Reaves sitting in the car. From what Reaves had read and heard from Maddox, she had had one of the worst fathers possible. There was really no question why she had trust issues. And Reaves hadn't helped that any. Something he was well aware of.

"Your the detectives?" A man asked.

He was older. Definitely more experienced than his counterpart. Reaves could see in his eyes he was not happy about the search warrant. Not happy at all.

"Detective, he's consulting. Here's the warrant," Maddox said, handing the man the piece of paper.

He looked it over and then bent over to the computer. The young man remained behind him, more nervous than before. The supervisor typed away on the computer and then cleared his throat before stepping back.

"The account belongs to Greg Nickels," The man answered.

Reaves looked at Maddox who was staring at the computer.

"Looks like the Nickels have some explaining to do," Reaves said.

"A lot of explaining," Maddox added.

Maddox pulled out her phone and dialed a number. Reaves looked at her as she pressed it to her ear.

"Speakerphone," He said, taking a step toward her.

Maddox pulled the phone down from her ear and pressed the speaker phone button. Reaves smiled and then listened as it rang.

"Maddox, I was just about to call you," Drake said.

"Drake, we've got a suspect," Maddox replied.

"Well I've got another victim."

Maddox looked at Reaves, who was no longer smiling.

"Send me the address, I'll be there as soon as I can," Maddox said before handing up.

Reaves straightened his coat and looked at the supervisor.

"Thank you for your time," He said before walking away after Maddox.

As he walked alongside her, he noticed she was more tense than she was. But it wasn't because of the new victim, but rather she tensed up after the supervisor mentioned Greg Nickels. But why?