Denouement by E. H. Reinhard Page A

now. Physical evidence says it was a home invasion. My gut says it was Ray.”
    “What makes you think it was Azarov?”
    “The guy was shot point blank in the head and then the heart. It’s exactly how Ray killed the employees at Tamboro’s. There’s a few other coincidences that are raising my suspicion as well. Hopefully, Rick can get something that can confirm it or rule it out. The murder weapon is here.”
    “The feds are letting us have the scene?” Bostok asked.
    “Faust said we should continue doing what we were doing. He said he was going to call into his headquarters, but I think he took off before he did.”
    “Took off?”
    “We were talking with one of his other agents. I was trying to get a little more information on Azarov. Well, after Faust clicked off from speaker phone, the agent must have said something to him because he slammed the phone down and headed out immediately.”
    “Hmm. Okay. Well, assume it’s our scene then.”
    “Until I hear otherwise,” I said.
    “Okay. I’ll put the word out around the station, again, to be on the lookout for Azarov. Do you have any starting point for finding him?”
    “Maybe. Faust said he had the phone records for a couple of Ray’s associates that he was going to send over. It’s something. What’s going on with Iler?”
    “He spoke with his attorney, Lawrence. He and the DA were working on something. I should probably get a hold of them and let them know we don’t have to tuck him away anymore. How long do you still have out there?”
    “I think we’re almost done. I’m sure Rick will be sticking around for a bit longer. Hopefully, we can get some prints or something from inside the house that points us in a direction. No one in the neighborhood saw anything.”
    “Is Ed out there?”
    “Yeah, he just loaded the body.”
    I glanced back up from the driveway toward the house. Hank was jogging toward me.
    He slowed up. “It’s Faust.” Hank handed me his cell phone.
    “Hold on a sec, Cap,” I said. I put Hank’s phone to my ear. “Yeah, Faust, it’s Kane.”
    “My other agent, that we just spoke with, is dead at the High Point condos downtown. Get your guys out here. Unit 2199.”
    “Shit, okay.” I clicked End and handed Hank his phone back.
    I brought my phone back to my ear. “Faust just called and said he has another dead agent.”
    “What? Where?” Bostok asked.
    “The High Point condos downtown. Send out some people. I’m heading over there.”
    “Okay. I’ll get people sent.”
    I clicked off.
    “Faust has another dead agent?” Hank asked.
    “Yeah, tell everyone we’re heading out. Let Ed and Rick know we have another one over there. I’ll get the car and get you at the curb.”
    Hank jogged inside the house. I pulled up our unmarked Charger, scooped up Hank, and headed out.
    The High Point condos were just a few blocks over from the police station.
    “Ed said he would drop the body back at the ME’s office and head out,” Hank said. “Rick said he would call Pax to meet us over there.”
    I nodded but said nothing.
    The drive took us ten minutes. When we neared the front of the high rise, three of our patrol cruisers were parked in the no-parking section at the front of the building. I pulled in behind them and killed the motor. We left the car, and entered the building. The lobby spread out before us. Light-blue and white marble covered the floor. To our right was a giant copper-plated cylindrical room with small windows though I couldn’t make out what was inside. To our left was a light- and dark-blue mosaic wall with a large television sunk into the center. Four modern-style chairs and small tables faced the screen.
    “There,” Hank said. He pointed past the television area to what looked like a hotel front desk tucked in at the back of the room.
    We walked over. A young woman with short blond hair greeted us. She looked nervous.
    “Are you looking for the other officers?” she asked.
    “Yes. Unit