Murdered by Prejudice: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series Page 10

  She heard him telling someone he needed ten fully armed agents, two to a car, in bulletproof vests under their clothing. They were to meet him at the Red Cedar Lodge in an hour and a half for further instructions.

  What is going on? Liz thought. What does he know that I don’t? Her question was answered when she started reading the paper.

  “Omar Farid is the first person of Arab descent to head the regional IRS office which is located in Red Cedar. He was recently transferred here and his first official business will be to conduct the sale of the building located at 572 Marsh Street. It was recently confiscated by the IRS for non-payment of taxes. The sale takes place at 2:00 p.m. today.”

  Liz knew without a shadow of doubt that Omar Farid had been targeted by Bryce Doheny, and he planned on Omar being his next victim, maybe his final victim in the area. While Cal continued to talk on the phone, she quickly scanned the papers in the pile. They seemed to be in chronological order and each one had been folded to an article about a minority person who had recently been or was about to receive a promotion in the federal government.

  She had no idea what the next few hours or even days would bring, but she remembered when Roger had given her Winston when the mayor’s wife in guest cottage #6 had been murdered, the trainer had told her Winston was trained to trace smells. Liz walked him around the room and held the Army combat fatigues next to his nose as well as some dirty clothes that were piled in a corner.

  “Let’s go Liz. You can tell me what you found on the way to where the sale is going to be held this afternoon. We have about two and a half hours.” She picked her purse up so fast it fell open and she spent the next few moments hurriedly picking up the things that had fallen out of it. When she was finished, she rushed out the door and down the steps, breathing a sigh of relief when the three of them were safely back in the car.

  “We’re going to the site of the sale,” Cal said. “I need to talk to several of the managers and owners of the surrounding buildings and get permission for our men to be there. I also need to alert them of possible dangers and to make sure their employees stay out of harm’s way. Now tell me what you found.”

  Liz told him about the papers, their chronological order, and how the last few had the names of the victims in the Red Cedar area. When she arrived at the address where the IRS sale was going to take place, she said, “Where do you want me to park, and what do you want me to do?”

  “Pull into any parking place you can find. There’s one up about three cars on the right. I want to study the lay of the land for a minute and try to think like a killer.”

  “Cal, this is quite a different type of place from the other murders. They’ve all been in rather remote areas and this is right in the middle of a city.”

  “You’re absolutely right, and that tells me he’s starting to take chances. I think it means he’s becoming more deranged. I’m going to want to place a man on the first and second floors of the buildings which front the building for sale. I’ll put two men in the building that faces the rear of the building for sale in case the killer intends to enter the building that way. You and Winston stay here. This shouldn’t take long.” He got out of the car and Liz could see him talking to people as he went from building to building.

  “Okay, that’s done. I’m not very happy with having so little lead time, but hopefully, it will be enough to stop him before he commits another murder. Let’s go back to the lodge. I want to see if my Department of Defense guy has come up with anything.”

  “By the way, Cal, I’m going with you this afternoon, and you can close your mouth because my mind is made up. I promise I won’t get in the way, but I wouldn’t miss the finale of this adventure for anything.”

  “I’m not happy about this, Liz, but alright, you can stay with me. I’ll be directing the operation from the building that is directly in front of the one for sale.” As they pulled up to the lodge, he looked at his watch and said, “My men should be here in an hour. That will give us enough time to get things in place.”

  “Cal, this is a dumb question, but I would assume the killer will be in place early on. Won’t he think it’s strange if a bunch of agents get out of a couple of cars and go into places together?”

  “No, it’s not a dumb question. I told my agents to come two in a car, so there will be plenty of cars. They will park in different places and just go into the buildings one at a time. They’ll be dressed casually, both the men and the women, so they won’t draw attention to themselves. See you later.”

  “Winston, you probably need a little time to commune with nature, and I need to check with Gina to make sure everything is in place for dinner, since I have no idea how long this is going to take.”

  Oh darn, she thought. I better call Roger and tell him he might have to cover for me tonight. He’s not going to like it, but the fact I’ll be with Cal should mollify him somewhat.

  She hit his name in favorites on her cell phone and was very glad when she was directed to his voice mail and she could leave a message. “Hi, love. Just wanted you to know that Cal and I are making progress on the serial killer case. We’re following a lead, so I may be late to dinner. I’d appreciate if you would charm the guests, which I’m sure you can, and you can ask Judy to help you. She’s great at that. See you later.” She ended the call with a sigh of relief at not having had to explain what the lead was.

  CHAPTER 23

  A little before his agents were to meet him at the Red Cedar Lodge, Cal came up the steps from the apartment and said, “We were right, Liz. I talked to my contact at the Department of Defense, and I am certain Bryce Doheny is our murderer.”

  “Well, I’m glad to know we’ve identified the murderer, but I’ll feel a lot better when he’s caught. What did you learn?”

  “He’s AWOL. Evidently there’s a group of Afghanis who have a reputation for getting U.S. military men who have gone AWOL out of Afghanistan. Our people over there have tried to get the practice stopped, but there’s a lot of unrest within our troops. Doheny had a Jewish lieutenant that he’d bumped heads with as well as a number of minorities in his unit. His file says he spent time in the local military stockade several times for getting into fights with them.

  “Sounds like he was a troublemaker,” Liz said, “and maybe even getting close to being given a dishonorable discharge.”

  “You’re absolutely right. The lieutenant had recommended that, but by the time the paperwork was done, Doheny was gone, presumably out of Afghanistan, compliments of the Afghanis who apparently have a thriving business helping Americans in just that way.”

  They heard several cars pull up to the lodge and Cal said, “My agents are here. Let’s go.”

  “Don’t you want to brief them? You’re welcome to bring them in here,” Liz said.

  “Not necessary. I did that over the phone for all of them.”

  They walked outside and Cal waved to them, then he said, “Follow us to the general area. After that, follow the instructions I gave you. When this over, one way or another, we’ll meet at Gertie’s Diner in town. You have that address. I don’t want to come back here because it might frighten the guests.”

  Within a short period of time, the agents were in their designated buildings and they waited, not knowing what to expect. A few minutes before the appointed time of the sale they saw a dark-haired man entering the building along with several other people who presumably were interested in purchasing the building at a reduced price.

  Cal had stationed two agents to follow Omar from the IRS office to make sure that Doheny didn’t try to kill him before he reached the building that was being offered for sale. He’d explained to Liz that it probably hadn’t been necessary since Doheny had always killed when the subject was in the act of conducting whatever federal business he was participating in. It would be contrary to his usual MO, or modus operandi, the way he usually operated.

  The time for the sale came and went. Cal was in constant communication with his team, but
two hours after the designated time of the sale, Omar walked out the door and to his car. The two men assigned to him followed him back to his IRS building, one watching the entrance, and the other watching the back door, but at 5:00 nothing had happened and Omar got in his car, presumably on his way home, unaware of the amount of manpower that been assigned to keep him safe.

  Meanwhile, Cal, Liz, and the other agents met at Gertie’s, Liz having given her a call earlier in the afternoon to alert her and ask if they could use the small room that was off the kitchen and rarely used except in times of extreme overflow. It was a hard room for the servers to maneuver in, so out of deference to them, Gertie rarely used it. When Liz told her it would be for FBI agents, she agreed immediately.

  They met in front of the door to Gerties and when Gertie saw them, she walked outside and said, “Welcome to Gertie’s Diner. Right this way. Got some chips and guacamole all set up fer ya’. Give yer drink order to Jose, and then y’all can have some peace and quiet.” She led the way through the crowded diner and a few minutes later they were in the room with the door closed.

  “Thanks, everyone. I want to introduce you to Liz Lucas. She’s not one of us, but she sure could be. She found out a lot of the information which really helped me identify our serial killer suspect. Sorry that today was a bust. I need to think about what to do next.” Cal was interrupted by his phone ringing. “Excuse me. This is a call from Dave.”

  Cal listened for a few minutes and then he said, “Dave, I’d like you both to watch the house overnight. Hate to ask you to do an all-nighter on such short notice, but I just have a bad feeling that something spooked the guy and he might try to murder Omar in his home tonight. If it’s still quiet when he goes to work tomorrow, go on back to the city. Again, thanks.”

  Cal ended the call and then said, “I’m buying, and I highly recommend the burger, fries, and chocolate milkshake. Best I’ve ever had.”

  An hour later Cal said, “Time for you to go back to the city. I’m going to reconnoiter and come up with another plan of attack. I know he’s the guy who committed the murders, but I’m just not sure I have enough evidence to make an arrest stick, and I’d hate for the FBI to get a black eye by arresting this guy and then be forced to let him go and probably kill someone else. Anyway, thanks for all your help, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Drive safely back to the city.”

  They filed out of the room and walked out to their cars, hoping that by driving into San Francisco at evening rush hour time, rather than away from it, would allow them to avoid the traffic jams always present at that time of night.

  “So, Cal, how’d them friends of yers,” she said with a knowing wink, not wanting to mention the word FBI, “enjoy my burgers and shakes?”

  “Do you even need to ask, Gertie?” he responded with a grin. “They all said they were the best they’d ever had, but you knew that.”

  “Yep, that’s what they all say. Gonna’ be around here long?”

  “Right now, I don’t know. Is Jessie working tonight? I don’t see her.”

  “Nah. She worked the lunch shift. Tonight and tomorrow night she’s off. Customers really like her, and I’m glad she’s back. She gonna’ be alright?”

  “Should be. I’ll probably be back here in a day or so, so don’t run out of hamburgers and shakes,” he said with a laugh.

  “Honey, ya’ can take this to the bank. Ya’ come in here and Gertie’ll always make sure a burger and shake have yer’ name on ‘em. See ya’ round, Liz.”

  Liz and Cal drove back to the lodge and when they arrived, Cal said, “I see guests walking in the door. Guess we made it back just in time. I’m sure Roger will be relieved. Mind if I join you for dinner? I won’t eat much after Gertie’s, but I kind of promised Judy we’d see each other tonight.”

  “Of course not, you’re always welcome,” she said, thinking Kind of promised Judy? He only met her two days ago. I’ve read that some women have an overabundance of pheromones, something kind of like a perfume, that men can’t resist. Looks like Judy stood at the head of the line when they were handed out.

  CHAPTER 24

  Liz and Cal walked into the lodge and were immediately greeted by a worried Roger and an ecstatic Judy.

  “Is everything okay?” Roger asked quietly as Liz smiled at her guests.

  “Yes, it was kind of a non-event. I’ll tell you all about it later. Thanks for covering for me.” She walked around and introduced herself to the guests, taking the name tags and a pen with her.

  When she’d met all the guests, she slipped into the kitchen and said, “Gina, I’m back. Thanks as always for covering for me. Hopefully, this will be the last time for a while. After you’ve served dessert, head on out. The least I can do is clean everything up. You did all the heavy lifting tonight, once again I might add, so I can take on some of the load.”

  “Thanks, Liz. I’ll take you up on that. My sister is in town and that will give me a chance to spend a little time with her.”

  Two hours later, when the last guest had left, Roger turned to her and said, “Okay, I can’t stand it. I want to hear everything that happened. The dishes can wait. Let’s sit down. Cal, Judy, want to join us for a brandy?” Roger asked.

  “No thanks. Liz, why don’t you tell Roger about our day? Judy and I are going down to her cottage and ring the bell. Brandy Boy was such an adventure last night, I have to see him perform again before I leave. I’ll see you in the morning. Liz, I’m sure you’re tired, so I’ll say good night.” Judy and Cal waved, walked down the outdoor steps, and headed toward her cottage.

  A moment later Roger said, “No more delays. I want to hear all about it.”

  “Okay, but no brandy for me. I’m going to get a glass of water. Can I get you something?”

  “Water for me, too.”

  Liz brought them each a glass and sat down at the table across from Roger. She started by telling him about her phone call from Gertie and everything else that had happened during the day, concluding with the non-event and the FBI agents.

  “I agree with you and Cal. I definitely think you’ve identified the man who did it. What does Cal intend to do now?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. He has two men watching Omar’s home tonight, but I got the sense he’s doing that more out of an overabundance of caution than anything else. I’m sure he was disappointed that it didn’t work out, but I’m also sure he’ll do something else within the next day or so.”

  “Liz, I think your phone is ringing. Want me to get it?”

  “No, just let it ring. I’ve been getting all these calls for open enrollment for health insurance. I have no idea where they got my cell phone number, but they did. It’s driving me nuts. I’m sick and tired of hurrying to get a call and then finding out it’s another solicitation.”

  “Yeah, I’ve gotten my share lately, too. Liz, I have to go into San Francisco early tomorrow morning for a meeting with a longtime client who refuses to meet with any of the other partners. I know I should stay up and help you with the dishes, but if you let me off this time, I promise I’ll do them next time.”

  “Go. You’re excused. Winston can stay with me while I do them, and then I’ll let him out one last time and join you. Good night, and I love you,” she said as she lightly kissed him on the cheek.

  She spent the next two hours in the kitchen, glad the day was over. “Winston, last call for the night. Come on, I’ll walk outside with you.”

  She opened the kitchen door that led out to the expanse of grass at the edge of the cliff. In the moonlight, the waves on the Pacific Ocean looked like a million fireflies were landing and taking off. It was a spellbinding vision. Winston walked off the grass and into the trees that were at the far end of the expanse.

  Liz stood looking out at the ocean, thinking about everything that had happened during the day and wondering what Cal had in mind. She got lost in her thoughts and realized that Winston hadn’t returned.

  She decided to go look for him, but she
was stopped by a voice that said, “Don’t move. I couldn’t get Omar today, but you can take his place. What you feel in your back is a gun. Actually, I probably don’t even need to fire it. We’ll just walk over to the cliff, and it’ll look like you stumbled and fell into the ocean.”

  “Bryce, why me, why are you here?” Liz asked, hoping to stall for time.

  “When I got back to the apartment, I saw a little white something under the coffee table. It was your business card. I couldn’t believe someone had been in my space and seen my things. The only person who had a key my place was Jessie. After I threatened her, she told me about you and the FBI guy. Where is he?”

  “I have no idea. Bryce, since I’m going to die, would you answer a question for me? Why did you kill those people? They never did anything to you.”

  “They’re part of the filthy minorities that are taking over the United States, and they’re not real Americans. Let ‘em live and more and more of ‘em will come. Won’t be any real true Americans left here. Darned few now. Pretty soon the papers and television will realize what I’m doing. Once people hear that there’s a good chance they’ll be killed if they’re a member of a minority and they come to the United States, they’ll stop coming. Yes, I’m doing the real Americans a favor. Some day there will probably be a statue in my honor.”

  They were only a few feet from the edge of the cliff when Liz felt the pressure of the gun being held against her back ease off and she sensed that Bryce had fallen. At the same time his gun discharged into the ocean.

  “Stay where you are. Not only is my gun on you, cocked and ready to fire, but you have a very angry dog with two paws on your back that won’t hesitate to rip out your jugular vein with a command from his master.”