CHAPTER ONE
Tuesday
3:30 a.m.
Lieutenant Damien Kaine maneuvered through the swamp-like parking area and pulled up next to the Crime Scene Tech van. He could just make out the giant monstrosity of a tarp through the sheets of pelting rain. Neither he nor his partner Detective Joe Hagan said a word as the roof of the SUV was battered by the angry storm. A warning of sorts, of the scene that lay under the tarp before them.
Almost simultaneously they exited the vehicle running to the protection of the covering. “Holy shit!” Damien said shaking the rain from his hair and clothing being careful not to contaminate the dead man before him.
“Damn, even mother nature says it’s too early for this shit. You’d think the criminals could be a little more thoughtful and commit these murders at a decent fucking hour,” Damien said shivering slightly, as he brushed the last of the moisture from his jacket. Januaries were bad enough in Chicago without a bone-chilling rain.
Dr. Bernard Forsythe smiled at his favorite lieutenant. “I’ll be sure to post your request on the city’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.”
Joe let the last few raindrops fall from his chin. “What the hell do you think the killer used on him? There isn’t much of his head left.” Joe squatted pointing to the man’s body. “Looks like the killer bashed in half his head and used a giant cheese grater on the other half.” Joe stood stretching his back. He dragged his hand down his face. “Fuck, you think he was alive when all this happened to him?”
The man’s semi-nude body showed signs of prolonged torture. Dr. Forsythe shook his head. “I’m not even going to hazard a guess until we get him back to the morgue. By the looks of the blood-soaked underwear, I have a feeling there is a surprise waiting for us when we get him undressed. We can’t even ID him onsite.” The doctor held up one of the hands with missing fingertips. “Our killer took a few souvenirs. It’ll take us some time to figure out who our guy is.” Dr. Forsythe glanced around. “With this rain coming down I want to bag him up as quickly as possible. The CSTs are gathering everything in the general vicinity and will sort through it at the crime lab.”
Damien ran his hand through his hair. He stared unfazed at the dead man. “Damn, I could’ve stayed in bed.” He smiled at the raised eyebrow Dr. Forsythe shot his way. Over the years the Medical Examiner had become more than a colleague. “What? There’s nothing for us here until you can give us a name.” Damien looked around at the empty field.
“Oh, come on, Damien,” head CST Roger Newberry said, “you wouldn’t want to miss out on this case. Who knows who we have here, it could be Jimmy Hoffa.”
“Yeah, that would be the find of the century,” Joe said.
“Joe, how're things with Taylor? You know she is the bomb over at the crime lab. She has implemented some pretty impressive software to streamline the lab’s efficiency, making our lives a lot easier,” he grinned at the big Irish cop. “You know she has several admirers. I’d be careful if I were you. You piss her off, and she will have another man waiting to take your place.”
Joe shot Roger a sideways glance. “Fuck you, Newberry.”
Roger roared back in laughter. “You’re so cranky.”
“Joe, you ever come out here in high school?” Damien asked. The body had been dumped on a road located outside the city. The property jutted up against Lake Michigan. An area had eroded away, and crystal-clear water from the lake filled a large basin allowing swimming in the summertime. This area was notorious for high school students to hang out and party. “I remember a few late-night excursions back in the day, myself.” Damien smiled at the men.
“I may have come out here once or twice.” Joe snickered at the men around him. “Of course, nothing this exciting ever happened to me.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Our lovebirds over there had one hell of a damper put on their night.” He nodded towards the young couple who sat in the back of a patrol car.
“Hmm, I bet. Let’s go interview our happy couple. I seriously doubt they can tell us anything. It looks like our guy has been here a while.” Damien turned towards the car. “Doc, as soon as you know the identity, will you call me?”
Dr. Forsythe looked up from bagging the body. “Yes, Lieutenant, I will. I plan on working on this right when we get back to the morgue. Give me a few hours. Hopefully, I will have something for you.”
Damien nodded to Joe, “You ready?”
Joe sighed. “Yeah, let’s get this done and then get something to eat before we head into Division Central. No way I’m facing the day this early on an empty stomach.”
CHAPTER TWO
Damien and Joe walked into VCU at seven fifteen. Joe sat at his desk to finish up paperwork from a previous case. Damien was on his way to his office when his cell rang. He looked at his screen. “Hey Dr. Forsythe, got results already?”
“Yes, son, I do. I’m giving you the first call. My next one will be to Captain Mackey and Chief Rosenthal.”
Damien sat in his chair. His pulse pounded in his ears. “I’m not going to like who our victim is, am I?”
“No, you’re not, and the shit will hit the fan. I wanted to let you prepare yourself. This case is not going to be easy.”
“Okay, Doc, now I’m scared. Who is our dead guy?”
“Your victim is Glenn Rossdale.”
Damien forced himself to breathe. He rubbed his hand on his jeans. “Oh, fuck no. You’ve got to be kidding me.” Damien’s head rested against the back of his chair.
“No, I wish I was. I’m calling Mackey now. I’m sure everything you do from here on out will be scrutinized. Damien, if I can give you any advice, use your family ties and stick to your guns. Don’t let anyone force you to clear this case before you’re ready. I will be working this end. Whatever you need, you call me.”
“I will, Dr. Forsythe. Thanks for the heads up.” Damien hung the phone up. He glanced at his watch. He figured he had roughly fifteen minutes before being summoned to the captain’s office. “Joe,” Damien yelled from his office.
Joe sauntered in and grabbed a handful of jelly beans. “Yeah, oh, wise one, what can I do for you?” He picked out several of the same color beans popping them into his mouth.
“Got the identity on our dead guy. Glenn Rossdale.”
Joe coughed. He inhaled and coughed again. “Oh, holy shit.” Joe fell into the chair across from Damien’s desk. “We are screwed until we solve this case. You realize this, right?”
“Yeah, I do. Have you ever listened to Rossdale's radio show or watched any of his televised interviews?” Damien asked.
“Oh yeah. I loved it. Rossdale always hammered the liberal pundits. He never let them get away with anything. But in all fairness, he hammered the conservatives too. He made sure politicians did what they said they were going to do. If they didn’t, they got grilled.” Joe leaned forward on his elbows. “Do you understand how many fucking suspects we have?”
Damien leaned back. “Hell yeah. And getting them to answer questions for us will take an act of Congress.” Damien’s desk phone rang. “The circus is about to start. Hey, Captain. Yes, Sir. Joe and I will be right up.” Damien hung up, smiling at Joe. “C’mon, sweetheart. Let’s go.”
Joe rose and followed Damien out. “You know, we could both turn in our resignation papers and build that bar we always talk about. This would be the perfect time.”
“They’ll never let us leave, my friend. We have checked into the Hotel California.”
CHAPTER THREE
Damien and Joe stepped into Captain Mackey’s office and waited for instruction. The captain stood in front of his window. Even with his back facing them, the captain was formidable looking. His shoulders were broad and made of one piece of solid muscle. Even in his fifties, he had the body of a younger man. And, as a former Marine, he had the skill set to back up his mass.
Captain Mackey continued to stare out the window as he spoke. “This is going to be a clusterfuck. We are going to have the news crews following our every move.” He turned to face his two best detectives. “Under no circumstances, are you to give any kind of statement. Our communications department will have a high-ranking official provide scheduled briefings. If you find yourself in a situation where press corps personnel are asking you if you took a dump today, you will answer ‘you can contact the Division Central Communications Office for statements.’ Then walk away. Do not engage. Am I clear?”
Damien nodded. “Yes. I hear you loud and clear.”
Captain Mackey dragged a hand across his face. “If you need to pull in uniformed officers to help with this investigation, do it. Use Fuentes and Grimer from Traffic Core. They are the biggest guys in the group, put them in plain clothes for the duration. We’re going to have tons to interview, and having them in plain clothes may keep the press from following their every fucking move.” He stared at his lieutenant. “Do you have any idea why someone would want Rossdale dead? I mean I know his reputation, but he gave it to both sides even though he was a conservative.”
Damien looked at Joe.
Joe shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I don’t pay any attention to politics. Aside from catching his show here and there, I didn’t keep up on his affairs.”
Damien’s lips twitched. “No, Sir. I haven’t heard of anything going on that involved him. I’ll call my dad. I know he may have dealt with him on occasion. I think he requested some security not too long ago, but I’m not sure what it was for. Personal or for appearances.”
“I would appreciate any help your father can give. At the rate we use your family; eventually, we will have to put them on the damn payroll.” Captain Mackey leaned back in his chair. “There was a party I went to about three weeks ago, for State Senator James Lockhart. I know Rossdale was at that party. He and the senator’s personal secretary, Tyler Bryce, got into it.”
Damien leaned forward. “Do you have any idea what they argued about?”
“Well, the word at the bar was Bryce didn’t like the way Rossdale interviewed another senator on his show a few weeks ago. He came down hard on some of his policies. Are you aware Senator Lockhart is being touted as the next governor? According to those in charge, he is so favored to win, that the Republicans aren’t even putting forth the good fight. Some have said the election is nothing more than a formality. Ever since James became a state senator, his father, Robert, has groomed him for this position. At thirty-five, look for him to run for president in the next seven years, or less.”
“Do you know if there is anything else? Anything you know, Captain, will go a long way to giving us someplace as a starting point,” Damien said.
Captain Mackey stood and walked to his window. “I’m a conservative. Have been all my life. Senator Lockhart has some damn good ideas that could bridge the gap between conservatives and liberals. He still slants his major policies towards the far left, but when it comes to public safety, he is an ally to this division. The chief and I had decided to support him in his upcoming bid for governor.” He turned back to his men. “You need to be aware there will be people who want to make sure nothing comes back on the senator.”
Captain Mackey walked back to his desk. “You have my full support. But I want you to understand the shit-storm you two are walking into. You are going to come up against a brick wall. I will help facilitate whenever I can.”
Captain Mackey came around in front of Damien and Joe and leaned against his desk. “I don’t need to tell you how to run an investigation. Be prepared for the FBI to get involved if this gets anywhere near the senator. I want daily written updates. I’m going to have to keep the communications department in the loop so they can craft their news release updates.”
Damien nodded. “I understand. Joe and I are heading to Rossdale’s office. See if his assistant or secretary can give us an idea of his movements yesterday.”
Captain Mackey nodded. “Be careful. Tread lightly when you can.”
“Yes, Sir,” Damien said. He and Joe left the office.
***
Neither spoke until they were in the security of Damien’s office.
“This is going to be a bitch of an investigation. Get your shit together. I’m getting Detective Travis from Electronics and Cyber Division on this. Call Fuentes and Grimer’s lieutenant. Explain to him what Captain Mackey wants. Let him know to send the two over later today. I want him to have enough time to cover whatever they may be doing. I’m going to have them help Detective Travis execute search warrants for his computers and mobile devices. He’s going to need some muscle.”
“You got it. I’ll be at my desk. Holler when you’re ready.” Joe walked out of the office grabbing a hand full of jelly beans as he left.
Damien called Detective Travis and asked him to come to his office. He texted Dillon. She was in California on a case for the City of San Francisco. She was due back in a few days. Hey babe, I got some news for you.
Yeah, what is it?
Glenn Rossdale was murdered last night. Damien stared at his screen. There was a long pause before she responded.
Looks like I’ll be back sooner than I thought.
Although he didn’t like the reason she was coming home, he smiled knowing she would be sleeping with him that night.
Detective Travis walked in and snagged a handful of jelly beans. “What’s up, Lieutenant?”
“Glenn Rossdale was killed sometime last night.”
“No fucking way. I loved that guy. He never let anyone get away with mamby pamby answers. He hounded his guests ‘til he got them to respond to his questions. Shit.” Travis grabbed another handful of jelly beans.
Damien frowned. “I had no idea you were a political pundit.”
“I’m not. I did enjoy watching Rossdale’s televised interviews when he grilled these politicians. He pissed a lot of people off over this governor’s race.”
Damien smiled. “Well, I guess you got your dream job. I need you to contact ADA Flowers. Get her to give you warrants covering everything but especially ones including his computers, home, and work. All his devices, phone, anything electronic. Tell her I need search warrants for his office and home. Those should be easiest to get. His communications may take longer. As soon as you get those, shoot them to my phone. His death allows us access, but the warrants would make our lives easier.” Damien eyeballed the detective. “I want my warrants yesterday.”
Detective Travis nodded. “I can get you the home and office warrants by the time you hit Rossdale’s office.” Travis typed out something on his small handheld device. “Warrants like that are almost rubber stamped. The comms will take longer for sure.”
“I’ve got two traffic cops coming in later. Fuentes and Grimer. They can assist you. They should be here by the time you get those warrants. Take them with you.”
“No problem. Fuentes is a poker buddy of mine. Grimer has come to a few of our tournaments. I will send him a message, letting him know to come to ECD.”
“Listen, if you have any trouble and you need action fast, call Mackey. Tell him what I have you doing and what you need. He will facilitate it.”
Detective Travis stood. “Okay, Boss.” He grabbed more jelly beans.
Damien turned to his computer and downloaded one of the photos from the crime scene. He placed the gruesome picture of Glenn Rossdale on his murder board. He studied the photo as he plotted out the next steps in his investigation.
The first stop would be Rossdale’s place of work. Damien thought the answers were more than likely there. He knew the guy wasn’t married and had no kids. He lived alone in a high-rise apartment smack in the middle of downtown. His office was four blocks from the James R. Thompson Center.
Most of the legislative body worked out of there, making it a source of contention amongst the voters. Almost all state representatives and senators lived in Chicago. They traveled to Springfield when they had sessions to attend. The James R. Thompson Center had long been referred to as the State of Illinois Building. Damien now referred to it as the State Building.
Damien thought it was ironic, knowing Rossdale’s profession, that his office would be so close to that building. After searching his workspace, they would have a short hop over to see Senator Lockhart. Not something Damien was looking forward to.
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