Deadly Stillwater

“What?” Burton asked.

“What’s really really scary,” Mac replied, “is that they scouted and planned it to the point of finding this McDonald guy and hanging him out to dry as part of this. They have been planning this for a long, long time to get that part right.”

“I can hardly wait to see what comes next,” Lich replied, resignation in his voice. “They’re way ahead of us.”

Dot showed up and asked if anyone needed anything else. Everyone begged off. Dot set the bill down and Burton grabbed it.

“You don’t have to do that,” Riles said.

“Naw. I got this. I usually don’t get asked out for breakfast by the local police. I appreciate the offer.”

“Well, don’t let me stand in your way,” Lich said with a smile.

“So what about other possible?” Rock asked.

“We’re continuing to work through the files,” Burton answered. “We never stopped, but nothing else has popped.”

“And the time is passing quickly,” Riles noted.

“Indeed,” Burton answered. “And I have a feeling we’ll hear from the kidnappers again real soon. So at this point, I’m going to start something else.”

“Which is?”

“The ransom. That demand is going to come soon, I think, and we need to be ready. To Mac’s point on how prepared the kidnappers seem to be, there may not be time to find out who these guys are. We may need to wait for the money drop.”

“I don’t like just sitting back,” Mac said with some annoyance.

“We’re not sitting back,” Burton answered calmly. “Just working dual angles is all. We need to be prepared. I don’t have any intention of stopping the hunt for these guys.” The FBI man’s answer seemed to satisfy everyone.

“Back at it then,” Mac said.

“We need a break,” Burton said.

“If the girls don’t get a break…” Rock started.

“I hear ya, I hear ya,” Burton broke in. “But I’ve got my guys, and yours, working the files. Until they get something to work, you guys need a few winks, just a couple of hours. Be back downtown by eleven.”

“He’s right,” Riles, yawning. A couple hours of sleep seemed like a good idea.

Everyone got up to go. Lich asked Mac to hang back. He wanted a few minutes with Dot. Mac stayed in his booth and sipped at the rest of his coffee. He jumped as a hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to see Heather Foxx staring down at him.

“Good morning, Detective,” Heather said. “Can I join you for a moment?”

“Heather, Heather, Heather, you know I can’t tell you anything,” Mac answered.

“Yeah, yeah,” she replied with a dismissive wave, opening a muffin she bought at the counter. She mixed cream and sugar into a to-go coffee. She’d had some sleep and looked good in a white linen coat and blouse with a short black skirt. She looked damn good. And she behaved herself the night before.

“Let me ask you something,” Mac started.

“Shoot.”

“How come you weren’t up front with the rest of the hyenas last night when Wiskowski was brought in?” Mac asked.

“No comment,” Heather replied with a mischievous smile.

“That’s my line,” Mac replied, smiling back.

“Really, what are we going to find out shouting questions as you guys walk in?” Heather retorted, sitting up. “My producers love that stuff, but I hate it. I’d always just prefer to talk to people, get a one-on-one interview after I’ve earned some trust. But just running around like an idiot?” She shook her head. “That ain’t for me.”

Mac liked that answer. It was the answer of a professional, and Heather Foxx was a good reporter. Maybe she deserved a little break. The Wiskowski raid had yet to hit the media.

“So, where are you at on this Wiskowski thing?” Mac asked.

Heather looked at him quizzically at first, but then her right eyebrow rose just a bit at the hint of an opportunity. “You guys had him in for questioning overnight. I assume that you have something more than just his radio rant a few months ago – maybe something on a car or a truck – but beyond that I have no idea. However, my esteemed colleagues seem to have him convicted already.”

“Yeah, we heard that, too,” Mac answered. “Reporters should really get their facts straight before they hang a man, don’t you think?”

“I take it, it would be wrong to have hung him at this point then?” Heather asked, sensing she was about to get a scoop from the last guy she ever expected to get one from.

“Let’s just say that, if you haven’t been out in front on this, then you’re in a good position.” Mac gave her a little bit on the Northfield raid, just enough for her to check around, particularly with the Rice County sheriff.

“In other words, it may be fair to report, if someone were to do that sort of thing, that questions have arisen with regard to Mr. Wiskowski’s status as a suspect,” Heather said.

“He may not be completely out of the woods yet, but it would be fair to conclude that a few issues have come up that suggest Wiskowski is not involved with the kidnappings,” Mac said, smiling.

“Well, I hate to eat and run,” Heather said.

“Don’t let me stop you,” Mac answered. “I’m going to bed.”