Chapter 14
Alex and Bobby sat side by side while Logan sat across from them and Wheeler hovered behind him.
"So Laidler went straight to his apartment after he got off his shift," Wheeler said. "About an hour later he left with some files and a pretty expensive looking camera. He went to this coffee shop around the corner from his building."
"He stayed there a couple hours…chatted with one of the waitresses," Logan said. "Looked like he was one of her regulars."
Wheeler nodded her agreement.
"He looked through sheets of photos and then he left."
"Then he wandered the neighborhood taking pictures, a few hours later he went back home. The report we got from Jefferies said he didn't leave again until about an hour before his shift started this morning. He dropped some things in the mail and then headed to work," Logan said. "Not really anything that screams good cop gone bad."
"Wh-what kind of things did he photograph?" Bobby asked.
"Buildings, alleys, passerby's…nothing really specific," Wheeler said.
"We'll start at the same time tonight if you two want to join in the fun," Logan said.
Alex and Bobby glanced at each other.
"I probably shouldn't go," Alex said. "Just in case he sees me."
Bobby nodded.
"I'll go," Bobby said.
"You want to meet us here?" Wheeler asked.
"Actually, would you mind picking me up at home? I'm going to get into trouble with Mad if I'm not home for dinner two nights in a row."
Logan grinned.
"I see she's still got you wrapped around her finger."
Bobby gave a sheepish grin.
"Always…"
"Better make it an early dinner…we'll pick you up at six."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Bobby shifted in the passenger sit of the Crown Vic and rubbed a finger against his lips as he watched Marcus sit in the coffee shop. Logan was beside him at the wheel, while Wheeler sat in the center of the back seat looking as if her she were in an episode of My Two Dads.
The same waitress that Logan and Wheeler saw the night before was talking to Marcus again and even sat down across from him. She chatted with him and he eventually shook his head at her, urging her to give a disappointed smile and leaving him alone.
"Looks like she wants to be more than just his waitress," Logan said.
"Yeah…but he's playing shy," Bobby said.
"Are you sure about this guy, Goren?" Logan asked. "I mean I know Madison said she saw him—"
"Sh-she doesn't make up things, Logan," Bobby said turning toward Logan.
"Well maybe she exaggerated—"
"I know my daughter…an-and there's no other way she could have known—"
"Hey, boys," Wheeler said tapping Logan's shoulder. "He's on the move."
Logan drove slow as they followed Marcus as he walked back to his apartment. He didn't go inside, but instead got into his car.
They followed him for several minutes and watch the scenery.
"This is starting to look familiar," Wheeler said.
Bobby shifted and began to fidget.
"That's because he's heading to my building," Bobby said. "Stop the car…I can walk from here."
"We can get you there faster," Wheeler said.
"He can't see me getting out of a car with you two," Bobby said. "It's not far from here. I'll get home and you guys keep an eye on him. Call me to let me know what's going on."
"And if he tries to get into your building?" Logan asked.
"Stop him before he gets to my apartment…"
Logan stopped, but kept his eyes on Marcus' car until he heard the passenger door slam and then drove off.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Alex rolled over to look up at the digital clock to discover it was about a quarter till one. She had slept a little, but now found herself staring at the part in the curtains. She could see a sliver of the rooftop across the street and shadows move with the cars down below.
She rolled back over as she heard the front door and then Bobby's hurried footsteps.
"Hey," she said as he came into the bedroom. "What's going on?"
Bobby forced himself to still and scratched the back of his neck as she sat up.
"Uh…Laidler…he-he's here."
"What?"
"We followed him here…Logan and Wheeler are still watching him."
"Did he see you with them?"
"No…I walked, but he probably saw me come in…" Bobby said and then was interrupted by his cell phone. "Yeah, Logan."
"He's just across the street watching," Logan said. "We'll stay on him until he leaves. I'll let you know when that is."
"Thanks…"
"Hey man…I didn't mean to imply Madison was lying."
"I-I know…just keep us in the loop."
"We will…you guys try to relax."
Bobby hung up the phone and relayed the information to Alex.
Bobby paced, unsure what to do, but finally changed clothes and then sat down next to Alex.
"We could make this work to our advantage," Alex finally said. "For all Marcus knows we had a fight and you went out to cool off…and tomorrow after we fight again I can take a drive to cool off."
Bobby sighed and then pulled her down with him as he laid down on his back.
"So…what do you want to fight about?" Bobby asked.
Alex laughed, grateful for his effort to lighten the mood and despite herself she did feel herself relax a little.
"You pick," she said.
She felt him sigh.
"Did Madison get to sleep okay?" he asked.
"Well you're not trying very hard to pick a fight."
It was Bobby's turn to laugh.
"Sorry…"
"She fought me a little, but she finally passed out…I did have to promise her that you'd get up early with her and make pancakes."
"Oh, great…thanks."
"Don't mention it," Alex said. "Oh…you got a package from Carmel Ridge. I put it on the desk."
"Wh-what was it?"
"I didn't open it," she said. "It's the big manila envelope…maybe it's another bill or something."
"I just I thought I had gotten all that stuff taken care off," Bobby said. "I'll look at it tomorrow."
They were quiet, while Bobby stared up at the ceiling and Alex stared down at the salt and pepper that was sprinkled across his chest.
"Bobby…"
"Yeah?"
"You know that tomorrow when I meet up with him…I may have to say some things…use things that have happened between us…"
"I know," Bobby said and sifted his fingers into her hair. "It's okay…don't worry about me…I know what's real and what's not. T-try to get some sleep."
Alex nodded but neither slept as they waited for news from Logan and tensed at any unusual sound.