Moment in Time Part 3

Chapter 104

Dead Again

Part 9

Steam spurts as Rick tries to foam his latte. "You're on edge this morning," Kate notes. "You want me to handle that?"

"Since we both know this machine hates you, that would put me even more on edge."

"Are you worried about going into the Happy Dragon this morning?" Kate asks, "I can still call it off or have someone else with Alan."

"That someone else would be a cop, and we both know that any sharp defense lawyer – like Caleb Brown – would get any evidence thrown out."

"So you're still upset about my conversation with Caleb."

"Upset doesn't begin to cover it, Kate. I believe he's been pulling strings behind the scenes the whole time. You know that one of the things I've done researching my books is study sociopaths and psychopaths. Some of them, the kind cops have an easy time catching, are far out on the left side of the bell curve. Their thought processes are damaged along many lines.

"But then you get the ones in the tail of the other side. They're brilliant, Kate, and often charming – like Ted Bundy. His victims went with him willingly because he came on as a good guy. Brown comes on like a good guy. He even does good works. That's Dr. Jekyl. But Mr. Hyde will emerge. And even if Reed is hesitant to take you out, Brown may believe he can get away with it."

"Babe, are you sure you're not seeing Brown as some kind of demon because he destroyed you on the witness stand?"

"Are you kidding? I put that in the Jekyl column. Otherwise, an innocent woman would be rotting in prison. No, Kate, I believe Hyde was in LA, and Hyde's been hiding just under the surface for years, like an enemy submarine."

Kate pokes him in the side. "I think you're mixing your metaphors."

"Actually, it was a metaphor and a simile. But my point is, Kate, you can't trust Brown any more than those poor women could trust Ted Bundy. You need to treat him like a nuclear plant on the edge of going critical."

Kate stretches up for a quick kiss. "I'll be careful."

"Promise?"

"Promise. But for now, we have to concentrate on our operation at the Happy Dragon. I'll have a tech make sure you and Alan are properly fitted with vests and give you your com and camera. We'll be setting up headquarters in a van two blocks from the shop, far enough away to avoid getting spotted. But we'll have some unmarked units closer in."

"Did you get Spot, too?"

"If you mean a drug-sniffing dog, her name is Mamie. She'll be there. Her handler will be working with the boys. Can you keep your head in the game, Babe? Alan's life could depend on it."

"I know. I can, and I will. So let's get this show on the road."

The man arranging herbs on the shelves behind the counter at Happy Dragon turns at the tinkle of the bell over the door. The shop is dim, but he's wearing dark glasses, and a white cane leans against a nearby display case. "Can I help you find something? We have a special today on wild oats."

"No thanks," Rick replies. "I sowed mine before my marriage."

"We're here on official business," Alan declares, holding up his badge.

Rick points to the cane. "Dude." He shakes his head. "Excuse us, Sir. My companion is displaying a badge that says Department of Safety and Health, and he has a serious look on his face."

"A very serious look," Alan adds.

"OK, but why two inspectors?" the herbalist queries.

"Um, he's my trainee," Alan replies.

"Trainee," Rick echoes.

"And it helps to have a second set of eyes. Not that one set of eyes or no set of eyes is a bad thing," Alan hurriedly continues at a black look from Rick.

"Bring all the sets of eyes you like," the herb-seller invites. "I'm sure you'll find my medicines violate none of your Western laws."

Rick spots a "do not enter" sign in front of a curtain and gestures to Alan. "We'll be the judge of that."

Both men cough before separating, with Rick heading for the curtain. A swiftly wielded cane blocks his path. "I ask we stay together so I can address your inspection concerns."

"Of course," Rick agrees before whispering to Alan. "I'll cause a distraction. You slip into the back room." Alan nods.

The herb-pusher sweeps a hand toward a row of glass jars. "These are some of my most precious herbs. They're impossible to grow in this country."

Rick grabs a jar and tosses it in the air." Oh, you mean these herbs?"

A nimble hand catches the container. As Rick tries again, his opponent foils his efforts and turns toward Alan. "Your assistant is very clumsy."

"Yes, he is," Alan agrees, "which is why the sooner we get out of your hair, the better. Take us to your backroom now, please."

"Of course." The host takes a few steps before stopping. "Wait! I sense something powerful. An unnatural presence in the order of things."

"What kind of presence?" Rick questions.

"A man who defeated death. When is a man more than a man? When his lifeforce cannot be extinguished. Then he is a god."

"Wow, he thinks I'm a god!" Alan exclaims.

"Or he's buying time while his guys get the contraband out the back door," Rick suggests.

As two men lug heavy cases out the Happy Dragon's back door, Mamie barks and paws the ground. Esposito blocks the men's way, gun drawn.

"That's her signal," Officer Mayberry confirms. "She smells drugs."

"And that's probable cause," Ryan proclaims.

"Drop the cases," Esposito orders. "On your knees."

Ryan opens the latches revealing vials of yellowish liquid. "What the heck are those?"

Kate waves Ryan and Esposito to join her and Rick in her office. "I just heard from the lab. Those vials contained heroin."

"In all the time I worked Narcotics, I never saw heroin like that," Ryan recalls.

"It's synthetic heroin," Kate explains. "It's manufactured to duplicate the high of the stuff from the poppies. But this batch takes it a step up. It's spiked with TTX."

"Why would someone add a deadly toxin to heroin?" Rick queries. "Talk about losing your customer base."

Kate shakes her head. "Apparently, they add just enough to make the drug more addictive without killing the recipients – or no more of them than standard street junk. And the profit margin is higher. No smuggling costs…."

"Because it's made right here in the good old USA," Rick interjects. "Probably right here in New York."

"Which explains why Spate and the triad were willing to put their differences aside," Kate figures.

"And why they would want Alan dead," Rick adds. "This stuff has to be made in a lab somewhere, and Alan inspects labs. Was there anything in the analysis that would tag a particular one?"

Kate grins. "That's the kicker. The yellow color of the liquid in the vials comes from LAH."

"The chemical spill at Zantium! If Alan shuts down the lab, he cuts the TTX supply line," Rick realizes. "But why would the would-be killer try to murder Alan with TTX? It points a finger at Zantium."

Kate rakes her hair out of her face. "For some killers, the weapon of choice is whatever's at hand. Whoever contaminated Alan's water filter must work at Zantium. Let's come down on that place, hard!"