Chapter 65
While weaving through the busy streets to the station, Hodges pulled out his phone and dialed the familiar number.
Waters glanced at his partner. "Who are you calling?"
"House."
"Think that's a good idea? We don't need him getting in the way."
Just as Hodges was going to give an explanation, House answered on the second ring.
"This is House." A tired but anxious voice answered.
"House, this is Detective Hodges."
"What did you find out?" .
Lisa and Wilson listened in.
"We may have a break in the case." Hodges said.
House sat forward, hope filling his head again. "What kind of break?"
"A lady who lives in the same complex as Allison saw a man talking to Allison the morning she disappeared."
"Why is this woman just now telling you this?"
"She was on a cruise and didn't know what had happened. I showed her a picture of Mayer and she said it could be him."
"Could be?"
"She only saw one side of the man's face and isn't completely positive it was Mayer."
House sighed heavily. "Did you talk to Mayer?"
"Yes."
"And?" House asked frustrated.
"There's definitely something not right with the man but I can't arrest him on a feeling. However, I'm going to bring Mayer in for a line up and this should clear the way for a warrant."
"So this is good?" House asked with some enthusiasm.
"Maybe. You have to remember, this woman only saw one side of his face and can't say with certainty it's Mayer. Any lawyer worth their salt will get it thrown out."
"Then what good is the line up?" House snapped.
Hodges could hear the frustration in House's voice. "Look, I have been doing this a long time. I'll find a way to get a warrant to search Mayer's house. Trust me on this."
House heard what Hodges was telling him but it didn't help. All hope he had a few moments ago was gone.
"In the mean time, Cameron is still missing." House said more to himself than to Hodges. He was tired and he was through talking.
Hodges understood the silence on the other end. He had dealt with enough cases like this to know what people were feeling or thinking before they knew themselves.
"I'll call you as soon as we get that warrant. In the mean time," Hodges continued. "Don't go near Mayer. I don't need anything to screw this up."
House paused. It was as if Hodges had read his thoughts. "I understand."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow." Hodges said and hung up his end.
House closed his phone and placed it back in his pocket.
"What did he say?" Wilson immediately asked.
House nodded. "There's an eyewitness."
Wilson and Lisa glanced at each other. "That's great!" Wilson said.
"Maybe not."
"Why?" Lisa asked.
"Because she only saw one side of the guy's face and isn't completely sure it was Mayer."
"So, what now?" Wilson asked.
House took a sip of his drink and conveyed everything Hodges had just told him, except for the part where he was told to stay away from Mayer. He wasn't going to promise anything. A few minutes later, he excused himself and stepped away to give Cameron's brother a call.
Hodges and Waters quickly updated their captain and got an okay for a line up for Elizabeth Johnson. A short time later, they were in Water's car heading back to Steven Mayer's house.
"I'm stopping for coffee before we park ourselves in front of Mayer's house for the night." Waters said.
"I'll even buy you a box of donuts so you won't go hungry." Hodges said with humor.
"Oh honey, you are too good to me." Waters said, laughing.
Half hour later, they slowly past Mayer's house. His truck was still in the driveway and lights were still on inside.
"Looks like he's still there. Where do you think we should park?" Waters asked.
"A couple of house's back should work."
Waters drove around the block and stopped three house back where they had a perfect view of Mayer's house.
