William said, “It helps if you can narrow down the parameters of your search as much as possible. The fewest possible phone numbers. The smallest spread of dates. And a relatively small geographic area.”
I gave him the date of Michelle Luna’s homicide. I even gave him the exact location within Baltimore.
William said, “Fairfield doesn’t sound like such a bad neighborhood. It’s not like Compton.”
“Bad things can happen anywhere, William.”
Then I gave him the phone numbers to Robert Steinberg’s, Rhea Wellmy-Steinberg’s, and Beth Banks’s cell phones. I didn’t want to risk using the names. Although William might keep things quiet, there was no telling what people at Google might leak. I decided to keep the suspects’ names to myself.
William asked, “Do you have enough probable cause for the Google warrant?”
“I’m trying to see if any of those three were in Baltimore. They knew the victim. I’m just trying to build a case. I’m not trying to charge anyone based on the information from the warrant.”
William’s enthusiasm didn’t fade. “Got it. I have a lot of friends over at Google. I might be able to do a quick check just to see if there’s anything worth sending them a warrant for. They’re good about little things like that. Know what I mean?”
I knew exactly what he meant. The world of investigations depends on people helping one another. I was a little worried about this being a major case. Then I remembered I wouldn’t be the one bringing charges. The FBI or the DC police would. I just had to hand over information to them.
It was an odd conundrum. If I waited on a warrant, the information wouldn’t come back until after I was sent home. Possibly by force. I made an executive decision. I said, “Go ahead and check first. All I need is a yes or no. I don’t need any details yet.”
William said, “I’ll call Google right now.”
Chapter 76
I had to do something to keep occupied. I sat at the little writing desk in my hotel room. I gazed down at the eight file folders I’d created. Each held a different screwed-up pile of information. I shuffled them around for a moment and then felt a wave of relief when my phone rang. Not that I expected any answers from my friend William in the Tech Unit, it’s just that it gave me something to do.
When I looked at the phone, I was surprised to see it was Mary Catherine. A smile spread across my face as I answered, “Hello, beautiful.”
Mary Catherine said, “How are you doing today?”
“Trying to get things done. How about you?” I waited during a long pause on the other end of the line. Every second made me more apprehensive about what was coming.
Finally, Mary Catherine said, “I don’t know. I guess I’m lonely. I’m a lonely newlywed. Aren’t you lonely too?”
“When I stop for a moment, yes, I get down and lonely. But in the spirit of always speaking honestly with each other, most of the time things happen so fast here I can’t think of much. I’m on the move and concentrating.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Just hearing your voice cheers me up. Even if your voice sounds a little sleepy and scratchy this morning. Are you okay?”
“Just tired. Glad the kids are all at school. I will say I was a little queasy earlier. Now I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” My mind started to race with all the possibilities.
Mary Catherine said, “I ate some kind of breakfast sandwich Seamus brought over. It didn’t agree with me.”
“What did that old codger want?”
Mary Catherine giggled on the other end of the line. I could picture her beautiful smile. Dimples in both cheeks. Blue eyes flashing. God, did I miss her.
Mary Catherine said, “All Seamus needed was some sandpaper and a pair of your locking pliers for his project with Shawna.”
“Any idea what this super-secret project is?”
“None at all. And I don’t ask questions. It’s nice that your grandfather can get so committed to a kid’s project. We are really blessed to have him in our lives.” Mary Catherine sighed, and I could hear the exhaustion in the exhale.
I said, “Are you sure you’re okay? Say the word and I’ll be home in a few hours. I’ll come back home for good.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?”
“Of course I would.” I waited in silence to give Mary Catherine plenty of time to think about my offer.