Page 23 of Operation: Sharp Angel

“It’s possible,” Tessman said. “Becca Elliot, our team members Flores and Robinson.”

Becca nodded a greeting and forced a small smile at the two older men.

“Ma’am,” Flores greeted with a nod. And then the two men stepped around them, splitting up. Flores went down the stairs to the basement and Robinson made his way through the smalllaundry room and went out into the garage. A few minutes later, they both returned and reported the basement and garage clear. Then they exited the house through the back door to check out the back yard.

“Team,” Yvette’s voice came through comms, “be advised the local LEOs are arriving on site. I’ve advised them you’re onsite and have control of the scene.”

“Roger that, Control,” Jackson broadcast.

Two uniformed officers came through the door, weapons drawn. Tessman held up his FBI badge. “Tessman and Jackson, federal agents,” he said.

Becca stared at Tessman, her eyes bouncing between the badge he held and his face.

Assured the scene was secure, the police radioed the ambulance, which waited for the all-clear down the street. Once the paramedics entered, Jackson stepped back and let them get to work on the wounded man.

“He’s under arrest,” Jackson advised the paramedics and the local LEOs. “As soon as he’s conscious, we need to question him. And there’s a DOA in the master bedroom closet.”

One of the two police officers jogged up the stairs.

“The crime scene techs have been called, and a detective is en route as well,” the other cop said. “One of us will accompany the perp. You all need to remain here to give your statements to the detective.”

Tessman bent down and without getting in the paramedics’ way, he searched the wounded man for an ID. He found none. He took out his phone and snapped a few pictures of the man which he then sent to Yvette in Ops at HQ. He’d have to get a couple pics of the face of the vic in the closet once his body had been turned over. They’d be passed to the Digital Team in an attempt to get an ID on the men. Then he noticed howawkwardly Becca stood, her eyes riveted on the wounded man and the paramedics.

“Let’s wait in the kitchen,” he said to her.

She defiantly shook her head and then crossed the living room, taking a seat on the couch. From where she sat, she watched the paramedics.

Jackson and Tessman stepped over and stood beside her. The cop that had gone up to check on the dead man in the closet came back down the stairs, being careful to stay out of the blood splatter on the stairs.

Within a few minutes, the paramedics transferred the man onto their stretcher and then wheeled him out of the house. Becca let out a breath she’d been holding. She then stared at the badges both the men from Shepherd Security displayed on their belts. FBI and DEA. She was more than confused.

Tessman noticed that her eyes were riveted on their badges. Either that or she was checking out their packages, though he doubted the latter was the case. He made eye contact with her and saw the questions she would ask soon. He wondered how she’d ask. Would she be outraged? Demanding? Baffled? Certainly, she’d feel lied to. She’d been through a lot of shit since her sister’s family was murdered. He didn’t want to add to her angst.

Robinson and Flores re-entered the house through the back. They flashed their badges at the lone uniform cop who stood in the entry.

Detective Davis arrived at the house a few moments later. He quietly conferred with the uniformed police officer for a moment at the entry. He crossed the room and then greeted the five of them, shaking Jackson and Tessman’s hands and addressing them by name and then trading introductions with Flores and Robinson while shaking their hands as well. Then he turned hisattention to her. “Becca, are you okay?” The concern in his voice was genuine.

She didn’t even know how to answer that question. She was now. “They were searching for something specific. I heard them talking. And they knew that I’d been here packing, referred to me as that lawyer. So, they knew who I am.” That was what bothered her the most.

Davis’s eyes flickered to Jackson and Tessman. “Can you keep her protected until we figure this out?”

“We can,” Jackson volunteered.

“I thought so,” Davis replied. “Stay here. I’ll get your statements in a minute. First, I need to take a look at the vic in the closet upstairs. Who killed him?”

“I did,” Becca said in a strong voice.

“The mirror did,” Tessman said. “He put himself in the path of the mirror when he assaulted you.”

“Okay, the vic can wait,” Davis groaned. “Becca, step into the kitchen with me. I’ll take your statement there.” He turned his attention to the four men from Shepherd Security. “Stay here. I’ll get to your statements after hers.”

Tessman grinned at Jackson as Davis retreated, following Becca Elliot into the kitchen. “He admits she needs protection. Do you know if Shepherd got the crime scene report in yet? Might be a good time to confront him with everything that’s in it that doesn’t add up.”

Jackson shook his head. “Yes, it would have been a good time for that if we’d gotten the report, which we haven’t.”

“Damn,” Tessman remarked.

Becca took a seat at the kitchen table.

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