Page 68 of Intangible
Agent Tanaka stood up from the chair next to the hospital bed when Knox and Thayer walked in.
“Miss Kent,” he said, offering her the chair. “I’m glad to see you safe and healthy. I spoke to your father yesterday, so I know he was very excited to see you unscathed.” Thayer smiled at him before sitting down.
“What brings you here, Agent Tanaka?” Knox asked.
“Please, call me Dex. I was wrapping up a few loose ends. Thought I would check on Dr. Prescott as well as fill you in on recent developments. After all the excitement surrounding Memphis’ recent mugging,” Dex said, raising an eyebrow toward Knox. “I realized there might be some questions you had that fell through the cracks about what was happening with your kidnapping case.”
He split a look between them. Knox knew that Dex didn’t believe Memphis had been mugged for even a moment. The man was too smart for that, but he seemed to be fine with the subterfuge.
“I would very much appreciate that, Dex. Please have a seat.” Thayer nodded to the small couch along the window. Senator Kent had insisted that they be moved into a large room saved for VIP guests.
When everyone had settled and Memphis had drifted back off to sleep, Dex brought them up to date on everything he knew. Pulling a folder from his briefcase, he handed it to Knox. Inside was every scrap of information the FBI had on the case.
“Officially, this is what we know. DNA extracted from the body in the fire told us that came from a man named Curtis Floyd. He had a rap sheet of mostly minor crimes in California.
“He was currently employed by the Lehman Group, an international conglomerate with its hand in a multitude of manufacturing companies. They were in line to receive a contract from the US government, totaling somewhere in the vicinity of a little over twenty-five billion dollars.
“That was, anyway, until this morning when your father managed to block the vote. It has been awarded to another company that favors a more… ethical business model, let’s just say.”
“I can’t believe I never saw it,” Knox said in barely contained disgust. “It was just about money this entire time.”
“Sometimes, the most heinous crimes are committed for the most mundane reasons. I wouldn’t beat yourself up, I missed it too.” Dex said quietly, studying the large man sitting next to him.
“We served a warrant at the Lehman Group’s headquarters yesterday, which appears to be leading to the arrest of several at the very top of the company. Mr. Floyd’s remains, however, were identified yesterday in a fire at an abandoned house registered to a Jackson Development Corporation here in Memphis.
“Odd that the CEO of that company just happens to be the son of a woman who runs a foster home where your man lived,” Dex added, motioning to the bed where Memphis slept.
“Anyway, the official story is he was hiding out there while waiting for his next chance to grab Miss Kent when he was discovered by a couple of gangbangers looking for easy money or a place to shoot up. He was pretty crispy, but the medical examiner believes he was stabbed before the house was set on fire to cover up the crime.
“So far there has been no trace of accelerants, but I’m sure something will turn up. I doubt they’ll put much effort into finding out since the house had no fire insurance, so we can rule out arson for profit, nor were there any witnesses. Whatever they decide, as far as I’m concerned, the case is closed.
“Unless either of you has anything else to add.”
Dex waited patiently to see if either Knox or Thayer would correct his version of the story. Knox knew there were so many holes in the details that a truck could drive through them, but he also knew no one would be served by uncovering them. When neither of them spoke, Dex stood up, straightening his suit.
“Miss Kent,” he said, nodding to her. “It’s been a pleasure seeing you, again. I hope next time our paths cross, it’s under better circumstances.”
“Thank you. If my family can ever do anything for you, please do not hesitate to call.” After escorting the man out of the room, Knox turned to study Thayer. “What?” she asked, looking up at him coolly.
“Nothing,” Knox said with a smile. Somewhere along the way, he had missed when the sweet, shy girl had grown into the strong, confident woman he was looking at.
He would leave for home tomorrow. She no longer needed a babysitter. Knox knew her place was here with Memphis. He was a good man who would take care of Thayer, just like Knox had over the years. But where Knox thought of her as his kid sister, Memphis loved her on a much deeper level as the amazing, capable woman she had become.
He felt Thayer reach out to take his hand.
“It’s going to be okay now, Knox,” she said, smiling at him.
“Yeah, I think for the first time in what feels like a long time, it really is,” he answered, squeezing her hand before sitting back on the couch to read his paper.
* * *
Memphis stood outside the door with his finger hovering over the doorbell. He was still debating in his mind about whether he wanted to know more or not. It wasn’t like he hadn’t survived through life this far without having answers.
“Have you changed your mind? You don’t have to do this, you know.” Thayer stood next to him at the door, watching as he wavered over the doorbell.
“No, I’m good,” he said, pushing the button. Within minutes, the door was thrown open by a vibrant woman dressed like she was more likely on her way to attend a concert at Woodstock than receive guests.
“You must be Memphis. Come in!” she said with exuberance. Shaking her hand, Memphis stepped back, letting Thayer walk through the door. The woman gave Thayer a hug before showing them into a brightly painted living room.
