Page 34 of Say Now
They both shot out of the vehicle when they got to the police station.It was cold in Missoula, but not as cold as it had been in Butte.Claire got to the door first and held it open.Alison almost ran through, with Claire following.Alison expected some sort of activity that would signal where Tommy was being held, but there was nothing.
She spotted Captain Kent.He stood at a whiteboard with two officers.They were talking quickly.Something was happening.Alison went straight for him, and he broke off from the officers to head her off.
"His apartment was empty," Kent said."He wasn’t there, and he’s not answering his home.His mother claims she doesn’t know where he is."
"What did his mother say?"Alison asked.
"She claimed she hasn’t seen him since he was released from prison, but I know she’s lying.He’s lying low somewhere, maybe plotting his next kill.I need you to help me find him."
"Okay," Alison said.
"You’re in a vehicle with me," the Captain said.He pointed at Claire."You can follow us over there."
Alison would have much rather traveled with Claire, but she wanted to know what they had so far, and the more she shared with Kent, the more he might share with her.
The three left the precinct together and then split into two cars.
"Did you talk to the mother?"Alison asked as Kent started the car.
"No, I had someone go over there and talk with her.I will talk with her once we get done with the apartment.She’s covering for him."
"Do you know her well?"Allison asked.
They pulled out of the parking lot.
"No, not really."
"She sued the department after Detective Castellano was killed in the line of duty," Alison said."Do you know anything about that?"
"I know that it was a bunch of crap," Kent said, gripping the wheel tighter."Internal affairs ran the investigation, but they didn't speak to me.There were some rumors at the time that the team was sent into the building underprepared, but it was a shootout, which is basically a crapshoot.You can never prepare for that.The files are sealed, so I don't know the outcome, but it was settled out of court.Whether that means his mother got a payout or she dropped the case, I don't know.It doesn’t look like she’s living the life of luxury, so I’d go with the latter.If you ask me, I bet some lawyer thought he could make a buck from it and advised her to sue.I hate that he died; he was a good man, but it’s one of the dangers of the job."
"Do you think his brother could be out to get revenge?"Alison asked.
"I don't know, but I made some calls about Tommy Castellano, and he’s a real piece of work.I can get the information to you when I have the official statements, but he’s manipulative and intelligent.Apparently, he ran the place when he was in jail, inmates and guards alike."
"He changed when his brother died."
"I notice that," Kent said."They should have let him go to the funeral.That was a darn shame.I remember that funeral.It was well attended.His mother was beside herself.One son is dead, the other is in jail.Do you think that’s when he started panning all of this?"
"I want to speak to him to find out," Alison said."We know he changed, but we don't know why.We don't know if he really changed or has been faking it this entire time.I hope I can see it in him when we do have him in custody."
"We’ll get him," Kent said."There’s already a warrant out for his arrest, and I’ve been in contact with the Sheriff’s office.State troopers are looking for him, and law enforcement across the state and into the neighboring states have his mugshot.It’s only a matter of time before he pops up again.I only hope he’s our killer."
"You don't think he is?"Alison asked.
"I'm prepared to keep an open mind until we know we have the right guy, so we don't have a repeat of the Martinez fiasco."
"We wouldn’t be after Castellano if it weren’t for her," Alison said.
"She’s run a shoddy operation.I think she’s only gotten this far because you are by her side.I don't want to step on any toes here, but she hasn’t gotten us close to finding this guy.He killed my sister, and…well, let’s just hope that I don't get any time alone in a room with him.That would be too easy, too good for him.He deserves to rot in jail."
His grip on the steering wheel got tighter.He hadn’t lost any of his anger; he only hid it better.
"The FBI is a valuable resource," Alison told him."I know from experience.Work with them; that’s best for everyone."
"Whatever it takes," Kent said.
He pulled to a stop suddenly, and Alison rocked forward then back in her seat.
