Chapter X

ack had opened up and delivered not only himself, but the dirty wash of Boslo Wilson, Glen Rice, and a man of whom they'd never heard.  He also put them on to the possibility that not only a full copy of the discs were around, the same man had the weapons as well. All they had to do now was learn his identity, his location, and pick him up.

But the going was slow.  Sharon had been back almost two weeks now, but she was still very tender and was definitely not up to the long days that she was used to before being attacked.  Victor had returned to Sacramento with the promise he'd be back within a week, but call him with all the details of what was happening every day.

To tell you the truth, nothing was happening.  All they had to go on were the sketchy details of the ad in the paper story attempting to sell the discs.  It seemed pretty "far out there" to them.  So, they went back to the drawing board and pooled their resources and began afresh.

William revealed how he'd hidden the discs, how he'd moved them and where he placed them.  Pictures of every one they'd come in contact with was on the board room wall.  Somewhere, they were missing something of great importance.

They studied who all was around them at all times during the course of the trial, who had access to the briefcase, recounted the actions of those within the courtroom and those outside but connected.  They studied the armored truck company, scrutinized the driver and the man who actually went into the bank.

Lane was checking the folder on the bank president, but it being almost empty outside of a fender bender in which someone had run a red light.  He wasn't at fault so he wasn't cited, but the record was there.

They had folders of everyone involved coming in.  Lane picked up another folder and began to examine the contents.  His office had been headquarters for the long investigation, and suddenly he said "that's it!"

Everyone in the room stopped. He threw the folder down on the desk and said "see that?"

He was pointing at a series of numbers on the edge of the folder.  "I recognize those numbers."

"What are those numbers Lane?" Len asked, then added "they look like the combination of a lock."

"Exactly.  Those numbers are the combination for the locks on the briefcase of Walter Bension.  Did he have a driver that day?  Does anyone remember?"

"Why are you asking that Chief?"

It was customary for the team to call Lane 'Chief.'  He didn't mind too much, and always knew it was said in respect.

"Because that number is on the folder of officer Russell Adams.  Didn't he use to chauffer Chief Bension around?"

Lane was dialing the Police office.  Victor was back in town for a brief visit, then on to an appointment in San Diego.  He came on the line and after the howdies, asked what he could do for Lane.

"We need to talk to officer Russell Adams," Lane responded.

"Russell Adams . . . let me see here.  I thought I had his folder on my desk."

Lane heard him set the phone down and was hurriedly looking all over the desk.  "I can't seem to find his folder," Victor returned.  Then "why do you need to talk to him?"

"Victor, we have his folder here.  We're interested in finding out why the combination to Walter's briefcase was written on his folder.  Is he still in custody?"

"I don't think so.  If he had been released, the papers should be in that folder," Victor explained.

"I'm looking through his folder Chief, and I do not see those papers.  Perhaps they haven't been filed yet, or, he's still there." finished Lane.

"I'll get someone right on that.  I have to catch a plane, but I'll stop again on the way back through."

"Have a great flight Victor.  We'll see you in a couple of days," Lane said as he hung up.

There was a photograph of Russell Adams and Lane pulled it out laying it on top of the file.  "Hey I know him, said the secretary as she was refilling all the coffee cups on the table.  "I thought he was cute" she said looking at Lane.  She then added, "He's the guy I guarded the bathroom door for when someone was in the men's room.  You were gone both days he came to an appointment with you."

"I don't remember him" Lane said.

"I don't think you ever talked to him," said the secretary.  He was always so antsy pants', couldn't sit still for more than a minute, was always looking out the window, pacing back and forth.  He left before the actual appointment time came.  He finally just sent a note saying he was dropping the case."

The phone rang and the secretary picked it up.  "Sure, here he is," handed the phone to Lane and walked out after saying "it's the police department."

"This is Lane Wardlow speaking.  How may I help you?"

"Hello Mr. Wardlow.  This is Lieutenant Perry of the Police office."

"Yes Lieutenant Perry,"

"We do not have a Russell Adams in a cell.  But he is an active duty officer.  Can I offer you any help on this matter?"

Suddenly, Lanes mouth dropped wide open.  Lieutenant Perry was standing in his front office.  Then the man on the line must be an imposter, probably Russell Adams himself.

Sharon was looking at him wondering what was wrong.  He pointed to the officer standing in his front office, then Lane said "yes, Lieutenant Perry.  We do have some questions for this man, give me a second to grab my notes.  I really appreciate your help Lieutenant."

Sharon realized what was wrong instantly, and was dragging William out the door to the car.  She had motioned for Len and Melinda to follow her.  On the way to the Police Station Will was driving like a madman.  She put her cell phone on speaker and explained the situation to Len and Melinda.

When they were within a block of the Police Station, Will's phone rang.  He handed it to Sharon and she answered "hello Chief.  What's up?"

"I just wanted to tell you that Adams hung up the phone.  I called the Police Station right back and the dispatcher answered.  She was unaware that a phone call was even in progress, and stated the call didn't come from here."

"Okay.  It looks as if we have a break in the case.  But how did he know when to hang up the phone?  And, if it wasn't coming from the Police Station, from where did it originate?

Things were beginning to happen fast.  First the break in the case, then an all out man hunt for Officer Russell Adams.  It was going to be a long night.  Lane was already getting search warrants for the outlaws residence as well as any outbuildings or storage spaces he may have.

This is the part Sharon liked the most.  Plain old investigation with her hubby as her partner.  What more could a person ask for?

Suddenly they began to get hits on their searches.  The computer delivered up not only a residence, but three storage spaces and a remote portable container under the name of Russell Adams.

While any or all of these could be the wrong person, Sharon didn't think so.  She remembered him as being nice, but the night he had come to her house with a bogus story, she took on a complete different view of him.  Had she gotten in the car with him that night, they would all probably have gone missing, and Russell Adams would still be the Chief of Police.  She shuddered at the thought.

When she got these kinds of gut feelings, she stuck with them.  They had proven correct numerous times.  And her gut was telling her this was not only the same man, but when they found him, he was going to be a whole different person than when she saw him last.  And, if he was out of jail, how had he gotten out.  She herself had arrested him, processed him, and watched the jailer lock him up.

There was no doubt about it.  There was another turncoat within the walls of the Police Station.

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