Page 53 of Mission: Possible

"The only hole in that theory is a thief would give up where they found it to save their own ass from a hefty indictment. That would lead directly to here and the occupant," said Jord.

"Yeah, I guess," I conceded. "So, we're back to the idea that it's a high probability the guy inside that house is our driver."

"Or, at the very least, he was on the crew or closely associated with them," said Solomon. He fixed Jord with an assessing look. "Where does that leave MPD?" he asked.

"I can't disagree with anything you've said," replied Jord. "The theory fits. I have an ID on the guy. Thomas Mackleton. Montgomery native. Arrest record for stolen vehicles since he was a teenager. He is... hewastwenty-six, and he's been clean for two years. Didn't have a steady job."

"How'd he afford the house?" I asked. "I know this part of Harbridge isn't a great neighborhood so that pulls the rent down, but it looks like there’re three bedrooms and a sizeable yard plus, the detached garage."

"It's a squat. When I went inside, I found notices on the floor about foreclosure. I figured Mackleton found it empty and homesteaded. He jerry-rigged the electric power and I'm pretty sure he's leeching internet services from the neighbor."

"Mind if I poke around?" asked Maddox.

"Knock yourself out," replied Jord, stepping aside to let Maddox pass.

"Can we?" I asked.

Jord tilted his head. "No!"

"You let Maddox!"

"He's an FBI agent! He asked as acourtesy. Saying no wouldn't mean a thing."

I turned to my oldest brother, and the most senior officer on scene. "Garrett?"

"No. Poke around later behind my back like you usually do," said Garrett.

"I have never!" I protested.

"Did you find a weapon?" Solomon interrupted before anyone could call me a liar.

"We did not," said Jord. "But my best guess is it came from a nine millimeter at close range. No defensive wounds."

"So Mackleton knew his killer and possibly let them in," said Solomon, nodding. "This is looking like a clean-up op. What are your thoughts, Delgado?"

"Eradicate the weak link," said Delgado. "Sensible. He didn't get rid of the van. We found him. The police found him. Someone made sure he couldn't talk."

"What kind of psycho is running this crew?" I asked.

"A pretty efficient one," said Solomon. "That's also worrying."

Maddox walked back to us. "I couldn't see anything that stood out as Mackleton being a part of the robbery other than the van," he said. "No signs of anyone else living there so I won't be surprised to hear his fingerprints were found on the van."

"What about the stolen property from the bank?" I asked.

"The place is a dump. I wouldn't exclude Mackleton from having a hiding place but I doubt very much that any valuables, whatever they might be, would be left with him," said Jord. "I'm not even convinced they stole anything at present. The bank manager couldn't confirm it either."

Solomon and I exchanged a look. I wondered if he also thought Charlie Sampson wasn't telling the police the truth. "What happens now?" I asked.

"Jord and I will team up," said Garrett. "Jord will keep investigating the heist and find out what they stole, if anything. I can't see a crew that organized leaving empty-handed. I'm going to personally take on Mackleton's murder and we'll share our findings. Sound good to you, Detective?"

"Yes, Lieutenant," said Jord. "I appreciate the assistance."

"The FBI has no current interest in this," said Maddox, "But I'd be grateful if you kept me in the loop out of curiosity's sake. I had an idea this might be linked to something bigger but now I'm not so sure. Mackleton has never been on my radar and I'd like to know whom he associates with."

"We'll keep you informed." Garrett looked from Solomon to me, then Delgado. "I'm not going to tell you to keep out of it since I know you'll ignore me anyway, but I will ask you to keep us in the loop too. Let's set up a meeting in a day or two and see where we are. Sound good, everyone?"

We all nodded with murmurs of cooperation, then Delgado said, "So, about those burgers?"