“What kind of things did you see in counterterrorism?” she asked Byford, unable to resist the urge.
Byford tapped his foot against the marble floor. He bent sharply and cracked his neck. “Some things I’d like to erase,” he said. “There’s a reason I moved away from it, and it wasn’t because of the pay.”
“I’ve never had much interaction with that department. They’re not even based in Washington, are they?”
“No, they’re in the Chicago branch. That’s where I was based. But I had to get away.”
A man in a gray sweater and red trousers approached the reception window. He stuck his head underneath the glass. The receptionist pointed to the agents. This was him. Ella and Byford stood up to announce themselves.
“Hello, Professor Casey?” she asked, reaching out her hand. Casey took it with an unenthusiastic grip.
“Hi. Can I help you? You’re with the FBI?”
He looked a timid soul. Very much on the short side with brief whispers of gray hair on his head. He had a faded goatee that resembled a style from a previous era.
“Sorry for the intrusion, but we’d like to talk to you about Daniel Garcia if you’d be willing.”
Professor Casey’s face fell flat when he heard the name. “Oh. You’re here about that. I already told the police everything.”
“This is something new,” Ella said. “Garcia is a suspect in a new crime, and we were hoping you could help us track him down.”
“Track him down? Well, I don’t know about that. I just know I never want to see that kid again. Last I heard he was living with his mom. Her name’s Elaine and lives somewhere in Elsmere. That’s all I know.”
Ella made her notes. “Thank you, professor. Do you have a moment to talk us through what happened?”
The professor checked his watch. “I really don’t, I’m in a hurry. I can give you the short version but anything more will have to be done another time.”
It was better than nothing, Ella thought. “Of course, we understand. The short version would be great.”
“Daniel was a bright kid. Exceptionally bright, actually. He had incredible potential and I pushed him to utilize it. But he had a nasty streak to him. His home life wasn’t perfect, and that came through in his work.”
“I see,” Ella said.
“For his final thesis, he wrote a paper on ancient mythology with a heavy focus on a particular part of it.”
“Santeria, right?” Ella asked.
“Correct. Santeria. The paper was well-written and researched to exceptional levels, but it was…” Professor Casey scratched his head as he searched for the word. “Transgressive. Sensational. He wrote like a sympathizer of atrocities. I couldn’t accept it, and when he found out I’d rejected him, he showed up after hours with a knife.”
Ella and Byford exchanged a look. “He tried to stab you?”
Professor Casey nodded. “Yes. He aimed for my throat. I managed to skirt him, but it was difficult. Daniel is very agile. Very sneaky. He was expelled soon after.”
“Did you press charges?” Byford asked.
“No. Daniel is a product of his home life. It’s not his fault he grew up to be violent. The fact he found solace in this sinister faith is concerning and pressing charges against him would have angered him further. I was terrified he’d come back for me, so I didn’t want to rattle the cage so to speak.”
As far as Ella was concerned, they had everything they needed. This guy had some explaining to do. “Thank you so much professor. That’s all I have to ask.”
“I really must be running now, but if you need to know anything else, simply call the university.”
The agents shook the man’s hand and said their goodbyes. They headed back out the door, picking up speed as they did.
“Let’s find this guy. Looks like we need to find an Elaine Garcia around here.”
Ella had a good feeling about this. Something told her she needed to meet this young man. “My thoughts exactly. Let’s find this guy.”
CHAPTER TEN
Ella drove a little faster than she should have. According to the database, there was only one Elaine Garcia in the area. Sheriff Hunter texted over her address. It was a six-mile journey that Ella covered in half the time it should have taken.
“Jesus, this place is… something,” Ella said.
The street consisted of one tight road and two rows of houses. On one of the fences, the homeowner had hung out their dirty washing for everyone to see. One of the houses didn’t have a front door, just a hole where it should be.
“Are we in the right place?” asked Byford. “I hate to generalize but I can’t see a kid around here going to college.”
“College is cheap until you leave,” Ella said.
“I suppose. Here,” Byford pointed. “Number nineteen.”
Ella pulled up on the curb outside the home. It had a small porch, tattered to ruin, and a flight of steps that looked on the verge of collapse. The whole house was painted a charcoal gray that did nothing to disguise the waning exterior. Across the street, a young kid on a bike observed their intrusion.
Ella gave three knocks on the door. A dog began yapping on the other side before she’d even finished. Then came the sound of human life on the other side. A woman’s face appeared between the cracks, but Ella couldn’t make out much about her.
“Hi, Elaine Garcia?”
The woman sniffed loudly. “Who’s asking?”
“The FBI. I’m Agent Dark and this is Agent Byford…”
“FBI?” she shouted with a piercing shrill. “What gives you the right to come here?”
“We’re here to speak with your son,” Byford added.
“You’ll need to tell me more than that, pal. I got six of them.”
“Daniel Garcia,” Ella said. “Is he home?”
“Danny don’t live here no more,” Elaine said and shut the door. Ella had it scouted. She thrust her foot in the door gap.
“Well, could you tell us where he is?”
Elaine looked down at Ella’s foot like it was an artifact from another planet. She pushed the door against it harder to keep her out. It was only a moderate amount of pain, but it brought the adrenaline to the surface.
“These boots weren’t made for walking, Mrs. Garcia. Please tell us where your son is.”
Elaine relieved the pressure and opened the door up. She glanced between like the agents like she was waiting for them to make the first move. “I don’t know where he is. That little runt could be anywhere by now.”
“How do you mean? We were under the impression he lived with you.”
“What’s this about? What’s he done now?”
“We can’t say. It’s confidential. But if you help us find him, then we might be able to give you the details.”
“And how am I supposed to do that? You want me to whistle for him?” Elaine said.
“Don’t you have his phone number?” asked Byford. “Seems unlikely that you wouldn’t.”
“Danny upped and left after his little fight last year. I haven’t seen the dickhead since. Okay?” She tried to slam the door again, but Ella’s foot was still lodged in place. “You wanna leave me alone now? I can’t help you.”