“Cambridge-educated with a degree in finance. He got in on a rugby scholarship. He was good. He was also a star kickboxer. He placed second in the European championships.”
“Impressive,” Kendra said. “And even more impressive that Jessie was able to mop the floor with him.”
“What about since college?” Lynch asked.
“Equally impressive. He worked for one of the top brokerages in London.”
“He was a finance whiz?” Kendra frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. How did he get from there to chasing me across a shipyard rooftop?”
“Well, there was that industrial espionage arrest four years ago. He was suspected of being a corporate spy, stealing technology secrets from a defense contractor. The charges were dropped before the case went to trial. The company evidently didn’t want to press it.” He shrugged. “It could be that they weren’t entirely on the up-and-up and didn’t want to stir the waters.”
“What’s he been doing since?” Kendra asked.
“Nothing,” Metcalf said. “At least as far as we can tell. No company would hire him after his arrest. He hasn’t drawn a paycheck since then.”
“In four years?” Lynch asked.
“At least officially. We’re having our friends at the British NCA follow up for us. We do know he’s visited Paris several times during that period. Lynch called a few of his buddies with the Paris office of the CIA and got them to go through some of their records. He had contacts with several known smugglers and drug dealers on those visits. But it appears he was very smart and no one could pin anything on him.”
“Any history of violence there?” Kendra asked.
“Again, no proof. But the word is that he’s a bit wacko and likes to take chances. He was known to have a bad temper, and people had a habit of disappearing when he was displeased with them. One of those drug dealers was later found dead on the banks of the Seine. And there was a pilot for Air France who was killed on a layover in Lisbon after he’d agreed to meet with Dietrich about smuggling artifacts out of Cairo.” He paused. “Both of them had bullets in their heads.”
“It seems he likes the idea of executing his partners,” Kendra said dryly. “Anything else?”
“As I said, there will be more streaming in all the time,” Metcalf said. “The CIA promised Lynch they would keep on digging. But we’ve found out that Dietrich is clever, has contacts, and won’t be easy to catch. No matter what he does, he researches the job thoroughly before he dives in.” He paused. “Also, he likes to keep his own hands clean and he’s willing to kill to do it.”
“And that he has a background of smuggling and drugs,” Kendra said. “Could the Oceanside deaths have anything to do with either?”
“I don’t see how, but we’ll take another look.”
“Please.” She moistened her lips. “Though I’m just guessing and throwing out possibilities. He’s an ugly customer. Much worse than Hayes. Very cold. Who knows how many other people Dietrich eliminated when they got in his way? But all that horror still doesn’t tell us why he’d kill Elaine or Mr. Kim. They didn’t have anything to do with smuggling or drugs. And he might be a murderer, but he’s evidently not some psycho serial killer.”
“We can’t be sure of that. He might be many things. That report Lynch got from the CIA showed definite psychotic tendencies,” Metcalf said. “That’s why we have to go even deeper. But is this enough to persuade you to go home and let us keep on digging?”
She nodded. “It’s not enough. It will never be enough, but it’s something I can work with. I know him better now. He’s not a complete stranger.” She got to her feet. “Thanks for letting me hang out here until you finished.” She made a face. “Even if I was totally useless.”
“It was kind of nice looking over and seeing you in that FBI shirt.” Metcalf grinned. “I know Griffin liked the idea.”
“Then it’s definitely time I went home.” She headed for the elevator. “Are you ready to give me a lift, Lynch?”
“Just waiting for you to say your goodbyes like a good chauffeur.” He followed her into the elevator.
“Thanks, Lynch,” Metcalf called after them. “I hate to admit it, but those calls you made to Paris speeded up the search enormously. The CIA is never fond of sharing with us.”
“Only here to serve, Metcalf,” Lynch said as the elevator doors closed. He added to Kendra, “I’m