Cobb (Lighthouse Security Investigations #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,75

on to his shit or asking him how he was doing. They would know he was holding on, even if it was by the barest edges of his fingernails.

“I've got her soaking in a hot tub filled with some kind of lavender shit that’s supposed to be relaxing and a glass of wine perched on the side.”

“Best thing you can do right now.” Mace’s voice was his usual growl, but Cobb recognized concern.

“What have you got?”

“Is Floyd with you?” Levi asked.

“I'm here,” Floyd said.

“Good to have you with us.” Again, not wasting time, Mace jumped in. “I know you haven't had a chance to study the photograph. We have and hope we can give you enough information that you can locate where it was taken. That investigation is on you. Same with finding Caesar’s killers. But we'll give you everything we can. Our responsibility is the security of Josie.”

“Understood.” Floyd leaned forward, his gaze pinned on the computer screen where an enlarged, enhanced version of the picture was displayed.

“The Bureau will have its analysis, but with the picture being so close on Caesar, there's little background to ascertain as to exactly where he is. But looking at what we can see of his body, there's bruising on his face, some appearing older than others. This would indicate he's been hit, probably throughout the time he's been missing. This could also indicate that they’re looking for something. Why else keep him alive and beaten? And the gunshot to his temple is execution-style. We can only see the entrance wound with its abraded skin, but since there is blood on the floor on the opposite side, we’ll assume it came from an exit wound.” Cobb wasn’t surprised to hear Tate’s voice. All Keepers were weapons experts, but Tate’s knowledge of weapons was exceptional.

Floyd leaned even closer, nodding. “Got it.”

“Looks like a hard-contact wound from the searing. Definitely execution. I’d say twelve-gauge, but your people will make that call,” Tate continued. “The orange-red tattooing indicates Caesar was alive when shot.”

Cobb shook his head, his gut clenching. “I’d feel better if this was someone in Josie’s orbit with just a gambling problem and needing a way to hide takings. This here… fuck… this is indicating organized crime, probably cartel involvement.”

“That’s our take as well,” Mace concurred. “Not going to waste time trying to figure out more ‘cause that’s Floyd’s concern.”

“Agree, but with this information, we can look at who might be in her orbit that could have those kinds of connections. What have you got on any of them?” The unfamiliar slither of emotions-over-mission running through him made Cobb hope his voice sounded stronger than it felt coming from his lungs.

“Okay, let's start with Bert. You know he's an attorney, but it took him an extra year to get there because he almost flunked out of college his first year. Honestly, probably not a big surprise considering his parents had not been deceased very long. From all accounts, he's tight with Josie's family, his bank accounts look normal, and he has an investment portfolio that, again, doesn't ring any warning bells. Now, he's still friends with a bunch of guys he was in a fraternity with at the University of New Mexico. No red flags on most of them except two that have finances that show deposits that look suspicious. Timothy Hobson and Roberto Mendez.”

“Those are the two that were with Bert at the casino on the rez. Looked down their nose at me until they found out I was the son of the governor. Then they couldn’t shake my hand enough. Fuckin’ pricks.”

“Both have money shifting around. Deposits that don't equal their paychecks, cash going into various accounts with various banks. Could just be gambling winnings but could be other kinds of payoffs. Both work for a textile shipping company that, believe it or not, has accounts in Mexico.”

“So, these guys may just be using Bert as a way to move in and out of political circles to hobnob with movers and shakers? Maybe even the way they found out about Josie’s clinic?” Floyd scribbled notes on a pad, occasionally tapping the end of his pen on the table.

Josh answered for the Keepers. “It’s certainly a possibility. And if they're engaged in illegal activities, laundering money at the least, and possible drug trafficking, then Bert could just be a pawn, or he’s involved as well. One of the things we’ve discovered is that they go across the border to a casino in Ciudad