Chapter 16–Tuesday, 2:35PM

Herb stared at his yellow pad. On it he’d scribbled the details of every chopping – the name and occupation of each victim, the day of the week they were found dead, where and what time they were found, the names of those who’d discovered them, the officers in charge of each scene. He had hoped writing everything out would reveal something, but he was just as puzzled as when he began.

He reached for the intercom, but before he could toggle the switch, it came to life. “Chief!”

Herb jumped. “What?!”

“It’s me, Truman! Come to the lab right away, chief! We broke the code! We have a phone number!”

“I’ll be right there.” Herb was out of his seat and half way to the door before the words were all out.

A break, finally! He thought as he raced for the lab. Everyone was grins when Herb opened the secure door – Jordan, Truman, Ted. Herb had never seen Ted smile. It suited him. The entire VBI tech team was teeth and gums.

“Who made the call?” Herb demanded. “Where’d it come from?”

“We’re not quite ready for who yet, sir, but where is easy. The call was made from the pay phone at the 1 Stop convenience store at Hackberry and Hazel.”

“Who’s in that area right now?” Herb asked.

Jordan rolled his chair up to the desk, pecked at the keyboard, then sat back. The dispatch screen popped up a few seconds later. Scanning the data, the tech answered. “Car 12 is at Hackberry and Walnut, just a few blocks east of there.”

Herb punched the intercom. A moment’s delay, then, “Dispatch.”

“Marge! Send Car 12 to the 1 Stop at Hackberry and Hazel. Tell them to tape off the pay phone.”

“Hackberry and Hazel. 1 Stop. Car 12. Got it.”

A click signaled the closing of the com link. “Let’s go!” Herb shouted. “Truman take the CSI van. Jordan can ride shot gun. Ted you’re with me.”

“Someone’s got to stay here,” Truman interjected. “We’ve got other projects running. We can’t abandon them.”

“I’ll stay,” Ted volunteered. “I’ve got an idea on the photo. What if this guy used the same sequencing on its encryption as he used on the phone log?”

Truman nodded. “It’s worth a look,” he said.

That settled, Herb turned to Monica. “I assume you’ve got transportation.”

“Yes,” she affirmed. “We’ve got two cars here.” Then to her agents. “Harry! S! Truman’s lead on this scene.” Glancing at Herb, she corrected herself. “And the chief, of course. You follow the CSI van and help as you can. Capote, you swing by the hotel. Check to see if that cell phone call trace is complete yet.”

Herb smirked. “You haven’t got an answer on that yet?”

Monica chuckled. “No, sir. You beat us on that front.”

Herb smiled. Things were looking good. “And what about you?” Herb asked.”

“I was hoping I could ride with you,” Stewinsky answered.

Herb nodded, then looked around the room. “Let’s roll!” he said. Everyone was out the door in seconds.