Malloy said, “The skinheads are going to know it was you two last night. And they’re going to want revenge. I can have Bender ride along with you for protection.”
“That won’t be necessary,” said Reel.
“There are a lot more of them than you,” pointed out Malloy.
Reel shrugged. “Well, so far we’ve held our own. And their numbers keep dwindling, don’t they?”
Chapter
28
“CLÉMENT LAMARRE?”
“Yes. Holly said he was a patient here.”
Robie and Reel were sitting across from Brenda Fishbaugh, the facility director.
Fishbaugh clicked on some computer keys. “This information is really confidential,” she noted. “We’re not supposed to reveal who is or was a patient here.”
“And this is a federal investigation,” replied Robie. “You spoke to us about Holly and now she’s on her way to a new life with Luke Miller. All good. That wouldn’t be happening without us.”
Fishbaugh nodded slowly. “All right. So long as it goes no further.” She pulled up the screen she was looking for and swung the computer monitor around so they could see.
“I remember Clément. He was here for an addiction to methadone. Very common in this area. He’s thirty-six.”
“He looks a lot older,” noted Reel.
“Methadone will do that to you,” replied Fishbaugh. “He was a very quiet type. He and Holly were buddies here—that’s the term we use.”
“She told us about that.”
“Why are you interested in Clément?”
“He told Holly something that we need to follow up on.”
“Can you tell me?”
“I’m afraid not,” answered Reel. “What’s his background? Where did he come from?”
Fishbaugh swung the monitor back around and scrolled through more screens. “FYI, he was a voluntary admission here, meaning he checked himself in. It wasn’t because of any court-imposed order. He was born in Quebec and emigrated to America and became a citizen. He came to Colorado five years ago. He had family here.”
“Where did he work?”
Fishbaugh hit another key. “He worked on an oil rig for two years. And then when the bottom dropped out of the industry, he became an assistant manager at a convenience store about forty miles from here. That’s where he was working when he got hooked on meth and came here.”
“What’s the name of the store?” asked Reel.
Fishbaugh told her and Reel made a note of it on her phone.
“Where did he live?” asked Reel.
“When he came to us he gave no address. I believed that he was homeless.”
Robie said, “But you mentioned that he had family in the area?”
Fishbaugh nodded. “His sister and her family live in Boulder.”
“Did she ever visit him here?” asked Robie.
“Yes, twice. I think after he left here she thought he was going to move in with her until he got back on his feet.”
“Do you have her contact info?” asked Reel.
Fishbaugh provided this. “What will you do now?” she asked.
Robie and Reel stood. “Keep digging,” he said.
Outside Robie’s phone buzzed. The woman on the other end told him to access his laptop in two minutes.
Robie and Reel climbed into their truck and Robie popped open his computer, placing it on the dashboard so they both could see.
A few moments later the screen came to life, and DCI Rachel Cassidy appeared there.
“Report,” she tersely instructed them.
“Meaning he was trying to help people who needed it and that got him into danger.”
“If he was taken, do you think they know who he is? I mean, really know who he is?”
“Doubtful, or they might not have kidnapped him. Now they’re caught between a rock and a hard place, especially if they’ve since found out who he is.”
“So we’re sort of like Blue Man then.”
“How do you mean?’