St. Louis Chapter 18 part 2

It's Wednesday late morning. McKenzie and Logan have known each other 8 days. LOL


Ending of Previous Post:

"I know you well enough to know when something's going on." She paused a moment. "Is it Mark?"

"Why would that guy be bothering me?"

"I don't know, but everything was fine until I introduced you two."

"Are you dating or have you dated?"

McKenzie took his hand and led him to a quiet area. "We have never dated or shacked up," she teased. When Logan glared at her, she said, "Sorry. Mark and I met here at the gym. He asked me out a few times, but I was always too busy. Then another trooper got injured on the job and he was transferred to the Kansas City until now. I guess he just returned."

Logan started walking. "Okay, let's continue our workout."

She placed her hand on his arm. "You're not getting by that easy, buddy. You're always questioning me, now it's my turn. Start talking." She slightly moved her hand up and down his arm. I think he's jealous, but why?

"Just wanted to make sure you're safe." When her eyes widened, he said, "Okay, you've kind of grown on me. I've come to like you a little bit."

"Guess what? I kinda like you a little bit too." She took his hand. "Now, I'm going to whip your butt."

They both headed toward the mat.

TODAY'S POST:

ST. LOUIS CHAPTER 18 PART 2

When they arrived home from the gym and after each had showered, McKenzie called Jose to see if and when he'd be leaving the hospital. When he said he'd be home by early afternoon. She covered the phone and turned toward Logan. "Jose will be released in a little while." She chewed on her lower lip.

"Just ask. What do you want?" Logan waited for her to continue. When she didn't, he said, "Yes, we can drop by his house."

"Can we bring dinner too?"

Logan chuckled. "Yes, we'll bring dinner. Are you cooking?"

"I can. Think they'd like mac and cheese with hotdogs?" She removed her hand from the phone. "Sorry. Logan and I'll bring dinner by around sixish?" She glanced at Logan for confirmation. When he nodded, she continued, "See you then."

She walked over to the cupboard. "I'd better make sure I have at least three boxes of mac and cheese."

"You're a trip. You know I'll fix something. So stop acting like I won't." He turned when he heard knocking at the door. "Are you expecting anybody?" As he moved his hand closer to his weapon, he motioned her to stand back. After Logan opened the door, he smiled. "Hi, Mitch, come in. I hope you have news."

Mitch held up a manila envelope. "I have Megan's phone records for the past three months. It seems she called Sidney Parks four different times on the day she was murdered. They talked about fifteen -- twenty minutes each time." He paused. "I don't have copies of her texts. Still waiting on that."

McKenzie took the envelope from him. "Let me see this." She sat, opened it, and skimmed through the phone calls.

Mitch pointed to the paper. "I highlighted two numbers. One is his private cell and one is his work number."

She glanced at him. "Since Megan regularly called his work number, wouldn't that indicate their relationship could be work related?"

Logan looked over her shoulder. "Why can't we just ask this Parks guy what he had to do with my sister?"

Mitch put his hand on Logan's shoulder. "Because if he's the one covering up things, we just let him know he's under suspicion. That's why." His eyes met Logan's. "And if he's the one behind the threats to Mac, it would only get more dangerous for her."

McKenzie turned toward the den. "I want to make a copy of this. There's other numbers she called often. I want to check them out."

"I figured as much. That's your copy."

"Thanks for bringing it by. I'll spend this afternoon tracking down the numbers. Did you ever get a number for the phone I found at Buder Park?"

"Not yet. I need to get back to the department. Let me know if you find anything interesting or need anything." Mitch hugged McKenzie. "Please stay safe." He faced the door.

"I will."

Logan walked behind him. "Thanks for the help."

"Keep her safe."

"I'll do my best. She's not the easiest person..."

"I heard that," yelled McKenzie. "I can take care of myself."

Mitch chuckled. "I know what you mean. She's feisty."

After the men shook hands, Logan rejoined McKenzie in the den and peeked over her shoulder. He pointed to a phone number. "That's Mom's cell phone."

McKenzie picked up a pink highlighter. "Mitch marked Parks with yellow. I think the family should be in pink. Sound all right?" He nodded, and she continued, "Is your dad's number here?"

Logan again pointed. "Here and there's mine. Also there's my parents' landline."

After highlighting those numbers, McKenzie picked up her phone. "I have Kate and Eleanor's numbers on my phone. I'll mark them in green." Her eyes met Logan's. "It would help if we had Donny's. I bet Jose has Whitney's. We can get it tonight when we're there."

"What about the school's number?"

"I'll get it." McKenzie searched through the phone book and then highlighted it. She held up the list of numbers. "We've marked off almost half. I guess we call the others and see who they belong to."

"That doesn't sound right. We can't just say we're working a murder investigation and your number showed up on the victim's cell phone. How do you know this person and by the way did you kill her?"

McKenzie giggled. "You're right. That won't work. But we do have a few ways to find out who these numbers belong to. We can reverse search them, Google them, and use the National Cellular Directory. Pull up a chair." She pointed to some numbers. "Why don't you research these numbers, and I'll do these." She typed on her laptop. "I'll do the National Cellular Directory because I'm already registered. Which one of the others would you like to try?"

Logan went to get his laptop. "I guess I'll try the google search. Think I'll get very far?"

"Good question. A lot of people are on social media and they use their cell phone numbers to register."

"Do you?" Logan raised his eyebrows.

"Nope. I don't trust it."

"Good."

*****
After a few hours of work, Logan closed his laptop. "I've only found a few names. How you doing?"

Lifting her notes for Logan to see, she said, "Here. What we don't know is if there is any background information on these people. That would help."

Logan leaned over to get a closer look at the names. "I don't recognize any as Megan's friends."

As he looked up, his eyes met McKenzie and they locked in a gaze. Logan gulped. "I think I'd better fix something for lunch."

McKenzie released a deep breath. "I'll look over the list of names you came up with."

"Good idea." He went into the kitchen.




Characters:

McKenzie 'Mac' Morgan a 27 year old private investigator
Major Logan Nelson 34 years old and an active duty soldier
Arlo McKenzie's black and tan dachshund
Megan Nelson Logan's younger sister - murdered
The Lou local name for St. Louis
Simon Knight and Sheila Logan's former Army buddy and a Lab technician. Sheila's his wife.
Fan name for the St. Louis Cardinals - a major league
baseball team.
Yadi What Cardinal fans call Tadier Molina - Cardinal's all-star catcher.
Edger McKenzie's black and tan rottweiler
John Benson Man who murdered McKenzie's parents
Bill Abbot A D.A and McKenzie's God-Father; he was a high-
school friend of McKenzie's father. Joanie is his wife.
Jose Lopez his wife is Lucy Chicago Police Department undercover police
department.
Kate Hartford Megan Nelson's friend they taught middle school
together.
Donny Carlton A man Megan Nelson dated.
Mitch Gardner St. Louis Police Department detective who has
partnered with McKenzie's dad.
Ivan Smart A bad guy
Peter and Nancy Nelson Logan's parents
Sidney Parks works for the St. Louis Police Detective with the drug unit.
Mack and Helen Morgan McKenzie's parents - both deceased
Gus Piper McKenzie's abusive grandfather - deceased
Austin Bryant an old boyfriend - McKenzie broke up with him because he's a jerk.
Joshua Davis so far a nobody, but is a neighbor to Donny Carlton
Mark Young an acquaintance of McKenzie, a state trooper, and will become important much later in the novel