Dead Past

“That’s an old gun.”
    “Let the video run,” said Diane.
    She watched as the man held the gun to her back and as she handed over the doll. He walked away with the package tucked under one arm and the gun in his pocket. There was an instant that showed his face and Diane asked Stefan to isolate it, save it, and send it to her crime lab.
    “The gun, too,” she said.
    She watched the gunman walk out of the picture. “Follow him,” said Diane.
    “Huh?” said Stefan.
    “What is the next camera that has him in sight?” said Chanell.
    “Oh.” Stefan called up the same time on another camera.
    Diane watched a view from the back of him walking away and getting into a blue Chevrolet Impala.
    “Try for the license number,” said Diane, as she picked up the phone.
    Stefan zoomed in on the rear of the Impala, but the best they could see from the camera angle was a blurred partial.
    “Send that partial of the plate to David in the crime lab. He may be able to enhance it. And see if you can get the car’s interior and send it to the crime lab, too,” said Diane.
    “You won’t be able to see his face at all,” said Stefan, “even in the mirror.”
    “Don’t go second-guessing Dr. Fallon. . . . Do what she says,” said Chanell.
    Diane dialed 911.
    “This is 911 Emergency. What is the nature of your emergency?”
    “This is Diane Fallon. I’m director of the crime lab. I was just robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot, in the past ten minutes.”
    “Are there injuries, ma’am?”
    “There are no injuries. No medical attention is required.”
    “Is the perpetrator still on the premises, ma’am?”
    “No. No one is in immediate danger here. The perpetrator escaped the crime scene in a late model dark blue Chevrolet Impala, possibly a 1999 year model. We don’t know his direction of travel. There was probably one or more other persons in the car with him.”
    “Do you have a license number for the vehicle, ma’am?”
    “Not at this time. We may be able to get one from the security tape.”
    “Hold on just one minute, ma’am. I’ll get right back to you. Stay on the line.”
    Diane was put on hold, and almost immediately they heard the police alert on Chanell’s police radio monitor. Then the operator was back.
    “Ma’am, are you there?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    “Officers have been dispatched to your location and should be there within ten minutes. Will you be there when they arrive?”
    “My chief of security, Chanell Napier, will be our point of contact here.”
    “Yes, ma’am, we know Officer Napier. Officers will be in touch with her in the next ten minutes. Can you give me a description of the perpetrator?”
    “He was a male Caucasian, approximately six feet, appears to be middle-aged, husky voice, wearing a black ski cap, a dark blue bulky winter coat, and sunglasses. He was armed with what appears to be a model 1911 .45 caliber Army automatic pistol, silver finish, which he was last seen carrying in his coat pocket.”
    “Just one moment, ma’am. Please stay on the line.”
    Diane was again put on temporary hold, and again they heard the description broadcast over the police radio, and the warning—Armed and Dangerous. Then Diane was connected back with the emergency operator.
    “We have security videos showing the incident,” said Diane. “Please see that Chief Garnett is notified immediately that the perpetrator may be the same suspect sought in the Joana Cipriano murder.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Chief Garnett has been notified. I will transmit that information to him. Do you need any other assistance at this time?”
    “No. We are fine here. Thank you for your help.”
    “Yes, ma’am. An officer is at your location now.”
    They looked up to see a Rosewood police officer entering through the doors of the museum Security office. Diane thanked the operator again and hung up the phone.
    “Thanks, Chanell,” said Diane. “Will you handle this with the police, please? I have to go see someone right away. Tell them the package he stole contained a doll, approximately twelve inches high, dark hair, dressed in a green satin dress with white fur trim. The perp may have it with him if he is caught. Call me if you need me.”
    Diane left the Security office and walked briskly to the restaurant, hoping that Juliet and her grandmother were still there.
    “Do you want to be seated, Dr. Fallon?” the hostess asked.
    “I’m looking for someone, thank you.” As Diane’s eyes grew