Pied Sniper, page 21
“She’ll need most of it to pay off her debts and lawyer fees,” pointed out Solomon.
“There’s the potential for her to make millions in deals. She could pay everyone back, argue her way out of jail time for anyone who continues to pursue her, and still have money in the bank. Plus, the ransom cash as her backup option. That’s if she doesn’t disappear to some remote island, never to be heard from again.”
“I really don’t like this woman,” said Solomon.
“Neither do I but I’m sure you’re about to remind me we don’t have to like the people we’re hired to help.”
“You’re starting to sound like me.”
“But cuter.”
“You don’t think I’m cute?”
“Of course not. I think you’re smokin’ hot.”
Solomon smiled. “Acceptable.”
I checked my watch. “We have an hour until the press conference. I’m going to take another look through Tiffany’s cloned laptop; then I think we should speak to Grace again. I wonder if she knows anything more.”
“We should probably speak to her friend, Flavia, too. That’s a strange anomaly, don’t you think?”
I flopped into my chair. “Because they’re pretend enemies?”
“Because it’s the only thing about her life that seems nice.”
“Until you factor in how often Tiffany took Flavia for a ride too.”
“All the more reason to talk to her again after she’s had time to think about things. She could have more information than she realizes.”
“You think she’ll turn on Tiffany!”
Solomon smiled.
“I guess that could happen,” I surmised. “She may consider herself a woman scorned. Not in the romantic sense, of course, but definitely that the friendship wasn’t as equal as she considered it. Tiffany has been mooching off her for a long time and she only just started to realize it.”
“I bet there’re far more incidents than Flavia initially told us about.”
“Maybe, or it could simply be she realizes the magnitude of the big ones. Bad people don’t do everything bad. Tiffany must have done some good things to reel in her targets,” I said. “She probably did pay for treats, especially while she was setting herself up as fun, interesting and rich, but more than that. She’s a fun tornado.”
“A fun tornado?”
“The kind of person who whirls around so fast, she sucks everyone into her crazy orbit.”
“I don’t think ‘fun tornado’ will catch on.”
“I thought it was catchy!” I paused as my phone trilled, Abigail’s name flashing on the screen. I held up a finger to Solomon, pausing our conversation. “Hello?”
“Lexi? Is there any news? I haven’t heard anything from the kidnappers since this morning’s demand and I’m getting worried.”
“We haven’t located them yet but we’re working on it,” I told her. “We spoke to several people in Tiffany’s life and we’re trying to locate her family.”
“Her family? What are you talking about? She doesn’t have any.”
“I know that’s what you were told, and what we assumed too, but we have reason to believe her history isn’t quite what she made it out to be.”
“I’m so confused. Tiffany was adamant she didn’t have anyone. Who do you think is out there? Cousins or some kind of extended family?”
“We’re not sure about that yet, but there could be closer relatives. Has Tiffany introduced you to anyone? Perhaps someone she was hazy about how she knew?”
“No, never! I can’t believe she would keep something like that a secret.”
“It seems she has. Also, her friend, Flavia turned up.”
“Oh!”
“She told us everything about the fake enemy thing and how they’re secretly friends.” I waited, wondering what Abigail might say.
“They are. An enemy story is so good for clicks.”
“It seems Tiffany lies about a lot.”
“I wouldn’t say she lies...”
“Her rich orphan story is sketchy. We know she went to school on a scholarship and her parents were definitely around. Plus, we’ve uncovered some very suspect businesses she’s been involved in. If she lies to everyone else, even her viewers, it’s reasonable to think she’d lie to you too.” I paused for a moment to let that sink in and when Abigail didn’t say anything, I added, “Are you sure there isn’t something else you want to tell me?”
“No, just find her. Please.”
“Call me the moment you hear anything,” I said before Abigail said goodbye. “Is Lucas any closer to identifying the location of the ransom video?” I asked.
Solomon shook his head. “There’re too many buildings to check. We need to narrow it down more but I don’t see how we can do that just yet. The kidnap vehicle came to a dead end. The backdrop of the video is too generic. We need the kidnappers to do something and the best way to prompt some kind of movement is with a police press conference. That’s a good call. We should leave now so we can get there a few minutes early and observe the crowd. Fletcher, Flaherty and Delgado will all mingle in the crowd. You and I will take observation points.”
“Are you sure that won’t tip someone off?” I asked. “They look more dangerous than your average citizen.”
“I’ll tell them to be discreet.”
“Let’s go.”
Garrett sent me a text saying the press conference would definitely be held in front of the police station. When we got there, parking around the side, a podium with microphones was set up in front of the entry and the local camera crew anchor was rehearsing a piece to camera. A couple of photographers fiddled with their equipment and a few people stopped to watch from the sidewalk.
“I can’t see much from here,” I said. “It’s going to get dark soon and people will be close together.”
“I brought the zoom lens.” Solomon reached onto the backseat for the camera. “We could split up. I’ll photograph from here and you can circulate in the crowd since you’re convinced that you don’t look at all suspicious.”
“I don’t look suspicious! That’s why you hired me!”
“It’s funny how knowing you changes a man’s mind.”
“I consider that a compliment.” I looked around at the currently small assembly of people and realized this wasn’t what I expected. “I thought there would be more people here.”
“Like her fans?” asked Solomon. “Or the media?”
“Both, I guess.”
“I think your hopes were just realized,” he said, and pointed as two more news vans turned up. We watched people hopping out of the cabs and pulling back sliding doors. More people were laden with camera gear, pointing to, what I presumed, were the best spots to set up. As they went about their business, a group of solemn young women walked past, battery-operated candles in their hands and waving flashlights like it was a vigil. I supposed in some ways, it was.
“I’m going to mingle,” I said. “I don’t see the others.”
“Like I said before, they’re incognito. If you see anyone suspicious, let me know.”
I gave Solomon a quick kiss and got out. Zipping my jacket, I stuck my hands in my pockets as I walked over to the crowd. The noise was minimal, just a few coughs and throat clearings amongst the soft conversation. Everyone was waiting patiently for the press conference to begin. Most of the assembling crowd were young women, Tiffany’s demographic, and that didn’t surprise me. I sidled as close as I could get, listening in to their conversations. Some of them were talking about how scary the last livestream video was, some were talking about the audacity of it, and how women should be more concerned for their safety. I heard someone wonder if Jonathan would turn up and why he’d been so quiet. Another opined he was out searching while someone else scoffed that they were broken up. Someone pointed out a woman standing near the podium and asked if she were Grace. I didn’t hear the reply but I did look over and was fairly sure I saw Grace there. I raised a hand to wave, decided she wouldn’t see me, and instead passed through the crowd easily to stand with her.
“Hey,” I said and she jumped.
“Lieutenant Graves asked me to be here as Tiffany’s representative,” said Grace. “Before you ask, Jonathan didn’t come. We both thought that was a bad idea. Most people won’t recognize me since I barely appeared on camera but he thought I should do an appeal anyway.”
“I think you’ve already been recognized,” I told her.
“Damn. I hoped no one would notice me. I spoke to Abigail. She said one of us should be here and since she’s waiting for a call…” Grace trailed off.
“It’s kind of you to turn up, given your feelings,” I said and Grace huffed.
“Tiffany’d get such a kick out of this, you know,” Grace said. “All the media turning up. People bringing candles. They don’t know that they mean absolutely nothing to her. No one does.”
“I’m sure that can’t be completely true.”
Grace raised her eyebrows. “Then you don’t know her.”
“I’m learning a lot about her.” I looked around and spotted Delgado in the crowd. He was standing with a young couple I didn’t recognize and they were chatting. I figured he probably didn’t know them, but blended in like he was one of the dads. Despite that, every couple of minutes, his gaze swept the area. No one would guess the small group weren’t together. “Do you see anyone familiar?”
Grace shrugged. “No, but it wasn’t like Tiffany made any friends here.”
“Did you spend a lot of time with her?”
“Most days, worst luck.”
“What about anyone you might have met before? Back in New York. Not just a friend either. Perhaps someone who appeared to know Tiffany.”
“No, sorry. I don’t see anyone familiar.”
We stood in silence as my brother walked out, flanked by Maddox and Farid. I was almost surprised when Maddox stepped up to the microphone.
“I’ll catch up with you soon,” I told Grace, before slipping into the crowd and away from the cameras. I found a new position off to the side, away from Solomon.
“Thank you all for coming,” Maddox said as cameras flashed in front of him. “I’m Special Agent Adam Maddox, lead investigator on the task force assembled to find Tiffany Rose. Despite an extensive investigation with several leads, we have yet to locate Ms. Rose. Most of you are aware of the footage posted on the internet of the night Ms. Rose was allegedly abducted and we ask that you refrain from speculating at this time. If you have any information about her whereabouts, the tip line is open and you’ll see details about that and the reward for any information leading to her safe return on your screens. I’ll take some questions now.”
While Maddox spoke, I continued my slow sweep of the growing crowd. I wasn’t surprised to spot Flavia, her long, blonde hair partially covered by a chic, white beanie. She held up a camera, recording Maddox’s speech and when he finished, she turned it towards her, speaking into it while gesturing wildly. Of course she was vlogging it; I just couldn’t fathom what she could possibly be saying. Was she coming clean to her audience? I was pretty sure I’d find out online soon enough. I wondered if she had gleaned any more information about Tiffany from their mutual friends, and if so, when did she plan on telling us?
Fletcher and Flaherty were at the back, near a family group. Most of the crowd seemed to be in pairs or small groups but there were some lone people, most of them women. The male contingent seemed to be teen boys either with their female friends or girlfriends. Several other men stood near the sidewalk, apparently attracted by the spectacle. But there was one man, who stood at the back of the crowd, his arms crossed, his face stony. When Maddox was answering a question about the reward, the man sucked in a deep breath and clenched his jaw tightly. I pulled out my phone and shot a text to Solomon suggesting he focus on this man.
I skirted around the crowd, stopping as a couple got in my way, causing me to stumble and cry out.
“Hey, watch it!” said the taller girl.
“Excuse me,” I squeaked, stepping around them just as the man looked over. He startled, his eyes flashing wide, then he moved forward into the crowd. I darted forward too, wanting to know why he made the sudden dash to get away. I could just make out his head bobbing above the others and squeezed my way ahead. Then, I lost him. As Maddox fielded another question from a reporter, I looked around, disoriented, when I saw him again, off to my left, pulling on a hat. I jostled my way past a group of girls with candles and a Find! Tiffany! Now! poster and burst out of the crowd. The man hurried across the grass towards the sidewalk. “Hey!” I called. He glanced back and hurried faster. I jogged to catch up as he traversed the grass and darted across the road between traffic. “Hey!” I called again, my voice lost to the air as a truck rumbled past. I found a lull in the traffic and ran across, hoping no overzealous police officer pursued me for jaywalking. As I reached the corner, I saw the man running and then he dodged right and disappeared. I ran after him, stopping at the alley I was sure he entered. Behind me, a car screeched to a halt and I glanced over my shoulder, tense, then relieved when I saw Solomon.
“He saw me and ran,” I said, jogging over to the SUV.
“I saw it. I thought I could cut him off but the traffic was against me.” He hopped out, removing his gun from his holster. “Wait here.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Are you armed?”
“No.”
“Then wait.” Solomon was gone before I could protest, even though he did have a point. I wasn’t armed but I wasn’t sure the man who ran away was either. Sure, he was taller and heavier than me so he posed a threat, but he didn’t flash a gun or even seem to reach for one. So why did he run away? “He’s gone,” said Solomon, returning to stand with me. “There’re a bunch of buildings he could have entered and a couple of passages that lead to the parallel street. He could have taken any one of them.”
“Damn.”
“What made you follow him?”
“He was the only man here alone and he looked cross when Maddox mentioned the reward. I thought I’d try and engage him in conversation but he just ran!”
“I got photos. Let’s see if we can find out who he is and whether this is a wild goose chase.”
“He ran too fast for it to be nothing,” I insisted.
“That’s what concerns me.”
Both of our phones burst into life. “It’s Garrett,” I said.
“Lucas,” said Solomon. We both stepped apart and answered. I felt unfocused, wanting to know what Lucas had to say, as well as Garrett.
“Where did you get to?” asked Garrett. “I saw you run from the crowd.”
“I was following a guy who disappeared.”
“Why? What did he do?”
“Well, nothing. But he stood out. Not much, just enough to catch my attention. I’m on my way back.”
“Don’t. Something happened.”
“There was a tip?”
“No. My guys with Abigail said she gave them the slip. Your guys too. Did she call you?”
“No!”
“Damn it. Where the hell could she have gone?”
“Did you call her?”
“Five times. She turned her phone off. If you have any idea why she would do that, I need to know now!”
“I don’t.”
“She hasn’t sent you any kind of message?”
I shook my phone, bringing it to life, and pressed the screen. “No texts, no calls, no voicemails,” I told him. “Garrett, if I knew where she was, I’d tell you.”
“I have a bad feeling about this. I’ll call you back.” The line went dead just as Solomon hung up.
“The tip line transferred a call to Lucas from someone saying she’s Tiffany’s mom and she’s on her way to town. We might have finally caught a break,” Solomon told me. “She should be here tomorrow and she’s keen to talk but she refused to say about what, which is frustrating.”
“I would be thrilled but Abigail gave her cop babysitters and our guys the slip and turned off her phone. Garrett is pissed and I’m worried.”
Solomon contemplated that. “Now would be the perfect time for the kidnappers to make contact. Everyone’s distracted by the press conference.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth.”
Chapter Sixteen
We waited at the police station for close to two hours, long past nightfall, but neither Garrett nor Maddox returned. I finally signaled to Solomon that we should leave. After a simple supper at home, several unreturned calls, and a review of the case notes, we both fell into bed exhausted.
I slept fitfully, my dreams strange and complicated. For the first few moments of wakefulness, I recalled the vivid memory of playing the role of an online influencer, my face changing every time I saw its reflection. Then as I awoke properly, the memory mostly disappeared, leaving me with an uneasy feeling of shallow confusion.
“Bad dream, sweetheart?” asked Solomon, placing a coffee cup on the nightstand.
“Weird more than bad. I think I was Tiffany in my dream but it was so jumbled, I don’t remember much.” I sat up before Garrett’s call burst back into my awareness. “Did Garrett call? Did he find Abigail?”
“He called you an hour ago, then he called me.”
“Why didn’t you wake me? Is she okay? Is he still mad?”
“You were tired and there wasn’t anything immediately important to tell you. Abigail is okay. Garrett is mad as hell but he’s calming down.”
“What happened?”
“Exactly what we suspected, Abigail got another communication from the kidnappers. She scraped up most of the money and left to make the drop.”
I slammed my palm to my forehead. “Oh, no! I can tell this isn’t good already. Your face says it all.”
“My face says nothing,” said Solomon, “But your instincts are correct.”
“Is Tiffany…?” I waited, fearing the worst.
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