Cave was already suspicious that Keri was the one who had stolen his files with dossiers on different abductors for hire. But he couldnt be sure of that. Even if he was, he didnt know how much Keri had discovered about his secret connections to this dark underworld or whether she had him under surveillance too. So he obviously didnt want to risk incriminating himself by contacting the Collector if he could possibly avoid it.
He believed they were in a surveillance stalemate. And considering that Jackson Cave had a lot more information than Keri did right now, she was pretty happy with that arrangement.
She had promised Ray that when allowing the bugs to stay in place became counterproductive, shed get rid of them, even if it tipped Cave off. They even had a code phrase that meant it was time to dump them. It was Bondi Beach, a reference to a beach in Australia that Keri one day hoped to visit. If she said those words, Ray would know he could finally rip the device out of his visor.
Satisfied? he asked when shed finished sweeping them both thoroughly.
Yes, sorry. Listen, I got an email from our friend this morning, she said, choosing to be cryptic about the Collector even when she was sure they werent being listened to. He hinted that hed be reaching out. I guess Im just a little on edge. Every time my phone buzzes, I think its him.
Did he give you any kind of timetable? Ray asked.
No. He just said hed be in touch soon; nothing beyond that.
No wonder youre so agitated. I thought you were just overreacting to this case.
Keri felt the heat rise in her cheeks and stared silently at her partner, stunned at his comment. Ray seemed to know immediately that hed gone too far and was about to try to clean it up when the security guard called out from the computer room.
Ive got something, he yelled.
You are so lucky right now, Keri hissed angrily, storming ahead of Ray, who gave her a wide berth.
When they entered the computer room, the guard had the video footage cued up to 2:05 p.m. Sarah and Lanie were clearly visible sitting at a small table in the center of the dining area. They saw Lanie take a picture of her food with her phone, almost certainly part of the post Edgerton had found on Instagram.
After about two minutes, a tall, dark-haired guy covered in tattoos approached them. He gave Lanie a long kiss and after a few more minutes of chatting, they all got up and left.
The guard froze the image and turned to face Keri and Ray. Keri looked at the guard closely for the first time. He wore a nametag that read Keith and couldnt have been more than twenty-three, with greasy, pimply skin and a hunched-over back that made him look like a scrawny Quasimodo. She pretended not to notice it as he spoke.
I got a few solid screen grabs of the guys face. I put them on digital files and I can send them to your phones too if you like.
Ray gave Keri a look that said maybe this guy isnt so incompetent after all but shut it down when she glared back at him, still pissed about his overreaction remark.
That would be great, he said, turning his attention back to the guard. Were you able to track where they went?
I was, Keith said proudly and spun around to face the screen again. He switched to a different screen that showed the guys movements throughout the mall, as well as those of Sarah and Lanie. They culminated with them all getting into a Trans Am and leaving the parking lot, headed in a general northbound direction.
I tried to get the license plates on the car but all our cameras are mounted too high to see anything like that.
Thats okay, Keri said. You did really well, Keith. Im going to give you our cell numbers for those screen grabs. Id also like you to send them to one of our colleagues at the station so he can run facial recognition.
Of course, Keith said. Ill do that right away. Also, I was wondering if I could ask a favor?
Keri and Ray exchanged skeptical glances but she nodded anyway. Keith continued hesitantly.
Ive been planning to apply to the police academy. But Ive held off because I dont think Im ready for the physical requirements yet. I was wondering if, when all this settles down, I could pick your brains for some suggestions on how to improve my chances of getting in and actually graduating?
Is that all? Keri asked, pulling out a business card out and handing it to him. Call this pituitary case over here for the physical advice. You can call me when you need some help with the mental part of the job. And one more thing. If you have to wear a nametag for work, get one with your last name on it. Its more intimidating.
Then she walked out, leaving Ray to mop up. He deserved it.
Back out in the hall, she texted the screen grabs of the guy to both Joanie Hart and the Caldwells, asking if either recognized him. A moment later, Ray stepped out to join her. He looked sheepish.
Listen, Keri. I shouldnt have said you were overreacting. Clearly theres something going on here.
Is that an apology? Because I didnt hear the words Im sorry anywhere in there. And while were at it, havent there been enough cases that looked like nothing to everyone but me which turned out to be something for you to give me the benefit of the doubt?
Yeah, but what about all the cases? he started to say, then thought better of it and stopped himself mid-sentence. Im sorry.
Thank you, Keri replied, choosing to ignore the first part of his comment and focus on the second.
Her phone buzzed and she looked down with anticipation. But instead of an email from the Collector, it was a text from Joanie Hart. It was brief and to the point: never seen this guy.
She showed it to Ray, shaking her head at the depths of the womans apparent ambivalence toward her daughters well-being. Just then the phone rang. It was Mariela Caldwell.
Hi, Mrs. Caldwell. This is Detective Locke.
Yes, Detective. Ed and I have been looking at the photos you sent. Weve never seen that young man. But Sarah mentioned to me that Lanie said her boyfriend looked like he should be in a rock band. I wonder if this might be him?
Its quite possible, Keri said. Did Sarah ever mention a name of this boyfriend?
She did. Im pretty sure it was Dean. I dont recall a last name. I dont think she knew it either.
Okay, thanks very much, Mrs. Caldwell.
Is that helpful? the woman asked in a hopeful, almost pleading voice.
It may very well be. I dont have any new information for you yet. But I promise you, were focused hard on finding Sarah. Ill try to update you as much as I can.
Thank you, Detective. You know, I only realized after you left that youre the same detective who found that missing surfer girl a few months ago. And I know that, wellwith your daughter Her voice cracked and she stopped, clearly overcome with emotion.
Its okay, Mrs. Caldwell, Keri said, steeling herself so that she wouldnt lose it.
Im just so sorry about your little girl
Dont worry about that right now. My focus is on finding your daughter. And I promise Im going to put every ounce of energy I have into that. You just try to stay calm. Watch a crappy TV show, take a nap, do anything you can to stay sane. Meanwhile, were on this.
Thank you, Detective, Mariela Caldwell whispered, her voice barely audible.
Keri hung up and looked at Ray, who wore a worried expression.