After considering it for a moment, I phoned Milo.
He said, “How’d you get from sick kids to that—forget it, no need to explain. Sure, why not, can’t hurt to try. I’m downtown with Hector going through some more video from a few blocks away. You mind making the call?”
“Sure, but if they don’t want to talk to me—”
“Everyone wants to talk to you.”
—
I phoned Safe Place, hoping to bypass Pam Buttons—too new, too defensive—and connected with David Le Gallee.
“Oh, hi, Doctor. There’s progress on Lynne?”
“Wish there was. I’m calling because you mentioned people volunteering. Was a woman named Tiana Crown among them?”
“She sure was…oh no, you’re not saying—no, that’s crazy.”
“Did she spend time with Lynne?”
“I’m sure she did. As well as with other residents. But it was always positive contact, Doctor, no way I can see that as relevant to…what happened.”
I kept my voice smooth-lie-even. “I’m sure you’re right but when cases bog down, and this one sure has, the detectives go back and digthrough every possible detail. The last place Lynne was seen was Safe House, so they want to know who she associated with.”
“The detectives do the digging, but you’re the one calling.”
I laughed. “To be honest, it’s kind of low priority.”
“Well, that’s good, because the idea of someone here having anything to do with Lynne’s disappearance is ridiculous.”
“No doubt,” I said. “Do you have the names of the other volunteers, Dave?”
“You have Tiana’s name but not theirs?”
“That was a fluke. She turned out to be somewhat well known.”
“How?”
“Her husband was a corrupt lawyer who ran a big scam. There’s no evidence she was part of it but she did cite volunteering at various nonprofits in her personal statement so we wondered.”
“That’s it?” said Le Gallee. “Yes, it does sound low priority. Tiana was really helpful, Doctor. Different from the other volunteers but that was a plus.”
“How so?”
“Our ladies are mostly in their sixties and up. Affluent, kind of old-school. You know, the typical volunteer.”
“Tiana was younger and the residents could relate to her.”
“Exactly,” he said. “Music, clothes, she was more up to date. She was also able to help me with exercise classes. Fit and super strong. And always supportive.”
“Of Lynne?”
“Of anyone who needed bucking up.”
“Got it,” I said. “You’ve been using the past tense. Tiana no longer volunteers there?”
“No, not for a while. Hold on and I’ll tell you exactly…okay, here it is. For half a year, she came once a week, then she stopped a little less than two months ago. Says here she was stepping away to find full-time employment and now I remember her telling me she needed the money. Which isn’t true of our other volunteers, they’re pretty well heeled.”
“Got it. Could I have their names, please?”
