“This is the last loose end. Vine has disappeared, and I’m afraid Crystal Benton might have left the country.”
“Might have? You’re not sure?” she asked.
“Not positive. However, her alias Martha White flew to Barbados from LAX a week ago, before we could flag her. If that was her, right now she’s out of our grasp.”
“But we have that passport. How could she have used it?”
“Like I say, we’re not sure, but she has disappeared as completely as Vine.”
“Do you think Vine left the country?”
He arched an eyebrow and held one hand out, palm up. “Nowadays the most convenient way to track people is their digital footprint. Vine does not have one. Notoriously old-school, he doesn’t even use credit cards. To leave the country he’d need a passport. Vine has mastered the art of being off-grid.”
Lainie considered this information for a moment, trying not to descend into depression because of it.God is in controlcame to mind, and it gave her some confidence and maybe even some optimism.
“He can’t stay holed up forever. Everyone gets caught eventually. Evie comes home later today; I’ll talk to her again. One more thing, she wants to talk to Stan.” Lainie looked at Shea.
“Ah, he’s been arraigned and sent to County. She’ll need to talk to his public defender, but it shouldn’t be a problem. She is his wife.”
“Do you think Stan will tell her anything?” Ben asked.
“About the case? I’m not sure. Evie’s concern with Stan is more personal.”
“Ah, I understand.”
“I don’t really. I don’t think she should put herself through it. Evie is a forgiving person. I think her mission is to confront him with everything she knows and see what he has to say for himself.”
“Makes sense. I hope Stan sees the error of his ways and comes clean for his wife. She can’t be compelled to testify against him, but maybe he will tell her something that could help us find Vine. Please keep me up-to-date on her meeting.” Ben stood to leave.
“Are you going back to your office?” she asked.
“Nope. Lunch.”
Lainie checked her watch. “I didn’t realize it was that time. Do you mind if I join you?”
Surprise flashed across his face and then disappeared. “Sure. Do you have a place you’d like to go?”
“Someplace down in The Pike?”
“I’ll follow you.”
They said goodbye to Shea and left the office for the elevator. Once the doors closed, Lainie turned to Ben. Standing here with him, knowing what she had to do, only positive feelings flooded her. Ben was a good guy, a good agent. She liked him. Forgiveness erased all the negativity she’d felt.
“I need to get something off my chest.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry I was so hard on you about Evie—”
He held up a hand to stop her. “You were right; I was wrong.” His expression was open and friendly, sincere.
“Yeah, maybe you were wrong, but so was I. You made a judgment call, a call I might have made myself if our roles were reversed. There isno reason for me to be angry or for you to feel guilty. Stan is responsible for what happened to Evie, not you. Can you forgive me?”
He smiled. “Hey, if you can forgive me, it’s a no-brainer to forgive you a few harsh words.”
“Great.” Lainie held her hand out. “Friends? Shake on it?”
He gripped her outstretched hand, and Lainie felt great peace settle over her. And something else. Ben’s blue eyes were so warm, his grip strong and comforting. This could be dangerous, Lainie thought, but not in a bad way.
