“That I’m not sure of, but Denise mentioned she was also lured into a modeling gig from a video. As you might imagine, that’s not an unusual tactic.”
“But highly susceptible to conmen. Let me guess. The officers refused to get up off their lazy asses and investigate her claim.” Anger swelled in me.
Jackie’s sigh was hollow. “You’re right. My guess is that all Reese presented were her suspicions and blind determination to find her sister, without realizing the danger she placed herself in.”
“She decided to become Nancy Drew.” Great. Now I was dating myself.
While I was furious the woman had been so reckless, I also had to admire Ms. Murphy’s tenacity. There had been no way of her knowing what she was getting herself into. Only she wasn’t a runaway whose disappearance could be ignored. If anyone discovered she wasn’t just a young woman seeking fame and fortune, she’d be in even more danger.
“That’s what it looks like.” Jackie was clearly as perturbed as I’d become. “Her sister’s name is Briana. I did a cursory look but couldn’t find anything to prove helpful. After Reese arrived in Miami, she didn’t have time to put down any roots.”
“Did you check credit cards?”
“Yeah, a rental car and a cheap hotel, a couple meals, but nothing out of the ordinary.”
The modeling gig had been a fucking predatory lure. A snatch and grab opportunity.
“Can you email me Reese’s picture?”
“Yes. I also have one of Briana as well, although it’s older. What are you going to do, Kendrick? I know what you said about there being no real case. Trust me, my boss wants nothing to do with this. My partner laughed at me. Maybe you should just drop it. As you said, there’s nothing much there.”
Her sudden reluctance made me wonder if her boss, a man I’d butted heads with on more than one occasion, knew more about the Privileged than he was willing to disclose. And why he’d suddenly pressured her. Darren Ewing was no fan of mine.
“Is Darren aware we’ve had a conversation?”
“No. And I plan on keeping it that way.”
Another red flag.
“You walked into my office, Jackie. Remember? You wanted my help. Now, you suddenly don’t think there’s enough of a problem to continue investigating? What’s wrong? Is Darren putting a gun to your head? Or are you being paid to stay silent?”
“How dare you, Kendrick. I came to you in good faith. You know exactly what I’m up against.”
Sadly, I did. While corruption existed everywhere, up to this point, I’d doubted Darren was that conniving. Maybe I was wrong. She’d all but championed him. Up until now. She was keeping something from me, maybe since she knew my gruff personality. “You came to me because I’m a tenacious bulldog. It would seem that’s something else you choose to forget.”
Sighing, she hesitated before continuing. “This is bigger than I realized. And very dangerous.”
“Do you know anyone who’s involved?”
“No.”
“If you’re lying to me, I will file a motion in the courts myself.”
“Do I have suspicions? Sure, but I can’t accuse anyone of something this heinous without finding myself lucky to get a job as a meter maid in some godforsaken city. I’m telling you the truth, Kendrick. But I’m also warning you that whatever you have planned, you need to be careful. Even investigating them is dangerous. Promise me you’ll consider your options carefully.”
However Jackie had been cautioned, it had frightened her. Were there rumors flying around about another secret organization, one that was on the side of the good guys, bringing justice tothose ignored by the system? Yes, there were. Were those men and women equally as dangerous?
You bet they were.
Did they often cross the line of legalities when necessary?
I’d take the fifth.
But I knew the group well. She was just hopeful I was involved. Maybe I’d need to toss out additional respect for the woman.
“You don’t need to worry about me, Jackie. I can take care of myself. Trust me on that. I’m not good with making promises, but I assure you that I will look into the situation. If I find any truth to what Denise indicated, I will make certain the men involved pay a hefty price.”
“As I said before. You are a good man. Just heed my warning.”
