"It was a mistake.Diana was trying to be kind, and it backfired."Vance sighed."She's been with us for years.She cares about these girls.Sometimes caring makes you do stupid things."
It was a better answer than the first attempt, but Kari still didn't buy it.The lie Jade had been told wasn't a clumsy attempt at kindness—it was a complete fabrication, detailed and specific.
Vance leaned forward, her hands flat on the desk."Look, Detective, I don't know what you think is going on here, but I can assure you that Amanda's death was a tragedy.A young woman with substance abuse problems that none of us knew about.It happens in this industry more often than I'd like to admit.The pressure, the competition, the constant scrutiny of their bodies and faces.Some girls can't handle it."
Kari thought about what Blake Montgomery had said, that Amanda was religious about her health, that she didn't use drugs.She thought about the paramedic who'd noticed the scene was staged.But she kept her expression neutral.
"What about Tayen Stern?Can she handle it?"
"Tayen is..."Vance hesitated."Tayen is complicated.She came to us through Image Management about eighteen months ago.Classic discovery story: beautiful girl from nowhere, desperate for a new life, willing to work hard.And shedidwork hard.She built a following, got some decent bookings, was starting to break into the higher-tier jobs."
"But?"
"But she was fragile.Emotionally, I mean.The rejection got to her more than most.And in the last few months, she'd been pulling back.Missing calls, showing up late to shoots, turning down jobs she should have taken."Vance shook her head."I thought she was burning out.It happens.Not everyone is cut out for this life."
"Do you have any idea where she might have gone?"
"None.Her roommate doesn't know.Her booker doesn't know.Diana doesn't know, and Diana was closer to Tayen than anyone here."Vance shook her head, looking frustrated."If I knew where she was, I'd tell you.A missing model is a liability.It makes the agency look bad.It makesmelook bad."
There it was, Kari thought.The bottom line.Not concerned for Tayen's well-being, but concerned for the agency's reputation.She felt a flicker of disgust but pushed it aside.People revealed themselves in moments like this, and Jessica Vance had just revealed that she saw her models as assets rather than people.
"I've been trying to reach Image Management—the company that recruited Tayen," Kari said."What can you tell me about them?"
Vance's face grew guarded."Image Management is a talent recruitment company.They scout models from places other agencies don't bother looking.Small towns, rural areas, immigrant communities.They find the girls, do the initial grooming, then refer them to agencies like mine for placement."
"For a fee, I assume."
"Of course for a fee.Nothing in this industry is free."Vance's tone had cooled."Vanessa Caldwell runs Image Management.She's been in the business for twenty years, longer than I have.She knows how to find diamonds in the rough."
Kari noticed a discrepancy between Vance's words and her tone."What do you think of her?"she asked.
Vance stared at her, as if unsure what to make of the question."I respect her business acumen."
"But you don't like her."
Vance snorted."That's not relevant to anything."She stood abruptly, signaling that the conversation was over."Look, Detective, I've told you everything I know.Tayen is missing, Amanda is dead, and my agency is in crisis mode.I don't have time to sit here speculating about things I can't control."
"One more question."Kari stood as well, but didn't move toward the door."The other models who've left Elite Vision over the past year or so.Where did they go?"
Vance's face went very still."Models leave agencies all the time.They move to other cities, they quit the industry, they get married or go back to school.It's a transient business."
"But you don't know where any of them went specifically."
"Why would I?They're not my responsibility once they leave."But something in Vance's eyes had shifted, a flicker of something that might have been unease."I think you should go now, Detective.I have calls to make."
Kari let herself be shown out, but she paused in the reception area.Diana Shepherd was still sitting with the crying girl, though the tears had slowed now.Diana looked up as Kari approached.
"Detective Blackhorse."Diana's voice was soft, mindful of the girl beside her."Did Jessica help you?"
"Not as much as I'd hoped."Kari glanced at the young model, who was staring at the floor with blank, reddened eyes."How are you holding up?"
Diana smiled wearily."Trying to keep everyone together.These girls, they're so young.Most of them have never lost anyone before.They don't know how to process it."She squeezed the girl's shoulder gently."I'm going to take Mia home, make sure she has someone with her tonight.But if you want to talk more, you can call me.I want to help find Tayen.I really do."
She was struck by the earnestness in Diana's voice.
"I appreciate that," she said."I'll be in touch."
Outside, Kari checked her phone.No callback from Vanessa Caldwell at Image Management.She'd try them again later—but right now, the murder angle felt more urgent.
