At least Eric hadn’t lied. But I was keenly aware that he still could’ve murdered Tina Barnes during that time frame.
CHAPTER38
CINDY THOMAS SATat her desk at theSan Francisco Chronicle,zoning out a bit as she gazed out the interior window of her second-floor office that overlooked the newsroom. She was starting to feel the effects of diving into a story possibly bigger than anything she’d tackled before. She thought about what Lindsay and Rich went through when they had a big case. You couldn’t just shut your brain off in the middle of it.
When her cell phone rang, she picked it up with a quick “Cindy Thomas speaking.”
“Hello, Ms. Thomas. It’s Sergeant Davis from the San Julio Police Department.”
Cindy and Sergeant Stephanie Davis exchanged pleasantries for a moment. Then the sergeant said, “I’m going to pass on some information to you that I’m also going to give the San Francisco PD. It’s probably nothing, and SFPD will likely ignore it. But considering how diligent you were to come out here, and I’ve read a couple of your investigative articles, I think you might do morewith it than some uninterested detective who may or may not even pick up the phone.”
“I can’t wait to hear what this is.”
“I got a tip from someone who claims to have seen Nicole Snaff just two weeks ago at one of the malls in San Francisco. Not the Galleria downtown but the big one out near UCSF. I think it’s called—”
“Stonestown Galleria.”
“Bingo,” said the sergeant. “Sprawling thing. Anyway, the tipster said they saw Nicole there and recognized her from some sporting event in San Julio.”
The sergeant gave Cindy all the details she had, including the tipster’s name and a phone number, which she said was her work number. Cindy scribbled the notes in the notepad she carried with her everywhere. She was already thinking how she could explain to the tipster that a reporter was contacting her, rather than an SFPD detective.
After she hung up with Sergeant Davis, Cindy immediately turned to her computer and typed in the number that Sergeant Davis had said was the tipster’s work phone. She figured it would be some kind of fast food or retail place.
The search engine told her that the number was for a place called The Brass Ring Gentlemen’s Club. Cindy read the description and realized it was a topless bar—or, as some men liked to call it, “adult entertainment.” Her experience with these kinds of places made her think that not many actual gentlemen ever frequented them.
This was going to be an experience.
CHAPTER39
RICH CONKLIN ANDI were driving back from Oakland when I got a call from Cindy Thomas. I felt a little guilty for not putting the call on speakerphone, but if Rich realized I was talking to his wife, he never let on.
As soon as I answered the phone, Cindy went into hyperdrive, telling me about her latest tip and why the sergeant in San Julio had given it to her.
I had to admit, the sergeant wasn’t wrong. Unless the tip went to the right detective in the right department, someone who was involved in investigating missing persons or crimes against children, it probably wouldn’t be a top priority for follow-up.
“I’ll call the sergeant directly so it’ll be official. Then we’ll check out the lead,” I told Cindy.
“So it’s not a problem if I come along?”
“It’s not a problem for me. It could be for you. Later you might have to explain why you chose me,” I mumbled a bit, hoping Rich hadn’t deciphered any of the conversation, while also hoping Cindy would understand my meaning.
“Is Rich there with you right now?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“And you think he’d be upset if I didn’t invite him to come along with us?”
“You tell me.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I love my husband, but I think it’ll be better if I just have you come with me.”
“Sounds lovely.” We arranged for Cindy to pick me up from the Hall of Justice.
An hour later, I was standing on the sidewalk near a side entrance when Cindy rolled up in her Hyundai sedan, and I hopped in like a celebrity avoiding the paparazzi.
I’d already called Sergeant Davis at the San Julio Police Department. She’d given me all the information I needed, and I assured her that I’d clear it with our Special Victims Unit.
Once I had my seat belt on, I said to Cindy, “You left out the part about your tipster working at a topless bar.”
